Irene Preston's Historical Writing
BRAMALL HALL
The name Bramhall is derived from Anglo-Saxon meaning, Bram or broom
and Halh, a hidden place near water. A hidden place where the broom
grows.
Just after 1066 most of Cheshire was laid waste and William the
Conqueror gave the shire to his nephew known as Hugh Lupus, the Wolf. He
in turn divided it between 8 barons to oversee the shire. One of the
barons was Hamo de Masci of Dunham. His son the 2nd baron gave it to a
relative known as Matthew de Bromale.
Several generations later the last Bromale was a daughter called Alice
who married John de Davenport, 2nd son of Thomas de Davenport of
Weltrough, who was also the 2nd son of Thomas de Davenport of Davenport.
The founder of the Davenport Family was Ormus de Davenport who was given
a grant of land along the River Weaver by the Baron Venables of
Kinderton.
Richard, son of Ormus, was appointed Chief Forester of the Forests of
Leek and Macclesfield in 1166. Later the Davenports became Magistrate
and Sergeants of Macclesfield holding the power of life and death over
the felons. It was about this time that they adopted the crest of a
felon's head with a rope about its neck which has been used ever since
as part of the arms of the Davenports.
The Master Forester had 8 hereditary foresters in fee and had to perform
forest duties, but they also enjoyed certain privileges. They were
Cheshire Bowmen and followed the Earl of Cheshire's standard into battle
whether to France or Scotland.
The last earl was John le Scot and when he died without issue the
Earldom was annexed to the Crown and given to the eldest son and heir to
the throne.
The position of hereditary sergeant lapsed and the King gave it to
anyone he favoured. Sir Thomas Stanley was granted the forest and
hundred of Macclesfield. By the time of the reign of Charles 2nd and
many enclosures, the forests began to disappear.
The Davenports made many profitable marriages. John Davenport married
Cicely the 5th daughter of Lawrence Warren of Poynton in 1435. Sir
William married the daughter of John Warren in 1581. An interesting
tapestry can be seen at Bramall Hall showing all the arms of the
marriages of the family.