A Lost Road: The Lords of Barnshaw Traditional Cache
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A Lost Road: The Lords of Barnshaw
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A cache placed on a route of historical significance as described by George Slater, in Slater's Chronicles in 1891.
This is the 5th and final cache in the series.
"Penny's Lane was originally three or four times its present breadth, and was covered with grass and rushes in the summer, and mud and clay in winter, and was passable only on horseback. From Lach Green, which was then an open common, the road entered Hulme domain, and passed between Hulme Hall and Sculshaw Lodge, through the brook at the dams in Allostock, by the Cross Lanes to Barnshaw, which was then the seat of the lords of Barnshaw.
This was the great military road from Vale Royal to Barnshaw. A large part of this road fell into disuse some generations since, and has long been added to adjoining fields. I myself have gone over every yard of this ground and have been able to trace the old original road almost from end to end.
At this time carriages of every sort were almost entirely unknown in Cheshire, and our forefathers had not begun to use stone and gravel for the repair of the roads. At the time of which I am speaking, an ancestor of the present Duke of Westminster resided at Hulme Hall, and was Lord of the Manor of Allostock. The events of those times have not so far as I know been recorded by any historian and it is impossible for me, with all my historic research, to rescue a tithe of them from oblivion."
- George Slater - Slater's Chronicles - 1891
Slater's Chronicles - The Chronicles of Lives and Religion in Cheshire - is an important work detailing George Slater's historical research into the people and society of the county in the 18th and 19th centuries. It is also important in geneological and religious contexts, and is an incredibly rare book.
I am not sure of the military context of this route (Civil War, perhaps?) as it appears to have fallen out of use during the 1700s; however, the route's significance is further documented on the Allostock Parish Council Website.
THE CACHE
The continuation of Boothbed Lane to the east follows the route I surmise is the "Military Road", however I profess to having no knowledge of the Lords of Barnshaw. Goostrey has been referred to as Goostrey-cum-Barnshaw in the past, and there is a Barnshaw Hall Farm nearby.
Best approach is from the east as there is easier parking. From the west the lane is difficult to turn around in, and ensure you only take your car as far as the public road end (signpost shows this turns into a public restricted byway so no motors please!).
A 1l lock and lock, with camo bag. FTF certificate.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Fvyire ovepu ebbgf arne n ubevmbagny snyyra bgure fvyire ovepu