Mainwaring Manuscripts

Date range: 12th-19th centuries

Medium: Archive

Manuscripts of the Mainwaring family of Peover Hall, Cheshire.

The collection contains state papers, diaries, manorial records, rentals, pedigree rolls and household records, as well as a large number of deeds and charters relating to estates in Cheshire and other counties. Some 400 charters predate the reign of Henry VIII, the earliest consisting of charters granted by the Earls of Chester in the 12th century. Deeds relate to numerous Cheshire townships, but particularly to Allostock, Astle, Baddiley, Goostrey-cum-Barnshaw, Chelford, Knutsford, Nantwich, Over Peover, Great Warford, Little Warford, Waverton, Wharton, Withington and Worleston.

Further information:

• Published catalogue: Robert Fawtier, Hand-List of the Mainwaring and Jodrell Manuscripts at Present in the Custody of the John Rylands Library (Manchester, 1923), available via Special Collections reading rooms. Note that numerous items recorded by Fawtier were removed by the depositor in 1972 and sold at Sotheby's; their present whereabouts are unknown.
• Catalogue of additional material available via Special Collections reading rooms.

Location:

• The John Rylands Library, Deansgate  [Map]
• Find out how to use the reading rooms in the John Rylands Research Institute and Library