More information : [Centred at SJ 8967 9053] Remains of the Town Wall of Stockport can be traced running parallel to Great Underbank into Little Underbank across Mealhouse Row to the Hare and Hounds in Rostron Brow. The wall can be seen at various points along the line, notably at the corner of Great and Little Underbank. The remaining walls of the Castle Area can be inspected from Warren, Vernon and Bridge Streets. (1) Kay (authy 1) produces no historical evidence of a Town Wall. His photographs and description of the wall are as unconvincing as the tortuous course he traces. There is no topographical reason why the enclosed area should take the irregular form he indicates. No trace of a Town Wall was discovered during field investigation, and no additional information concerning it was obtained. (2)
Recent research confirms that Stockport had a motte and bailey, ruinous by the mid C16th, and that it was the revetted bailey which Authy.1 observed. This still exists behind 7 Mealhouse Brow and 11-13 Great Underbank, but the other fragments identified by authy.1 are not part of the bailey. Excavations have failed to locate any further evidence of the walls. (See SJ89SE44). (3) |