The Little Manor, Pub at night, Bell Lane, Thelwall, South Warrington, Cheshire, North West England - Brunning and Price - WA4 2SX

Thelwall is unquestionably a village of great antiquity, and was first mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle in the early 890s. Most reliable sources claim the name is derived from the Old English 'Thelwael', meaning 'deep pool with a plank' or 'pool with a plank bridge'. Records show that in AD 923 Edward the Elder, son of King Alfred, visited the place and for some time made it his residence with soldiers garrisoned there. The murder myth There is a story that the house that subsequently became the Little Manor was built for a general in Oliver Cromwell's New Model army in 1642, but the dates do not add up - in 1642 Cromwell was still an MP and governor of Ely, and wasn't promoted to colonel until 1643 in the new Eastern Association army raised by the Earl of Manchester. He was promoted to Lieutenant-General and second in command of the army in 1644. The story has it that this general lived at Thelwall Cottage for many happy years, and was romantically involved with his housemaid. One day however he tried to disentangle himself from the relationship, and she murdered him in a fit of rage. Overcome by remorse, she then hanged herself from a tall fir tree in the driveway. Such is the legend, anyway, though closer investigation casts doubt on the veracity of the tale. The history of the property For the following account, we are indebted to local historian Michael Taylor, who has given invaluable help in explaining the history of the building. The following information is taken from his book 'No Mean City - A Local History of Thelwall in Cheshire', which can be purchased from the post office in the village. The property which became the Little Manor was originally built for the Percival family, who, it is believed, moved to Thelwall around 1660 from Latchford.