2016 Siteseeing

Place	Davenport Links	Our Visit
Capesthorne Hall, Monks Heath, Cheshire	Where Sir William Bromley-Davenport holds forth today. The ancient Davenport family records (muniments) are on display here. The rooms are full of Davenport history, including connection with the Davies family and Charles II. A Roman stone chair excavated from the field resides at the bottom of the stair. Capesthorne Hall	We will have a guided tour of the house and chapel and tea in the tea room.
St. Mary’s Church, Newbold, Astbury, Congleton, Cheshire	Home of c 12th century Davenport Knight’s tomb in the church’s lady chapel. Did he go on Crusade? Canopied Venables tomb in the church yard. The Venables family intermarried with the Davenports, Giselbertus de Venables being the holder of Davenport in the Domesday Book. The Saxon churchyard cross. Many Davenport graves in the yard Remnants of 13th century frescos reminiscent of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. The Edgerton Arms Inn and Pub across the road is worthy of an afternoon or evening visit. Recent Davenport weddings have occurred in the church. Astbury Church	Visit and slide presentation about the church’s history.
St Peter’s Church, Prestbury, Cheshire	This church was the home of Davenports since the 1100s and burial place of Vivian Davenport, Sergeant of the Forest of Macclesfield. The Church shares a yard with an 8th Century Saxon Cross and 11th Century Norman Chapel. Prestbury Church	Vicar Angier and parishioners will greet the Davenport group for afternoon tea.
St. James’ and St. Paul’s Church, Marton, Cheshire, (over the road from the Davenport Arms pub)	The Church was built in 1343 at the beneficence of Sir John Davenport whose stone effigy, together with that of his son Vivian (Urian), still lies within the church’s porch. The Church is believed to be the oldest timbered church of its kind in Europe. The remains of a medieval painting may still be seen in the interior wall above the west doorway of the nave. The wooden pulpit (1620) bears the arms of Davenport. The Church stands on a mound which was likely the point of outdoor congregation near an 8th Century Saxon cross. A community well of ancient times resides within the Davenport Arms Pub across the road. Marton Church	We will tour the church and eat lunch in the pub.
Bramall Hall, Stockport, Greater Manchester	Beautiful Tudor timber framed building in which many generations of Davenports resided, from 1370 to1829. Bramhall Hall Bramhall Hall - Wikipedia	A guided tour will be available.
Sutton Hall, Macclesfield, Cheshire	The 16th cent. home of Sir Humphrey Davenport, now a large pub/restaurant in delightful setting and grounds. Sutton Hall
Macclesfield Forest	Davenports first became Master Sergeants of the Forest of Macclesfield and Leek in 1226.  This is the authority which gave the Davenports the right to administer capital punishment at their own volition and the reason the Davenport crest (above the arms) bears the felon’s head with golden rope about its neck.	A trip through the forest with stops at the Cat and Fiddle Pub on the Pennines above Macclesfield and picnic lunch in the Forest at Trentabank reservoir and arboretum.
River Dane	Sometimes called the River Daven. The location where the 9th Century built-up area called “Davenport” was located and a modern “Davenport Hall” now exists. This is the land identified in the Domesday Book as Davenport, and the location where Orme de Davenport probably held forth.	A walk over the River Dane, returning via the Swettenham Arms Pub for afternoon tea (and “cream tea” if you order it). A visit to the courtyard of Davenport Hall may be possible.
Nantwich, Cheshire	Picturesque, historic market town, with timber-framed buildings. Established by the Romans, who produced salt from naturally-occurring brine springs. Known to the Saxons as Warmundestrou, to the Normans as Wich Malbanc. Nantwich was the last outpost in the area before the Welsh border. Henry III had the town destroyed in the 13th Century to avoid the Welsh using it and its salt spring. Queen Elizabeth I donated £1,000 toward it’s reconstruction after the Great Fire of 1583.	A guided tour of the town, where one will find excellent Saturday shopping.
Manor House Hotel, Alsager, Staffordshire	A Davenport luncheon with British Davenports who will assemble at their annual gathering on September 10. The program for the 2016 meeting will include: An update on DNA developments since Edenton 2013. An opportunity for anyone to raise any topic related to the direction in which Davenport extended family research is progressing. An assessment as to how we can best record our research for the future, and where the records are best stored. Other contributions and ideas arising during the prior days of touring. A final summing up to close the gathering, prior to the dispersal of members.	Home base for the 4 day event. Also the site for casual, unprogrammed evening get-togethers with other Davenports. Daily tours will depart from here.