A little more exploring around Nantwich resulted in more street names that must have been related to the location or purpose.
Peter recently left a comment on the blog about the Crown Hotel, mentioning it was reputedly the site of an earlier castle. This would be logical as the castle would be on the east (town side) bank of the River Weaver adjacent to the crossing leading Wales.
And this is the long enclosed gallery on the first floor
Next to the hotel is……..
Well that’s logical. Round the corner is…….
Obviously where oats were sold. Towards the river was…..
That also makes sense. Water was needed to drive a mill. But then I wondered what businesses operated from the next street. And then I realised it was connected to Pillory St! 
Many of the older building originate from the period immediately after the great fire of 1583. Hence the plaque on the wall of the Crown Hotel. I suspect some of the the buildings have started to show their age and; like me developed “middle-age spread”. They appear to have been fitted with a building version of a corset.
I assume the bracing “cross” is connected to an iron rod that joins the opposite sides of the building.
Another version of the bracing technique.
4 comments :
And for today's history lesson for those with an interest like me.... Nantwich is merely a town on the medieval and important route between London and Holyhead, which from the earliest times was the route to Ireland. The Crown Hotel, is the site of an earlier coaching Inn which stood on the same site, although nearby are the remains of Nantwich Castle, built by the Normans before 1180 to guard a ford across the River Weaver on this route. Although nothing remains above ground, archaeological digs near to the Crown have since revealed remains that can be identified as castle foundations. In 1276 Edward 1st of England defeated a Welsh uprising led by Llywelyn ap Gruffydd, recognized as the Prince of Wales since 1267, and later went on to embark on a massive castle building project that is to this day still seen as one of the wonders of the 13th century. Following his conquest of Wales, Edward 1st built a formidable iron ring of castles, a days march apart, to defend his aquisitions from Welsh rebellion. Subsequent to Edward's first Welsh campaign when he succeeded in isolating his adversary, Llywelyn the Last in Snowdonia and Anglesey, the English king erected the castles of Flint, Rhuddlan, Builth Wells and Aberystwth. After the failure of Llywelyn's second uprising in 1282, the Iron Ring was extended to include castles at Conwy, Caernarfon and Beaumaris. The remains of these castles are well worth a visit, if you get chance, some remain in excellent condition.
Ah..Interesting....... But what about Love Lane :-)
In answer to your question, and of sufficient interest to warrant further comment space I hope, Love Lane was, as you point out, probably derived as the place for prostitutes. Other street names derived from similar activities are: Maiden Street (possibly indicating prostitutes), Finkle Street (Middle English finkle = to pet or cuddle), Grope or Grape Lane (the latter being an example of the “cosmeticisation” of street names). By 1400 there was a wooden bridge replacing the ford across the Weaver in Nantwich towards 'Frog Row' - now know as Welsh Row. From then there was also Barker Street (tanning), Melestreet, (where cerials were sold, Thevis (thieves) Lane, Castle Street (already mentioned), Hospital Street (with its hospice for travellers). Swinemarket, etc. etc. Many names, as you have identified, remain today. Either side of Frog (Welsh) Row, there used to be salt processing taking place, an industry prevalent around all the 'wich's' since Roman times. The process involved burning lots of wood to evaporate the brine, hence the name Wood Street in that area. More modern names recently taken for new development include Brine Leas - (Salt water meadow), and a recent housing development on Salt Meadow. The name 'Pillory Street' in Nantwich first appeared around 1314, and is evidence that the town was developing into a serious trading place with its own form of governance, and punishment. Phew!
What am I going to do when you head off on that world cruise? :-)
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