Highfields, Buerton, Audlem

Highfields is a half-timbered manor house, built in about 1560, of a construction typical to many built in the area at the time. It is a Grade I Listed Building.

The property has belonged to the Bakers and their ancestors the Dods, with only one short interruption, since the early sixteenth century.

The Bakers Home Page Return to the Home Page of the Bakers Family part of the website

The Bakers of Highfields Story The Story of the Dods and Bakers and of Highfields, Fenton House and Hasfield Court. A journey through the history of Cheshire and Staffordshire, an Anglo-Saxon nobleman who retained his lands after the Conquest, pottery at Stoke on Trent, an encounter with Elgar, and the history of an Elizabethan manor house at Audlem

The Bakers of Highfields The family tree of the Bakers of Highfields

The Dod Family The Family Tree of the Dods, predecessors to the Bakers of Highfields

The Bakers of Fenton House and Hasfield Court The Family Tree of the pottery Bakers of Stoke on Trent

The Bellyse Family The Family Tree of the Bellyse Family

The Farndale Story The main part of this website tells the story of the Farndale family from Yorkshire Descendants of Arthur Baker, the story of the Farndale ancestry is told through the main part of this website You can also return to the Farndale website home page

The Hall Family The genealogy of the family of James Hall, linked to the Baker family through marriage to Arthur Baker

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Context and local history are in purple.

A remote and unspoilt feeling lingers on in the southern parts of Cheshire, towards the Shropshire border. The rolling landscape is dotted with old oak trees and black and white houses of different shapes and sizes, from farms and cottages to country houses, matching the black and white cows of the dairy herds grazing in the high pastures around them. Highfields, only a few hundred yards from the Shropshire border and approached through a labyrinth of narrow, hedged lanes, is typical of these smaller, timber framed country houses. With its gables and patterned facades, it is the perfect picture of a “mansion of olden time”. The property has belonged to the Bakers and their ancestors the Dods, with only one short interruption, since the early sixteenth century, when the land was acquired through the marriage of William Dod, a younger son of John Dod of Cloverley Hall in Shropshire, to Ann, daughter of Hugh Chester. By the terms of a deed dated 1553, William “and his heirs forever”” were to inherit from his father-in-law 500 acres including the pasture known as “Highefelds”. This is the earliest reference to Highfields, and it is clear from the wording that there was no house there at that time. (Robinson, John Martin (1991), Highfields, Audlem, Cheshire, Seat of John Bellyse Baker, Country Life 31 January 1991, page 48).

Highfields is a small, half timbered manor house, situated in the southern tip of Cheshire, a few hundred yards from the Shropshire border. In the Township of Buerton, it is about 2 ½ miles South of Audlem, off Woodhouse Lane. Its construction is typical of many that were built, mostly in Cheshire and South Lancashire, using the oak timber from the great forests of Wirral, Macclesfield and Delamere. The coming of the Tudors had brought an end to centuries of fighting; fortified manor houses were no longer necessary. Old customs, however, die hard. All the half-timbered houses of the country, even the Elizabethan ones, are elaborations of a structure and aesthetic that still belonged to the Middle Ages. All adopt the medieval plan of a central dining hall with service rooms and servants quarters at one end; at the other end, the parlour and family apartments. (Baker, John Bellyse (1982), Highfields, Audlem, 16^th century home of the Dod and Baker families).

The Combermere Abbey Era

1133

The Savignac abbey at Combermere, dedicated to St. Mary and St. Michael, was founded in 1133 (This date of foundation is given in Annales Cestrienses, The Annals of Chester, page 21 and in the Chronicon monasterii Dieulacrensis, The Dieulacres Abbey Chronicle, third series, Volume 52, page 19 and is accepted by Janauschek, Leopold (1877) Origines Cisterciensium, Volume 1, page 100). A Savignac abbey was a medieval monastery that belonged to the Congregation of Savigny, a twelfth century religious order originating from Savigny Abbey in Normandy, France. Financial and administrative struggles led the order to affiliate entirely with the Cistercian Order in 1147 under Pope Eugene III, turning former Savignac houses into Cistercian abbeys.

The abbey became wealthy and its endowments included substantial salt revenues, but it developed a reputation for maladministration and was often taken into royal custody. Hugh Malbank, the second Baron of Wich Malbank, now Nantwich, was the founder. It was confirmed in 1130 by Ranulf de Gernons (also Ranulf II), the fourth Earl of Chester, who was one of the witnesses of its foundation charter.

While the abbey's original twelfth century foundation charter has not survived, though an early copy does, The Book of the Abbot of Combermere acts as the primary surviving administrative record and register of the monastery's secular affairs. (Hall, James (1896), The Book of the Abbot of Combermere 1289 to 1529, Record Society for the Publication of Original Documents relating to Lancashire and Cheshire, Volume 31). (Research note, I have not yet found relevant references to places, though further review might reveal more).

The manor of Wilkesley formed the cornerstone of the original endowment gifted to Combermere Abbey. Hugh Malbank donated the manor of Wilkesley, which comprised two separate Domesday manors valued at 18s before the Norman Conquest, alongside adjacent lands as part of his perambulated site for the new monastery. Wilkesley sat directly within a compact, contiguous block of monastic lands straddling the southern edge of Cheshire alongside Shropshire and Staffordshire. Along with the manor of Wilkesle, the estate included associated local vills and settlements such as Dodcott, Lodmore, and Royal, as well as woodland tracts like Brentwood, Light Birchwood, and Butterley Heyes. Today Wilkesley is 5 kilometres to the southwest of Audlem, west of Highfields, within the parish of Dodcott cum Wilkesley.

During the dissolution of the monasteries, by 1539 (see below), at Highfields, closes (enclosed fields) and woods, a developed agricultural landscape of managed timber and enclosed farming pastures, were managed by the monks of the Cistercian Combermere Abbey.

The early management of the Combermere estate, which no doubt included Highfields, Heyfeldes, and the surrounding fields of Audlem, by the Cistercian monks of Combermere Abbey was defined by a classic monastic agrarian system that evolved from direct farming by the monks into a rent-based tenant economy.

The fields within the parish of Audlem were not managed as isolated plots. Instead, the monks organised them as part of the Manor of Wylkesley (Wilkesley), a huge administrative block granted to the abbey upon its foundation in the 1130s. This consolidated structure allowed the abbey to streamline the collection of tithes, agricultural yields, and timber from the Audlem area.

Like most Cistercian houses, Combermere operated a grange system, establishing centralised, monastic-run farm hubs to store grain and manage local livestock. The primary agricultural hub for the Audlem area was the nearby Dodcott Grange. The description of the Audlem lands as closes and woods in 1539 reveals that the monks heavily managed the landscape. Closes indicates that the monks had enclosed the fields around Audlem for specialised farming, probably pastoral grazing, rather than leaving them as open communal fields. The woods were actively managed for timber to supply monastic construction and fuel.

In the early centuries of the abbey, conversi (lay brothers) carried out the manual labour at the Audlem fields. However, economic crises, population drops following the Black Death, and chronic abbey debts across the thirteenth to fifteenth centuries forced a change in strategy.

(Baggs, AP, Kettle, Ann J, Lander SJ, Thacker, A T, Wardle, David (1980), Houses of Cistercian monks: The abbey of Combermere, in A History of the County of Chester, Volume 3, edited by C R Elrington, B E Harris, London, British History Online)

See also The History of the Abbey – from Anglo-Saxons to Dissolution.

1253

By the mid thirteenth century Combermere abbey was in decline, after a succession of financial problems and scandals. In 1253, the creditors were prevented from seizing its flocks, if the debt could be settled by another means.

1275

In 1275, the abbey's debts were so great that its management was assigned to the Lord Chancellor and Bishop of Bath and Wells, Robert Burnell, and the following year it was placed under royal protection for two years.

1282

Edward I's war against Wales of 1282–83 drew heavily on Cheshire and placed additional strain on the monastery. Combermere ran so low on food stores in 1283 that it was exempted from providing supplies for the army and once again removed from the abbot's management.

1500s

By the early 1500s, the monks had transitioned to an absentee landlord model. They leased Highfields and their Audlem properties to secular local families, such as the early ancestors of the local Dod and Massey families, in exchange for cash rents.

The Audlem holdings were lucrative. In addition to renting out the land at Highfields, the abbey held the appropriated church of Acton, which granted the monks the legal right to collect agricultural tithes directly from the inhabitants of Audlem parish. The original 1539 grant notes that the Highfields property alone commanded an annual rent valuation of 66 shillings and 8 pence, marking it as a premium agricultural asset within the abbey's £250+ annual portfolio.

The Dod Era c 1539 to 1736

1539

By 1539, Highfields was already in the tenure of John Dod (DOD00058). The Dods may have leased this land for some time before they acquired it through marriage.

Following the dissolution in August 1539 the Crown quickly transferred the extensive properties of the dissolved Combermere Abbey into private secular hands. George Cotton was a prominent courtier, and this grant established his family as major landowners in the Cheshire-Shropshire border region.

The text explicitly notes that certain closes and woods and a significant estate called Heyfeldes (Heyfields) were located within Audlem and nearby Wrenbury. These had all been owned and managed by the monastery. The reference to closes (enclosed fields) and woods indicates that the land around Audlem was a developed agricultural landscape of managed timber and enclosed farming pastures rather than wilderness.

There was a grant Geo. Cotton, and Mary, his wife. Grant, in tail male, of the house and site of the late monastery of Combermere, Cheshire, the church, steeple, and churchyard thereof, &c., and certain closes and woods (specified) in Wrenbury and Awdelem, Cheshire, the manor of Wylkesley, Cheshire, with lands called Heyfeldes, in Wrenbury and Awdelem, the lands called Dodcotte in the tenure of John Dodd, in Chyles Arkoll, Salop ; and the land called Clyff, in the tenure of John Hilles, in Dray ton in Hales, Salop, and granges called Erled grange, now in the tenure of James Colyer, in Stafford ; Wyucull grange, now in the tenure of Edm. Savage, in Presbury, Cheshire ; Newton grange, now in the tenure of Hugh Bereforde, and John Bereforde, in Assheborne, Derb; Cots grange, alias " Cots felde," now in the tenure of Francis Bassett, in Hortonton, Derb. ; all which premises belonged to the said late monastery ; in as full manner as the last abbot held the same. The grantees to be discharged of an annual rent of 66s 8d for the said lands called Hey felds. Del., Walden, 24 Aug., 31 Hen. VIII.— S.B. Pat. p. 1, m. 2. Vacated on personal surrender by the said George and Mary, 1 Feb., 32 Hen. VIII., in order that the grant might be made out in another form. (Public Records of the reign of Henry VIII, Volume 14 – Part 2, Folio 113 (22))

While ownership shifted from the Abbot to the Crown, and then to the Cotton family, the actual day-to-day farming was steady. The document details specific tenants (like John Dodd and James Colyer in nearby granges), showing that while the landlords changed overnight, the local tenant farmers generally remained on the land.

The grant explicitly discharges the Cottons from an annual rent of 66s 8d for the Heyfields property in Audlem, an example of how the Crown used monastic wealth to financially favour and secure the loyalty of loyal subjects.

The record at the end shows the bureaucratic fluidness of this period. The Cottons surrendered this specific deed just a few months later in February 1541 (32 Hen.ryVIII) simply to have the property granted back to them in a legally altered or more secure format.

Sir George Cotton (c.1495–1545) was a powerful Tudor courtier, politician, and landowner who leveraged his close relationship with Henry VIII to build a vast family fortune. He came from a modest gentry background as the second son of John Cotton of Coton, Shropshire. However, his career accelerated rapidly through royal service. He began his rise as an Esquire of the Body to Henry VIII and was a frequent archery companion to the King. In 1526, he was appointed governor to Henry FitzRoy, Duke of Richmond, Henry VIII's deeply loved, illegitimate son. Managing the household of the King's only male child at the time cemented his status at court. Following FitzRoy’s early death, Cotton was appointed Vice-Chamberlain to the household of the King's legitimate heir, the future Prince Edward (Edward VI). He was later knighted for his services in 1542.

When the Dissolution of the Monasteries began, Cotton was perfectly positioned to profit. In August 1539, he and his wife, Mary Onley, were granted the massive properties of Combermere Abbey. Sir George quickly tore down the ancient abbey church and most of its monastic buildings, using the surviving structural core, specifically the Abbot's House, to establish a grand country estate. His descendants would remain at Combermere Abbey as dominant regional figures for nearly four hundred years, holding the estate until 1919.

1553

Highfields was probably built by William Dod of Lostford (DOD00061) sometime after 1553. The first mention of the pasture or close of the Highefelds is in a deed, still at Highfields, dated 1 October 1553. The owner was Hugh Chester of Newstrete Lane, Salop and the land was some 500 acres. He bequeathed the estate, on the death of his wife and himself to his son in law, William Dod and so William had inherited the Highefelds pasture from Hugh Chester, his father in law. No house yet stood there, so a house must have been built about that time.

The first mention of Highfields (in fact it was referred to in the 1539 record, see above) is in the deed between William Dod of Losford, County Salop, Gentleman and Hugh Chester of Newstrete Lane, County Salop, dated 1st October 1553. In this deed, William “and his heirs forever”, inherit, on the death of Hugh and his wife Alice, various lands and properties, some 500 acres in all. These include the pastures situated in Woodhouse Lane known as the Highfields and Marestalls. (Baker, John Bellyse (1982), Highfields, Audlem, 16^th century home of the Dod and Baker families).

To return to Highfields. As already mentioned, William Dod of Losford (presumably Lostford, near Tern Hill) inherited various lands including the pastures known as Highfields and the Marestalls from the Chester family in 1553. This deed is a recognition of right in which William Dot received five hundred acres including a house in Woodhouse Lane. There is no payment involved, so one can only assume that William’s wife, whom we know in deeds as “Anne”, was the daughter and heiress of Hugh and Alice Chester. As the Highfields is referred to as a “pasture or close”, it seems that the house did not then occupy the site. In Camden 's Britannia of 1695, Highfields is marked, also Maer Houses, where Mere farm now stands in Woodhouse Lane. Could this be the Marestalls referred to in the document? (Baker, John Bellyse (1982), Highfields, Audlem, 16^th century home of the Dod and Baker families).

Woodhouse Farm

A fine and symmetrical but much altered timber-framed house, built for William Dod, with cross-wings either side of a central hall block. The date of the house is unclear. In 1553 William Dod I acquired a pasture known as 'Highefelds', on which no house yet stood. His son, William Dod II, is recorded as 'of Highfields' in 1568, and so presumably a house had been built by then. But was it this house? A chimneypiece in the Best Parlour in the south wing is dated 1615 and has the initials of William Dod III (1577-1647), and the whole fabric of the house could be of this date (a bedroom on the first floor has another original overmantel with the initials of his wife). Indeed, I would argue strongly for the later date if it was certain that the symmetry of the front was original, but the central porch and the gable above it seem to be 19th century, and the present arrangement by which the single-storey hall is entered in the centre seems to be 18th century, with some internal evidence that there was at one time a conventional hall and screens passage arrangement. In the absence of any dendro-chronological evidence, however, the date of the original building must remain a matter for speculation. (Kingsley, Nicholas (2018), Highfields, Audlem, Cheshire).

The High Field

1557

Four years later, in 1557, William made the estate over to his son, William Dod of Newstrete Lane “in consideration of £3”. The son, William, would appear to be living with his grandfather, Hugh Chester (his grandmother had died) perhaps helping him to manage the estate. (Baker, John Bellyse (1982), Highfields, Audlem, 16^th century home of the Dod and Baker families).

1558

The next document to survive is a marriage settlement of 1568, between William Dod of Newstrete Lane and Margaret Pixley, of Willaston, Shropshire, Widow. In return for making over various parcels of land to his future wife, Catherine and any children of the marriage in the event of his death, William received a dowry “£56.13.4 by installments, to be completed at the feast of Saint Michael 1569”. At the time of their marriage, he further received “one bed” and “such decent apparel as shall be thought decent, meet and convenient for the set Katharin.” (Baker, John Bellyse (1982), Highfields, Audlem, 16^th century home of the Dod and Baker families).

c 1560

It seems likely that Highfields was built during the 1560s.

(Baker, John Bellyse (1982), Highfields, Audlem, 16^th century home of the Dod and Baker families).

It seems probable that William and Katharin moved to Woodhouse Lane after their marriage. Later, probably in 1585, they built Highfields on “the Highfields pasture”. Certainly their elder son, William, was baptised at Audlem and, in 1598, married Eleanor, the daughter of John Gamul, of Buerton Hall, Lord of that manor. (Baker, John Bellyse (1982), Highfields, Audlem, 16^th century home of the Dod and Baker families). Yet William Dod styled himself of Highfilds by 1568.

The original house consisted of two gabled blocks joined by a hall, the roof of which ran at right angles to the gables, forming the well known H shape of the period. The house faced due west and was entered by front door into the hall. The south wing contains what was known as the “best parlour”, fully panelled in oak and containing a very fine fireplace, largely original, with the initials of William Dodd and the date, 1615. Two bearded heads, on plinths, on either side of the opening are said to be the to be two Dods, but there would seem to be no reason for supposing this to be so. The panelling of the south (fireplace) wall and east wall is original. It is possible to see that there was a door at some time in the latter wall. The panelling of the other two walls is of a later date, the original having presumably been damaged. (Baker, John Bellyse (1982), Highfields, Audlem, 16^th century home of the Dod and Baker families).

This is a half-timbered manor house situated in Buerton and built by William Dod in 1585. The first mention of the "pasture or close of the Highfields" is in a deed, still at Highfields, dated 1st October 1553. In this the owner of the land, some 500 acres, was one Hugh Chester of Newstrete Lane in Salop. He bequeathed the estate, on the death of his wife and himself, to his son-in-law, William Dod, who was a younger son of John Dod, Lord of the Manor of Cloverley (or Calverhall), an estate they had owned since the early fifteenth century. When William Dod's son, also William, inherited the property, he built a house on the Highfields pasture, naming it after the land on which it stood. (Latham, Frank (1997), Audlem: The History of a Cheshire Parish and its seventeen townships, pages 122 to 124).

The Building of Highfields in the 1560s, reimagined by artificial intelligence

1568

William Dod’s son, William Dod described himself as of Highfields by 1568.

Although not much bigger than many large farms of the period, the house contained beautifully carved oak, particularly the two staircases and the fireplace.

Although not much bigger than many large farms of the period, the house contains much beautifully carved oak, particularly the two staircases and fireplace. William's marriage settlement still exists and in this he received as a dowry from his future wife "£56.13.4d, by instalments, to be completed at the feast of St. Michael 1569, one bed and such decent apparel as shall be thought decent, meet and convenient for the same Katharin" (his future wife). (Latham, Frank (1997), Audlem: The History of a Cheshire Parish and its seventeen townships, pages 122 to 124).

1570

Burkes suggests Highfields was built in about 1570. William Dod, of Newstead Lane (sic, recte Newstreet), and of Highfields Hall, which he built on Highfields pasture, c 1570, made over to him by his father 1557, married 1568, Catherine, daughter of Margaret Pixley, widow of Willaston, Shropshire, and had issue (Burke, John and Burke, Sir Bernard (1836)(Eighteenth Edition, 1972), Bellyse Baker of Highfields in Burke’s Landed Gentry, Volume 3, pages 35 to 38).

1615

There is a Jacobean chimney piece in the south wing of the current property dated 1615, with the initials of the third William Dod of Highfields (1577 to 1647) and the date 1615 appears over the front door at Highfields, but the house is reputed to date from about 1585. Perhaps the main structure of the house was not built until the early seventeenth century.

The exact date when the present house was built is not known for certain, but the chimneyplace in the parlour bears the inscription “WD 1615”, and there seems little reason to doubt that this is the approximate date of construction of the whole building. The initials were those of William Dod (1577 to 1655), grandson of the original William Dod and Ann Chester. He married in 1598 Eleanor, daughter and heiress of John Gamul of Buerton Hall, close by. His father died the following year, and the young couple settled at Highfields soon after. For, though the house has a medieval H-plan with a central hall and flanking family and service wings, the old fashions lingered on in the north and west of England longer than in most places, and it would not have been at all unusual for a half timbered house of the Highfields type to have been erected in the reign of James I. (Robinson, John Martin (1991), Highfields, Audlem, Cheshire, Seat of John Bellyse Baker, Country Life 31 January 1991, page 48).

They added the oak panelling in the best parlour and the very fine carved fireplace, with the initials and date, WD 1615 (Baker, John Bellyse (1982), Highfields, Audlem, 16^th century home of the Dod and Baker families).

Part of the beautiful carved oak mantelpiece in the oak room, bearing William Dod’s initials and the year 1615

The original house consisted of two three-storied wings joined by a hall the roof of which ran at right angles to the gables, forming the well-known H shape of the period. The south wing contains what was known as the "Best Parlour", fully panelled in oak and containing a very fine fireplace, largely original, with the initials of William Dod and the date, 1615. When the panelling was removed for major restoration work in 1985, an arched doorway to the left of the fireplace was revealed, proving that the panelling was a later addition to the room. The William Dod on the fireplace was the son of the builder. (Latham, Frank (1997), Audlem: The History of a Cheshire Parish and its seventeen townships, pages 122 to 124).

The original house consisted of two three storied wings joined by the hall the roof of which ran at right angles to the gables, forming the well known ‘H’ shape of the period.

1640

During the Civil War support was divided, but the Dod family of Highfields appear to have sided with the Royalists. William Dod (1577 to 1655) was appointed to be one of the principal collectors of a subsidy for Charles I and persons whose lands or goods exceeded £1 in value were assessed to pay 8s in the pound.

William Dod of Highfields, born 1577

1642

Military activity around Audlem was largely confined to passage through the village. In May 1642 Prince Rupert, Charles I’s nephew, the third son of Frederick V of Bohemia and James I’s daughter Elzabeth, marched with his army from Shrewsbury to relieve Stockport, just before the Battle of Marston Moor. The army camped between Market Drayton and Buerton and a number of officers were billeted at local houses including Bellaport Hall. It is claimed that Prince Rupert himself spent the night at Highfields, and his army camped in the fields round about.

The Civil War at Highfields, reimagined through Artificial Intelligence

Fireplace in the main bedroom, The four poster in the main bedroom Prince Rupert standing beside the fireplace, reimagined by artificial intelligence

In which Prince Rupert, of Civil

War fame, is reputed to have slept

William Dod (mentioned above) was in residence at the house during the Civil War and was appointed one of the principal collectors of a subsidy for the use of King Charles I. Persons whose land or goods exceeded £1 in value were assessed at 8/- in the pound. In May 1642 Prince Rupert is said to have spent the night at Highfields. (Latham, Frank (1997), Audlem: The History of a Cheshire Parish and its seventeen townships, pages 122 to 124).

A more damning indictment against the Dods, however, was the fact that William Dod's wife had been Eleanor Gamul of Buerton Hall, first cousin of Sir Francis Gamul, Royalist mayor of Chester, who had entertained King Charles I at his home, Gamul House, which still stands in Bridge Street. (Latham, Frank (1997), Audlem: The History of a Cheshire Parish and its seventeen townships, pages 122 to 124).

1660

Model of the original building

Half panelled in oak, the hall has a very fine carved fireplace thought to date from about 1660 (Baker, John Bellyse (1982), Highfields, Audlem, 16^th century home of the Dod and Baker families).

The fine carved fireplace in the hall, believed to date from circa 1660 Part of the drawing room, with a beautiful inlaid coffer The Welsh dresser in the oak room

Part of the dining room Part of the dining room One of the bedrooms

The 17th century coffer and Georgian oak dresser are original Highfields pieces. The blue and white dessert service on the latter is Baker and Bourne and was probably brought by Prudence Baker in the 1840s. Behind this room is a very fine staircase with double twist bannisters. Near the bottom of the staircase is a small window which, if it was not blocked up, would look into the drawing room, proving, if any proof was necessary, that this room was a later addition to the house. (Baker, John Bellyse (1982), Highfields, Audlem, 16^th century home of the Dod and Baker families).

In the original north wing is what was originally the kitchen with a heavy, canopied Yorkshire stone fireplace. For many years it has been half panelled in oak and used as a library; more recently as the dining room. The room was still a kitchen in 1771, when the first William Baker refers, in his will, to his daughter Charity’s bedroom as “above the kitchen”. In an early photograph of Highfields taken about 1680, the kitchen extension is single storage. Behind what is now the dining room is a second oak staircase, originally almost as fine as the first with ‘barley sugar’ bannisters. Above both these staircases are second flights leading up into attics, the two sides being unconnected. This arrangement would seem to suggest that the hall had originally an open timber roof, dividing the house into two parts. However it would be unusual for a house built in the late 16th century to be constructed in this manner. (Baker, John Bellyse (1982), Highfields, Audlem, 16^th century home of the Dod and Baker families).

In the late 17th century, staircases with twisted balusters were inserted into both the cross-wings; that in the south range has balusters consisting of two detached strands twisted together, while that in the north range has clusters of balusters forming newels. There may have been other changes at the same time, including perhaps the addition of the drawing room between the wings on the garden front. Traditionally, this addition is said to have been made by the architect, William Baker, after he married Jane Dod and gained possession of the house, but it seems unlikely he would have built in timber when he was operating a brickworks on the estate, and it is more likely to be a 17th century addition. Baker, or his son and successor at Highfields, Richard Dod Baker (1743-1803) was, however, probably responsible for making a central doorway on the entrance front, and for the dado-height panelling in the hall. Richard was presumably responsible for inserting the sash windows with thin glazing bars and two tripartite windows recorded the earliest photograph of the house c.1860. The same view also shows that the house was then stuccoed and this too is likely to have been Richard's work. (Kingsley, Nicholas (2018), Highfields, Audlem, Cheshire).

1663

William of Buerton (DOD00151A), submitted the pedigree of Dod of Highfield at the Herald’s Visitation of Shropshire 1663 when the arms argent on a fess cottised wavy gules, three crescents or a canton azure were confirmed. William of Buerton, submitted the pedigree of Dod of Highfield at the Herald’s Visitation of Shropshire 1663 when the arms argent on a fess cottised wavy gules, three crescents or a canton azure were confirmed, born 1641 (Burke, John and Burke, Sir Bernard (1836)(Eighteenth Edition, 1972), Bellyse Baker of Highfields in Burke’s Landed Gentry, Volume 3, pages 35 to 38).

The motto in copia cautus means cautious amid abundance or be prudent even when resources are plentiful.

Argent refers to a silver or white shield. On a fess refers to a horizontal band across the centre. Cottised means the fess is flanked above and below by narrow parallel bars. Wavy refers to those bars (and often the fess itself) being drawn in a wavy line. Gules means the fess and its cottises are red. Three crescents Or means three gold crescents placed on the fess. A canton Azure is a small square in the upper left of the shield, coloured blue.

1674

The wing to the north of the hall contained the original kitchen. This had already been half panelled and converted into a library by the mid eighteenth century. Sometime, probably in the late seventeenth century, a drawing-room wing, more lofty than the other rooms in the house, was added. This is half panelled in oak and contains an interesting carved fireplace of presumably Welsh origin, including Wyverns, two-tailed mermaids, five heavily moustached gentlemen with surprisingly large busts and a stag hunting scene in its decoration. Also carved is a name and date, "John Gwyn, 1674".(Latham, Frank (1997), Audlem: The History of a Cheshire Parish and its seventeen townships, pages 122 to 124).

1680

In the late seventeenth century staircases with twisted balustrades were installed at Highfields and there may have been a number of developments to the house at this time.

In 1680 George married Charity, the daughter of John Woodroffe of London and Chalderton and niece of Sir George Woodroffe of Poyle and Alvington Court in Gloucestershire. Her father had died when she was four and her estate was administered by the two executors, her grand father and uncle, John Gouldsmyth of Stapeley Manor, near Nantwich. They kept accounts of money dispersed during John's illness and after his death on 1st July, 1664. George and Charity lived at Highfields for the next forty seven years, having no fewer than seventeen children, seven boys and ten girls. (Baker, John Bellyse (1982), Highfields, Audlem, 16^th century home of the Dod and Baker families).

During the recent restoration (1985) lath and plaster was removed from several rooms in order to examine and preserve the oak beams. These were found to be in such excellent condition that they were left exposed. The bedroom in the north wing above the dining-room has an interesting oak fireplace with a knight and his lady carved on either side of the opening. This room had apparently been used for storing cheese during the eighteenth century since the names of the purchasers were written down in pencil on the lime-washed walls. (Latham, Frank (1997), Audlem: The History of a Cheshire Parish and its seventeen townships, pages 122 to 124).

William's sons did not long outlive him and soon Highfields passed to his barrister grandson. In 1680 he married Charity, the niece of Sir George Woodroffe of Alvington Court in Gloucestershire, who introduced a Christian name which has remained in the family ever since. They had seven boys and ten girls. His eldest son, George, died before his father leaving an elder daughter, Jane who, on the death of her grandfather, inherited the estate. (Latham, Frank (1997), Audlem: The History of a Cheshire Parish and its seventeen townships, pages 122 to 124).

1727

William’s sons did not long outlive him and soon Highfields passed to his grandson, George Dod, a barrister at law. George married Charity, the niece of Sir George Woodroffe of Alvington Court, Gloucestershire. They had seven boys and ten girls. His eldest son was also George, who died in 1713 before George the Elder who died in 1727. George the younger left two daughters, and the elder was Jane Dod.

Jane Baker, nee Dod (1711 – 1783)

The First Baker Era 1736 to 1884

1736

William Baker (BAK00068) (1705 to 1771) the architect was proprietor of the house from 1736, when he married Jane Dod. Jane was the only surviving daughter of George Dod of Highfields, causing the house to be inherited by her when her grandfather George Dod of Highfields had died. It may well have been William Baker who undertook significant work to the house. That said, it has been suggested that he would have been unlikely to have used timber construction, which points back to much of the major work being undertaken before his time.

William Baker, reflected in a mirror in the Oak Room

In the eighteenth century William Baker had a kiln at Highfields and sold bricks, payments for which are recorded in his account books with details of numbers made. In the parish there are a number of Brick Kiln Fields, indicating that local clay was frequently used for the purpose. (Audlem, The History of a Cheshire Parish and its five townships, 1997).

In 1736 she married a young architect, William Baker, and the couple moved into Highfields where their portraits still hang. The life of William Baker has already been referred to in an earlier chapter. (Latham, Frank (1997), Audlem: The History of a Cheshire Parish and its seventeen townships, pages 122 to 124).

1740

Behind the hall is the drawing room, a later addition to the house. It seems probable that it was added by the first William Baker in about 1740; certainly it was there in 1801, when his grandson, Richard, mentions it when writing from Oxford. The room, loftier than those in the oldest part of the house, is half panelled in oak with a large bay window and a carved oak fireplace, not as fine as the others in the house and almost certainly of Welsh origin. It carries the name and date John Gwyn 1674. William Baker made many alterations to country houses in Wales; it seems probable that it was one that had been replaced during modernisation. (Baker, John Bellyse (1982), Highfields, Audlem, 16^th century home of the Dod and Baker families).

1757

On 15th March 1757 there was a great gale “which blew down abundance of trees, unthatch houses &, threw down a number of barns and overturned the top of Acton steeple up on the roof of the church which fell in upon the pews in a ruinous condition.” It is an ill wind that blows nobody good. Under 26th March can be read: “Paid expense to Acton and Nantwich where I was agreed with to inspect the repairs of the Church of Acton (ruined by the wind on the 15th instant) for 42 pound: 3s”. (Baker, John Bellyse (1982), Highfields, Audlem, 16^th century home of the Dod and Baker families).

1771

William’s elder son, Richard Dod Baker (BAK00083) (1743 to 1803) inherited Highfields, but practised as an architect at Stratford upon Avon where his children were born. It is thought that Richard had the central doorway at the entrance front and the panelling in the hall installed. Richard’s older sister, Charity Baker (BAK00081), her husband having died young, returned to Highfields and managed the estate for her father and later for her brother while he was away. She had as reputation as a forceful lady, and later became known in Audlem as “Madam Barrow”.

Richard Dod Baker, born in 1743, married Hannah, the daughter of John Hassall of Nantwich. He practised as an architect at Stratford upon Avon where his children were, for some reason, baptised in the name of Hassall. This was done, he explained in his will, “for peace and quietness”. On the face of it, it would seem to have been an excellent way of preventing it. His sister, Charity, having married Lawrence Barrow, a banker who died young, returned to Highfields. She managed the estate for her father and later brother, freeing them for their architectural work. She was, in her later years, and she lived to be seventy-eight, an extremely forceful lady, always known in Audlem as “Madam Barrow”. Baker, J Bellyse (1982), Highfields, Audlem: Sixteenth Century Home of the Dod and Baker Families, Audlem District History Society, page 19).

She had as reputation as a forceful lady and later became known in Audlem as “Madam Barrow”.

Madam Barrow, reimagined by artificial intelligence

Following the death of William in 1771, Highfields passed to his elder son, Richard Dod Baker. To his younger son William, he left the estate and manor of Fenton Culvert, Staffordshire and a pottery works at Fenton. William was born in 1744, he married Sarah, the daughter of Thomas Bagnall of Fenton with whom he went into partnership as Baker and Bagnall, Potters. His grandson purchased the manor under state of Hasfield and founded the family of Baker of Hasfield Court. (Baker, John Bellyse (1982), Highfields, Audlem, 16^th century home of the Dod and Baker families).

For his younger son, William, Baker bought the estate and manor of Fenton Culvert (now part of Stoke-on-Trent) and a small pottery works which, with the Industrial Revolution on the way, grew into one of the largest companies in the area and young William's descendants were able to purchase Hasfield Court in Gloucestershire. The elder son, Richard Dod Baker, inherited Highfields but practised as an architect at Stratford-on-Avon where his children were born. His sister, Charity, her husband having died young, returned to Highfields and managed the estate for her father and later for her brother while he was away. Apparently she was a forceful lady in her later years and became known in Audlem as "Madam Barrow". Richard had four surviving children. The eldest, a daughter named after her mother, Hannah, eloped with the son of the local doctor, the infamous "Cockfighting Bellyse" who is mentioned elsewhere. The eldest son, also Richard, was commissioned in the 17th Leicestershire Regiment and sailed with them to the East Indies in 1804. He died in 1806, and as his father died a year earlier, Highfields Gamul of Buerton passed to his younger brother, William, who was to live there for the next sixty years. (Latham, Frank (1997), Audlem: The History of a Cheshire Parish and its seventeen townships, pages 122 to 124).

1803

Richard’s elder son, Richard Dod Baker (BAK00100)(1784 to 1807) died on his way home from military service in India. So Highfields passed to William Baker the Elder (BAK00102)(1787 to 1863), who lived there for the next sixty years.

1808

The old man’s son, the second Dr Bellyse, inherited his father’s passion for coursing and, before he retired to Dorfield Cottage, always kept greyhounds. The young man’s marriage caused tongues to wag in the district when he eloped with Hannah Baker from Highfields. They went no further than was necessary and were married at Mucklestone Church. The following morning, having read the farewell letter, Richard Baker her father, decided that a visit to the old cockfighter would not go amiss. He found the gentleman reading by the open window and expressed himself with some force on the subject of the good doctor’s son. Bellyse waited for a period of silence before observing “the gander’s as good as the goose, sir” and returned to his book”. (Audlem, The History of a Cheshire Parish and its five townships, 1997).

John Cockfighting Bellyse’s son's entry into the Baker family was not without colour. He eloped with Richard's daughter, Hannah, in the time approved manner. She climbed from the bedroom window and they departed by post chaise. The following morning, having read her farewell letter, Richard set forth to the doctor’s abode, the house now occupied by Dr Thornton. He came upon Bellyse sitting reading by his open window and, not unnaturally, expressed himself with some force on the subject of the good doctor's son, John. Bellyse waited for a period of silence before observing, “The ganders as good as the goose, Sir”, and returned to his book. Peace was restored, Richard giving the newlyweds a rather fine inlaid coffer. When Canon Bellyse retired as vicar of Audlem, he very kindly returned it to Highfields! John followed his father in the practise; his son, Richard Baker Bellyse, remembered on the monument in Audlem Square, was the third and last Dr Bellyse of Audlem. John also inherited his father's love of sport. He was one of the founders of the Waterloo Cup and is depicted in the well known print of the first meeting. (Baker, J Bellyse (1982), Highfields, Audlem: Sixteenth Century Home of the Dod and Baker Families, Audlem District History Society, page 19).

The elopement reimagined using artificial intelligence

1820

In 1820 the Duke of Wellington visited Combermere Abbey for the christening of Lord Combermere’s son in December. During the visit they both went to Audlem, where Combermere’s brother was the vicar. Having both been to Audlem Grammar School with William Baker (1785 to 1863) they carried on to Highfields bringing the Duke with them. Combermere’s sister, Hester, lived at the Vicarage and her brother carved the mantle piece commemorating the occasion. The fireplace was removed when the Vicarage was demolished some years ago and is now in a bedroom at Highfields. (Latham F A, Editor (1997), Audlem, The History of a Cheshire Parish and its five townships, Local History Group, page 44).

Highfields passed to the younger son, William Baker. William knew his priorities; They were fox hunting, shooting and running the estate, and in that order. To do him justice, he would have experienced great difficulty in taking over from his formidable aunt, “Madam Barrow”. He hunted with the local packs, Highfields being in those days within hacking distance of four different hunts. He also kept a private pack, jointly with his friend and neighbour, Richard Corbett, of Adderley hall. A memorable day was Christmas Eve, 1820. The Duke of Wellington was staying with his old cavalry commander, Field Marshall Viscount Combermere who, as Harry Stapleton Cotton, had attended Audlem grammar school with William. On Christmas Eve he and the Duke visited Combermere 's brother, William Cotton, who was vicar of Audlem, from where they later drove on to Highfields. The Cotton’s sister, Hester, commemorated the occasion by carving a fire piece, which remained in a bedroom at the 17th century Vicarage until this beautiful old house was, I think very foolishly, demolished by the church commissioners some years ago. The fireplace was acquired by the writer, and is now in a bedroom at Highfields (Baker, John Bellyse (1982), Highfields, Audlem, 16^th century home of the Dod and Baker families).

In one of the bedrooms is this fireplace, taken from the 17^th century vicarage at Audlem when it was demolished in the 1970s. The carved legend above the opening commemorates the Duke of Wellington’s visit to the vicarage on Christmas Eve 1820

1854

When William died, the estate passed to his eldest surviving son, William who, after his marriage to his cousin, Louisa Bellyse, built Kynsal Lodge (Betty Goodwin) in 1854, a medium sized house of some character designed by his younger brother Thomas; third and last Baker architect. Thomas built a number of country houses in the district, including Hillside (Lamont family) in Green Lane, occupied by his nephew Arthur Baker, and The Cedars (Latchford family), lived in by the latter's bachelor brother Richard and his three charming but rather eccentric sisters, "Poppy", "Totty" and Emily. Their brother, Richard, always known as Dick, was of a similar nature. There is a tapestry in Audlem church, woven by members of the W.I., and one of the squares depicts a gentleman in a pink coat riding a penny farthing bicycle. The man so depicted was Dick Baker, who rather enjoyed making fun of field sportsmen. One day, when hounds were due to meet in Audlem Square, he borrowed an old pink coat of his father's and a penny farthing from Mr. Moseley at the shop. Then, when all were assembled, he arrived on the bicycle raising his topper to all and sundry. Unfortunately, this caused him to fall off under the hooves of the Master's horse. Old "Regie" Corbet, the Master, was equal to the situation. Turning to the youth's father, "Really, Will," he said, "I should have thought you could have turned your son out better mounted for an Audlem meet." (Latham, Frank (1997), Audlem: The History of a Cheshire Parish and its seventeen townships, pages 122 to 124).

1860

One of the earliest known photographs of Highfields, dated about 1860, when the exterior had a stucco finish so popular with Victorians and had not been marred by the heavy chimney extensions of the mid 1880s

The earliest known photograph of Highfields, taken about 1860, shows that the exterior was then stuccoed and that the windows were sashed, those in the flanking wings being of tripartite form, a late Georgian fashion, which makes it unlikely that this remodelling of the house was undertaken earlier than in the eighteenth century by William Baker. In the 1860 photograph the front door is shown in its present axial position, which may also be the result of a Georgian alteration. The original entrance is more likely to have been to one side, giving access to the “screens” at the service end of the hall, as was standard in the traditional arrangement of a house of this type. (Robinson, John Martin (1991), Highfields, Audlem, Cheshire, Seat of John Bellyse Baker, Country Life 31 January 1991, page 49).

1863

The estate then passed to William Baker the Younger (1816 to 1876) (BAK00121) who later married Henrietta Louisa Bellyse in 1849. In 1854, he built Kynsal Lodge, a medium sized house of character, which was designed by Thomas Baker (BAK00128), the third and last of the Baker architects. Thomas built a number of country houses in the area, including Hillside, Green Lane (later the home of Arthur Baker (BAK00155) and his family) and the Cedars (later the home of the three rather eccentric sisters, Poppy (BAK00150), Totty (BAK00157) and Emily (BAK00158) and the bachelor Richard Dod Baker (BAK00154).

Highfields in the portrait of William Baker the Younger

1876

The elder brother John (“Jack”) Belyse Baker (BAK00151)(1850 to 1932) inherited Highfields on the death of his father. It was a time of great depression in farming. See the diaries of Charity, Charlotte and Emily Baker covering the period 1878 to 1882.

The elder brother, John, had inherited Highfields on the death of their father. It was a time of great depression in farming. John decided to sell the estate and emigrate to New Zealand with his young wife. For the first time in recorded history the land was sold. Highfields (with the home farm) was purchased by a wealthy shipbreaker, Charles Kellock, who made some alterations. Unfortunately he added high extensions to the chimneys in Ruabon brick. (Latham, Frank (1997), Audlem: The History of a Cheshire Parish and its seventeen townships, pages 122 to 124).

1880

North wing built in the mid 1880s One of the main staircases of oak, with its double twist banisters

The Kellock Era 1884 to 1946

1884

During the Agricultural Depression John Bellyse Baker (BAK00151) leased Highfields from 1876 to 1884 and then sold the house in 1884 to Charles Walford Kellock. W W Kellock was a JP, born at Halewood in 1862. He was senior partner of the wealthy C W Kellock & Co, shipbreakers of Liverpool. He was the brother of Charles Walford Kellock, also of Highfields who was described as the owner of the Highfields Estate. The main window at Audlem church was given by three sons in memory of Charles Walford Kellock JP of Highfields who died on 22 February 1897 aged 65, and Catherine, his wife, who died on 29 January 1903. There was a heavy-handed restoration to Highfields during the Kellock era including the addition of high extensions to the chimneys in Ruabon brick.

1885

In about 1885 the Kellocks demolished the old single storey kitchens, brew and wash houses, and built the present north wing. They also added some very ugly extensions to the chimneys in red Ruabon brick, although, no doubt, they looked very fine to Victorian eyes. (Baker, John Bellyse (1982), Highfields, Audlem, 16^th century home of the Dod and Baker families).

After John Bellyse Baker sold the house in 1884 to Charles Walford Kellock, it was given a rather heavy-handed restoration. He stripped off the stucco to reveal the timber-frame beneath, replaced the Georgian sashes with leaded casements, added a new front porch, a timber-framed service wing on the north side, and tall chimneys of bright red Ruabon brick, which gave the house a more picturesque and irregular silhouette. In the north range an inglenook fireplace was created, with a late 19th century Gothic chimneypiece, and several other timber overmantels were brought in from elsewhere or fabricated from old carved work that may originally have adorned an overmantel or a bed or a cupboard. One such piece, labelled 'John Gwyn 1674', was installed in the drawing room, and there is another in the hall. Also apparently of the 1880s is the large half-timbered single-storey lodge on Woodhouse Lane. In the 1940s, the Bellyse Baker family bought the house back and were happily able to return many of the family pictures and other contents which had been removed from it in 1884. (Research by Nicholas Kingsley).

1890

John emigrated to New Zealand where he was a sheep farmer. However he returned to England in 1890.

1900

Highfields in about 1900

The Second Baker Era 1946 to Date

1946

In 1946, Bellyse Baker (BAK00165) repurchased Highfields and many of the family pictures and other contents were returned to the house.

Fortunately the pictures, silver and much of the furniture were stored at the Cedars. John and his young family soon returned to England and eventually, in 1944, his elder son, Bellyse, bought Highfields and its gardens back into the family. As the last of the old aunts had died at the Cedars, much of the contents of the old house was returned. In 1984 a major restoration was commenced which continued for six years, and was undertaken by Bellyse Baker's son (Jack) and grandson (John) who continue to live there with their families. (Latham, Frank (1997), Audlem: The History of a Cheshire Parish and its seventeen townships, pages 122 to 124)

1955

John Bellyse Baker and his wife, Jo, photographed in the drawing room of Highfields in 1955

1969

A red letter day for Highfields and for Audlem was Thursday, 24th July 1969, when the Women's Institute organised a “Pageant of Audlem”, using the house and grounds as its setting. It was written and produced by John Burton, whose family for many years owned Kingbur Mill on Audlem canal wharf, now converted into an attractive canal shop. Many local residents took part in the various scenes, which traced the history of the town from its early days when a charter to hold a weekly market was granted by the then squire, Sir Thomas Audelyme. The writer played this part, on a grand little hunter named Felix. A chorus of Combermere Abbey monks was followed by the arrival of Prince Rupert, who is supposed to have visited Highfields in 1644 with a detachment of royalist cavalry. Light relief was provided in a scene depicting the elopement of John Bellyse and Hannah Baker. The former, played by the son of the then vicar of Wybunbury, arrived with a ladder, two assistants, and a sedan chair. The scene ended when the father, played by the Audlem police constable, Stan Smith, sped the loving couple on their way with both barrels of his blunderbuss! The commentary for this stirring pageant was delivered by Judith Chalmers of the BBC. Members of the North Staffordshire Hunt performed noble work as mounted Cavaliers. (Baker, John Bellyse (1982), Highfields, Audlem, 16^th century home of the Dod and Baker families).

Audlem’s first pageant was performed at Highfields on Thursday 24 July 1969. The event was initiated by the Audlem’s Women’s Institute to mark its golden jubilee. John Burton was the pageant master and wrote the script. There was a cast of 150 adults and children. The BBC’s Judith Chalmers narrated.

Two major entertainments during recent years have been the Pageants at Highfields. The first took place on 24 July 1969 and was organised by the WO to mark its Golden Jubilee. Amongst those responsible were Mrs Anna can der Bugh, Mr Howard Hilton and Mrs Sybil Cotterill with a two hour performance depicting scenes showing the growth of the village from the granting of the Charter to modern times. There was a cast of 150 adults and children. A leading figure was Mr John Burton who wrote and produced pantomimes as well as the Pageant. (The History of a Cheshire Parish and its five townships, 1997)

During the brilliant summer evening of Thursday 24^th July 1969 Audlem’s first pageant was performed at Highfields, the black and white manor house of Mr and Mrs J Bellyse Baker. This notable event was initiated by the Audlem Women’s Institute to mark its goldeen jubilee year. The script, written by John Burton, the pageant master, was based upon the Institute’s scrapbook compiled in 1951 and published in 1969 under the title The Audlem Scrap Book. There was a cast of 150 adults and children, about half of them WI members, the remainder being husbands, son, daughters and other residents. Historical episodes enacted in the two hour performance were narrated by the BBC’s well known Judith Chalmers. Among the audience was a newspaper reporter who came away “amazed by the diversity of community talent and enterprise which had gone into the production of this memorable evening”. It was, as he put it, an eye opener on the continuing health of the local community. Nearly 1500 people witnessed the pageant. (Dow, George (1977), Audlem, Then and Now, Southampton: Hobbs).

1970s

Highfields in the 1970s and 80s is depicted in this The rear elevation

photograph of the front elevation

Hounds have met at Highfields at regular intervals over the years, and the Cheshire Beagles hold an annual meet with the cooperation of the local farmers. The most recent notable event in the life of Highfields was an emulation of the BBC Antiques Roadshow, when a panel of experts valued antiques brought along by visitors. (Baker, John Bellyse (1982), Highfields, Audlem, 16^th century home of the Dod and Baker families).

The Grasshopper Warbler once nested in Bakers Gorse, at Highfields. Its reeling call, like rewinding a fishing reel, has not been heard there for some years. (Latham F A, Editor (1997), Audlem, The History of a Cheshire Parish and its five townships, Local History Group, page 133).

1982

Spotlight on his Family Home.

The story of an historic half timbered manor house in rural South Cheshire is told in a new 32 page illustrated booklet. The story of Highfields, Audlem, 16th century home of the Dod and Baker families, have been written by the present joint owner of the picturesque black and white house, Mr. John Bellyse Baker, and published by Audlem and District Amenity Society (£1.25). Sponsored by Audlem District History Society, it covers the period from 1553 to the present day and contains 28 illustrations, including portraits of members of the families and interior and exterior views of Highfields, which is actually situated in Buerton, about 2½ miles south of Audlem, on the Cheshire-Shropshire border. The illustrations include the ornate fireplace in the main bedroom, in which Prince Rupert of Civil War fame, is reputed to have slept, while on the rear cover of the book are depicted the 15 coats of arms of the Bakers and Dods of Highfields and the families with which they intermarried, drawn by the author. Mr. Baker meticulously traces the history of the house and its incumbents down the years, beginning with William Dod of Lostford, taken to be Losford near Tern Hill, who inherited various lands including pastures known as the Highefields and Marestalls from Hugh Chester of Newstrete Lane, Salop, in 1553.

The Baker family connection with Highfields began with the marriage in 1736 of William Baker, an architect of Leominster, to Jane Dod who had inherited Highfields on the death in 1727 of her grandfather, George.Dod, a barrister at law. William Baker writes the author, was one of the foremost all architects in the north midlands in the mid 18th century and his architectural designs included the Crown and the Phoenix at Audlem. Probably the most colourful character to figure in the book is Dr John Bellyse (1738 to 1828), better known as “Cockfighting Bellyse”, whose preserved scales and other cockfighting impediment are seen in one of the illustrations. “So much has been written about this colourful, if rather questionable character that it will suffice to say that he was Cheshire 's most successful cockfighter at a time when it was, along with horse racing and fox hunting, England’s national sport”, writes Mr. Baker. The Doctor’s son, John, in fact, eloped with the daughter of architect Richard Dod Baker (1743 to 1803). “His son's entry into the Baker family was not without colour”, writes the author, “He eloped with Richard's daughter, Hannah, in the time approved manner. She climbed from the bedroom window and they departed by post chaise.” The booklet also includes fascinating extracts from old financial accounts, memoranda, and also letters and journals, including those from the early 1800s written by Richard Dod Baker junior while an undergraduate at Oxford and later when en route to India with the 17th Leicestershire Regiment the year before Trafalgar.

The author, who acknowledges his indebtedness to Mr George Dow for his assistance over the book and to Mr Howard Edwards who took most of the photographs, strikes a note of optimism on the future of Highfields. “A new chapter will soon be opened,” he writes. “the Ministry of Works has agreed to help towards the essential restoration, the house being scheduled as a Grade 1 property. “Highfields, which is now jointly owned by the author and his son, will then be open to the public on certain days and should be safe for the foreseeable future.”

Audlem District Amenities Society have also just had reprinted one of their earlier publications to meet demand for it. “Nineteenth Century Audlem” by Marjorie Burton (75p) is a 24 page booklet which first appeared in 1973. Containing 15 illustrations, including a front cover designed by Mr Dow, and some historic photographs of 19th century scenes, it has chapters on pubs and personalities, the arrival of the canal and railway, the grammar school, and past times and the parish church. Both “Highfields” and “Nineteenth Century Audlem” are available from Mr DC McKelvey, Shropshire Street, Audlem.

(Staffordshire Sentinel, 29 November 1982).

High Jinks and Home Life. Highfields, Audlem, by John Bellyse Baker, published by Audlem District Society, £1.25 (obtainable from DC McKilvery, 1 Shropshire Street, Audlem, Cheshire). Highfields is a beautiful sixteenth century, half timbered manor house which the public are likely to have a chance of seeing for themselves in the fairly near future. Mr Baker, co-owner with his son, announces at the end of his well illustrated 32 page history of the house and of those who have made it their home down the centuries, that the Ministry of Works has agreed to help with essential restoration, and it will be opened to visitors on certain days. Mr Baker writes with a patent love of the building, tracing igts story from 1553 when pasture land at Highfields, later to become the site of the fine house, was inherited by William Dod. It was his son, also William, who built Highfields. The Baker family enters the story with the marriage in 1736 of Jane Dod to a Leominster architect, William Baker. Baker was one of the foremost architects of his time in the Midlands. He designed the Crown and the Phoenix at Audlem and was also enterprising enough to run a kiln in Highfields from which he sold bricks. Undoubtedly the most colourful character of many family personalities mentioned by the author was Dr John Bellyse known as “cockfighting Bellyse” because of his success in the now outlawed pastime that was once a national sport. Bellyse’s son, John eloped with Hannah, the daughter of Riochard Dod Baker, then master of Highfields, in time approved fashion. The lady climbed from the bedroom window and the pair made off by post chaise. Peace between the families was quickly restored. Three generations of the Bellyse family served the people of Audlem as their family doctors. More recently, Highfields and its grounds were used in 1969 for a wonderful historical pageant of Audlem, organised by the WI, which included a reenactment of that romantic elopement nearly two centuries earlier. The story of Highfields to date is one with a happy ending. In 1884 the house passed out of the family when it was sold to “a wealthy shipbreaker” at a time of depression in farming. Its owner, John Bellyse Baker, emigrated to Australia (actually New Zealand). It was his elder son, Bellyse Baker, who, 60 years later, bought Highfields for the family once again. And his only son, John Bellyse, has now collated the story of some of its full history. The author acknowledges the help in production of the booklet of Mr George Dow and the complementary photographs of Mr Howard Edwards. PW. (Nantwich Chronicle, 9 December 1982).

In 1982 an upstairs room has been turned into a natural history museum to house the many cabinets of exhibits collected by the writer’s father and himself. An attic room contains an extensive 00 gauge model railway system, with many scenic effects, depicting the old Great Western, which once used to be the main means of transport to and from Audlem. Its green engines with their highly polished brass work and high sounding names were great favourites in their day. Lord Mildmay of Fleet was one of those locomotives which regularly visited Audlem in the 1920s. (Baker, John Bellyse (1982), Highfields, Audlem, 16^th century home of the Dod and Baker families).

Publication of Baker, John Bellyse (1982), Highfields, Audlem, 16th century home of the Dod and Baker families.

1983

The 1969 Pageant was followed on 16 July 1983 by a similar production with the re-enacting of some famous events including the visit of Prince Rupert during the Civil War and the coming of the canal and railway. (The History of a Cheshire Parish and its five townships, 1997).

1984

Between 1984 and 1990 there was a major restoration undertaken to Highfields by Bellyse Baker’s son, Jack Baker (BAK00175)(1925 to 2010) and his wife Jo, and grandson, John Baker (BAK00190). Highfields is a traditional outdoor wedding venue.

A new chapter will soon be opened. The Ministry of Works has agreed to help towards essential restoration, the house being scheduled as a Grade 1 property. Highfields, which is now jointly owned by the author and his son, will then be opened to the public on certain days and should be safe for the foreseeable future. (Baker, John Bellyse (1982), Highfields, Audlem, 16^th century home of the Dod and Baker families).

The history of Highfields can be traced through the Dod family tree and then the Baker family tree, where you will find Highfields highlighted in yellow to show how it passed through the families.

1990

Peggy Baker (later Farndale)(BAK00002) and Martin Farndale (FAR00911) at Highfields in about 1990

A visit to Highfields – Peggy Baker (later Farndale) and family

1991

Jack Baker’s foxhunting cartoon at Highfields, 1991

2026

Bibliography

Baker, John Bellyse (1982), Highfields, Audlem, 16^th century home of the Dod and Baker families.

Hartwell, Clare, Hyde, Matthew and Pevsner, Nikolaus (2011), Pevsner’s Architectural Guides: Buildings of England, Cheshire. * Also Baker Records, 126.

Kingsley, Nicholas (2018), Highfields, Audlem, Cheshire.

Latham, Frank (1997), Audlem: The History of a Cheshire Parish and its seventeen townships, pages 122 to 124.

Robinson, John Martin (1991), Highfields, Audlem, Cheshire, Seat of John Bellyse Baker, in Country Life, 31 January 1991, page 48.

The Sporting Bakers of Highfields, Field, 28 September 1985.