St Giles Cemetery memorial

Image: © John S Turner Taken: 5 Mar 2011

This memorial stand alongside the A5115, Christleton Road, in front of a fairly small grassy area. The inscription explains all: HERE STOOD THE LEPER HOSPITAL AND CHAPEL OF ST GILES FOUNDED EARLY IN THE 12TH CENTURY AND ENDOWED BY SEVERAL NORMAN EARLS OF CHESTER. THEY REMAINED IN CONSTANT USE UNTIL 1643 WHEN DEFENSIVE MEASURES DURING THE SEIGE OF CHESTER NECESSITATED THE DEMOLITION OF BUILDINGS OUTSIDE THE CITY WALLS. THE CEMETERY REMAINED TO MARK THE SITE AND IN TIME THE LITTLE VILLAGE OF SPITAL CLUSTERED ROUND IT. IN 1644 THE ROYALIST DEFENDERS SUFFERED GREAT LOSS OF LIFE IN A GALLANT SORTIE IN BOUGHTON AND MANY OF THE FALLEN WERE BURIED HERE. IT WAS ALSO USED FOR VICTIMS OF THE PLAGUES WHICH RAVAGED THE CITY IN THE 16TH AND 17TH CENTURIES. BEING EXTRA PAROCHIAL THE SITE WAS GRANTED TO THE CORPORATION BY CHARLES II IN 1685 AS A BURIAL GROUND AND THOUGH FOR A PERIOD IN THE CHARGE OF ST JOHN’S PARISH IT REMAINS IN THEIR HANDS. WHEN THE PROTESTANT MARTYR GEORGE MARSH WAS BURNT AT THE STAKE ON GALLOWS HILL CLOSE BY HIS ASHES WERE COLLECTED BY HIS FRIENDS AND BURIED HERE. THE LAST BURIAL TOOK PLACE IN 1854.

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