Village History
History
Bettisfield is mentioned in The Doomsday Book (see below). It is thought that the name may have come from Beddesfeld—a place of baptism, as monks from a nearby Abbey are reputed to have used The Gospel Pool for baptisms.
The text says: ‘Robert Fitzhugh holds BETTISFIELD of Earl Hugh. Earl Edwin held it. There are 7 hides paying geld. There is land for 8 ploughs. In Demesne is 1 plough, and 3 villeins with 1 plough. There is half an acre of meadow and woodland 3 leagues long and 2 wide. In this land 3 knights have 3 ploughs in demesne, and 9 villeins and 5 bordars and 2 slaves and 3 other men. Among them they have 3 ploughs. A priest has 1 plough. The whole was worth 1 811 7s 4d TRE, it was waste, now it is worth 31. Besides woodland this manor is 2 leagues long and as much wide. Of this manor the bishop of Chester claims 2 hides which St Chad held in the time of King Cnut, but he complains that he has lost them from that time until now. The same Robert holds BURWARDESTONE. Earl Edwin held it. There are 5 hides paying geld. There is land for 14 ploughs’
Its hard to believe but back in those days Bettisfield was the largest settlement in the English Maelor.