Erbistock

Erbistock Welsh: Erbistog
Denbighshire, Flintshire
Sundial and the Dee at St Hilary's Church
Location
Grid reference:	SJ355413
Location:	52°58’1"N, 2°57’38"W
Data
Population:	409  (2001)
Post town:	Wrexham
Postcode:	LL13
Dialling code:	01978
Local Government
Council:	Wrexham
Parliamentary constituency:	Wrexham

Erbistock is a village and parish on the border of Denbighshire and Flintshire. The village lies on the banks of the River Dee which here forms the boundary between Denbighshire, Flintshire and Shropshire.

The parish also includes the small villages of Crabtree Green and Eyton; it had a total population of 409 at the 2001 census.

History

Erbistock was one of the ancient townships of the Lordship of Bromfield, and was mentioned in the Domesday Book. It later became a parish straddling the border of Denbighshire and the Maelor Saesneg detached part of Flintshire, the Denbighshire portion having been attached to the Maelor Gymraeg. The Wrexham historian Alfred Neobard Palmer noted that this division was very old, and resulted from the desire of King Edward I to strengthen English influence in the border borough of Overton. In April 1300 a writ was issued to Richard de Massey, the justice of Chester, to bargain with "certain Welshmen" holding lands in Overton with the offer of exchanging them with parts of the king's demesne lands in Erbistock.

A parish church dedicated to Saint Erbin was mentioned as far back as the 13th century but the present church, dedicated to Saint Hilary, was constructed in 1860. Palmer suggested that the name derives from "Erbin's stoke" meaning Erbin's stockaded ford.

The corresponding civil parish of Erbistock absorbed the neighbouring parish of Eyton in 1935. According to Palmer, Eyton was mentioned as early as 1043, when it was given by Leofric, earl of Mercia, to the minster he had founded at Coventry, and at the time of the Domesday Book survey was held by the bishop of Lichfield.

The village and its picturesque surrounding area have been defined as the Erbistock Village and Conservation Area by Wrexham council.

Important Buildings

Erbistock has two popular pubs. The Cross Foxes at Overton Bridge, dating back to 1748, was built by the Wynnstay Estate for its workers. The famous 17th-century Boat Inn stands beside the River Dee right on the border with Denbighshire. The inn takes its name from the hand-operated chain ferry which once crossed the river at this point, with remnants of the pull mechanism still existing nearby.

On the riverbank next to the Boat is the Grade-II listed St Hilary's church. It was built in 1860, replacing a Georgian structure which had itself replaced an earlier timber-framed and thatched building, and was funded by Caroline Boates of Rose Hill and her daughter. Members of the Boates family also contributed the elaborate stained-glass windows; the church contains an 18th-century chandelier and a font bowl that may be Norman in origin. The Churchyard Extension contains the war graves of a Royal Navy officer and an officer and noncommissioned officer of the army from World War II.

Erbistock Hall is a Grade-II listed Georgian country house which stands on rising ground overlooking the River Dee. The house was built in 1770 and belonged to the Wynn family of Wynnstay. Originally built in brick in three storeys, it was later reduced to two. It has a notable topiary garden. The house was acquired by Sir Charles Lowther, 4th Baronet circa 1930. It was also owned at one time by the Brancker family.

Bibliography

Alfred Neobard Palmer, "A History Of Ancient Tenures Of Land In North Wales And The Marches" (1910)

Outside links

• St Hilary's at the CPAT web site
• St Hilary's at the Open Church Network
• Photos of Erbistock and surrounding area on Geograph