PULFORD, a parish in the lower division of the
hundred of BROXTON, county palatine of CHESTER,
comprising the townships of Poulton and Pulford, and
containing 318 inhabitants, of which number, 186 are
in the township of Pulford, 5 miles (S. S. W.) from
Chester. The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry
and diocese of Chester, rated in the king's books at
£6. 15. 10., and in the patronage of Earl Grosvenor.
The church is dedicated to St. Mary. Earl and Countess
Grosvenor support two schools in the parish, one for
boys, and the other for girls. A Cistercian monastery, a
cell to the abbey of Combermere, was founded in 11 $3,
by Robert, the Earl of Chester's baker, the monks being
placed in it to pray for the earl while a prisoner in the
hands of King Stephen. This establishment, on account
of the frequent incursions of the Welch, was removed, in
1214, to Dieulacres in Staffordshire. In a field, called
the Castle Hill, are traces of a foss and other remains of
an ancient fortification.