This old town dates back to Norman days. There is a reference to Macclesfield in the Domesday Survey (1086) where it's value was downgraded following it being wasted by the Normans when putting down a revolt in Chester.
By 1200 the town had become the most important in East Cheshire and in 1261 it was granted a Royal Charter by the future Edward I. In 1272 Edward gave the manor of Macclesfield to his wife Queen Eleanor, as part of her dowry.The town received two further Royal Charters. In 1595 from Queen Elizabeth I and in 1684 from Charles II.
In 1745 the town was occupied by Bonnie Prince Charlie's Highland clansmen for five days before they moved on, to be turned back by English forces at Derby. In the same year the Brocklehurst silk weaving mill was set up. Macclesfield became world famous for its manufacture of silk but as with other textile towns in England the industry finally died out in the mid 1960's.
Today Macclesfield has a population of around 50 thousand and is home to several international businesses like Astra Zeneca and Ciba Geigy. It is an affluent town which has successfully replaced its traditional industries with new ones.
There is much for the casual visitor to see and it is well worth visiting the Tourist Information Office, in the Town Hall, to collect a host of leaflets covering all aspects of the Town and surrounding area.
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