KNUTSFORD, market town, urban district, Knutsford par liamentary division, Cheshire, England ; 24 m. N.E. of Chester, on the L.M.S. railway and Cheshire lines. Pop. (1931) 5,878. It is pleasantly situated on.an elevated ridge, with the fine domains of Tatton park and Tabley respectively north and west of it. The meres in these domains are especially picturesque. Among sev eral ancient houses the most interesting are a cottage dated 1411, and the Rose and Crown tavern built in 1641. In a church yard a mile from the town stood the ancient church, which, though partially rebuilt in the time of Henry VIII., fell into ruin in 1741. The church of St. John was supplemented (1880) by St. Cross church, in Perpendicular style. The town has a gram mar school, founded in the 15th century, but reorganized in 1885. Lord Egerton built the Egerton schools in 1893. The industries comprise cotton, worsted and leather manufactures; but Knuts ford is mainly a residential area for Manchester. Knutsford was the birthplace of Sir Henry Holland, Physician Extraordinary to Queen Victoria (1788-1873) ; and his son, the second Sir Henry, afterwards Baron Knutsford.
The name Knutsford (Cunetesford, Knotesford) is said to sig nify Cnut's ford, but there is no evidence of a settlement here previous to Domesday. In 1086 Erthebrand held Knutsford im mediately of William FitzNigel, baron of Halton, who was him self a mesne lord of Hugh Lupus earl of Chester. In 1292 William de Tabley, lord of both Over and Nether Knutsford, granted free burgage in both Knutsfords. This charter is the only one which gives Knutsford a claim to the title of borough. In the same year, the king granted a market every Saturday at Nether Knutsford, and a three days' fair at the Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul. When this charter was confirmed by Edward III. another market (Fri day) and another three days' fair (Feast of St. Simon and St. Jude) were added. The Friday market was certainly dropped by 1592, if it was ever held. The crowning of the May queen on the first Saturday in May attracts large crowds. A silk mill was erected here in i77o.
See Henry Green, History of Knutsford (1859).