Chester Archaeological Society Journal

Founded in 1849, the Society was first entitled the 'Chester Architectural, Archaeological, and Historic Society', or more fully the 'Architectural, Archaeological and Historic Society for the County, City and Neighbourhood of Chester'. In 1886 this was reduced to the 'Chester Archaeological and Historic Society' but the word 'Architectural' was soon restored and 'North Wales' added. In 1966 the title was finally reduced to the simple 'Chester Archaeological Society' without any narrowing of the Society's purposes. Notwithstanding generally increased specialisation within the historical disciplines and the redrawing of local government boundaries, the Society continues to have a wide range of interests and a broad geographical scope. The Society's first journal was published in 1857 and since 1887 has generally appeared on an annual basis. Some issues have been devoted to particular subjects, such as Chester's city walls, the Rows, and the charters of the earldom of Chester. In addition, two special publications celebrate the history of the Society on its 150th anniversary and review research on Roman Chester since the early 1960s. In recent years the Society has carried out excavations at Heronbridge, which as well as shedding more light on the Roman roadside settlement have revealed a cemetery probably related to the early seventh-century Battle of Chester. In addition to its regular lectures and fieldtrips the Society makes grants to support historical and archaeological research, responds to consultations on local heritage matters and takes part in a variety of public events. For more information see www.chesterarchaeolsoc.org.uk.