The Normans had earlier built a small…
August 1207 CE
The Normans had earlier built a small motte and bailey castle at West Derby on the northeastern shore of the Mersey Estuary, but the origins of the city of Liverpool, located in northwestern England, are usually dated from August 28, 1207, when letters patent are issued by King John advertising the establishment of a new borough, "Livpul", and inviting settlers to come and take up holdings there.
The original street plan of Liverpool is said to have been designed by the king; The original seven streets are laid out in a H shape.
It is thought that the King had wanted a port in the district that was free from the control of the powerful Earls of Chester, who hold land all over England called 'the honour of Chester'.
They had by the late twelfth century established a position of power as rulers of Cheshire that is to form the basis of the later notion of the 'county palatine'.
Ranulf de Blondeville, Sixth Earl of Chester, had in 1200 cemented his power in Normandy by marrying Clemence of Fougère; she is the daughter of William of Fougères, widow of Alan de Dinant, and sister of Geoffrey of Fougères.
He had opposed John's attempted coup of 1193–4, and retained many contacts with partisans of his former stepson Arthur.
He had spent most of 1199–1204 in France and his continued loyalty had been bought by John with further patronage.
However, the King was suspicious of the Earl, perhaps with some reason.
Ranulf, suspected in the winter of 1204-5 of dealings with the rebellious Welsh and of contemplating revolt himself, had extensive estates temporarily confiscated by the king.
This episode had apparently convinced Ranulph to show loyalty in future.
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