The History of Whitchurch

The settlement which the Romans founded here in the first century AD was called Mediolanum, or the place in the middle of the plain, and was strategically located on a major Roman road linking the important settlements of Chester and Wroxeter. While there are no Roman ruins in the area, much of the layout of the town's streets remains intact from the Roman times.

The modern name of Whitchurch comes from a White Norman church, which was believed to have been built of chalk but which sadly no longer exists. The White Church once stood on the site now occupied by the 18th century St Alkmund's church. Under this church is buried the heart of the Earl of Shrewsbury, John Talbot, a principal character in Shakespeare's "Henry VI".