Changes

Following the Norman conquest (1066), Wigan was not mentioned by name in the Domesday Book (1086). Wigan was part of the Manor of [[Newton-le-Willows]] at this time, which belonged to Roger of Poitou (who had been granted land mainly in the north by [[William the Conqueror]]) and the "church of that manor" mentioned in the entry may have been Wigan parish church.<ref>[https://www.wiganarchsoc.co.uk/how.html#Medieval Medieval Wigan]</ref>

Following the Norman conquest (1066), Wigan was not mentioned by name in the Domesday Book (1086). Wigan was part of the Manor of [[Newton-le-Willows]] at this time, which belonged to Roger of Poitou (who had been granted land mainly in the north by [[William the Conqueror]]) and the "church of that manor" mentioned in the entry may have been Wigan parish church.<ref>[https://www.wiganarchsoc.co.uk/how.html#Medieval Medieval Wigan]</ref>

As revealed by an archaeological dig in 2005, 13th century Wigan had several pits for extracting [[coal]] and a pottery.

As revealed by an archaeological dig in 2005, 13th century Wigan had several pits for extracting [[coal]] and a pottery. Mab's Cross on Standishgate also seems to originate in the 13th century, the first record of it is from 1277 and it is one of four stone crosses marking the medieval route from Wigan north to [[Chorley]]. According to local legend, the cross is named for Lady Mabel Bradshaigh, wife of Sir William Bradshaigh of Haigh Hall who was known for his role in the Banastre Rebellion of 1315 by Lancashire knights against the Earl of Lancaster.

 

== Administration ==

== Administration ==

A part of the traditional county [[Lancashire]], Wigan's local government status has been changing since at least 1246, when it was granted borough status. When Lancashire County Council was established in 1889, Wigan was seen as large enough to have its own county-level local governance and thus formed a county borough independent of the council until 1974. From 1974 until 1986, Greater Manchester County Council's area was divided into metropolitan boroughs, of which the [[Metropolitan Borough of Wigan]] was one; covering an area of Lancashire centred on Wigan, but also including [[Atherton]], [[Ashton-in-Makerfield]], [[Golborne]], [[Hindley]], [[Ince-in-Makerfield]], [[Leigh]] and [[Tyldesley]]. Following the abolition of metropolitan county councils in 1986, Metropolitan Borough of Wigan Council has been run as a unitary authority, meaning it is responsible for all local government functions within that council area.

A part of the traditional county [[Lancashire]], Wigan's local government status has been changing since at least 1246, when it was granted borough status. When Lancashire County Council was established in 1889, Wigan was seen as large enough to have its own county-level local governance and thus formed a county borough independent of the council until 1974. From 1974 until 1986, Greater Manchester County Council's area was divided into metropolitan boroughs, of which the [[Metropolitan Borough of Wigan]] was one; covering an area of Lancashire centred on Wigan, but also including [[Atherton]], [[Ashton-in-Makerfield]], [[Golborne]], [[Hindley]], [[Ince-in-Makerfield]], [[Leigh]] and [[Tyldesley]]. Following the abolition of metropolitan county councils in 1986, Metropolitan Borough of Wigan Council has been run as a unitary authority, meaning it is responsible for all local government functions within that council area.