Dee House, St John the Baptist's Church, Chester, and James Comberbach blue plaque

This blue commemorative plaque records: Georgian Elegance From Tudor times this was a wealthy area and one of the most fashionable parts of Chester. Following Henry VIll's destruction of the monasteries, the outbuildings of St John's church became homes for the local gentry. In the 18th century a number of fine mansions with elaborate gardens were built in this area. One of these, St John's House, was built on the site of the northern entrance to the amphitheatre and was demolished in 1958 to allow its excavation. Dee House in front of you was built in 1730 for James Comberbach, a wealthy merchant and mayor of Chester. Little did he know what lay beneath! In 1854 it was taken over as a convent and girls' school and extensions were added, including a Gothic revival chapel. The convent and school closed in 1976. Now a Grade II Listed Building, Dee House stands over part of the amphitheatre. A trial excavation has shown its cellar has destroyed much of the archaeology below.

James Comberbach was a wealthy merchant and mayor of Chester in the early 18th century; he commissioned the construction of Dee House in 1730, which now stands over part of an ancient Roman amphitheatre.