The origins of the name Knutsford have been disputed by historians but there is an ancient and popular explanation. After one of his victories, King Canute crossed the brook known as Birkin and the village became known as 'Canute's ford', later to be changed to Knutsford. The Domesday Book gives some credence to this by calling it 'Cunetesford' (Canute's Ford). Canute was the king of England from 1016 to 1035 and his name in Old Norse was Kn