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A HISTORY

KIDDERMINSTER

WITH SHORT ACCOUNTS

OF SOME

NEIGHBOURING PARISHES

BY THE

REV. JOHN RICHARD BURTON, B.A.,

Head Master of Kidderminster School.

" Deo juvante, arte et industria floveat."

LONDON :

ELLIOT STOCK, 62, PATERNOSTER ROW, E.G.

1890.

LIBRARY

UNWERSITY 01'"^ CALIFORMA
SANTA BARBARA

(iii. )

PREFACE

NCOU RAGED by the favourable reception of the
History of Bewdley, I have attempted a similar
production illustrating the rise and progress of
Kidderminster. Excepting some account of the
town in Nash's Worcestershire (1782), an interesting
lecture by the Rev. B. Gibbons, and a few
chapters of a history by the Rev. Dr. McCave,
which appeared in the Kidderminster Sim news-
paper— all of which are now very difficult to obtain — there is
no publication to tell the story of the past.

This Work is derived largely from manuscripts which have
never before been published. Next to the Saxon Charters in
the British Museum, the most valuable portion of our earlier
history is contained in a copy of the Maiden Bradley Chartu-
lary lent to me by the late Rev. William Hallen, and
bequeathed by him to Lord Foley. The Borough archives
elucidate the progress of municipal and social life in the dark
ages : my thanks are due to Mr. James Morton, the Town
Clerk, for permission to inspect and copy them — a task rendered
easier by a transcript previously made by the experienced
antiquary, Mr. de Gray Birch. In searching the Public
Records I received valuable help from the late Mr. Walford
D. Selby. To Mr. W. H. St. John Hope I am indebted for
permission to consult the Habingdon and Prattinton MSS.
belonging to the Society of Antiquaries. Through the kindness

(iv. )

of Mr. and Mrs. Fenwick, I have had access to the valuable
MSS. of the late Sir Thomas Phillipps, Bart., of Thirlestaine
House, Cheltenham. The Rev. T. W. Greenall has provided
me with several excellent photographs for illustrations. My
thanks are also due to the Rev. J. F. Kershaw, and Messrs.
J. Amphlett, M. Tomkinson, J. Brinton, Everard Barton,
T. F. Ivens, W. H. Talbot, J. H. Hooper, W. M. Roden, R.
Grove, C. E. Flowerdew, and others for help in various ways.

Several lists of names are given with the object of helping
those who may wish to trace local families ; and I have also
introduced more general information than is wanted by many
readers, because I find that our artisans take a keen interest
in the history of their native town and its neighbourhood.

BONTDDU, J. R. B.

August ^oth, i8go.

(v.)

LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS.

LIBRARY EDITION.

(Fifty Copies Printed.)

1. Abergavenny, Most Hon. the Marquess of, K.G.,

Eridge Castle, Sussex.

2. Adam, Mr, Peter, Cairndhu, Kidderminster.

3. Amphlett, Mr. John, Clent House.

4. Barton, Mr. Everard, Warstone House.

5. Baldwin, Mr. Enoch, The Mount, Stourport.

6. Beauchamp, Right Hon. the Earl, Madresfield Court.

7. Blencowe, Rev. C. E., Marston S. Lawrence Vicarage.

8. Blencowe, Canon A. J., West Kirby Rectory.

9. Burton, Mr. George H., Markby, Stamford.

10. Burton, Mrs., Woodfield.

11. Burton, H. J. Chandos, Woodfield.

12. Crane, Mr. John H., Oakhampton.

13. Crowther, Mr. W. E. A., The Spennels.

14. Fisk, Rev. T. , Highcliffe.

15. Fletcher, Mr. Tom, Falling Sands.

16. Foley, Right Hon. Lord, Ruxley Lodge, Esher.

17. Foley, Mr. P. H., Prestwood.

18. Gibbons, Rev. B., M.A., Waresley House.

ig. Grosvenor, Mr. G. W., B.A., D.L., Broome House.

20. Harvey, Mr. J. J., The Grove.

21. Howard, Mr. Henry, Stone House, near Kidderminster.

22. Jenkins, Mr. R., Mill Street.

23. Morton, Mr. E. J., Heathfield, Wolverley.

24. Norris, Mr. W., The Mount, Tenbury.

25. Salisbury, Very Rev. the Dean of. The Deanery.

26. Tempest-Radford, Mr., Bevere Manor.
27-36. Tomkinson, Mr. M., Franche Hall.

37. Walcot, Rev. John, Bitterley Court, Shropshire

38. Walcot, Mr. Owen C, St. Leonards.

39. Walcot, Capt.. R.N., H.M.C.S. Protector.

40. Wilson, Mr. Jas., Birmingham.

( vi. )

Adam, Mr. W., Linden Avenue

Addenbrooke, Mr. E. H., Mill Street.

Antiquaries, Society of, London.

Aiiwood, Mr. C, M.A., Carlsruhe, Malvern Wells.

Awdry, Mr. W. C, The Bank.

Ayscough, Rev. T. A., M.A., The Vicarage, Tenbury.

Baldwin, Mr. A.. VVilden House.

Baldwin, Mr. J. Gough, Stourport.

Baldwin, Mr. E. .\rthur, Astley Town.

Baldwyn-Childe, Mrs., Kyre i'ark, Tenbury.

Barlow, Mr. John, Crescent Villa.

Barrington-Ward, Mr. M. J., M.A., Worcester,

Barton, Mr. Everard, Warstone House.

Barton, Mr. Charles T., The Hill, Wolverley.

Barton, Mrs., Astley Hall. (2.)

Bathe, Rev. Stephen B., Kushbury Rectory.

Beach, Mr. T., Areley Kings.

Beddoe, Mr. H. C, Hereford.

Bennett, Miss C. E., High School for Girls.

Bennie, Mr. John, Oak Grove.

Binnian, Mr. James, Blakebrook.

Bradley (the late). Rev. E., Lenton Vicarage.

Brinckman, Mrs. WilUam, Ribbesford House. (2.)

Brinton, Mr. John, Moor Hall. (2.)

Boughton, Sir C. H. Rouse, Bart., Downton Hall, Ludlow.

Broadfield (the late), Mr. E., Post Office.

Bioome, Mr. E. A., Areley Kings House.

Bucknall, Mr. T. S., Summer Bank.

Burcher, Mr. F., Kidderminster.

Carter, Mr. H. G., Chester Road.

Carter, Mr. Henry, Lome Street.

Cawood, Rev. John, Bayton Rectory.

Chesshire, Rev. J. L., Wribbenhall Vicarage. (3.)

Claughton, Rev. Canon, The College, Worcester. (2.)

Cobham, Right Hon. Viscount, Hagley Park.

Cole, Mr. Moses, Farfield House,

Collins, Mr. Sam., Franchise Street.

Cooper, Mr. S. Jehu, Bewdley Street.

Cooper, Mr. T., Wollaston Street, Stourbridge,

Corbet, Mr. Miller, Swan Street.

Cornish Brothers, Birmingham.

Cotton (the late), Mr. W. A., Bromsgrove.

Cowell, Mr. Albert, Broomfield.

Coxon, Alderman, Kidderminster.

Crowther, Mr. Clement, Green Hill.

( vii. )

Davies (the late) Mr. D. Lloyd, Wyre Court, Bewdley.

Day, Mrs., The Woodlands, Habberley.

Dixon, Mr. H. Jecks, Kidderminster.

Dougall, Mr. A., Blakebrook.

Downing, Mr. J. Marshall, Dowles. (2.)

Downing, Mr. W., Birmingham. (2.)

Elkington, Mr. F., Sion Hill, Wolverley.

Fawkner, Mr. VV., Avenue House.

Fenwick, Rev. J. E. A., Thirlestaine House, Cheltenham,
flinch. Rev. W., The Monks, Chaddesley Corbett.
Flowerdew, Mr. C. E. , School of Art.

Gabb, Mr. L. A., Bewdley.

Gibbons, Rev. B., M.A., Waresley House. (5.)

Gibbs, Rev. W. C, M.A., Hagley Rectory.

Godson, Mr. A. F., M.A,. M.P., Westwood Park.

Goodwin (the late), Mr. D. W., The Elms. (3.)

Goodwin, Mr. J. R., The Laurels.

Grant, Mr. Charles, Roden Avenue.

Grazebrook, Mr. H. Sydney, Chiswick.

Green, Mr. W. Howe, Blakebrook.

Greenall, Rev. T. W., M.A., Bishampton Rectory.

Grindon, Miss, Comberton Road.

Grosvenor, Mr. G. W., D.L., Broome House.

Grove, Mr. R., sen.. Church Street.

Grove, Mr. R., jun., Church Street.

Guest, Mrs. Bird, Blakebrook.

Harvey, Mr. J. J., The Grove (2.)

Hall, Lieut. F. R. N., R.N., Broadway.

Hallen, Rev. Cornelius, Alloa, N.B.

Haycock, Mr. Harry E. , Manchester.

Hemborow, Miss, Woodfield.

Hepworth, Mr. Benjamin, Comberton Villa.

Herring, Mr. Henry, Yew Tree House.

Hill, Mr. T. Rowley, St. Catherine's Hill, Worcester.

Hodgson, Rev. John, F.S.A., Kinver Rectory.

Holdsworth, Mr. G., Kidderminster.

Holland, Mr. John B., Farfield.

Hooper, Mr. J. H., M.A., Diocesan Registry, Worcester.

Homfray, Mr. Alfred, Broadwaters House.

Hughes, Mr. Edward, Town Carpet Mills.

Hughes, Mr. F. , Trimpley.

Hughes, Mr. Fred., Trimpley.

Hughes, Mr. Thos. W., Lome Street.

( Vlii. )

Ingram, Rev. K. H. Winnington, M.A., Ribbesford Rectory
[saac, Mr. Charles, The Limes.
Ivens, Mr. T. F. . Comberton Road.

James, Rev. Alfred, M.A., Burwarton Rectory.
Jenkins, Mr. R., Mill Street. (lo. )
Jobson, Mr. Howard C, Summerhill.

Kershaw, Rev. J. F., M.A., St. John's Vicarage.
Killingbeck, Mr. John, Lark Hill.
Knight, Mr. J., Ettingshall, Wolverhampton.
Knight, Sir F. W. , K.C.B. , Wolverley House.

Landon, Mr. Whittington, Bewdley.

Lane, Rev. C. A., Forest Gate, E.

Lea (the late), Venerable Archdeacon, Droitwich.

Lea, Rev. F. Simcox, M.A., Tedstone Delamere Rectory.

Lea, Rev. T. Simcox, M.A. , Tedstone Delamere.

Lea, Rev. Josiah T. , Far Forest Vicarage,

Lea, Mr. J. W. Birmingham.

Lea, Mr. Thomas, M.P. , The Larches.

Lea, Miss Isabella, Whitville.

Lloyd, Mr. S. Zachary, Areley Hall.

London Library, St. James's Square, S.W.

Lymington, Right Hon. Viscountess, Hurstborne Park, Hants,

Manby, Mr. Cordy, Wassell Wood.

Mark, Mr. T., Brookfield. (6.)

Mayne, Mrs., Oaklands.

Meredith, Mr. J. T., Bank Buildings.

Moore, Rev. O. A., M.A. , Summer Place.

Morton, Mr. E. J., M.A., Heathfield, Wolverley. (2.)

Morton, Mr. James, Dairy mple.

Mottram, Rev. C. P., M.A., Doverdale Rectory.

Ouseley (the late). Sir F. G., Bart., St. Michael's College,
Tenbury.

Penny, Mr. W., Church Street.

PhiUipps (the late), J. O. Halliwell, F.R.S., Hollingbury

Copse, Brighton.
Phillips, Rev. Sidney, M.A. , The Vicarage. (2.)
Phillips, Miss, The Infirmary.
Pritchard, Mr. C. A., Upper Norwood, S.E.
Piirdey, Mr. W. B., Kidderminster.

Robertson, Rev. D., M.A., Hartlebury Rectory, (2,)

( 1^- )

Robinson, Mr. Brooke, M.P., Barford House, Warwick.
Ryland, Mr. J. W., Rowington, Warwick.

Sanders, Rev. Canon S. J. W. , LL. D. , Northampton.

Sharpe, Rev. John, D.D. , Elmley Lovett Rectory.

Shaw, Mr. Edwin, The Newlands.

Simpson, Rev. G. A. K., M.A., Sutton Coldfield.

Smith, Mr. W. H., Hagley.

Southwell, Mr. T. Martin, Bridgnorth.

Spencer, Mr. W. F. , Spring Grove.

Taylor, Mr. W., Mus. Bac, Church Street.
Tempest-Radford, Mr. T., Severe Manor, Worcester,
Thompson, Mr. R. J., Park Lane.
Tomkinson, Mr. M., Franche Hall. (lo. )
Tucker, Mr. W., Franche Road.

Vawdrey, Rev. D. , M.A., Areley Kings Rectory.

Waddell, Mr. A. R., M.D., Kidderminster.

Wadely, Mr. W., F.C.O., Blakebrook.

Warner, Rev. C, M.A., Clun Vicarage,

Watson, Mr. John, Waresley Court. (2.)

Watson, Mr. R. Talbot, Honeybrooke. (2.)

Whitcombe, Mr. R. H., Bewdley.

Whittall, Mr. A., Kidderminster.

Wilding, Rev. C. J., M.A. , Arley Vicarage.

Wilson, Rev. J. Bowstead, M.A., Knightwick Rectory.

Wilson, Mr. James, Birmingham.

Woodward, Mr. Robert, M.A., Arley Castle.

Woodward, Mrs. H. Toye, Franche Court.

Worcester, Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of, Hartlebury Casile.

Worcester, The Public Library.

(X. )

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

The Monastery .,
The Villenage ..
The Baronage
The Borough
The Church
The Nonconformists
The Schools
The Charities
The Celebrities...
The Manufactures

CHAPTER

HI.

CHAPTER

IV.

CHAPTER

VI.

3 ... . . .

CHAPTER

VII.

CHAPTER

VIII.

CHAPTER

IX.

CHAPTER

CHAPTER XI.

The Neighbourhood : —
Clent
Wolverley
Hagley
Stone

Chaddesley Corbet
Hartlebury

APPENDIX.

Domesday Book (Latin)...

Charter of Henry II. (Latin)...

The Parish Registers ...

Bailiffs, High Stewards, Recorders, &c.

Page.

54
86

134

141

146

150

171

189

193

195

197

ig8
201

203
203
204
222

(xi. )

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

Map of Kidderminster (1753), by John Doharty,

JuN. ... ... ... ... ... ...Frontispiece.

Map of Land near Bewdley Heath (1704) ... Faces p. 16

Memorial Brass of Maud Harmanville, Sir

John Phelip, and Walter Cokesey ... ,,

Monument of Sir Hugh Cokesey and Wife... ,,

Monument of Thomas Blount and Wife

40
40
40

Monument of Sir Edward Blount and his
Wives ...

View of Kidderminster (1780) \
View of Kidderminster (i8go) )
Tower of All Saints' Church...
All Saints' Church — North Side
Richard Baxter ...

Between pp.

(

(81
... Faces p. 88
... „ 89

The Right Rev. T. L. Claughton, Bishop of
St. Albans

St. George's Church — North Side ...

St. John's Church — S.W. View

The Grammar School

Sir Ralph Clare ...

Sir Rowland Hill

I2Q

124
128
132
141

152

162

( xii. )

ADDENDA.

As an illustration of the system of frankpledge (p. 56), the following is of
interest ;— " In 30 Henry II. (1184) the villata of Kideministra was fined two
marks, because it concealed before the Justices what was afterwards found
out." (Madox: Firma Burgi, p. 57 h.)

The remnant of the mediaeval churchyard cross has been moved to a more
eastwardly position, and is replaced by a massive one with the following
inscription :— " In piam memoriam Patris Matris Majorum Cognatorum
intra sacros hos fines quiescentium Signum Fidei Spei Salutis asterna;
Crucem jampridem labefactatam Filius reficiendam curavit. A.D.

MDCCCLXXVI."

Lower Mytton. — The population of the parish in 1881 was 4997, the
acreage 2106, and value of benefice ;^6oo with residence. The flagon, two
chalices, and two patens were presented by the Rev. Charles Turner Farley.
The handsome lectern was given by the Rev. B. Gibbons.

Incumbents.

I 193] •

. Philip.

1779

John Grubb.

1552 .

. W. Spytull.

1781

Francis Baines.

1663 .

. Timothy Kirk.

1782

. David Davies, M.A.

1669 .

Edward Thomas.

1829

. Charles Wharton, M.A.

I67I .

John Brown.

1850

. . Stephen Rd. Waller,

1692

. Nathaniel Williams,

1861

Benjamin Gibbons,

B.A.

M.A.

1694 .

Jonathan Cotton.

CORRIGENDA.

Page 34, line 21, for " Suffold " read Suffolk.

Page 82, line 15, for " 1828 " read 1830.

Page 85, lines 9, 10, correct census returns appear to be : —

1851. Borough, 17,033 ; Foreign, 3,819 : total, 20,852.
1861. Borough, 13,978 ; „ 3,932 ; „ 17,910.

Page 126, line i, for " Rectors " read Vicars.

Page 128, last line, for " Heming " read Hemming.

Page 157, line 6, for " vimamus " read vivamus.

CHAPTER I.

^bc noonaetcr^.

T is believed that Kidderminster may lay
some claim to British origin ; and that
Roman forts existed at Sudwale (near
Sutton) and at Wribbenhall, on the
" Portway," a road leading from Wor-
cester to Wroxeter, the ancient Unconiuni.
(Hardwkk Add. MSS., British, Museum,
No. 31,003.) " Wal " in a place-name
is often an indication of Roman occupa-
tion. The " Portway" ran through Upper Arley, and in Wul-
frune's Saxon grant to the Canons of Wolverhampton it is
called " The Street," In Arley Wood, near this path, a vast
Roman Camp, square and treble-ditched, is yet remaining,
(Nash, vol, ii,, app. i.) Another Roman road out of Salop passes
Stourbridge, Hagley, Clent, Bellington House in Chaddesley,
and through part of Kidderminster parish, towards Worcester.
(lb., app. cviii,, and Midland Antiqiiavy, vol. ii., No. 6.) Some
ancient querns or millstones, supposed to be Roman, were dug
up in 1879 under the floor of an outbuilding of the " Three
Tuns," about 30 yards from the Stour. In the same place was
found a Roman coin of the Emperor Constantine II. (A.D. 337-
340), Sepulchral urns containing calcined bones were also
found in Dowles brick-yard in 1882, and a coin of Tiberius at
Button Oak about 1780. These are indications that in Roman
times a civilised people had already taken up their abode in
this neighbourhood.

2 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

After the departure of the Romans came the struggle between
the Britons and the Saxon invaders, which was especially fierce
on the Severn Valley. By the battle of Deorham in A.D. 571
the West Saxons were able to penetrate up the Severn as far
as Shrewsbury ; and for several miles along the river side their
course would be through the district afterwards included
in the great parish of Kidderminster, then chiefly consisting
of woods, swamps, heather, and gorse. Perhaps on their way
the Britons made a stand at the old entrenched camp near
Trimpley, still bearing the name of Wassell or Wars-hill. In
A.D. 626 various tribes of Saxons and Angles who had come
more recently to our shores were united under Penda in the last
of the Saxon kingdoms, the Mercia or boundary kingdom which
afterwards stretched from the Fens to the Severn, and from the
Thames to the Humber. The greater part of Worcestershire
(including Kidderminster), and parts of Gloucestershire and
Warwickshire, formed the subordinate province of the Wiccii or
Hwiccas. Mercia was the last of the Saxon kingdoms to
embrace Christianity. In A.D. 635 Penda, its heathen king,
was defeated by Oswald of Northumbria at Winwood. His
successor, Peada, married a daughter of the Northumbrian
King, and was baptized by Finian and brought back four
priests to evangelise his Mercians. Two Wiccian princes were
baptized in A.D. 661, and before A.D. 675 religious buildings
were founded in the principality, at Deerhurst and Tewkesbury.
In A.D. 680 Bosel was consecrated first Bishop of Worcester,
his jurisdiction extending over all the ancient province of the
Wiccas, until Henry VIII. founded the Bishopric of Gloucester.
The Christianity of the Midlands was consequently derived
from Lindisfarne and lona, not from Canterbury.

Amongst a people rude and violent in character, destitute of
all learning, almost ignorant of agriculture, and whose heaven
was supposed to be a perpetual hunting-ground, the religion
and manners of the Christian teachers worked a most beneficent
change. Green (Conquest of England, page 8) speaks of " the
revolution which was wrought by the planting of a Church on
the soil with its ecclesiastical organization, its bishops, its
priests, its court, and its councils, its language, its law, above
all the new impulse given to political consolidation by the

THE MONASTERY.

building up of Britain into a single religious communion. From
the cradle to the grave it forced on the Englishman a new law
of conduct, new habits, new conceptions of life and society. It
entered above all into that sphere within which the individual
will of the freeman had been till now supreme, the sphere of
the home ; it curtailed his powers over child and wife and
slave ; it forbade infanticide, the putting away of wives, or
cruelty to the serf. It proclaimed slavery an evil, war an evil,
manual labour a virtue. It met the feud face to face by
denouncing revenge. It held up gluttony and drunkenness, the
very essence of the old English feast, as sins. It interfered with
labour-customs by prohibitions of toil on Sundays and holy-
days."

The Kings of Mercia soon saw how good it was for their
people that centres of religion and learning should be planted
throughout their dominions ; and so it came to pass that on the
banks of the Stour, amid the tangled woods, the homes of
wolves and other wild animals, there was heard the sound of
the axe, and a little wooden church arose — the mother church
of Christianity in this district. Rude houses clustered around
it, with gardens and open field, the felled part of the woods ;
and^thus originated the monastery of Ceadde or Cedd, of which
all the traces here have long been swept away, except only
the name Kidder-minster, which has survived to tell the story.

The monks in those times, like many missionaries in our own
day, did not disdain to wield the axe and follow the plough ;
they built bridges ; they set up mills ; they were the best gar-
deners and farmers ; they knew something of medicine and
painting ; and some of them could read and write. At their
head were often to be found princes and princesses and men
of noble birth. Men and women who longed for the higher life
of religion and peace in a turbulent age found within them an
asylum and shelter.

Of course, before the minster was founded this wild district
must have had some other designation, derived from its natural
features. It was on the Stour (probably the Celtic Ys, flowing,
Dwr, water). But as the Stour is 30 miles in length, some
further appellation must be added to denote the locality, and

A HISTORY GF KIDDERMINSTER.

this was supplied by a succession of large pools, now called
" Broadwaters," through which a brook passes. This the
Saxons called Us-mere (Us=Ouse, flowing water, and Mere, a
pool or lake). In the time of William the Conqueror in a deed
describing the boundaries between Kidderminster and Wolver-
ley, the "Broadwaters" is called Us-mere. There is also a
house near Hurcott still called " Ismere House,"

The original name, then, was " at-Sture-in-Usmere," and in
the British Museum (Vitellius C 9, fol. 126) there is fortunately
preserved for us a Saxon deed which throws a clear light on the
origin of our town. It runs as follows : —

" 1 Ethelbald, by the gift of the Lord, King not only of the Mercians but
of all the provinces which are called by the general name of South-Angles,
for the benefit of my soul, do grant to the possession of the Church a certain
portion of land, to wit ten cassats, to my venerable Earl Cyniberht to build
a monastery in the district of the Husmers, near the river which is called
Stour : so that as long as he lives he shall have the power of holding it, or of
giving it up to any one he wishes whilst he lives, or at his death. And the
aforesaid land is on both sides of the above-named river having on the north
a wood which they call Cynibre [ ? Kinver ] , and on the west another called
Moerheb [perhaps Eymore] of which the greatest part belongs to the said
land.

" But if anyone shall be tempted to violate this gift let him know that he
shall render a terrible account to God for his tyranny and presumption.
This charter is written in the year from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus
Christ 736 and in the 4th of our reign.

" I iEthelbald the King subscribe, confirming my own donation

" I Wor Bishop agree and subscribe

" I Wilfrid Bishop [4th Bishop of Worcester]

" I .iEthelric Subregulus of Aethelbald

" I Ibeacsi unworthy abbot

" I Heardberht brother and duke of the aforesaid King

" Ebbella Ovoc comes Cusa

" Bercol Sigebed Pede

" Oba Ealduuft." •

Power was given in the above charter to Earl Cyniberht to
leave the property to whom he would ; and about forty years
later (A.D. 775) we find that his son Abbot Ceolfrith devised to
the Church of Worcester, " where presided the venerable
Bishop Milred " (5th Bishop, 743 — 775), twenty manses at a

* Printed in Heming, vol. ii., p. 555 ; Dugdale Mojias., i., 121. The readings
are somewhat different.

THE MONASTERY.

famous place called Heanberi, together with fourteen cassats at
Sture in the province of Usmere. {Dugdale, i., p. 608 ; also in
Hemmg, and Kemble's Codex Diplomaticus.)

Another charter, beautifully written on vellum, and preserved
in the British Museum (Tiberius A 13, fol. 106), tells of the
settlement of a dispute- six years later between King Offa and
the Bishop of Worcester concerning lands at various places,
including Stour-in-Usmere. It may be translated thus : —

" + In the name of God most high. Times succeed to times, and through
constant changes it comes to pass that words spoken long ago become in
vain unless we confirm them by writings. Wherefore I Heathored by the
dispensation of God the suppliant [supplex) Bishop of the Huiccii, most
diligently inquiring jointly with the consent and advice of my whole house-
hold, which is founded in Huugerna city, have thought and examined
concerning its peace and ecclesiastical state. We have had indeed a dispute
with Offa King of the Mercians and our most dearly beloved lord. For he
said that we without any hereditary right unjustly kept the inheritance of
his relation to wit King Aethelbald that is in a place which is called aet
Beathum xc manses and in many other places, that is at Stretforda xxx
cassats, at Sture xxxviii. In like manner he claims at Sture in Usmere xiv
manses, at Breodune xii, in Homtune xvii cassats. But the aforesaid cause of
contention was settled in a synodal council held in a place which is called at
Bregentforda. We have therefore restored to the aforementioned King Offa
that very celebrated monastery at Bathum without any dispute to hold or to
assign to any one he should think proper & to be enjoyed for ever by his
proper heirs : and we have also added on the South side of the River which
is called Eafen (Avon) xxx cassats, land which we purchased for a fair sum
of Cynewulf King of the West Saxons. Wherefore the aforesaid King Offa,
in satisfaction of this compensation made to him, & for unanimity of the
strongest peace, hath granted the aforementioned places at Stretforda, at
Sture, at Breodune, in Homtune, at Sture in Usmere, beyond all cause of contro-
versy, with that liberty to our abovementioned church that is in Uugenta
city, that they shall not be subject to any greater cess than the obligation of
the building of forts, the constructing of bridges, and pasturage for the King
and his attendants.

" Now therefore I Ofifa by the grace of God have subscribed with my own
hand the sign of the most sacred Cross of Christ, for assurance of its being
confirmed, lambertus Archbishop sitting with me, and all the Bishops
Abbots & Princes have consented & subscribed to the same.

" This deed is written at Bregentforda in the year of the Incarnation of
Christ DCCLXXXI.

" Offa King of the Mercians
" laenberht Archbishop

6 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

" Berhtwald, Brorda, Princes
" Eudbald, Esne, Eadbald, Eadberht, Presbyters

" Eadbcrht, Hygeberht, Aethelmod, Ecgbald, Ceolwulf, Diera, Aethelwutf,
Heardred, Heathoredus, Gisthul, Eadberht, Aldberht, Bishops."*

It is not easy to reconcile the King's conduct in now laying
claim to Sture-in-Usmere with his previous approval of Ceol-
frith's bequest ; but from other sources we know that he was a
violent, unscrupulous man with whom *' might was right," and
that this act was quite in keeping with his character.

Under the rule of the Bishops of Worcester for 40 years the
monastery must have prospered ; and many spots of waste land
were reclaimed, forming the " tons " or enclosures for farm
buildings that we find in Domesday Book, such as Wanner-ton,
Mede-ton, Sud-ton, Olding-ton, Bristi-ton, Pokels-ton, &c.

If Kinver Wood was the boundary on the north, the old
district of Sture-in-Usmere must have included Wolverley and
Cookley, which were also being settled. On the other extremity
Ribbesford and Wribbenhall (including the land whereon
Bewdley now stands) formed part of this extensive domain.

In A.D. 816 Deneberht, Bishop of Worcester, made an
exchange with Kenulph, King of Mercia. In return for liberties
at Hmiitinton, Speacleahtun, Teoluualdicotan, Weogornea-leage, and
Ceaddes-leage the Bishop assigned to the King xiv. manses in two
allotments at a place called " at Sture." We may feel a certain
doubt as to whether this refers to Kidderminster from the
omission of the " In Usmere." But, as Dr. McCave well puts
it, " we are satisfied with Bishop Tanner that it is Sture-in-
Usmere. On the one hand the land in question belonged to
the Church of Worcester, and Deneberht was resigning it for
liberties in four places, one of which was neighbour to Sture-in-
Usmere, Ceaddesleah or Chaddesley, On the other hand, the
amount of land was precisely fourteen manses ; and fourteen at
Sture-in-Usmere had been granted by Abbot Ceolfrith to the
Church of Worcester ; fourteen under the same description had
been confirmed to Worcester diocese by King Offa. These
fourteen, according to Kenulfs charter, were in two allotments,

* Also printed in Heming, pp. 224-227 ; Kemble, Cod. Dip., i., p. 170. See
also Dugd. Monas., i., p. 138.

T^E MoMASTIiRV.

' duobus in curtis ' ; and similarly Ethelbald's grant at Sture-in-
Usmere consisted of two allotments, ten original cassats near the
river Stour with additional land in Moerheb Wood." If further
confirmation is needed, we find that Wolverley and Kidder-
minster henceforth appear as Crown property. In A.D. 854
Burhred, King of Mercia, gave the Wolverley portion to Bishop
Aelhun ; W^illiam I, gave Cookley (Culleclive) " a certain
member of Wolverley" to St. Wulstan ; and Kidderminster
itself remained Royal demesne till the time of Henry II.

For more than 200 years from A.D. 854 there is almost a
complete blank in our history, and these two centuries are more
sad than any that England passed through since she became a
nation. The country was devastated by hordes of heathen
Danes, who especially wreaked their vengeance on the religious
buildings and their occupants. There is no express mention of
Kidderminster, but we can easily conjecture its fate from what
befel its neighbours. Nearly all Mercia lay prostrate at the
feet of the Danes ; and Burhred the King and Werefrith the
Bishop both fled the country in despair. Everywhere the
monasteries were destroyed and their inmates murdered. But
this is a matter of general history. Coming nearer home we
read in the Chroyiicles of Worcester Church (Heming, ii., p. 406),
" Meanwhile the Countess Godgiva [the famous Lady Godiva
of Coventry] hearing of S. Wolstan's goodness, loved him
exceedingly, and assisted him in the divers needs of this age ;
and at her entreaties her husband, to wit Earl Leofric, gave the
church of Worcester two estates called Blakewell and Wolver-
ley, which heretofore the Danes and other adversaries of God
had seized upon with violence, and had totally alienated from
the said church." Again, (Heming, p. 251), " In the time of
King Ethelred Clifton, Ham, Eastham, Burford, Tenbury, and
Kyre, with all the surrounding districts, were subject to our
church of Worcester. But when this province had been plun-"
dered and most mercilessly devastated, and the Danes had
taken and violently kept possession of nearly all that province :
Earl Hacun and his soldiers invaded the aforesaid lands and
many others with cruel violence, and kept them when seized
for their own property. But finally his wife Gunhilda, seeing
that it had been done unjustly, instead of the service of the

8 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

land, caused to be made for us a certain gilded image of St.
Mary. But nevertheless even until now the lands have been
alienated from sacred uses." A further extract from Heining
(i., p. 256) refers to one of the Domesday hamlets of Kidder-
minster itself:— "The Danes took away by violence from the
monastery the village of Ribbesford, v/hose villeins were
required to provide us with fishing nets and hunting imple-
ments as often as we required them." Ribbesford apparently
had not changed its owner with the rest of the manor; for in
about A.D. 1002 it was given by Bishop Wulfstan the
" Reprobate " as part of the dowry of his sister for her life.

We see that Wolverley and Ribbesford were devastated
during the Danish invasion, and we may wonder why no men-
tion is made of Kidderminster, which lay between them, and
which undoubtedly shared the same fate. But the omission is
a natural one. The monkish historian is writing the annals of
his own monastery ; and we have seen above that in A.D. 816
Kidderminster (Sture) was given to the King ; consequently
the monastery had no further interest in its fortunes. If as this
work proceeds the reader is inclined to think an undue propor-
tion of it is devoted to ecclesiastical matters, he should
remember that we are indebted to the clergy for nearly all we
know about the ancient history of our country ; and that they
would naturally write most about matters coming under their
own observation or concerning themselves.

Tanner in his Notitia Monastica catalogues the monastery of
Sture (Kidderminster) as a " destroyed monastery." Its
destruction was without doubt wrought by the Danes — a
destruction so thorough that we never again meet with a single
line to tell us the monastery had ever existed. Where the
building stood we know not ; what scenes of horror were per-
petrated here when it perished we know not ; but the minster
that lay a heap of ruins nearly 1000 years ago has left a name
behind it now known throughout the world.

^y^/h^^j^

THE VILLENAGE.

CHAPTER II

^bc IMllcimijc.

URING the three centuries which elapsed between
the foundation of the monastery and the Norman
Conquest many of the most fertile spots in the
wild district at-StJire-in-Usvieve had been brought
into cultivation, and had received those distinc-
tive place-names which we know so well. The

minster as paramount in importance naturally gave its name

to the whole parish.

The etymology of the word Kidderminster is a moot point. It
is markworthy that the letter R in the second syllable does not
appear earlier than the time of Henry III.''' The most probable
conjecture is that it denotes the minster either of St. Chad or
his almost equally famous brother St. Cedd. Both were the great
Apostles of the Midlands, the former being ist Bishop of Lich-
field (A.D. 665), the latter afterwards Bishop of London (A.D.
664). In Somerset, Chedesforda (Domesday) has become Kittis-
ford. The Saxon form of Chad was Ceadde, and the letter C
being pronounced hard, the name would sound as Keadde-
minster. The neighbouring parish of Chaddesley was formerly
spelt Ceaddesley, but the initial letter has been softened. In
Domesday Book, where the name first occurs in a written form,
it is Chideminstre, but Ch was used by the Norman scribes to
express the K sound, e.g., Chent (Kent), Chenfare (Kinver),
Chemesey (Kenisey), &c. Another supposition is that Earl
Cyniberht the founder gave his name to the monastery, which
was thus called Cyniberts-minster. Others again go back to

* In Great Roll of 30 Henry II., Kideministra ; 11 John, KUleministre ;
17 Henry III., Kidaininistr' . Not till 54 Henry III. (1270), Kcdirmiiistye.
B

lo A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

the Celtic Kid, a hill, and Dwr, water ; whence we get " the
minster on the hill near the water."

About 800 years ago the curtain is drawn aside for a moment,
and we have a most interesting peep at Kidderminster under
its new name. In A.D, io85 the Domesday Book was compiled
by order of William I., and the original is still preserved at the
Chapter House, Westminster. As this is by far the most
valuable record of our past history, the exact Latin text will be
given in an appendix. The translation runs as follows : —

" King William holds Chideminstre in demesne with sixteen Berewicks :
— Wenvertun (Wannerton), Trinpeli (Trimpley), Worcote (Hurcote), Fre-
nesse (Franche), and another Frenesse, Bristitune (Puxton ?), Harburgelei
(Habberley), Fastochesfelde, Gurbehale (Wribbenhall), Ribeford (Ribbes-
ford), and another Ribeford, Sudtone (Sutton), Aldintone (Oldington),
Mettune (Mitton), Teulesberge (Agborovv ?), and Sudwale.

" In these lands there are, together with the manor, 20 hides. This manor
was all waste. There is one plough in demesne, and 20 villeins, and 30
bordars with 18 plough-teams, and 20 ploughs more may be employed there.
There are 2 serfs and 4 serving women, 2 mills of 16 shillings, 2 salt works of
30 shillings, and a fishery of 100 pence. A wood of 4 miles.

" The Reve holds the land of a Radknight in this manor, and has a plough
of five orse. One house in Wich (Droitwich), and another in Worcester,
rendering ten pence, belong to this manor ; the whole of which paid 14
pounds rent in the time of King Edward. It now pays 10 pounds 4 shillings
by weight. The King has afforested the wood belonging to this manor.

" William holds one hide of the land of this manor, and the land of a Rad-
knight, and has one villein there and eight bordars having four ploughs and
a half. It is worth eleven shillings. Aiulf holds a virgate of the same land.
There is a plough and two serfs. It is worth two shillings."

King William the Conqueror was the owner of nearly all the
parish. His land contained 20 hides, that is about 2400 acres
of arable land, together with extensive commons and four miles
of wood. The rental of the land was £10 4s. by weight
annually — ^just one penny per acre. This rental was derived
from a number of tenants who were in the condition of bond
servants, and attached to the soil, but in different degrees of
servitude. The money payment formed but a small part of the
lord's dues. The villeins held their land on the obligation of
working for the lord so many days each week, according to the
custom of the particular manor. In the King's demesne or
home farm, which probably comprised the present borough of

THE VILLENAGE. n

Kidderminster, as distinct from the " foreign," was only one
plough-team. But there were 20 villeins and 30 bordars, having
amongst them 18 plough-teams. Each villein or bordar had
his own piece of land, and was also expected to plough, harrow,
sow, and reap the lord's demesne.

The Provost, Reve, or Bayliff was the head man of the
village, and under the direction of the lord's steward he regu-
lated the work due from the villeins on the lord's estate. At
Kidderminster he held as a special privilege the land of a Rad-
knight, an officer whose duty was to ride in attendance upon his
lord when he went from manor to manor. It was easier, when
roads were bad, for the lord to move with his retinue from place
to place, and stay at each till he had consumed the year's pro-
duce of the land. William son of Ansculf, Lord of Dudley, had
about 160 acres cultivated by one villein and eight bordars with
four and a half plough-teams. Aiulf had 30 A. with a plough -
team and two serfs. The exact enumeration o{ ploughs (carucae)
was made on account of a tax called Canicagitim, levied on every
plough. Under the liability to such a tax there must have been
a temptation to conceal the real number of ploughs employed.
Hence the surve3'ors are careful to note that " 20 plough-teams
more may be emplo3'-ed there." (Hale.) It is strange that we
have no mention of a church or priest, though less than 100
years after this we find a rector here with considerable endow-
ment, and Kidderminster giving its name to a very extensive
Rural Deanery. There were two bondmen and four bond-
women, who were of the lowest scale in social position : they
were at the arbitrary disposal of their lord, only their lives and
limbs being under the protection of the law. Some were slaves
by birth ; others, who could not pay the wer or damages awarded
against them, or criminals whose lives were forfeited, became
slaves to escape the punishment of death. A valuable appen-
dage to the manor was a house at Droitwich, and this will help
us to understand the mention of " 2 salt works of 30 shillings "
included in the manor. It is not likely that the salt works were
at Kidderminster ; and we have three similar instances in
Domesda}^ of Burgenses of W'ich attached to distant manors.
Another tenant was allowed to live in Worcester for the pur-
poses of trade, but he still remained a member of the manor of

12 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

Kidderminster. Mills were of the first necessity in a manor,
and were a source of revenue to the lord, by whom they were
sustained for the common benefit, and in return enjoyed the
monopoly of grinding for the manor. Heavy penalties were
exacted for any breach of this rule. In olden times the miller
was next in importance to the lord and the rector. One of
the mills mentioned was undoubtedly our Town Mill, which
after grinding by water power for looo years, has lately called
in the more powerful aid of steam ; the second was probably
the mill at Mytton. If Domesday Book gives a complete list
of the households of Kidderminster in 1086, we may make a
guess at the population. We have —

Radknights 2, suppose an average of 4 in household ... 8

Villeins 21,

Bordarii 38,

Servi 4,

Ancillse 4,

152
16

264
Winter roots and artificial grasses were then unknown in
England, so the valuable fertile meadows regularly watered
by the Stour were kept exclusively in the lord's hands, and
became the " borough," while portions of the outlying district
or " foreign " were assigned to the villeins. Our Mill Street and
Church Street were probably the first to be settled, and the
Town Bridge would be a necessity to connect the Mill with the
district on the other side of Stour. To this centre the main
roads would converge.

As Royal demesne Kidderminster in very early times enjoyed
various privileges, and its tenants were " quit of toll, pannage,
murage, stallage, carriage, picage, lastage, pontage, and passage
throughout our whole realm of England, and to be quit of con-
tributions of the expenses of knights coming to our Parliaments,
and ought not to be placed in assize, juries, or recognizances,
except only in those which ought to be made in the courts of
the manor." As a counterbalance to the power of the great
nobles, the Kings of England fostered the growth of towns,
especially those in their own domains ; and the mere produc-

THE VILLENAGE. 13

tion of a copy of Domesday Book by Queen Elizabeth's
Treasurer of the Exchequer in 1586, wherein it was recited
" King WiUiam holds Chideminstre in demesne," was consi-
dered as satisfactory proof that all these privileges belonged of
right to the town.

After Domesday Book there is a complete blank in our
history for 70 years. The manor, administered by a steward
and bailiff, descended in turn to William IL, Henry I., and
Stephen ; and as this district was not apparently disturbed by
the civil wars, the population would be gradually increasing,
and more of the waste land would be taken into cultivation. In
1 154 Henry H. came to the throne, and soon afterwards he
granted a charter conveying the manor of Kidderminster to one
of his faithful followers, Manser Biset, his Dapifer, Cupbearer,
or " Gentleman Sewer." The original charter, on vellum, is
still in the possession of the Corporation of Kidderminster, and
reads thus : —

Translation.

" Henry the King, Duke of Normandy and Aquitaine, Earl (of Anjou), to
the Archbishops, Bishops, Earls, Barons, Sheriffs, Ministers, and all his
faithful ones of France and England greeting. Know ye that I have given
(and) granted (in fee) and inheritance to Manser Bysett, my steward, for his
service, in Worcestershire, Kidderminster for /'ao ; in Wiltshire, Combe for
£26 ; in Gloucestershire, Wikewood for ;^io ; in Hampshire, Dounreston for
/8 ; and the Burgage of Rokebon with the Hundred and with all its appur-
tenances for £j^i, and the appurtenances of Lechedesham. And furthermore
I have given him Wadersey, which used to pay to my mother yearly 20 sh. to
wit, in Wichenford. Wherefore I will and firmly command that the same
Manser and his heirs have and hold these lands aforesaid of me and my
heirs, well and in peace and honourably and hereditarily, in wood, in plain,
in meadows, pastures, in ways and paths, and in all places, with soke and
sake, and toll and theam, and infangthief and outfangthief, and with all
liberties and free customs wherewith any of my Barons of England holds
best, and most quietly, and most honourably. Witness me myself, Thomas
the Chancellor, Reginald Earl of Cornwall, William Earl of Leicester, Henry
of Essex the Constable, R. de Ham, Robert de Lacy, Warine son of Bernard,
Josceline Baret, Robert de Dunstable. At Canterbury."

The privileges conferred on Manser Biset by this charter are
very extensive. Soke and sake authorised him to administer
justice within his lordship, to try causes arising among his
tenants and vassals, and impose fines on them for their offences,

14 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

Tol gave liberty to buy and sell within the precincts of the
manor, and to charge a duty for passage, buying, and selling
in it; and also freedom from toll in other markets. Tlieam
gave him power to try bondsmen and villeins in his court, and
to dispose of them, their wives and goods, at his pleasure.
Infangthicf and outfangthief permitted him to punish thieves com-
mitting theft in his liberty, whether they resided in it or not.

The first witness of the charter next to the King is Thomas
the Chancellor, that is the famous Thomas a Becket, who held
the office from 1155 till 1162, when he resigned on becoming
Archbishop of Canterbury. This fixes the date within a narrow
compass.

The reader will have noticed in Domesday Book that " the
King has afforested the wood belonging to this manor," More
was implied in this than the mere preservation of the game.
" The common law ran only where the plough ran. Marsh and
moor and woodland knew no master but the King, no law but
his absolute will." (Green.) This was a serious limitation to
the lord's power, so in 11 John (1210) we find that Henry Biset,
a successor of Manser, stood charged /"loo to the King for
having his wood of Borlese (Burlish) ; and that that wood and
his manor of Kedeministre might be de-afforested, as they were
perambulated by the view of H. de Nevill and knights of the
county. {Maj. Rot. 1 1 John, rot. 6 b. See Nash, Introduction
Ixix. f.)

Leaving a more detailed account of the Biset family for
another chapter, we will follow the fortunes of the town and its
people. Henry Biset, son of Manser, before A.D. 1200, granted
to Ralph de Auxeville, probably a Norman knight, " one
hundred shillings worth (solidatas) of land, to wit 14s. from my
lord's mill of Kedemynstre, my whole mill of Mytton, the whole
vill of Oldyngton, and the whole vill of Comberton, to be held
by him and his heirs of me and my heirs, by rendering annually
one Hostorium-soer or 55. ; and it shall rest in the choice of the
aforesaid Ralph to pay which of the two he prefers. Witnesses :
Geoffrey Talbot, Hugh de Augere, Robert de Brinkworth, &c."
(Wanley MS., page 166.)

Manser Biset in his lifetime had founded a convent for

THE VILLENAGE. 15

leprous women on his wife's property at Maiden Bradley, in
Wiltshire ; and we shall see how, through what was at first
only a slender thread, the monks gradually gained a firm hold
in Kidderminster, and ultimately owned nearly half the parish.
Their first acquisition was from the above-named Ralph de
Auxeville of " one Native, with his sons, daughters, house, land,
tenement, and appurtenances." The Kidderminster man who
was thus transferred with all his belongings was named William
de Acheborne, and the convent in return was to pay 2s. 8i. a
year to Ralph de Auxeville. (Wanley MS.)

A time of peril soon came to the lord of Comberton and
Oldington. Either in John's wars with the French or in the
quarrel with the Barons, Ralph was imprisoned and threatened
with death. The leprous sisters and monks of Maiden Bradley
came to the rescue, and provided him with the ransom of 100
marks, and in return for this kindness he made the following
grant : —

" Know all men present and to come, that I Ralph de Auxeville have given
to the Leprous Sisters of Bradley and to the Brethren serving God there,
one virgate [30 acres] of land in Oldington which Thomas the son of Gilbert
and William the Turnur held, and another virgate of land in the same vill
which Edred and Brien held ; and moreover two virgates of land in jJie
same vill which Esebern and Osbert his brother, and Osbert Wade and
William de Freinsh held. And also at Comberton one virgate of land which
Edred and Reginalda the widow held ; and 14s. to be received annually
from the Great Mill of Kideminstre, and the whole Mill of Mytton with its
appurtenances. And the aforesaid Leprous Sisters shall have these lands and
rents, with the men holding the lands and their services, by rendering
thence to me and my heirs one pound of cumin annually at the feast of S.
Michael or twopence ; and to the Lord of Kideminstre 5s. And in return
for this my donation the aforesaid Leprous Sisters and Brethren have given
to me 100 marcs sterling to redeem my body from prison and from death."
(Wanley MS., pp. 51-53.)

A portion of Comberton and Oldington still remained to
Ralph de Auxeville ; but soon these acres followed the rest, and
in 1227 we find a further grant : —

" I Ralph dc Auxeville have given to God and the Blessed Mary and the
Leprous Sisters of Bradley one virgate of land in Comberton which Geoffrey
de Freinsh and Osbert son of Orderic held, and half a virgate of land in the
same vill which Edwin son of Edwin held ; and one virgate of land at
Oldington which Thomas the son of Edwin held, and one virgate which Ivo

i6 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

held in the same vill, and one virgate which William and Edred Snel held,
and. half a virgate at Comberton which William the Smith held, &c., for the
soul of my lord Henry Biset, and for my soul, and for the souls of all my
ancestors and heirs. Witnesses, Hugh de Aug., Henry de Ribelf., William
Chaplain of Beverel, Hugh Mustell, Calixtus, Dean, Adam de Hurecot,
Adam Penstant." Endorsed : " This Charter was enrolled in the presence
of Stephen de Segrave and his fellow Justiciaries at Worcester. In the
reign of H. son of King John xi." (Madox : Form. Anglic, p. 255,)

Upon this follows the confirmation of Walter de Auxeville,
brother and heir of the aforesaid Ralph.

After this short tenure of the unfortunate Ralph de Auxeville,
Comberton, Oldington, and the Mill -of Mytton were the pro-
perty of Maiden Bradley convent, and so remained for more
than 300 years. The monks appear to have managed their
property well, and it was probably for the convenience of their
tenants that previous to A.D. 12 14 there was founded the chapel
of S. Michael at Mytton. One of the brethren would be pre-
sent on S. Michael's day to pay the lord's rent, and this would
enable him also to attend the dedication festival at the same
time.

Shortly afterwards other portions of Oldington came into the
hands of the monks : —

" I Nicholas son of Ivo de Oldington have released to Sir John Prior of
Maiden Bradley, &c., all that messuage which Nicholas Balle held of me in
the vill of Oldington, as it is enclosed with a wall and a ditch, also that
house in Oldington which Goditha the widow held, &c."

On Aug. I, 1226, King Henry III. visited the town; and
again in 1233, June 3, he was here, and issued an order
in which he commanded the Sheriff of Hampshire to cause
a wainscotted chamber in his palace of Winchester to be
painted with the same figures it had been ornamented with
before. Where he lodged we do not know. Probably at the
Hall between Hall-street and the church.

In A.D. 1235 an agreement was made between William, Prior
of Maiden Bradley, and Geoffrey Stertwine, of Nether Mytton :
" The Prior and Convent delivered to Geoffrey their mill at
Mytton on the Stour with a portion of Oldington and a portion
of Comberton at a rent of one mark of silver. • But Geoffrey
shall make the whole mill fit for work, and keep it in repair at

^5g?;:tyj!;?ti?y;;tySt^;5S^^

13-€AjJ^Syy dULaJJu . JaAoj)\ an. 1104

ijyof.ofow

oujC.

THE VILLENAGE. 17

his own expense, being assisted by the men of the convent when
it is necessary, as has been the custom."

Another deed without date shows that the convent had
acquired an interest in a different part of the parish. " Know all,
that we Brother John, Prior of Maiden Bradley, &c., have given
to Thomas Biset all the land which was formerly William
Becke's at La Horestan ; an 1 3 acres of land situated a.t Hen -
leghe which were formerly John de la More's, &c., for an annual
rent of 35. 5^."

In 22 Henry III. (1238) John Biset obtained a charter of free
warren in all his demesne lands at Kidderminster, and a fair
yearly for two days, viz., on the eve and day of St. Bartholomew.
Other fairs have been granted for Ascension-day (now changed)
and Corpus Christi. Fairs and markets were valuable acquisi-
tions in these times ; and the privilege was eagerly sought for by
the lords of manors on account of the tolls which they were able
to exact from traders. Thus Kidderminster was steadily rising
in importance, and was beginning to acquire a considerable
share of self-government. Between 1237 and 1241 the town
succeeded in maintaining its independence from all authority of
the Sheriff of the county except " attachment of the Crown,
when occasion shall arise." The charter of Walter de Beau-
champ, Earl of Warwick, written on vellum, is still preserved
in the archives of the Corporation. It is to this effect : —

" Know present and future men, that I Walter de Beauchamp, have
enquired by men worthy of credit, that no Sheriff hath entered into the
manor of Kidderminster to hold the Sheriff's turn there, or to take any
money in the name of the turn of his Shrievalty there, before the time of
William de Cantilupe the elder who was Sheriff of Worcester for the Lord
King [1202-— 1215] . And therefore I have released to John Biset and his
heirs as his right, for me and my heirs, or any one who shall be our Sheriff
for the time being, to enter into the manor of Kidderminster, to hold the
Sheriff's turn there, or to take any money by name of the turn of his
Shrievalty, as is aforesaid, there : nor will I Walter, nor my heirs, nor any
Sheriff for the time being, enter in the manor aforesaid, to make any attach-
ment there, or to take distress there, which belong to the Sheriff, except
attachment of the Crown, when occasion shall arise. And for this release
and quit-claim the aforesaid John has given to me 16 silver marks. And
that the present writing for ever may obtain the strength of confirmation,
I have strengthened the same with the impression of my seal. These being
the witnesses Lord Walter Bishop of Worcester, Lord Richard Abbot of
c

1 8 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

Evesham, Roger le Power, Peter de Wike, William de Corbett, Geoffrey de
Warm', Alexander Dapitot, Thomas de Stoke, Robert de Parco, and many
others."

Leaving the development and organization of the " borough"
for future consideration, we will now examine some records
which, with the aid of Seebohm's valuable book on The
English Village Community, enable us to form a notion of the
system of husbandry then almost universal in England. From
the annexed tracing of a map (belonging to Mr. T. F. Ivens)
made in 1704, and showing a portion of Lord Foley's estate,
we see that the land is cut up into a number of little narrow
strips. The strips vary more or less in size and shape, but
each has an area of rather more than half-an-acre. The ancient
form of the acre was "40 rods in length and 4 in breadth "
(33 Edw. L), and it was thus set out for convenience in
ploughing — in the first instance by using an actual rod. " The
furlong is the ' furrow-long,' i.e., the length of the drive of the
plough before it is turned ; and this by long custom was fixed
at 40 rods. The word ' rood ' naturally corresponds with as
many furrows in the ploughing as are contained in the breadth
of one rod. And four of these roods lying side by side made
the acre strip in the open fields, and still make up the statute
acre." (Seehohm.)

Two or three furrows were left unploughed between each
half-acre division, forming boundaries of turf called halks. At
the ends of the strips was another larger piece of turf called a
headland, where the ploughs could turn. " When a hill-side
formed part of the open field the strips were made to run
horizontally along it ; and in ploughing, the custom for ages
was always to turn the sod of the furrow downhill, the plough
consequently always returning one way idle. The result was
that the strips became in time long level terraces one above the
other, and the balks between them grew into steep rough
banks." (Secbohm.) These banks are generally called lynches
or linces, and some may be seen in this neighbourhood, notably
at Hartlebury and Abberley, near the road from Stourport to
the Hundred House.

Lord Foley's estate in 1704 at Wribbenhall, Oldington, Hoar-

THE VILLENAGE. 19

stone, High Habberley, and the Lea was divided into these
half-acre strips ; and this survival from remote ages is a
valuable guide to the right understanding of our old records,
since by the Enclosure Acts of 1774, &c., the ancient system of
open fields was swept away for ever.

In 10S6 there were apparently (except perhaps the Rad-
knights) no free men in Kidderminster. The villeins, who were
the highest class of serfs, made up 30 per cent, of the popula-
tion, the bordars or cottars were 54 per cent., and the slaves 11
per cent. All of them were bound to join in cultivating the
lord's demesne or home-farm of nearly 1000 acres, forming
" the borough." But each villein had a virgate (or yard-land)
of 30 acres, or a bovate of 15 acres, in his own occupation, on
which he could work when not on dut}^ for the lord. These
virgates or bovates were not all in one piece, but scattered
through the outlying hamlets or " foreign " in half-acre strips.
Except the mill at Mytton, and a house or two at each of the
sixteen berewicks or enclosures for farm produce, the people
probably lived in the town, partly for mutual protection and
partly to be on the spot for the lord's work. Ploughing was
then done by teams of four or eight oxen ; but as no one villein
was rich enough to possess a team of his own, each tenant of a
bovate contributed one ox to the team, and had his proper pro-
portion of the land when ploughed. The acre was the quantity
that a plough-team could get through in the morning's work.
At first the ownership of the strips varied from year to year, but
in time became fixed to each individual. When a slave or a
cottar was raised to a villein, his lord usually provided him
with his ox, a cow, six sheep, and seven acres sown on his
virgate, so that the " heriot " at his death would be originally
a return to the lord of his own " outfit." The Smith and the
Carpenter, who appear in the list of villeins, had their strips
ploughed free in return for keeping the ploughs and harrows in
working order. The cottars held a similar holding — usually a
house and a few acres of land ; and as they had no plough or
oxen, they were more like our day-labourers. The services
required from all the tenants were (i) iveehly work at ploughing,
reaping, carrying, usually for two or three days a week, and
most at harvest-time ; (2) precaria, special or extra services

20 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

when the lord required them ; and (3) payments in kind or
money at specified times, chuych shot, &c. (Seebohn.) The best
husbandman each year was chosen by the villeins as Prcspositus,
Provost, or Bailiff. He was to regulate the work due to the
lord ; and his office has been handed down, amid all the silent
social changes, through perhaps a thousand years to our present
Mayor. The title of Bailiff as Chief Magistrate was retained
down to A.D. 1835.

The arable land was generally divided into three fields repre-
senting the rotation of crops, viz. — (i) Tilth-grain ; (2) Etch-
grain (oats or beans sown in spring) ; and (3) Fallow. In Lord
Foley's map of Wribbenhall we find the " Over Field,"
" Middle Field," and " Lower Field." Thus each villein would
have yearly 10 half-acre strips of wheat or rye, 10 of oats or
beans, and 10 would lie fallow. When all the corn was housed,
the tenants could let their cattle feed at random over the open
field, where there were no hedges, only balks or narrow strips
of turf. On Lord Foley's map there are "Running Doles;"
these were similar strips of meadow land, which could be grazed
in common after Lammas Day (August i).

The earliest list of any Kidderminster tenants with their
holdings is contained in Ralph de Auxeville's grant (p. 15),
where each tenant holds half a virgate. In his second grant
(p. 15) Thomas and Ivo each hold a virgate, and the rest is in
half-virgates. The date of the latter deed is 1227.

In the Maiden Bradley chartulary is a list of the tenants of
Oldington some years later. This is interestmg as containing
the first direct mention of a//w man holding land in the manor.

Freemen.
Nicholas holds one virgate of land by charter, and pays iiis.

RusTici OR Villeins.

Richard Balle, Bailift, holds a messuage and half a virgate and pays
iis. viii(^.

Other tenants holding a messuage and half a virgate, and
paying 25. 8^., are Robert Balle, Osbert 'Wade, William
Gamulde, Roger le Lay, Thomas Wade, Algar Wade, Thomas

THE VILLENAGE. 21

Hupehulle, Waller Snel, Thomas Black or Blake (Niger), and
Osbert Balle. Thomas Wade also holds a fisher}^ at a rental of
6d., Roger le Lay a fishery at 3^., and Osbert and Robert Balle
a fishery at 3^.

The cottars were Philip Muller and Petronilla daughter of
Edwin, each having a house with three acres of land and a
small piece of meadow at 25. rental ; Margery daughter of
Godiva a house at 8i. ; and Nicholas Hidde a house with six
acres of land at is. 6d.

The whole land in Oldington contained in this list amounts
to 6-|- virgates with 12 acres and some meadow. This agrees
almost exactly w'th the 7 virgates given to Maiden Bradley by
Ralph de Auxeville. Taking the virgate at 30 acres, there
would be 210 acres in cultivation at this time, divided amongst
16 tenants, at a total rental of £1 igs. per annum, or rather
more than 2d, an acre. In 1704 Lord Foley was owner of
Oldington. The acres under cultivation had increased in the
500 years to 328, with only nine tenants ; but there were still
264 acres in Oldington Common, much of which is now
" Oldington Wood," skirting part of the road between Kidder-
minster and Stourport.

The chartulary at the same time gives the names of two
tenants at Mytton (Mutona) : —

William de Stour holds one Corn-Mill (Blarecum) and one Fulling-Mill
(Folcyecum), and pays xiiis. iv^.

John le Brile holds one messuage and half a virgate of land and pays iiis.

In the Public Record Office (Excheqtiev Ministers^ Accounts
\?i''), there is fortunate^ preserved a more complete list of the
villeins of Kidderminster made some 20 or 30 years after the
preceding. It is undated, but from the handwriting appears
to be of the time of Edward I., and is endorsed

CUSTUMAR' ET REDDITA DE KEDEMINYSTER.

Villain Prime Excanhie.
Haberlegh (Habberley) 5. d.

Henry le Proude holds i virgate . . . . per annum . . 58

Editha de la Hulle holds one house and one

noke .. .. .. .. .. .. ,. .. 22(/.

Hugh Bedellus holds i messuage and half a
virgate ,, •• 3 io^(/.

A tllSTORY GF KIDDERMINSTER.

POKELESTON (Puxton)

Henry Black (Niger) holds i messuage and

half a virgate. .
Thomas Godrih holds i messuage and half

a virgate
Roger de la Grave holds i messuage and

half a virgate. .
William Pokel holds land

SoTTON (Sutton)

William Thorkil holds i messuage and half a

virgate
Henry Chancellor (Cancellarius) holds i

messuage and half a virgate
Walter Tekle holds i messuage and half a

virgate . .
Robert Cortys holds i messuage and half a

virgate..
Margery de Ris, daughter of Robert de Ris,

holds I messuage and half a virgate
holds land of Richard de Smal-

broc, I messuage and half a virgate

Agberue (Agborow)

Adam son of Petronilla holds i messuage

and half a virgate . .
Henry de Holie holds i messuage and half

a virgate

Lea

Henry de la Lee holds his mansion . .
Muriele holds a certain meadow at

Schirenewere. .
Juliana relict of Robert le Bercher holds i

messuage and half a virgate

Ketherton

Robert Hawis holds i messuage and half a

virgate..
William le , land and messuage of

Suecus
Richard de Grange, i messuage and half a

virgate..
William Agemon, i house and curtilage
Richard Smith (Fahcr) holds one butt, and

suit of court, and pays four horseshoes

with the nails.

per annum

5. d.
3 4

5 3

3 loi

•• 3

I0±

•• 3

lOj

•• 3

loi

•- 3

loi

•• 3

loi

•• 3

lO-i

3 loj

4 o

1 6

izd
3 loj

3 lo^

4 o

3 loj

Srf.

THE VILLENAGE.

Wrobbenhale (Wribbenhall) 5. d.

Henry da Eldenhale, i house and i croft . . per annum . . \oi.
John de la More, i messuage and half a

virgate ,, • • 4 3l

William Colemon, i messuage and i noke.. ,, • • 5 9j

Frainis (Franche)

Henry Drin, i messuage and i virgate . . ,, . . 6 \o\

Maude de la Grave, i messuage and half a

virgate ,, . . 4 4J

Walter Red, i messuage and i virgate . . ,, . . 6 loj

Trempel (Trimpley)

Thomas Young (Juvcnis), i messuage and

half a virgate. . .. .. .. .. ,, • ■ 3 7i

Richard Hervi, i messuage and half a

virgate ,, . . 4 3J

Agnes Hereward, i messuage and 3 nokes. . ,, . . 6 o|
Robert de la Pucce, i messuage and half a

virgate.. .. .. .. .. .. ,, ..70

Editha Godrih, mansion .. .. .. ,, .. 2.od.

Thomas Carpenter, mansion and i croft . . „ . . 2od.

holds land of Elwald .. .. ,, ..30

John Wicling, I croft .. .. .. .. ,, .. ^d.

Comberton

Richard Scherewind, i messuage and half a

virgate.. .. .. .. .. .. ,,

John le Kay, i messuage i J virgates . . „

Robert Smith (FaberJ, i house

, I messuage and half a virgate ,,

Simon de Arderne, i messuage and half a

virgate.. .. .. .. .. •• ,,

Robert de Winkleover, i messuage and half

a virgate . . . . . . . . . • ■.

Mutton (Mytton)

William de Sture holds one mill and pays. . ,,

Richard de le Bole, i messuage and half a

virgate, and pays . . . . . . . . ,>

Thomas Balle, 3 acres at Simareshert . . ,

Oldinton

Robert Young, i messuage and half a
viig.Uc

•• 7

• • 5

• •

•• 5

I mark

and

homage and suit

• • 3

and suit.

• •

3d.

■ ■ 30

homage and suit.

24 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

s. d.

per annum

. 3 lo

• 4 I

. 3 lo

n '

. 3 lo

»)

.. 3 lo

Wife of Richard Ball, i messuage and half

a virgate
Nichol-is le Kay (? Lay), i messuage and half

a virgate with a weir
John Hill (de Monte), i messuage and half a

virgate..
Thomas le Challoner, i messuage and half a

virgate . .
Galfrid son of Thomas, i messuage and

half a virgate. .
William Snel, i messuage and half a

virgate . .
Algar Wade, i messuage and half a virgate .
Thomas Wade, i messuage and half a

virgate.. .. •• •• •• •• " ••4 4

Juliana Wade, i messuage and half a

virgate.. .. •• •• •• •• •■ • • 3 lo

Osbert Ball, i messuage and half a virgate . „ . . 3 ii J

Henry Ball, i messuage and half a virgate . „ . . 3 ii^

Editha Goumill, i messuage and half a

virgate.. .. •• •• •• •• » .. 3 10

COTTARII

Alicia Molloc, i mansion, 6 acres, with i

rood of meadow . . . . • • • ■ .. ..20

Henry son of Nicholas Ball, i mansion and

" witebut," 6 acres with witebut .. .. ,, ..29

Petronilla daughter of Edwin, i mansion, 6

acres, i rood of meadow . . . . • . >. • • 22jfl.

William le Smocare, i mansion . . . . „ • • lorf.

Robert le Troyere, i house of Robert

Young, rendering annually for having

warranty . . • • • • • • • • " • • ^^■

By comparing this list with the previous one, it is seen that
William de Stour is still occupying the mill at Mytton at the
same rent. Algar Wade, Thomas Wade, and Osbert Ball are
still at Oldington, but their rental is increased from 25. 8i. to
3s. lod. The 6d. extra paid by Thomas Wade is no doubt in
consideration of his fishery, though it is not specially men-
tioned. Robert Ball is dead, Henry Ball now shares the
fishery with Osbert, so each pays i^d. additional rent on that
account. Nicholas le Kay (? Lay) has succeeded to the fishery
of Roger le Lay. The "weir" for catching fish is full y
described in Seebohm (p. 152). Walter Snel has been succeeded

THE VILLENAGE.

by William ; and Richard Ball's widow now holds by courtesy
the acres formerly cultivated by her husband. Of the cottars,
only the aged Petronilla daughter of Edwin still holds her man-
sion and bit of land, while her son Adam has become a villein
and has his half-virgate at Agberow. Comparing the latter
lists with that of Ralph de Auxeville's tenants, the growing use
of surnames may be noticed. By a comparison with the Domes-
day record we find that the slaves have disappeared, the cottars
have decreased from 38 to 5, while the higher class of villeins
has increased from 23 to 59, and, as already noticed, there is
a freeman holding book-land. The rental has increased, but
this is probably owing to the substitution of money payments
for some of the more burdensome obligations due to the lords,
and is a step towards complete freedom.

From the following summary of the tenants and rentals of
these hamlets, it is noteworthy that the property of the monas-
tery in Oldington, Comberton, and Mytton has been so well
developed that the rental is nearly equal to the total of the 1 1
other hamlets. The manor of Hurcott at this time belonged to
the Rector of Kidderminster, and does not appear in the list.

Tenants.

Rent.

£ s. d.

Habberley . .

0 II 4j

Puxton

0 12 7j

Sutton

I 3 i§

Agborow

0 7 10^

Lea . .

0 6 4I

Netherton . .

0 12 4^

Wribbenhall

0 10 II

Franche

0 18 of

Trimpley

I 7 6|

Comberton . .

I 10 6

Mytton

0 16 7

Oldington

2 10 0

Cottarii . ,

0 7 7i

Total

;^II 14 II

The lists of tenants given above belong to a period before the
terrible Black Death (1349) wrought such ravages in England.
More than one-third of the population died, and in many places

26 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

the corn lay rotting on the ground for want ot reapers, while
cattle and sheep roamed over the country for want of herdsmen.
Three Archbishops of Canterbury died in one year, and a large
proportion of Worcestershire parishes lost their incumbents.
The demand for labour was much greater than the supply,
the labourers were masters of the situation, and a death blow
was given to the old system of villenage. The " Statute of
Labourers " ordered them to work for the same wages that had
been paid before the Plague, viz., id. per day, with extra
allowance in harvest time ; but this ordinance could not be
enforced, and many of the landowners were impoverished. We
have no particulars of this sad time as it affected Kidder-
minster ; but in 135 1 John le Bottiler handed back to Prior
Thomas of Maiden Bradley all his life interest in " one toft
which adjoins a tenement of the said Prior near the church of
Kedermynstre, and 11 acres of arable land in the open field
between the church and Hurcote." (Wanley MS., p. 171.)

About the tmie of Richard II. the monks have left us another
rent-roll, and it is of interest as showing that all the villeins
and bordars had now developed into liberi or free-men ; and
also that " new land " had been taken into cultivation : —

" In the vill of Comertone are 4 vir gates of land of old feoffment, and one
of new land which contains 48 acres with its appurtenances.

" Free Men.

" Richard Derewynde holds one messuage and half a virgate of land, and
6 acres of new land by charter, to wit that land which Nicholas son of
Edwin of Cumerton formerly held and pays thence per annum 7s. ^d."

Twelve other free tenants are named, and " the sum total of
the rents of Oldington and Cumerton are ^4 195. 10^."

In " Kidemester Borough " the Prior and Convent make the
following payments to the lords of Kidderminster : —

" For Oldington and Comberton 5s. [This payment was reserved by
Henry Biset when he made the grant to Ralph de Auxeville. (See
page 15)]

" For new land near Burlase, 5s.

" For 2 Woodcrofts and a Grove 25.

" For 2 Tenements, and for Liberty of the Borough ; 2 capons or 4^. ; and
2 pairs of gloves, or 2d.

" To Henry de Caldwell for new land near Buries, a half-penny.

THE VILLENAGE. 27

" To Master Henry de Kent for a Tenement, formerly Reginald Tugge's,
near the Mill, 4(f.

" To Thomas Chaumpeneis for the tenement of John de Horspole 3s. id.

" To Thomas Balle of Mytton for 3 acres of land near Merdene id."

From their tenants in the borough the Prior received as
follows : —

" The Lady Lucy [probably the wife of Sir John Attwood, who founded
Trimpley Chantry] holds a certain tenement which was Robert de
Alvedeleghe's, 6s.

" The said Lucy pays for a certain land called Cranesmore id.

" The said Lucy pays for an oven situated between the house of Henry
Pitt and a new house built by Robert de Alwedeleghe id.

" The same pays at the Feast of S. Michael a half penny for a curtilage

which is near La , and a half penny which Aldyne son of Osanne

used to pay.

" Roger Lowe holds a burgage and pays 2s.

" William Wheelwright holds a house with a little place and pays 2s.

" Simon de Kent holds a burgage, and pays zs., and for the enlargement
of his house on the other side izd."

The " mansion " of the villein in these times was a thatched
one-roomed building of wood, with its crevices plastered up
with clay. Glass was an unknown luxury, and there were no
windows. Chimneys were not used, and the fire was in the
middle of the room against a hob of clay, and the smoke
escaped through the door, or where it could. The floors were
of bare earth, strewn with rushes and dried herbs, which
became a receptacle for bones and filth. " A few chests were
ranged round the walls, the bacon-rack was fastened to the
timbers overhead, and the walls of the homestead were gar-
nished with agricultural implements. Sometimes there was an
upper storey of poles reached by a ladder. Close by the door
stood the mixen, a collection of every abomination — streams
from which in rainy weather polluted the stream." (Rogers'
Six Centuries of Work and Wages.) The oxen generally lived
under the same roof as their owner. Such were the " good old
times " of 600 years ago.

28 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

CHAPTER III

Z\K Baronaijc.

^*i(*»«

HE family of Biset came over with the Conqueror,
and was settled in Nottinghamshire. Manser
Biset, son of William Biset, was a faithful
adherent of Henry Fitz-Empress before his
accession to the throne. Under the title of
Dapifer he was witness to a deed of gift made
by Henry to Randle Earl of Chester in 1152 (Sir Peter Ley-
cester's Cheshire) ; in ig Stephen he was witness to the accord
made between Henry and Stephen touching Henry's succession
to the Crown ; and in reward for his services he received the
royal manor of Kidderminster, with estates in Hampshire and
Gloucestershire soon after Henry's II. 's accession (page 13).
Manser married Alice heiress of Bradley in Wiltshire, and his
wife's home became his principal residence. There he founded
a convent for Leprous Women, to which he gave the Rectory
of Kidderminster, He was succeeded in the lordship of Kid-
derminster by his son Henry; and in ist John another Henry,
nephew of the foregoing, became his heir (Dug. Bar., i., 632, a)
and gave to the King 500 marks for livery of the lordships of
Kidderminster and Sandhurst. (Ibid. Oblata i John, m. 23.)

After him it appears that William Byset died seised of the
barony of Byset (Madox, Baron. Aug., 52) ; and to him suc-
ceeded John Biset (Dug. Baron., [., 632, a), who in 4 Henry III.
was charged with ;^ioo for his relief, for the lands and tene-
ments which William Byset, his brother, whose heir he^-as,
held at the day of his death. John Biset married Alice
daughter and co-heiress of Thomas Basset of Headendon,
Oxfordshire, and had three daughters, Margaret, Ela, and

THE BARONAGE. 29

Isabel. He obtained charters for free warren and a fair in
Kidderminster (1238). In 1241 he was made Chief Forester of
England, and attended the Grand Tournament held at
Norihampton at Easter in that year, occasioned by Peter of
Savoy, Earl of Richmond, against Earl Roger Bigod. (Matt.
Paris, 550, n. 30.)

Shortly afterwards he died, and in a plea between the Abbot of
Roucester and Albreda de Basingbourne in 27 Hy. III. (1243),
Albreda called to warrant Margery, Ela, and Isabella, daughters
and heirs of John Biset. Margery was of full age, Ela and
Isabella under age, and in the custody of John de Plessetis.
(Thoroton's Nottinghamshire. PI. de Ban. cor. Rob. de Laxington et
Soc. Pasch. 27 Hy. HI., rot. 1 and 2.)

Margaret Biset (perhaps a sister of John) gave to the Leprous
Women of Bradley 6s. 8d. yearly rent in Kidderminster. (Mon.
Ang. ii., 409.) Matthew of Paris (635, 30) tells us that in 1238,
when an assassin came in at midnight through the window at
Woodstock with a drawn dagger in his hand to kill the King,
one of the Queen's maidens, Margaret Biset by name, saved
his life " For she was holy and devoted to God, and by chance
was awake, singing her Psalter by candle light, and at her
terrible cries the royal servants rushed in." She died in 1242 — ■
" of an illustrious family, more illustrious by her character."
(lb., 786, 46.)

After the death of John Biset his property was divided in
equal shares between his daughters ; and consequently the
manor of Kidderminster was broken up into three portions. John
de Rivers, lord of Burgate in Hampshire, married the eldest
daughter Margery. He gave in 1267 to Brother John, Prior of
Maiden Bradley, all the lands which Hugh in the Grove
formerly held, and the said Hugh with his whole retinue, &c.
Witnesses — Walter Scamnel Archdeacon of Berkshire, Sir
Hugh de Plessetis, John de Wotton, Hugh Attwood, Henry de
Caldwell, William de Eymore.

Sir John de Rivers, kt., lord of Ongar, Essex, granted a rent
of 13s. 4^/. to John Stacy, clerk, in 1329. (Morant's Essex i.,
128, b.)

30 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

Either by gift or purchase the one-third share of Kidder-
minster faUing to Rivers was soon acquired by Maiden Bradle}',
The monks had before this received a grant from Sir John of
the advowson of tlie church.

Isabel, the second daughter, married Hugh de Plessetis. He
was son of John de Plessetis, who in 1242, in consideration of
200 marks, obtained a grant of wardship and marriage of the
heirs of John Biset, and was in such favour with the King (Dug.
Bar., 772, a. b.) that he forced Margery, sister and sole heir of
Thomas Earl of Warwick, to marry him. Hugh was son and
heir by a former wife Christian, daughter and heir of Hugh de
Sandford, lord of Stoke Norton, Oxon, and at the death of his
father (1263) was 26 years old. He died 1291, leaving issue
Hugh his son and heir, 25 years of age. (Dugdale.)

Another one-third part came to John de Wotton and Ela,
which John died seised of Kidderminster of inheritance of Ela
Biset in 28 Edw. I. (luqiiis. 28 Edw. I. in Nash, vol. ii., app.
Ixxvi.) John de Wotton and Ela had a son who took his
mother's name, and as John Byset was charged for his relief

31 Edw. I. (Hil. Fin., &c., p. 52, c. i, 1. i.)

In 33 Edw. I. an exchange of land was made between
Thomas, Prior of the Convent of Brommore, and Sir John
Byset, kt., to which Sir John de Riveres, kt., was a witness.
(Madox : Fovnml. Angl., n. cclxxiv.)

There was an office held 35 Edw. I. in vvhich John Biset held
within the manor of Kidderminster the moiety of one messuage
with a close, the moiety of one water-mill, 10 acres of meadow,
160 acres of land, and two woods. {Nash ii., 236, b.) By the
title of " Sir John Byset, kt., lord of Kidderminster, together
with the community of the whole borough," a chaplain was
presented to the chantry of the chapel of the Blessed Virgin
Mary of Kyderministre in 1305. (Ry. Geynes in Nash ii., 57.)
Sir John had a daughter Margaret, who in 1324 was a minor in
the King's custody. (Hutchins' Dorset, ii., 458, b.) She was

married to Romsey, and died in 1374, leaving a son. Sir

Walter Romsey, kt., who inherited from his mother a certain
manor in Kidderminster which heretofore was but a third part

THE BARONAGE. 31

of the said manor of Kidderminster whole. [Walterus de
Romeseye chivaler, films MaygaretcB filicd cujiisdam Joh^nnis Biset,filii
et heredis Johannis de WoUon et Eke Bysct. (Hil. Fin. 17 Rd. II.,
rot. 5 in Madox : Baron. Angl. ^^^ ^- 37-)] ^'^^ ^^id Walter
did homage and fealty to the King Feb. 22, 47 Edw. III., the
estate being held in capite. (Hil. Fin., p. 51.) He paid part of
his relief for it in 17 Rd. II., another part in 3 Hy. IV., and
died in 1404. (?Iutchins' Dorset ii., 458a.)

In 13S5 and 1386 (see "Final Concords") Sir John Beaii-
champ of Holt, a favourite of King Richard II., becan: )
possessed of so much of Sir Walter Romsey's estate in Kidder-
minster that when on 10 Oct., 1387, he was by patent (being
the first instance of the kind) summoned to Parliament, he took
the title of Lord de Beanchamp, Baron of Kidderminster. This
Sir John Beauchamp, son of Richard Beauchamp of Holt, suc-
ceeded his father in 1327, being then eight years old. He
served in the French wars, was an Esquire of the King's
Chamber, received Knighthood in Scotland, was Justice of
North Wales, and subsequently (1387) Steward of the King's
Household. He married Joane daughter and heir of Robert le
Fitzwith. (Dugdale's Baronage, and " New Peerage " in
Genealogist.) In the Corporation archives is an inspeximus on
vellum by Henry VIII., 1530, of a charter of Richard II.,
1386, previously inspected by Henry VI., 1427 : —

" Richard by the Grace of God, &c.

" Know ye that we have granted and by this our charter have confirmed
to our beloved and faithful Knight John Beauchamp of Holt and Joan his
wife and his heirs free chace as well in vert and venison as in all manner of
other things which appertain to such a free chace wiihin the manor demesne
and fee of Kedermestre, and infangthief and outfangthief and the chattels of
felons and fugitives, &c., and let all his tenants and residents therein be quit
of toll, panage, and murage, throughout the whole of our realm, &c.

These being witnesses R. Bp. of London, J. Bp. of Durham our Treasurer,
W. Bp. of Winchester, W. Bp. of Coventry and Lichfield, keeper of our
privy seal, Thomas Bp. of Chichester, J. Bp. of Hereford, Edmund Duke of
York and Thomas Duke of Gloucester our very dear uncles, Robert de Veer,
Marquess of Dublin, Thomas de Mowbray, Earl of Nottingham, Edward de
Courtenay Earl of Devon, Michael de la Pole Earl of Suffolk, our Chan-
cellor, John de Montacute, Steward of our Household, and others. Given
at Osney 7 August in the loth year of our reign, A.D. 1386."

A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

A few months after his elevation to the Peerage the Baron of
Kidderminster was attainted by the " Wonderful " Parliament,
and beheaded on Tower Hill. He was buried in Worcester
cathedral, 1388, and left a son, John de Beauchamp, ten years
of age, who, by the reversal of the proceedings of 11 Rd. H. in
1398, became second Baron of Kidderminster. In 1399 he
accompanied the unfortunate King into Ireland ; and when in
1400, under Henry IV., the proceedings of 11 Rd. II. were
re-affirmed, his honours again became forfeited. He was, how-
ever, Escheator of Worcestershire 1406. He died in 1420,
leaving only a daughter Margaret, who married firstly John
Pauncefort, and secondly John Wysham. Thus the Barony
became extinct, after having been for 20 years under attainder.
(The New Peerage, J

PEDIGREE

William Biset
of Nottinghamshire

OF BISET.

Hawisia

William = Susanna Manser = Alice, of Henry

Carpentarius Bradley

Henry = Albrega

Henry = Isoud
d. 1200

Ausold

Margaret

Henry =

William
d. 1220

John = Alice Baset
d. 1241

Margaret = Richard Isabel = Hugh de Plessetis
de Rivers d. 1291

Sir John de Rivers Hugh de Plessetis

ELA = John de
Wotton
d. 1300

Sir John Biset = . . .
d. before 1324

MARGARET = Romsey
d. 1374

Sir Walter de Romsey
d. 1404.

The lovds of Kidderminster in small capitals.

^Xii--.

IXiiJu...

THE BARONAGE. 33

For some reason, of which I have not yet met with any
explanation, one-third of Kidderminster had in the time of
Edward I. come into the possession of the Burnells. It could
not be the Rivers portion, for this had fallen into the hands of
Maiden Bradley. It could not be the inheritance of John de
Wotton and Ela, for this was possessed by their descendant
Sir Walter Romsey in the time of Richard II. It would seem
then that Hugh de Plessetis, who succeeded to his portion in
1 29 1, and of whom we hear nothing afterwards, alienated it
almost immediately, for in 1292 Robert Burnell, Bishop of Bath
and Wells, died seised of part of Kidderminster manor. (Inq.
p. Mort., 21 Edw. I., n. 50, cal. p. 115.) The Bishop was a
trusted adviser of the " English Justinian," Edward I., and
resided at Acton Burnell in Shropshire, where the famous
Parliament was held. He was not of noble birth, and his chief
ambition was to found a great baronial family : he " added field
to field," and at his death was in possession of estates in ig
counties, and the holder, in whole or part, of 82 manors. He
died at Berwick, and was conveyed to Wells cathedral for
burial. Philip Burnell, the Bishop's nephew, was his heir, and
did homage to the King for all the lands and tenements which
his uncle had held in capite. He rapidly wasted his uncle's
hastily gotten patrimony, and was one of the first to suffer by
the facilities for recovering traders' debts which the statute of
Acton Burnell had afforded. (National Biography.) His wife
was Maud daughter of Richard Earl of Arundel, and he had a
son. Sir Edward Burnell, who succeeded to the estates in 1293.
(Inq. p. Mort. 22 Edw. I., n. 45, cal. p. 120.) During his
minority he was in the wardship of Maculinus de Harle. He
served in Edward's Scottish campaigns (131 1 — I3i4)» ^"^i is
said to have always appeared in great splendour, attended by
a chariot decked with banners of his arms. He was summoned
to Parliament as Lord Burnell from the 5th to the 8th year of
Edward II.

In 1 313 King Edward II. gave licence to Edward Burneley
to grant 160 acres of wood, with the appurtenances, in the
manor of Kidderminster, to the Prior and Chapter of Wor-
cester, and confirmed the donation. (Heming ii., 547, and Nash,
Ixxv. a.) The said Chapter had power from the King to charge

34 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

their manor of Quinzehides (?) with the payment of ^lo yearly
rent to Edward Burnell and his heirs ; and the King's charter
for loo acres of land, 3 acres of meadow, 10 acres of pasture, and
60 acres of wood in Kyderminster ; and also another for one
carucate of land, 20 acres of meadow, 10 acres of pasture, one
weir (gurgitemj, and 3s. rent in the manor of Kidderminster.
[This land is still in the possession of the Dean and Chapter of
Worcester.]

Lord Burnell married Olivia da'ighter of Hugh le Despencer,
and died 1315 without issue, leaving Maud, his sister and heir,
then 24 years of age. She was wife of John de Handlo, of
Tishmersh, Northants, who died in 1346 seised of the manor of
Kidderminster. Their son Nicholas Handlo assumed his
mother's name of Burnell, and having served in the wars with
France, was summoned to Parliament as a Baron (Lord
Burnell) in 1350. He died in 1383, and was succeeded by his
son, Hugh Lord Burnell, aged 36. He was Governor of Bridg-
north Castle 1386, and was one of the Lords who received the
abdication of Richard H. in the Tower of London. In 1406
he was made a Knight of the Garter. He married (i) Philippa
daughter of Michael de la Pole, 2nd Earl of SufFold, (2) Joyce
Baroness Botetourt, who died in 1406, and (3) Joan Dowager
Baroness Fitzwalter. In his time the Prior and Convent of
Worcester had the King's charter for what they held in
Trimpley. (Nash, Ixxviii. b.) The figure of his second wife
was formerly in a window of Kidderminster church, having on
her mantle or, a saltire engrailed, sable ; and also a shield of those
arms supported by two angels, and these words written over
them : " Yes ben Bottowrt Armes."

In 141 7, his only son Edward being dead, he made an
arrangement for the marriage of his grandchild Margery with
Edmund Hungerford, son of Sir Walter Hungerford, kt. He
then prepared a beautiful alabaster tomb for Joyce and himself
in the choir of Hales Abbey, Salop ; assigned portions of his
large estates to his three grand-daughters, Joyce, Katharine,
and Margaret, and gave the rest, which included Kidder-
minster, to Joane de Beauchamp, Lady Bergavenny. (Dug.
Bar., ii., 62.) He died 27 Nov., 1420, and the Barony of
Burnell fell into abeyance.

THE BARONAGE.

PEDIGREE OF BURNELL.

Burnell

Robert Burnell,
Bishop of Bath and Wells

Philip

d. 1293

Maud Fitzalan, d. of
Richard Earl of
Arundel

Sir Edward = Olivia d. of

died 1315 Hugh la

Despencer

(i) John Lovel:

: Maud = (2) John Handlow
d. 1346

Nicholas Burnell =

U SSs'F'S.fatrl ==^- H-„ B„nHB.. = (., Joyce Bo..=,o.,n

^~" ' d. 1420.

The lords of Kidderminster in small capitals,
■a

Joan Baroness Bergavenny was daughter of Richard Fitz-
Alan Earl of Arundel, who was beheaded by Richard II. Her
brother, Thomas Earl of Arundel, was a zealous partisan of
Henry IV., and as Governor of the Tower of London had the
custody of the captive King. Lord Burnell, as we have seen,
belonged to the same party, and there was also a distant
relationship between them, his great-grandmother being a
daughter of another Richard Earl of Arundel. But Kidder-
minster-Burnell was not the first possession of the Bergavenny's
in this manor. In 1403 Joan's husband. Sir William de Beau-
champ, Lord Bergavenny, 4th son of Thomas Earl of Warwick,
presented to the Chantry of S. Mary in Kidderminster. He
had probably received part of the estates of his namesake, John
de Beauchamp 2nd Baron of Kidderminster, after his attainder
in 1400. He died 8 May, 141 1, and was buried at the Black
Friars, Hereford. His widow was then 36 years of age, and
held the Castle of Abergavenny and his other estates in dower ;
and presented to the Chantry of Kidderminster in 1420, 1422,
1424, and 1435. In 1428 (by record in Scaccar, Nash Ixix.) she
held that part of a knight's fee in Kidderminster which Nicholas
Burnell before held, and died 14 Nov., 1435.

36 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

Their son Richard Beaiichamp was 14 years old when his
father died in 141 1, and in 1420 vv-as created Earl of Worcester.
He married Isabel Le Dcspencer, daughter of Thomas Earl of
Gloucester, was mortally wounded at Meaux, in France, and
was buried at Tewkesbury 1422.

His only child was the Lady Elizabeth Beauchamp, born at
Hanley Castle Dec. 16, 1415. She carried the estates and title
of Lord Bergavenny to her husband. Sir Edward Nevill, 6th
son of Ralph ist Earl of Westmoreland, and died 18 June,
1447, aged 32. Her husband survived her, and died 18 Oct.,
1476, seised by courtesy of the manors of Kidderminster-Biset
and Kidderminster-Burnell.

Their son, George Nevill 4th Lord Bergavenny, was the next
heir, and constituted William Lord Hastings steward of Kidder-
minster. About 1485 the Prior of Maiden Bradley, owner of
one-third of the manor, complained to Lord Bergavenny of the
high-handed conduct of his officers in Kidderminster, and
received a very fair and straightforward answer. (Wanley

MSS.)

" Peticio Domni Prioris ad Dominitm de Bergaveny,

" To my Good and Gracius Lord George Nevil Lord of Bergevenee,
Shewith unto your Good Lordeship William Priour of the Church of oure
Lady of Mayden-Bradley in the Countie of Wiltshyre, That wheras one John
Byset was seysed of a maner of Kedermynstre with a Lete and a Wareyn in
a Wast Grounde, Parcel of the same Maner appendant, with the appurte-
nances in the Countie of Worcetur, in his demeane as of Fee : and so seysede
had Issue Three daughters ; That is to say Margery, EHzabeth and Ela.
Which Margery took to Husbounde one John de Ripariis : Elizabeth
toke to Husbounde one Hugh de Plessetes : and Ela toke to Husbonde one
Rondolfe Nevile. And after the seid John Byset gave one parte of the seide
Maner, divided in Three Partes by Metes and Boundes (except^he seid Lete,
Warreyn, and the Wast Grounde, and the Grounde of the Comyne High-
Weyes within the Precinfts of the seid Planer remayning unparted) to the
seide John de Ripariis and Margery, To Have to theyme and to ther Heyres
in Fee : And in like wyse gave another Parte of the said Maner to the said
Hugh of Plessets and Elizabeth his Wyffe and their Heyres in Fee : And
aftur, gave the residue of the same Maner to Rondolfe Nevil and Ela his
Wyffe, and ther Heyres in Fee. By Force whereof the said John de R. and
Margery his Wyffe, Hugh de P. and Elizabeth his W^yffe, and Rondolphe
Nevile and Ela his Wyffe, were eche of them severally se}'sede of ther Partes
of the said Maner in Form aboveseide : and of the said Lete, Wareine,
Wast Ground and Highe Weyes in Comyne, Undividede. The Estate of

THE BARONAGE. 37

wiche Hugh de Plessets and Elizabeth, Rondolphe Nevile and Ela your
Lordeship now hath : and the estate of wiche John de Ripariis and Margery
his Wyffe the seide Priour now hath, and he and his Predecessours of long
time have had. There your Bayliffes and Officers of your partes of the seid
Maner have of late Distourbed, Lettede, and Denyede the seid Priour and
his Officers to Take and Felle the Woodes growinge one his parte, as is
aforeseid Dividede of the Maner ; and to have perceyve and take his parte
of the Wayfes, Strayes, Fynes, and Amerciaments of Blode-shedinge,
Affrayes, and other Profetts commynge in the Hie wayes and the Ground
wich your seide Lordship and the Priour holden in comyne : And over that,
your seid Bailiffs and Officers distreyneth the Tenants of the same Priour
uppon ther Tenures ol the Parte of the seid Priour of the seid Maner, to
come and appere in your Court of your Burgh of Kedermynstre to answere
there to Playntes and other processes, when as Ye have no Jurisdidlion uppon
theme, Contrary to Right and Good Conscience. For Reformacion whereof
Please it your seid Lordship in consideration that the seid Priour and his
Bretheren bene men of Religion, and Bounden to the Service of God, and
unable to Sue for ther Ryght ageyne your seyd Lordship by the Law of the
Londe ; that it wolde Please your same Lordeship to sett such Diredion in
this Premissis, as Right and Good Conscience in that Behalfe shal Require-
And thei shal dayly pray to God for the prosperous Contynuance of your
same good Lordship."

" Copia litere misse a Domno de Bergeveny ad Ballivum situm ibidem per
Petitionem Domni Prioris.

" Trusty and wel-bcloved I grete you welle ; letting you witte that it
showed unto me by the humble peticion of William Prioure of the churche
of our Lady of Mayden-Bradeley in the county of Wilteshire, which in the
right of his seid Churche is seised of the third parte of the Maner of Keder-
mynstre, with certayne Libertees and Franchesis unto his seid thirde parte
belonging ; How that ye and oder myne Officers there have of late
letted and denyed the said Prioure and his Officers to Take and Felle their
woods growing in his parte of the seid Lordship ; and also to perceyve and
take his part of the Wayfes, Strayes, Fines and Amerciaments that He there
accordinge unto the old Customarie ought of right to have, by reason of his
seid thirde part of the seid Maner ; and moreover how that ye distrayne the
Tenaunts of the same Prioure upon there Tenures of the seid Thirde parte
of the seid Maner, to come and appere in my Court of the Borow of Keder-
mynstre, and to answere thereto Pleynts and other Processe, where ye ought
not so to do, as I am enformed by my Councill Lernede. Wherefore I will
and also charge you, as ye intende to do me Pleasure or to have my Good
Lordship, that ye from hensforth suffre the seid Priour and his Officers to
Felle ther Woodes there without any Lett or Disturbance ; and also to have
and Perceyve his parte of such Wayfes, Strays, Amerciaments, and other
casuelleties and Profights as he ought of Right to have ; and also that ye
Distrayne not his Tenaunts to answere to any Pleynts otherwise than the

38 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

Law Requireth. For I wolde be loth to Renne in the censures of the
Church, to mayntenne or Favour you or any other of mine Officers to Hurt,
Prejudice, or Wronge Hym or any other Person ; otherwise than may stond
with my Right, the Lawe, and Good Conscience. Yeven under my Signet
and sign Manuelle, at London, the 13th day of May.

" SUBSCRIPTIO LiTERE.

" To Thomas Forest Bayly of my Maiier of Kydermynstre . '

In 1530 Henry VIII. inspected the charter of Richard II.
(see p. 31), and ratified and confirmed anew all the privileges
therein granted " to our beloved and faithful George Nevyle,
knight, Lord Bergavenny, now tenant of the aforesaid manor
demesne and fee of Kedermestre, and to his heirs. Witness
me myself at Westminster the first day of February, in the 21st
year of our reign." To the charter is appended an impression
of the second great seal of Henry VIII, in dark green wax.

Kidderminster continued in the descendants of this Lord
Abergavenny until John the loth Baron parted with some of it
by sale to Richard Foley, of Stourbridge, 12th Dec, 1660.
(Hardwick.) In Lord Foley's Map of Wribbenhall, made in
1706, part of the land is still marked as belonging to "me
Lorde Aburgavenny," Space will not permit of a detailed
account of this illustrious family, which, including the Burnell
relationship, had a large interest in the town for more than 400
years. From it there sprung six Earls of Westmoreland, two
Earls of Salisbury and Warwick, an Earl of Kent, a Marquess
Montacute, Barons Ferrers, Latimer, &c., one Queen, an Arch-
bishop of York, five Duchesses, and many Countesses and
Baronesses. (Camden.) It is now represented by Wilham
Nevill 2ist Baron, 5th Earl, and ist Marquess of Aber-
gavenny, of Eridge Castle, Kent.

The Bisets, Burnells, Beauchamps, and Abergavennys, as we
have seen, were in their turn lords of Kidderminster ; but they
all had large estates in other counties, and it does not appear
that any of them resided here except occasionally, and none
were buried here. But as early as 1347 a knightly family was
settled near the town, and had acquired the sub-manor of Cald-
well, where a moated castle was built, of which some portions
still remain. In the Book of Aids, 20 Edw. III. (Nash ii.,
37, a), Hugh de Cokesey is said to hold lands in Kidderminster

THE BARONAGE. 39

which John Biset formerly held ; and in 1357 he died seised of
Kidderminster and Kaldewell. (Nash ii., Ixxvii., b.) By an
inquisition it was found that he held at the day of his death
within the manor of Kidderminster one messuage, half a yard-
land (virgate), two acres of meadow, with appurtenances.
(Nash ii., 47.) He was a younger son (Dugdale Warwicks,, i.,
359) of Sir Walter Cokesey, of Cokesey, kt., and married
Dionysia, eldest daughter of William le Boteler, of Wemme,
and co-heir to her brother Edmund. His figure, wMth that of
his wife, was formerly in the fourth N. window of Kidder-
minster church, with " Orate pro Animahus . . . Cokesey et
Dionisie," subscribed to their arms — Argent, on a bend azure between
two cotises dancette gu. three cinquefoils or ; impaling gu. a fess counter
compony arg. and sa. betiveen six crosses formee or. He lived in the
time of the Black Death, and presented to the Chantry of S.
Mary in 1349 and 1350 ; and departing this life 1356, " lies
buried under an arch in the N. wall of the church in a raised
tomb whereon is his effigy with the legs crossed. The arms on
his breast show him the same Cokesey as in the window : the
brisure denotes him a younger brother." (Hayley.) The tomb
thus described is no doubt that engraved in Nash (appendix,
p. 50), having an arch with elegant Decorated tracery ; but,
sad to say, during the last 90 years it has entirely disappeared.
Our 19th century zeal for " restoration " has much to answer
for ! Dionisia, surviving her husband, presented to the Chantry
twice, and died m 1376 seized of Kidderminster and Caldwell.
(Inquis. in Nash, Ixxviii., a.)

Sir Walter de Cokesey, kt., presented Hugh de Caldwell to
the church of Witley in 1287, which looks as if he had some
connection with Caldwell at that time. (Hayley.) Sir Walter
bequeathed his body to be buried with the Friars Minors in
Worcester. (Dugd. i., 359.) " To the said Friars I leave ten
marks of silver in place of all my arms borne with my body,
and these arms shall remain entirely to my son Walter ; but
the horse conveying my body and arms shall belong to the said
Friais." (Dug. Warw., ii., 930.)

After the death of Dionisia, the maror of Caldwell only
appears among the local possessions of Cokesey. Maculinus

40 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

de la Mare presented to the Chantry in 1391, 1395, and 1400 ;
and in 1402 Alice wife of M. de la Mare died seised of Kidder-
minster.

Walter Cokesey, son and heir of Hugh and Dionisia, was
under age at his father's death, but in 1365, making proof of
his age, had livery of his inheritance (Dug. Way., i., 359), and
being a knight in 1375, married Isabel, daughter and heir of
Sir Urian St. Pierre, kt. According to Habingdon, his portrait
with gilded spurs, and that of his wife, were in the same
window with that of his father, with " Orate pro animabus
Walteri Cokesey et Domine Isabelb," and his arms (without cotises)
impaling arg., a bend sa. with a label of three gu. His arms were
also in the great W. window of Worcester cathedral, and sub-
scribed " Monseur Walter de Cokesey." He died 1405 seised
of the manor of Caldwell, and leaving Walter his son and heir
of full age. In the same window of Kidderminster church,
with the foregoing, were likewise the portraits of this last-
mentioned Walter and his wife, with " Orate pro animabus
Walteri Cokesey et Matildis Uxoris ejus,'" and his arms (as before)
impaling or, two bars gu. He died (Inq. Nash. Ixxix., b)
8 Henry IV., and his widow Matildis was married to Sir John
Phelip in or before 1409 ; for in that year John Fhelip, as lord
of Witley — a lordship belonging to the Cokeseys — presented to
that church. Consequently, in the same window, her figure
appears again by the side of her second husband, and her arms
impaled with his : quarterly, gu. and argent, in the first quarter an
eagle displayed or.

Sir John Phelip is said by Dugdale (Bar., ii., 212) to have
been a valiant soldier under Henry V. In Rymer's Fcedera, ix.,
646, is a safe conduct granted Nov. 13 by John Duke of
Bedford, Protector, for Alexander de Carnys, attended by eight
men and eight horses, to come from Scotland into England to
pay the ransom of James Douglas, lately a prisoner of Sir John
Phelip, deceased. Sir John was present at the siege of Harfleur
in 1415, and died ten days afterwards, probably of the dysen-
tery which was so fatal to the English at that place. His seat
was at Dennington, in Suffolk, but having married Walter
Cokesey's widow, he probably lived at Caldwell, and his body

BRASS IN KIDDERMINSTER CHURCH,
Representing Maud Harmanville and her Two Husbands,
Sir John Phelip and Walter Cokesey.

<y./7,^

MONUMENT OF SIR HUGH COKESEY AND WIFE
IN KIDDERMINSTER CHURCH.

[I'roin Nash's Woycfstci'shifc'

Uhr^^'-^J^^' '^.^

MONUMENT OF THOMAS BLOUNT AND HIS

WIFE MARGERY.

[From Nash's Worcestershire.]

(f0rlJi^'U^^,y./

MONUMENT OI-~ SIR ICDWAKD I'.l.orXT AND HIS

TWO WIXICS.

[From Nash's IVorcestershire.]

THE BARONAGE. 41

was brought to Kidderminster church for burial by the side of
his wife and her first husband. All three are buried in the
chancel under a flat stone inlaid with portraits and inscrip-
tion in brass. The engraving of this memorial is taken from
Nash's Worcestershire, but it is not very correctly drawn, espe-
cially as regards the lady's head-dress. The letters on the belt
are I. P., the initials of John Phelip. The first shield is gone,
but must have borne the arms of Phelip, which are impaled with
Harmanville on the second shield. The third shield bears
Harmanville, the fourth Phelip impaling Harmanville, the fifth
Cokesey, and sixth Cokesey impaling Harmanville. The inscrip-
tion beneath reads thus : —

Miles honorificus, John Phelip subjacet intus :
Henricus Quintus dilexerat hunc ut amicus :

CONSEPELITUR EI SUA SPONSA, MATILDIS, AMATA,
Waltero Cookesey, PRIUS ARMIGERO SOCIATA.
AUDAX ET FORTIS APUD HaRFLEU JoHN BENE GESSIT

Et Baro vi'm mortis patiens MIGRARE RECESSIT

MC QUATER XV OCTOBRIS LUCE SECUNDA.

Sit suus, alme Jesu, tibi spiritus hostia munda.

By his first wife Juliana, daughter of Sir Thomas Erpingham,
who died 1383, he had a son, Sir William Phehpp, Lord Bar-
dolph, K.G., who was with him in the French campaign, and
fought at Agincourt, being afterwards appointed Captain of
Harfleur. Matildis was his second wife, and he had yet a third
wife : for Henry V., " who loved him as a friend," granted the
manor of Michelhampton, Gloucestershire, the lordship of
Grovebury or Leyghton Busard, Bedfordshire, and the manors
of Nedding and Ketchbarston, in Suffolk, to John Phelip, kt.,
and Alice his wife. She was daughter of Sir Thomas Chaucer,
kt., son of Sir Geoffrey Chaucer, the famous poet. Lady Phelip
married secondly Thomas Montacute, Earl of Salisbury, and
thirdly William de la Pole, Duke of Suffolk. This aged
Duchess survived her first husband 60 years, and was buried at
Ewelme, Oxfordshire.

Sir John Phelip was a benefactor to Worcester cathedral in
settmg up the fourth and most noble window of the E. cloister.
(Thomas.) In it were his arms and those of Nevill T.ord Fur-
nivall (whose daughter was married to his stepson), with the

42 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

inscription, " Orate pro anima Domini Johannis Phelipes Baronis de
Donyngton, qui hanc fenestram Jieri fecit." Here, as well as on the
brass, he is styled Baron, and a sort of coronet encircles his
helmet in the effigy.

Walter Cokesey, who lies buried under the brass, had a son.
Sir Hugh Cokesey, who was the last heir male of this family.
He had two wives — (i) Joan daughter and co-heir of Thomas
Nevill, Lord Furnivall, by his second wife Ankaret, daughter
of John Lord Strange, of Blackmere ; and (2) Alice .... who
survived her husband, and died in 1459. A Walter Cokesey,
perhaps a younger brother of Sir Hugh, died in 1425 seised of
a messuage in Kidderminster called Purchas and 6 acres of
land. Sir Hugh died Dec. 15, 1445, without issue, leaving
Joyce his sister and heir. He was probably buried by the side
of his first wife in the chancel of Kidderminster church, and the
monument with their effigies is still in existence, though it has
suffered mutilation. In right of his grandmother, Isabel
daughter and heir of Agnes, sister and heir of George Braose
(or Brewes), he quarters their arms with his own. The
engraving represents the tomb as it was 100 years ago ; Sir
Hugh's legs have disappeared in the interval ! Habingdon
describes " a lady in a mantle faced with three rows of ermine,
on several parts whereof were painted Cokesey's arms, kneeling
before the Virgin and Child, and praying thus, ' Pm Mater,
miserere mei,'" which was high on the wall above this monument.

Joyce Cokesey, sister and heir of Sir Hugh, married (i)
.... Beauchamp ; (2) John Grevill, of Campden, Gloucester-
shire ; (3) Leonard Stapleton ; and under her courtesy title of
Lady Joyce Beauchamp presented to the Chantry of our Lady
at Kidderminster in 1468-9, and afterwards by name of Joyce
Beauchamp, widow, in 1473. In 1469 she is said to have
founded the Chantry of S. Katharine in Kidderminster church,
and her effigy in a beautiful, though much mutilated, monu-
ment is inserted in the upper part of the wall of the S. side of
the church. A very poor drawing of this monument is given in
Nash, Add. p. 50. She died in 1473, leaving a son, Sir John
Grevill, kt., who inherited his mother's estates, and presented
to the Chantry in 1479. He died 1480, leaving Thomas his son

THE BARONAGE. 43

and heir 26 years of age, Thomas assumed his grandmother's
name of Cokesey, and was one of the Knights of the Bath
created at the coronation of Henry VII. He died in 1498,
without issue, whereupon Robert Russell and Robert Winter,
being his cousins and heirs, had livery of his lands. Caldwell
came to Winter, and was in the possession of his family when
Leland visited the town in 1539. George Wintour, of
Hodington, who descended from Robert, sold it to the Clares,
in whose family it remained till 1777.

PEDIGREE OF COKESEY.*

Sir Walter Cokesey =: Elizabeth
of Cokesey, Worcs.

d. 1295

Walter Cokesey Hugh de Cokesey = Dionisi a le Boteler

bur. in Kidder-
minster 1356

d. 1376

I I

Sir Walter Cokesey, kt. = Isabel d. and heir William

d. 1405

of Sir Urian de
St. Pierre

Thomas . WalterCokesey = MaudHarmanville = SirTohnPhelip

A /^ M TT C J

Archer" ' d. 1407; buried d. Oct. 2, 1415

d. 1425 under brass

(i) Joan d. Thos. = SiR Hugh Cokesey=(2) Alice Walter Elizabeth
Nevill, Lord d. 15 Dec. 1445, s.p. d. 1459 Cokesey
Furnivall bur. in Kidder- d. 1425

minster chancel owner of

" The Perchys "

(i) Sir . . . Beauchamp = JoYCE = (2) John Grevill (3) Leonard Stapleton

Sir John Grevill, kt.==

Sir Thomas Cokesey, kt. of
the Bath, d. 149S, s.p.

* The pedigree in Nash ii., 50, is very inaccurate.

A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

Simon Clare married Margaret Rice (Nash i., 260), daughter
and heir of Simon Rice, who was a great benefactor to Kidder-
minster, and built the Chantry of S. Mary at the east end of
All Saints' church. He was a citizen and merchant of London,
and the arms on the wall (now obliterated) were supposed to
be those of the Merchant Adventurers with three ears of rye —
an allusion to the name of the founder. On the middle part of
the body of the church was a figure on a brass plate, with this
epitaph : — " Of your charity pray for the souls of Thomas Rise
and Margery his wife, and their children's souls, the which
Thomas deceased 31 Dec, 1494." This Margery was one of
the co-heirs of the ancient family of D'Abitot, of Croome, and
through the marriage with her granddaughter, a large part of
Croome D'Abitot came to the Clares of Caldwell. Simon Clare
presented to Croome living in 1545, and Francis Clare in 1577.
Their interest in Croome was purchased by Sir Thomas
Coventry in the reign of James I. Simon Clare's second wife
was Agnes daughter ^of Sir Thomas Blount : after 33 years of
married life the wife died July 29, 1580, only six days after her
husband. The pedigree of the family is appended, but Sir
Ralph Clare played such a prominent part in the history of the
town that we must reserve a further account of him for the
" Celebrities." Sir Ralph, says the Herald's Visitation, died a
bachelor in 1670. On the other hand Nash speaks of his great-
grandson Francis Clare, who died at Kidderminster in 1777,
aged 86. Most likely the descent is from Sir Ralph's brother
Francis, a Captain of Foot in the service of Charles I., who
died 1680. Another mistake appears in Sir Thomas Phillipps'
additions to the Visitation, where he assigns a daughter to
Captain Clare, who married John third son of Charles Acton, of
Elmley Lovett. The Registers record the marriage (Feb. 5,
1602) of Mr. John Acton to Mrs. (we should say " Miss ") Anne
Clare : but this took place eight years before Captain Clare's
birth. She was really daughter of Sir Francis (born Feb. 28,
1584), and sister of Sir Ralph and Captain Francis. " Lady
Anne Acton, of Elmley, widow," and Ralph Clare dealt with
the advowson of All Hallows, Worcester, in 1622. (Midland
Antiquary, ii., 31.) The arms of Clare, which appear to have
been adopted as the groundwork of the borough arms, are given

THE BARONAGE.

in the Herald's Visitation (1682) : — Quarterly, i and 4, Or, three
chevvonells Gii. within a bordure engrailed Az. ; 2, Argent, a chevron
between 3 spear heads Gu. on a chief Az. three martlets Or ; 3, Or, two
lions passant the one in chief Gu. the other Az. within a bordure of the
second.

PEDIGREE OF CLARE OF CALDWELL.

Thomas Rice=Margery Gilbert Clare=Anne Sir Thos. Blount-

ob. 1494

D'Abitot
of Croome

ob. 1550

Simon Rice

ob. 1575

Anne
Croft

Margaret Rice^= Simon Clare= Agnes

ob. 1580

Sir Francis^ Muriel Sheldon Simon^Joan Clare^Thomas Pitt

ob. 1612

Sir Ralph
ob. 1G70

Richard

John Pitt

Anne=Sir John Acton Francis (Captain of Foot)

ob. 1680

Francis

Ralph

During the Middle Ages, as we have already seen, the
ownership of the manor by a single baron had been breaking
up ; but speaking roughly, we may say that the tripartite divi-
sion of the parish, which was made in 1241, remained intact
till 1546. Two-thirds had descended to the Lords Aber-
gavenny, and one-third, together with the larger part of the
Rectory, to the convent of Maiden Bradley. When the
monasteries were suppressed in 1536-40, by far the largest
portion of their property was shamelessl}^ distributed among
the avaricious courtiers of Henry VHL Maiden Bradley fell
to one of the most grasping of these plunderers, John Dudley,
best known by his latest title of Duke of Northumberland. His
father was the notorious lawyer Dudley, who so skilfully
extorted money from the people to fill Henry VH.'s coffers and
his own pockets. John Dudley, Lord Lisle, had a grant of the

46 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

Maiden Bradley property 21 Dec, 37 Henry VIII. (Patent Roll
Hy. VIII., pt. 16.) This included the one-third of the lordship
of Kidderminster, 01dington,Comberton, Hurcott, the patronage
of the church, and all the great tithes that the monastery had
been able to get hold of. Thus the best part of the tithes and
church property fell into lay hands, and has remained so to this
day. The sacrilegious plunder which this Lord Lisle appro-
priated to his own use was enormous — 20 abbeys, colleges, and
monasteries, besides chantries. At Kidderminster he seized
upon two chantries, and at Bewdley he got another belonging
to a guild which was a sort of friendly society of that time. He
was raised to the Earldom of Warwick by Henry VIII., and
created Duke of Northumberland by Edward VI. But he did
not live long to enjoy his hastily and ill-gotten wealth, for in
August, 1553, he was condemned for high treason, and lost his
head by the executioner's axe on Tower Hill. As an attainted
person his property fell to the Crown, and was soon distributed
among various families.

For the sum of ^"454 95., paid by Thomas Blount, of Kidder-
minster, Queen Elizabeth granted him the manor and advowson
of Kidderminster Feb. i, 1560, in as ample a manner as John
Duke of Northumberland, then lately attainted, or any Prior of
the late Priory, had held it, &c. But the Blounts had been
living in the town for at least 20 years before this purchase.
We find from the parish registers that in 1539 William Blount
was buried here ; and in 1541, Feb. 5th, Joyce Blount was
married to John Combes, of Stratford-on-Avon, from whose
family Shakespere purchased 127 acres of land. (Halliwell-
Phillipps, Outlines, pp. 128, 151.)

In an altar tomb on the N. side of the choir lies the figure of
Thomas Blount in armour, his head under his helmet, a ruff
about his neck, by his side a gauntlet, and a lion at his feet.
On his left hand his wife with a book in her joined hands, and
two sons, two daughters, and a child in swaddling clothes
standing against the back of the arch with the initials of their
names in scrolls. The arms are Blount impaling Cornwall of
Kinlet. On the side of the tomb is Waryn impaling Poney.
The inscription round : — " Hie jacet Thomas Blount Armiger

THE BARONAGE. 47

et Margaria Uxor ejus qui quidem Thomas obiit Die 28°
Novembs A.D. MCCCCCLXXX praedicta Margarita obiit Die
2° Novemb^ A.D. MCCCCCLXXXXV. R.I. P."

Close to the tower entrance of the church on the left is the
monument of Sir Edward Blount in armour leaning on his
elbow, and on his left his two wives. This stood formerly on
the S. side of the chancel under a beautiful arch which, together
with the lower portion of the tomb, has been " restored " awa}'.
Nash describes it as it was 100 years ago : — " On the top of the
arch stands an angel holding a shield with Barry nebule of 6 Or
and Sable, Blount. On the tomb were shields Blount, impaling
Gu. on a saltire Arg. a rose of the first, Nevill ; Blount, impaling
Sa. 3 greyhounds current Arg. collared Or, Wigmore. On another,
quarterly i. 4. Blount 2. Arg. a lion rampant Gn. crowned Or,
within a border Sa. besantee. 3. Or, 3 chevrons Gu. impaling quarterly
I. Nevill (2) Or fretty Gu. in a quarter per pale Ermine and Gu. a
ship Sa. 3. cheque Or. and Az. Warren 4. Or 3 chevrons Gu. Clare

5. Quarterly Arg. and Gu. fretty Or a bendlet Sa., Le Despencer

6. Gu. a fesse between 6 cross crosslets Or, Beauchamp." The
inscription (now gone) : — " Hie jacet Edwardus Blount eques
auratus, hujus loci quondam dominus, antiquo et perillustri
sanguine oriundus, matrimonio bis junctus : priorem duxit
uxorem Mariam Neville baronis Abergavenii sororem ; alteram
Mariam Wigmore antiquo stirpe atque nobili creatam. Vir fuit
dotibus animi eximiis, acri semper et vivido ingenio, prudentia
singulari, quern privatae vitae amor a negotiosis honoribus ad
laudabile otium pertraxit ; rei familiaris nee parens nee pro-
digus, domi elegans, in suos muniiicus, in pauperes liberalis :
quern appetebant summi, colebant infimi, amabant omnes.
Beatam vitam felici morte conclusit die 13° Novembris, A.D.
1630, a^tatis 76. R.I. P."

Sir Edward Blount, in 1601, and for some years later, was
lessee of the Crown lands at Bewdley, and as such was engaged
in much litigation with the town. From the State Papers
(vol. ccxli.) we learn that in 1592 a bill was Irought into the
Court of Exchequer by John Taverner, surveyor of woods S. of
the Trent, against Edward Blount, of Kidderminster, for felling
wood for eight years past in Wj'cr Forest, and converting

48 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

timber worth ;^ioo to his own use; also firewood worth ;^ioo
and underwood worth £50 ; and request for a writ of subpoena
to summon Blount to appear and answer to the premises.

Sir Edward Blount resided at the Hall close to the church-
yard— the last remnants of which have been recently pulled
down. When the Savings Bank in Hall Street was built the
workmen found extensive vaults or crypts of solid masonry
below, but all was covered up again without investigation. In
1606 Sir Edward settled his estate upon Charles Lord Mount-
joy, of Devonshire, and died in 1630. On May 6, 1635, Lord
Mountjoy, Earl of Newport, for /'8650 sold part of the property
to Edmund Waller, the famous poet. In 1643 the " English
Tibullus " was detected in a plot to deliver up London to
Charles I., and was brought to trial by the Parliament. After
a year's detention in the Tower he was fined ;^io,ooo, and
released " to go travel abroad." His estates were sold to raise
the money : Comberton was bought by Adam Hough, whose
name appears on the Court Rolls of Bewdley in 1655 as steward
of the manor ; and was sold by his descendant Adam Hough,
about 1777, to Mr. Steward. Hurcott was bought by George
Evelyn, who in 1648 disposed of it to his famous brother John,
author of Silva and the well-known Diary. John Evelyn soon
afterwards sold it to Colonel John Bridges for ^3400. About
1670 Colonel Bridges sold the patronage of the church to
Thomas Foley, in whose family it remained till the whole Foley
estate here was purchased by Lord Ward in 1838.

The old Hall had been bought in 1635 by Daniel Dobbins, a
London merchant, afterwards elected Member for Bewdley in
Barebone's Parliament. Dobbins lived in Kidderminster for
some years, and there are several entries of his family in the
registers. He sold the " capital mansion house near the alms-
houses adjoining to Stower side, the Vicarage meadow, and a
meadow on the W. side of Stower, also one suite of arras con-
taining 5 pieces," to Sir Thomas Rouse, of Rouse Lench, for
;^i2oo. His son, Richard Dobbins, sold to Capel Hanbury, of
Hoarstone, the tithes of Wribbenhall and Trimpley, Sept. 4,
1680, for ^"692 ; and Capel Hanbury conveyed them to Thomas
Foley in 16S9.

THE BARONAGE.

PEDIGREE OF BLOUNT OF KIDDERMINSTER.

Sir Thomas Blount = Agnes d. of Sir Rd. Croft,
of Kinlet bur. at Kidderminster 1549

Joan = Edward = Margery William = Margaret Joyce=:John Agnes=Simon
d. 1559 Cams d. 1539 Combes Clare

Thomas=Margaret Gilbert:
d. 1569 d. 1595 d. 1612

George=:Joan Rowland=Alice

Wilmot

Mary =Sir Edward=Mary Walter=:. . . George ( of Wrib- Francis=Mary

Nevill
d.1617

d. 1630 Wigmore

Mary

benhall) (of

Franche)

Anne Thomas

Elizabeth

Jane

Anne

The romantic story of Richard Foley, of Stourbridge, who
by enterprise and skill restored the prosperity of an industry
which was languishing from foreign competition, is told in
Smiles' Self-Hclp, p. 207. By his energy he conferred immense
benefits on his native county, and laid the foundations of a
large fortune for his own family. His son, Thomas Foley, was
Sheriff of Worcestershire in 1655, and Member for Bewdley in
1660 and 1673. Baxter, who was Sheriff's Chaplain, and preached
the sermon, says : — " I will mention the great mercy of God to
the town of Kidderminster and country in raising up one man,
Mr. Foley. Being a religious, faithful man, he purchased
among other lands the patronage of several great places, and
among the rest of Stourbridge and Kidderminster, and so chose
the best conformable ministers that could be got ; and not only
so, but placed his eldest son's habitation in Kidderminster,
which became a great protection and blessing to tlie town,
having placed two families more elsewhere of liis two other
sons, all three religious, worthy men. And in lliaiikfulness to

so A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

God for his mercies to him, built a well-founded hospital near
Stourbridge to teach poor children to read and write, and
endowed it with about ;^5oo a year." The Foley motto, " Ut
prosim " (That I may do good) is most appropriate in this case.
His magnificent educational foundation has been of great
benefit to thousands of poor boys, and is still so well adminis-
tered that it is carrying on its good work to an extent that the
founder little dreamed of. The present Lord Foley takes much
interest in the institution, in which Kidderminster, Bewdley,
Stourport, Dudley, and other places have a share. The annual
value of the endowment now is about ;^5ooo, and the buildings
have been enlarged to accommodate i6o boys, instead of the ori-
ginal number of 60. Thomas Foley died in 1677, and is buried in
Witley church, where a marble monument commemorates his
many virtues. The accompanying pedigree will show the divi-
sion of this family into the three main branches of Witley and
Kidderminster, Stoke Edith, and Prestwood. Paul Foley, of
Stoke, was a member of the Convention Parliament, 1688, and
in 1695 was chosen Speaker of the House of Commons. Thomas
Foley, grandson of the founder of the hospital, was Member for
Staff"ord, and on 31 Dec, 171 1, was made Baron Foley of
Kidderminster. He married Mary daughter and heir of
Thomas Strode, serjeant-at-law, and died 22 Jan., 1732, leaving
a son, Thomas second Lord Foley, High Steward of Kidder-
minster, and five other children. All died sine prole, when the
Barony became extinct. The estate was left by will to Thomas
Foley, of Stoke Edith, who by a new creation was made Baron
Foley of Kidderminster, May 20, 1776. His wife was Lady
Grace Granville, daughter and co-heir of George Lord Lans-
downe. One of his s'sters, Anne, was married to Sir Edward
Winnington, from whom descend the Winningtons of Stanford
and the Ingrams of Ribbesford.

The Barony of Foley of Kidderminster has descended in
unbroken line to Henry Thomas, fifth Lord, who succeeded
to the title in 1869, and resides at Ruxley Lodge, Esher,
Surrey ; but the Witley and Kidderminster estates were sold
by Thomas Henry, fourth Lord, to the trustees of Lord Ward
in 1838.

THE BARONAGE.

PEDIGREE OF BARON FOLEY OF
KIDDERMINSTER.

= Richard Foley = Alice Brindley
of Stour-
bridge,
d. 1657

Richard
d. s.p

Thomas==Anne Browne
d. 1677 I

Elizabeth Ashe = Thomas of
Witley &
Kidder-
minster

Paul = Mary

of Stoke
Edith,
d. 1699

Lane

Philip of Prestwood

Paul

I
William

Thomas = Mary Strode Thomas -Hester Elizabeth = John

1st Baron
d. 1732

d. 1749

Thomas

2nd Baron

d. 1766

Andrews

Hodgetts

Thomas = Grace d. of George Granville,

1st Baron
d. 1777

Baron Lansdowne.

Thomas = Henrietta Stanhope,

2nd Baron
d- 1793

d. of 2d Earl of
Harrington

Thomas = Cecilia Geraldine d.

3rd Baron
1833

of 2nd Duke of
Leinster

Thomas Henry = Mary Howard, d.

4th Baron
d. 1869

of 13th Duke of
Norfolk

Henry Thomas
5th Baron

Fitzalan Charles

William, nth Baron Ward, succeeded to the title on the
death of his father in 1836. He was descended from Humble
Ward, created Baron Ward of Birmingham in 1644, and his
wife Frances Sutton, in her own right Baroness Dudley. In
i860 he was created Earl of Dudley and Viscount Ednam. He

A HISTORY GF KIDDERMINSTER.

married first Selina Constance daughter of Hubert de Burgh,
Esq., and secondly Georgiana EHzabeth daughter of Sir
Thomas Moncrieffe, 7th Baronet, and had four sons and a
daughter. Lord Dudley has left a name which will live for
many generations in the town of Kidderminster and the county
of Worcester. For at a time when it seemed as though the
carpet trade of Kidderminster must be annihilated, Lord
Dudley generously came to the rescue, and the manufacture
was started on a more successful career than before. The
Church, the Infirmary, the Schools of Art and Science, and
many other useful institutions, were benefited by his help.
Lord Dudley died 1885, and was succeeded by his eldest son,
William Humble, 2nd Earl of Dudley and 12th Baron Ward,
elected High Steward of Kidderminster in 1888. In recogni-
tion of the many benefits conferred on the town by the late
Lord Dudley, a public memorial was erected, which took the
form of a cloister to the parish church, with inscription on a
brass plate : —

" To the Glory of God and in memory of William Earl of Dudley, nth
Baron Ward, this cloister was built, partly by subscriptions and partly by
a donation from Thomas Tempest-Radford, Mayor, in the Jubilee year of
the reign of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, as a remembrance of his many
gifts to this church, of which he was patron, and also of his generous efforts
to benefit the trade of the town, of which he was High Steward.

" First Stone laid by Canon Claughton, then Vicar, July i, 1887.

" Dedicated by Henry Lord Bishop of Worcester, Feb. i, il

" Frederick Burgher,
" Thomas F. Ivens,

Borough
Churchwardens.

"Michael Tomkinson, Mayor,]

" E. F. Whitehouse, J Churchwardens.

Foreign
irchwardf

"R. J. Thompson, Builder."

In place of the one hall for the lord, and the 60 mud houses
for the serfs, mentioned at the beginning of the previous
chapter, we have now hundreds of dwelling-houses in the
parish, with which, for convenience and comfort, the ancient
baronial halls could not for a moment compare. The Earl of
Dudley owns by far the larger part of the old parish, but many
smaller estates would be worthy of record if space allowed.

THE BARONAGE. 53

Some pedigrees of families connected with this neigh-
bourhood may be found in the Worcester Visitation, 1682 : —
Burlton of Sandbourne, Clare of Caldwell, Foley of Witley and
Stourbridge, Oldnall of Stone, Solley of Lickhill and Wribben-
hall, Spicer of Stone, Townshend of Elmley Lovett, Toye of
Kidderminster, Vernon of Caldwell, Wilde of Belbroughton,
Wilmot of Kidderminster; and in the British Museum (Addi-
tional MS. No. 31,003) Crane of Habberley, Hurtill of Trimpley,
Soley of Sandbourne, Seabright of Wolverley, Jewkes, Steward,
Wannerton, and Pardoe of Kidderminster.

A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

CHAPTER IV.

^be Boroucjb,

iji

N 1 24 1 a charter was obtained for two fairs yearly
at Kidderminster. Before 1333 fairs and markets
were a regular institution in the town, though
when the charter for the market was first obtained
I have not met with any evidence. Most likely
it was founded when the town was the King's
private property. But as early as 23 Edward I. (1295) Kidder-
minster took its place as one of the leading towns in the county,
and returned two burgesses to Parliament. In the Parlia-
mentary Reports (page 6) their names are recorded — " Walter
Caldrigan and Walter Lihtfot — Kidderminster Borough."
Besides Worcester county and city, there were also represen-
tatives from Droitwich, Dudley, Evesham, and Pershore, but
in a few years all these towns renounced their privilege except
Worcester and Droitwich. The members of Parliament
received daily wages, and thus the representation of a town laid
a burden on its inhabitants from which they were glad to be
delivered. Kidderminster, as being ancient demesne of the
Crown, was relieved from contribution to the wages of the
knights of the shire.

In our list of husbandmen holding land in the " foreign " we
found only one solitary freeman ; but there are indications that
in the borough this class was well developed in the 13th cen-
tury. In 1230 a certain man of free condition of the manor of
Kidderminster recovered common pasturage at Witfield, per-
taining to the manor of Wolverley, before the itinerant Justices
at Worcester. (Annal. Eccles. Wigorn. in Ang. Sacr., i., 488.)
In the British Museum (Egerton MSS., 456) is an original deed

THE BOROUGH. 55

in Latin of the time of Edward I., containing a grant by Henry-
Thomas, of Fraynshe, to Robert Troke, clerk, of Kyderminster,
of land in Wytefeld. Witnesses : Hugh Mustell, Robert Att-
wood (de Bosco), John de Kent, Richard Brid (Bird), and
Richard Pitt (in Piitco). Though this deed is contemporaneous
with the list of villeins given in Chapter H., the names are
all new, and giwe evidence of the rise of a new class, libere
tenentes, or copyholders within the borough. In a Taxation Roll
for Worcestershire belonging to Sir E. Lechmere (Hist. MSS.
Report, v., p. 304), Kidderminster ranks fourth among the towns.
There are 58 names, contributing £g 55. 4^. Worcester paid
£^2 115. 6d., and Droitwich £2^ 13s. 2d. The growth of freedom
in the town is obscure, but the borough is fortimate in the
possession of a record of proceedings which took place at a
Court held here 557 years ago. It shows how tenaciously the
burgesses clung to the privileges they had already gained, and
how far self-government had advanced.

"In the Court holden on Monday next after the feast of St. Michael the
Archangel, in the 7th year of the reign of King Edward the third
from the Conquest.

" It was required by John de Costone, Steward (Senescallus) of John
Bissett in what way and in what manner and by what title the Commonalty
of the Burgesses of the Town of Kidderminster ought to elect Bailiffs on
Monday next after the feast of St. Michael and not the lord; and why the
said Bailiffs ought on the days of fairs and markets to be fed out of the
lord's toll ; and why the Provosts or Bailiffs ought to gather the toll and not
render an account : and why all the Burgesses tenants and inhabitants in
the Borough have not come twice in the year to the view of Frankpledge
held upon the Hill (super Montem).

" The Reply by Edmund, Lord of Hagley, Clement Lord of Dunclent,
Robert Atwood (de Bosco), John de Hethey, John de Kent, and by all the
Burgesses and the whole community of the Town of Kidderminster. And
they said that in ancient time of a certain King, whereof there exists no
memorial, the said Burgesses elected one Bailiff on the aforesaid Monday to
serve the King, namely, to gather the toll and place the said toll in a certain
box, and render it without an account. And the said Burgesses on the said
Monday ought to elect one Catchpoll to make all the attachments and well
and faithfully gather the money of the pleas and perquisites of the court, and
render an account when he shall be required by the lord's ministers for the
time being. And for the labours and services of the said Bailiffs for the
time being, upon the days of the courts, fairs and markets, they ought to be
fed with the lord out of the lord's toll. And the said Bailiffs ought to elect

A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

six Burgesses and not more, and to send them to the view of Frankpledge,
twice during the year, namely, on Wednesday next after the feast of St.
Michael, and on Wednesday next after Hockday. [The Tuesday in the
third week after Easter.]

" Custom allowed and may be held for law. And the said John Coston
allowed this reply, because it was allowed in former time whereof there is
no memorial."

Under the system of frank-pledge all the freemen residing in
the same "tithing" were . pledged to the King for the good
conduct of each other ; and if any one of them did wrong all
the rest were bound to secure his arrest, or pay the penalty.
The " view of frank-pledge " was a sort of roll-call, testifying to
the fact that the frank-pledges were in full efficiency, and that
every one belonged to such a body. Some interesting cases,
showing the practical working of this system in Worcestershire,
were contributed to Berro-w's Journal in November, 1889, by Mr.
J. B. Matthews.

Among the records of the town is " The Composition of the
Manner and Burrow of Kethermister A.D. 1102." It sets forth
that " In the tyme of King Henry the Firste was the Burrow
of Ketherminster gyven and Assured by the same Kyng unto
Master Bissett his gentleman Shoure with all freedomes,
customs and priviledges as ffreelie and as honorablie as Any
Noble Manne off England Inioyed the same." The document
is written on vellum, and is very old, but there are two palpable
mistakes in it. Henry the Second was the donor, not Henry I. ;
and the date is really about 1330, as Edmond Lord of Hagley,
Clement of Dunclent, Robert Atwood, John a Heathey, and
John a Kent are among the jury.

Business was transacted in or around the Market Cross, which
from Leland's description must have been a beautiful Gothic
structure. It stood in the High Street, and is shown in
Doharty's map (1753). A boundary was marked out by the
Worcester Cross, Proud Cross, Barriers in Church Street, and
Dakebrooke (Daddlebrook) in Blackstar Street, and if any
trader had dealings within these limits and failed to pay his
lawful toll, he was mulcted in the large sum of 605. and a purse
to the lord.

The Court-House, where the lord resided when in the town,

THE BOROUGH. 57

was close to the church. Its " Grange," " Barn," and
" Orchard " have left their names on our modern map. Near
it on " The Hill " were held every year in the open air the two
Courts Leet. As the lords of Kidderminster had their chief
houses in distant places, and only visited the town occasionally,
much power naturally fell into the hands of the local authori-
ties. When men gained the " freedom " of the borough they were
enrolled, after payment to the lord, into a community, by the
"Twelve" and the "Twenty-four" men, the germ of our
Aldermen and Town Councillors. On the Monday after
Michaelmas Day the Twenty-four Burgesses elected the High
Bailiff, and he then chose for himself an " Assistance " or Low
Bailiff, and two "Catchpolls" or constables, for his year of
office. At the two great " Leetes Courts " the Bailiff gave a
dinner at his own cost to the Low Bailiff and his wife, the
Town Clerk and his wife, and the Twelve men and their wives.
In important matters " for the prince and the lord," the Bailiff
was to send his " Assistance " to fetch at least three of the
eldest of the Burgesses to ask their advice. The Bailiff had
also a Gaoler, who was required to deliver up his prisoner to
the Constable at Worcester Cross when the term of his
imprisonment expired. The Catchpolls had to gather up all
the amercements for their year, and account for them to the
lord's auditor, and they received i2d. each felon for their
trouble. They also received fees of meal, salt, old clothes sold,
of mercers and wheelwrights, of bread wanting weight, of pro-
claiming of beasts, &c. Any one who did " Ivell cawle or yvell
intreate " the Bailiff or Catchpolls was to be grievously
punished. The lord of Kidderminster had the power of life and
death in the manor, and it was his duty to provide the halter
(Collistngium), a Goomstool for the ducking of scolding
women, the Pillory, and Stocks. Once a month the Bailiff was
to weigh bread both white and brown : if it lacked the assize
the baker was to be put in the pillory and the bread given to
the poor. Butchers who exposed for sale any " messled
brawne " or leprous meat must cover the same with a linen
cloth and put salt upon it, as a sign of its unsoundness. Unless
this were done, the Catchpoll might seize it, and tlie Bailiff
give the same to the poor !

58 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

No artificers called Tencers, the Burgesses excepted, could
occupy their " Syences " without the consent of the Bailiff.
All measures were to be sealed with the Bailiff's seal, viz., the
bushel, the half-bushel, the peck, the half-peck, the tolled dish,
the pottel pot, the quart, the pint pot, and the half-pint. The
standard weights and measures of the statute of Winchester
were in his custody : one iron ell, one brazen pound, half-
pound, and quarter-pcund, one iron seal for leather, one for
pots, one for yards, and one for strikes and lesser measures. If
the Burgesses did not at all times assist the Bailiff and his
officers they could be disfranchised of their " Burges shipp."

All the Burgesses might fish freely in the Stour between the
mouth of Blake brook and the mouth of Wannerton brook ;
but if they fished to sell they must make a fine with the lord.
The fishponds at the Mill and the Sluice were reserved. The
Burgesses could also fish in the Severn up to the middle of the
water. All the meadows alongside the Stour were common
after mowing and raking, but if any '* waif or kemelyng " came
into the demesne it was to be seized for the lord. A woman
after her husband's death was to have his land, but only during
her good behaviour. If a waif or kemelyng came into the
borough it was to be proclaimed thrice at the fairs and markets,
and thrice in the church. If claimed the owner must prove
possession before the lord's officers at third hand, and find
pledges for a year and a day in case of a counter claim. If not
claimed within a year and a day it was to be parted between
the lords. If the waif was found in the foreign, it was assigned
to the lord on whose land it was found ; if on the highway it
was divided between the three lords, as the roads were consi-
dered to be their joint property. Swarms of bees were treated
as " waifs and kemelyngs."

Each lord was to have heriots and reliefs from the free
tenants in his demesne, except the Burgesses of Kidderminster.
Also each lord was to have after the death of a customary
tenant {i.e., a villein) the best heriot, a two-horse cart iron
bound* the half (nistamm ?), the half of the pigs, the half of the

* Iron was expensive, and many wheels were made of solid wood by-
sawing a tree at right angles to its length.

THE BOROUGH. 59

cloths not assysed, and the horses, but not the mares. " The
customary tenants in the land remaining in the lord's hand
shall make a fine with the lord in full court, three proclamations
having been made, and he who is of nearest kin to the deceased
man, according to the custom of the manor, shall have the best
besides (?) "

No lord nor rector might have a dead heriot while there was
a live heriot. If there was only a pig it was to be parted
between the lord and the rector : if below the value of 6d. the
lord was to have the whole.

No tenant could make a sub-tenant in the manor without his
lord's permission under penalty of forfeiture of his tenure.

Tenants were not permitted to make " Stakings " for catching
fish in the Stour and Severn without licence of the lords.

On fair days and markets the Burgesses might set up stalls
and tables in front of their houses, but were to remove them
afterwards on account of the danger to strangers passing
through the town by night. Outsiders were to pay for each
stall id. to the lord and ^d. to the Low Bailiff.

As a precaution against fire, every householder was required
in dry weather to have a vessel full of water near his doorway.
He was also forbidden to make a pile of brushwood, hay, or
straw in the borough near the houses, under a penalty of 40^^.,
half to the lord and half to the church. The same penalty was
inflicted on those who allowed their swine to wander in the
streets without a keeper.

" Regrators " were not allowed to come early to market and
buy up the goods to " make a ring." No one could traffic till
the bell was tolled, and he ought not to buy more than was
required to supply his house from one fair day to another, under
a penalty of 40^., half to the lord and half to the church. The
brewers of the town had to pay 6d. twice a 3^ear, and minute
precautions were taken to ensure the townsmen a " good glass
of beer." " If a man or vvoman buy a gallon of beer dearer
than the assize, that buyer may go immediately to the Bailiff
and make complaint, and shall have of the lord one farthing for

6o A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

his pains."''' But this was not alh There were certain official
beer-tasters who were required to present twice in the year
" both how many there are who make weak beer, and who do
not make wholesome beer, and who do not invite them to taste
the beer as often as they brew it."

The tolls payable to the lord were : — For a horse or mare,
buyer 2d. and seller 2d. ; for an exchange, double tolls ; for an
ox or bullock, id. from each dealer ; for four sheep, the same ;
for a load of fish, herrings, corn, &c., 2d. from each ; for a horse
load of anything, ^d. ; for the load of a man or woman, ^d. If
the purchaser lived in the town he was free from these tolls,
unless he bought the goods to retail them. If a " Native" of
the lord bought anything, he was freed from toll, and made
affirmation upon the book before the Bailiff with the thumb
upwards as a sign.

On the eve of the Ascension the Bailiff and Burgesses peram-
bulated the town. From Ascension-tide till Michaelmas the
Bailiff had to see that a watch went three times nightly over
the demesne. Also on fair or market days the Bailiff, attended
by three Ancient Burgesses and Catchpolls, went round the
town " to see the peace kept in good order." They likewise
appointed a Borough Herdman to keep the cattle in the lord's
waste, and a Borough Swineherd for the pigs who went for
" pannage," or acorns and beech mast in the lord's wood.

Some regulations for the making of woollen cloth and kerseys
will be deferred to another chapter.

Lastly we meet with an ordinance which shows vividly with
what a far-away time we are dealing : —

" Also wee will that the bayleeff may keep a grayhound or a gray Bitch
and a fferret for the tyme off his office, and 3 dayes in the weeck to huntt
ffor to kill two cowple of Rabbitts or Connies within your warrant and nott
Above in payn of xxs.

" Also we will that the burgesses shall and may keepp one gray hound or
gray Bitch for to huntt the hare ffox, Roe Red dear or fallow deare.

* When barley was 25. a quarter 4 gallons of beer was to be sold for a
penny. Hops were then unknown in England.

THE BOROUGH. 6i

" Also wee will that your Burgesses may comming throw your warrant
with his bow bentt nott going outt of the high way may kill a Conney and so
to bear hir away uppon the end off his Bow, and shall nott kill Above one in
payn off xxs., and that no tencer shall kill any within your warrant in payne
of xxs."

The Park ran close up to the town from which it was sepa-
rated by Park-lane ; and as late at 1753 (see Doharty's Map)
this lane was bounded only by palings and hedges on both sides
as far as Caldwell. A track ran across the Park towards
Bewdley, and all the space between Kidderminster and Wrib-
benhall, including Wood Street, the Workhouse, Spring Grove,
&c., was a preserve for game. Leland in 1539 went " from
Kidderminster to Beaudly, two miles, by a fayre downe, but
somewhat barren." In the Act passed in 1774 for enclosing
waste lands the following are enumerated : — " Upper and Lower
Witchells, Rocum otherwise Rockham, the Long Coppice, the
Yew Tree Coppice, the Spread Coppice, the Crofts, Dobyn's
Sling, Black Brook Common, Ferney Bank, Oldington Com-
mon, Kidderminster Upper and Lower Heath, Burlish Com-
mon, Pools called the Slashes, &c." By this Act it was
expressly forbidden to cut down the clumps of firs on the hill
called the Sheep-rack or on IMount Pleasant, as being trees of
ornament ; and the roads to be laid out must be 60 feet wade.

On the flat piece of land between Mill Street and Park Lane
were the Park Butts, where the Burgesses gained such skill in
the use of the bow that, "not going out of the highway," they
could shoot conies ; and most likely some of them acquired here
the deadly precision which 12 years afterwards made such havoc
amongst the French at Cress}^ Skill in archery was much
fostered by the laws. In Edward IV. 's reign it was enacted
that every Englishman should liave a bow of his own height,
and that butts for the practice of archery should be erected near
every village, where the inhabitants were obliged to shoot up
and down on every feast da}^ under penalty of being mulcted a
halfpenny. In 12 Edw. IV., cap. 2, it was ordered that four
bowstaves should be brought into this realm for every ton of
merchandise ; and in 22 Edw. IV., " Whosoever shall sell a
long bow of yew above 35. 4^. shall forfeit 205." Again in
I Rich. III., cap. 2, " Ten bowstaves shall be brought into this

62 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

realm for every butt of Malmsey." A " ring" of Lombards had
raised the price from :{2 to ^8 the hundred.

It is not easy to put all our information about a locality in
olden times into a continuous narrative, and yet every authentic
scrap of such knowledge which has survived the lapse of five or
six centuries is worthy of record. The following original deeds
are in the British Museum : —

" Grant by Henry de Feckenham of Kidderminster to John son of
Margery Atte Malpas of land called Oldefelde near Fraynsh. Witnesses :
Henry de Waresleye clerk, Wolston de Kent, Geoffrey Oky, Simon de
Bromesgrove. Dat. at Kidderminster, Tuesday after the Annunciation of
the Blessed Virgin Mary, lo Edward HI. (1336). [Egerton MSS., 462.]
Brown seal of Henry de Feckenham : three bars.

" In July 1381 John Malpas of Kyderminster gave to his son William one
tenement formerly William Hickeson's, then held by William Hulpole —
" which tenement is situated in Covyntre Street." Witnesses — Rich. Ov'don,
Nicholas Polton, Bailiff. (Prattinton MSS.)

" Grant by Thomas Mai, Vicar of Kidderminster, and Henry de Penne
chaplain, to William son of Thomas Kent of Kidderminster of lands granted
to them by the above Thomas Kent within the Manor of Kidderminster.
Witnesses William Hulpole, John Sugge, Bailiffs of Kidderminster, John
Mai, William Hayle, Geoffrey Heryng, John Janyns, Constantine Baker,

Alice . Dat. at Kidderminster Monday before S. Barnabas 11 Rd. II.

(1388). Appended are two seals, one of them in red wax containing the
arms of Thomas Mai, viz., a chevron between three mauls or wooden
hammers. [Eg. MSS. 465.]

" Release by Thomas Hetheye son and heir of John Hetheye son of Lucy
Hygne of Kydermynstre to William Malpas Chaplain of a tenement in
Church Street (in vico qui ad ecclesiam ducit). Witnesses : Sir Walter de Coke-
sey, John Pryntour, John Horewode, Bailiffs, Henry Mai & others. Dat.
at Kidderminster Thursday after S. John ante Port. Lat. 1 Henry IV. (1400)
[Eg. MSS. 470] . A red seal of Hethey is appended with arms — a chevron
betwen three escallops.

" Grant by William Bleke of Haberley to Richard Becke of Pokelyston
(Puxton) and Cristina his wife of a tenement called Gronelonde in Franche
which he had from William Bernard of Haberley. Witnesses : John Hoke,
William Brede, John Lorde, &c. Dat. at Franche, Thursday after S.
Matthew's day 9 Henry V. (1421). The dark green seal of John Ponet is
affixed. The device appears to be that of an Apostle with a staff in his hand,
[Eg. MSS. No. 472.] "

From these deeds it may be noticed that much of the land
was beginning to pass from the great lords into the possession
of the traders and yeomen.

THE BOROUGH. 63

The practice of granting repairing leases for a long term of
years was in use as early as 1440.

" This Indenture made between Robert Prior of Maiden Bradley and
Zenanus Troghman of Wrybenhalle witnesseth : That the Prior and Convent
have conceded to Zenanus one messuage and half a virgate of land in
Trympley, which were John Rogers's together with a marsh (Mera) lying
near Caldwell Mill which was formerly John Oldenhall's To be held to the
end of 90 years, by paying annually 6s. 8(/. and doing all other services due
by ancient custom ; but they shall be relieved from the offices of Bailiff and
Beadle; and on condition that Zenanus and his assigns shall well and com-
petently repair and keep up three houses, Dat. Sunday before Lady Day
i8 Henry VI."

I have not been able to trace the destination of the old Court
Rolls of the Manor. In them there would most likely be a mine
of information. The Wanley MS. (p. 167) preserves one day's
proceedings more than 400 years ago. The feudal system was
still kept up in form, but was becoming more assimilated in its
working to modern uses. The large tenant farmer has arisen
with his 160 acres of land at Sutton, and most likely his own
exclusive plough-team. Instead of his best horse or cow or
iron-bound wagon for a heriot, he pays only the fixed sum of
"zod. The rental of 2W. an acre would not be thought exorbi-
tant in these days !

" Kedermynstre. At a Great Court held there on The Hill {super Montem)
on Wednesday next after the Feast of S. Michael the Archangel in the 4th
year of King Edward the Fourth after the Conquest.

" Nicholas Wakemon came and surrendered into the Lord's hands 5
virgates of land with appurtenances in Sutton and one Parroke lately in the
tenure of Thomas Rugge ; and after this came John Symons and Thomas
Dukeford Cooper, and took the aforesaid 5 Virgates and a Parroke, which
the Lord granted to the same John and Thomas to be held by them and
their heirs for the term of 79 years. Rendering thence annually for each
virgate 5s. M., and for the Parroke gd. ; besides which they shall be free
from the offices of Beadle (Bcdellus, perhaps the ' Catchpoll ') and Bailiff.
And each of them shall give the Lord for a Fine 6s, Sd. and a Heriot after
his death 2od.

"There was also granted to them and John Kay, licence to catch conies
in the arable land there. And after this they did fealty to the Lord and
were admitted tenants.

" In testimony whereof the seal of the Steward {Si'iiescaUus) is appended."

Sir I lumplirc)' Stafford, of Grafton Manor, near Bromsgrove,

64 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

owned lands in Kidderminster, and fought for Richard III. at
Bosworth. He was afterwards attainted and executed and his
lands granted to John Darell, John Pympe, and Sir Gilbert
Talbot. In 1487 a pardon and restitution of possessions was
granted by the Crown to Thomas Kynfare alias Taillour, Town
Clerk of Kidderminster.

Burgesses of Kidderminster were occasionally appointed
Collectors of the Royal Subsidies for the county, viz., 10 Ed.
III., Hugh de Cokesey ; 18 Ed. III., Robert Attwood ; 25
Ed. Ill, Edmund Dunclent ; 45 Ed. III., John Clare ; 18 Rd.
II., John Spicer ; 2 Henry IV., Walter Clare ; 2 Henry V.,
Richard Shareshull ; and 8 Hy. VI., John Stodeley, goldsmith.

Where any misunderstanding had arisen concerning pro-
perty, the matter was often settled as a " Final Concord "
before the Judges. Some of these have been recorded. [Lans-
downe MS., 30c, fol. 174. Impensis Dili Thames PJiillipps, Bavt.,

1853-]

I Edw. III. (1327). Walter de Cokeseye and Isabella his wife with Richard
de Portes concerning a tenement in Leitleye.

Adam de la Lowe with Richard le Taylor of Kyderministre.

Richard of Stone and Cecilia his wife with Richard son of the said
Richard.

Joan wife of with Robert Pipard about tenements in Kidder-
minster and Stone.

1330. Robert de Ribbesford with Henry de Ribbesford concerning the
manor of Ribbesford, lands in Roke and Lindon, and the advow-
son of the church aforesaid.

1334. Hugh Mustell and Isabella his wife with John son of Thomas le
Boteler, chevalier, concerning one messuage, one shop, one caru-
cate and 10 acres of land, 16 acres of meadow with appurtenances
in Haberley, Kyderministre, and Pokelston.

William le Botelier and Sarra his wife with William de Okhampton
and Joan his wife, about lands in Great Comberton.

1349. Nicholas le Peyntour of Kydderminstre with Richard de Bohhull
and Isabella his wife, about tenements in Chadeleswyche and
Winlyngwyche.

John de Beauchamp of la Holte and Isabella his wife with Richard
Shope of Bewdley [de Bella Loco] and Agnes his wife, about lands
in Children-hanley.

THE BOROUGH. 65

1350. William son of Hugh de Cokesey with Hugh de Cokesey and Dionisia,
about lands in Cudbaldesheye, Purshall, and Upton.

1355. Hugh de Cokesey and Dionisia with Hugh their son, about lands in
Aldermonstone.

8 Rd. n. (1385). John Beauchamp of Holte with Sir Walter Romesy, Kt.,

about the manor of Kyderminster.

1386. Sir Walter Romesey, Kt., with Sir John Beauchamp of Holte and
Joan his wife, about the manor of Kyderminster.

1393. Thomas Kendale of Wyche with Thomas Santon of Kyderminster
and Lucy his wife, about lands in Kyderminster.

Hy. IV. 141 1. Walter Elyot Parson of the Church of Rybbesford with
Richard Parlour and his wife Margery, about 3 messuages 3 virgates
of land 20 acres of meadow and 200 acres of Common in Colyng-
wyck and Alveton.

Hy. V. 8. Thomas Henster with Robert Nelme, of Worcester, about 2
messuages, one carucate of land, 7 acres of meadow, and 11 marks
of rent, in LeykhuU (Lickhill), Nethermytton, and Kyder-
minster.

Hy. VI. I. Richard Beauchamp Earl of Warwick with Thomas Longeley
Bishop of Durham, John Throkemorton, and John Barton about
the manors of . . . Ribbesford, Rook, Lyndon, 14 salt works,
37 buUaries, . . . and the advowson of the church of
Ribbesford.

Hy. VIII. 13. Simon Rice with Gilbert Clare about tenements in Kidder-
minster.

16. Gilbert Clare with John Hore about the manor of Hethey
with appurtenances, and tenements in Hethey and Kidder-
minster.

17. Simon Rice with Henry White about the manor of Over
Mitton and tenements in Mitton, Over Mitton, and Nether
Mitton.

23. Thomas Englefield with Richard Lorde about tenements in
Kyderminster and Wragenhale.

26. John Pakyngton with John Hale, clerk, about tenements in
the city of Worcester, Over Mytton, Kedermynster, and
Oldyngton.

30. Thomas Baylly with Agnes Hyll about tenements in Nether
Mytton and Lykehull.

34. Thomas Ratsey with Rd. CoUey gent, about property in
Heref., Salop, Devon, and Kidderminster.
I

65 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

Hy. VIII. 34. John Wannerton with John Coston about tenements and
common pasture for 100 sheep and 40 animals in Wannerton.

38. Adam Lutley with John Pakynton about tenements in Over
Mytton, Woldyngton, and Kederminstre.

Ed. VI. John Harward with Roger Wall about property in Waresley,

„ 4. John Hambury with Wra. Beste — Waresley.

Car. II. 1649. Rd. Baker with Milo Clent gent.

Robt. Haye with Rd. Hobday alias Lacy.

Wm. Browne with John Browne.

Wm. Yarranton with Walter Higley (Astley).

John Vincent with Thos. Vincent (Trimpley).

Simon Potter with John Browne.

Humphrey Burton gent, with W. Smyth gent.
(Wribbenhall).

1650. Thos. Hunt with John Radford gent.

Rd. Sergeant clerk with W. Toy (Hagley).

1651. W. Bund gent, with Daniel Dobbyns arm.
Walter Wilkes with John Freeston and Wilkes.

John Freeston clerk with Thos. Dawkes and Freeston.

1652. Thomas Powys Esq. with Edmond Walker Esq. and

Dobins.

Lawrence Pearsall with Jane Radford.

Richard Clarke with Wm. Bowyer and Hunt.

George Clarke with John Clare.

Nicholas Addenbrooke gent, with Thomas Wannerton
(Churchill).

Wm. Grove with Edward Grove (Over Mitton).

Thomas Lewes with John Wade and Sawyer.

Ursula Tompkins alias Weaver with John Soley gent.
(Horestone).

Henry Malpas with John Winford and Hayward Smyth.

1653. Wm. Browne with Joane Churchyard widow and Bennett.

Rd. Hanbury Esq. with Matthew Odhams.

Rd. Hanbury Esq. with Alice Longmore, widow
(Horestone).

Hy. Wheler Esq. with John Stephyn Esq. and Willetts.

Wm. Browne with Adam Hough gent.

THE BOROUGH. 67

Car. II. 1653. Thos. Crane with Simon Uftemore.
Humphrey Wyldye with John Clare.
[Sir Thomas Phillipps has printed a list down to 13 Anne.]

The steady growth of individual Hberty among the com-
monalty between 1334 and 1500 is well illustrated by the
privilege they had acquired of making a testamentary disposal
of their property. At the earlier period, when a customary
tenant died, his best iron-boimd wain, half his pigs, half the
bacon, half of the cloth not assised, and all his horses (not the
mares) became the property of the lord. The tenant had
apparently no power of making a will, but his goods and tenant-
right, after three public proclamations, were assigned to his
next-of-kin, according to the custom of the manor. Sir Thomas
Phillipps (MSS., No. 21,064) has made a collection of Wor-
cestershire wills, of which a few specimens will be of interest as
throwing light on the domestic life of three or four centuries
ago:—

" 1509. In the name of God, Amen. I William Coton of the parish of
Kyddeminster. Imprimis I leave my soul to God the Father Almighty, the
Blessed Mary and all the Saints, and my body to ecclesiastical sepulture in
the church of All Saints at Kyddeminster. I leave to the mother church of
Worcester 4 pence ; to the high altar 4 pence ; to my wife three cows half
of my rye and 2 brass pots. Also I leave to Roger my son all my sheep at
Hurcote 5 oxen and all the crops growing upon my land, and 2 pots. Also
to John My 11 one cow, to Agnes Walker one cow. Also I leave to the chapel
of the Blessed Mary in the churchyard of Kidderminster 6 shillings and 8
pence. Also I leave to Johanna my daughter half of my rye and 5 animals
of three years old. Also I leave to John Bagger 2 sheep. Also I leave to
Thomas Garet one sheep. The residue of all my goods, not disposed of,
after payment of debts, I give and leave at the disposal of Roger my son
and of Alice my wife, and I ordain and constitute them my executors to
dispose of my goods as may seem to them best for the good of my soul. These
being witnesses,

" Sir John Barnett, Chaplain, Walter Flemyng,
William Buknyll, and others."

The next will is that of Thomas Forest, who was probably
the Bailiff to whom Lord Bergavenny addressed his letter \n
1485 (see p. 38):—

68 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

" 151 1. I, Thomas Forest of Chaddesley bequeath to the high altar of
Stone i2d. I bequeath to our Ladye of Pyte in Kydderminster i2d. for the
lights before her. I bequeath to our Ladye in Kydderminster next the
Trynite zzd. Item to Jesus Awter in Kidderminster i2d. Item to our Ladye
of Hartilbury i2d. Item to our Lady's service of Stone 20 shepe of thos
that be in the keeping of Thomas Parkes, or the valew, And all my beefs
which be with John Oldenall. Item I bequeath my londe att the Lye and
my house in Stone to the Wardens of our Ladys Chapel of Stone for ever-
lasting times, being for increase and founding of a priest's service."

"In the name of God Amen the 23rd day of Marche in the yere of our
Lord God 1546. I William Hyheway of Kidderminster sike in body hole of
mynd and of perfect Rememberance ferying deathe Shulde me approache
make this my last will. First I bequethe my soul unto Almighty God our
Lady Saynt Mary to all the holy company of heavyn, and my body to be
buryed in the church yard of Kidderminster. Itm unto the high alter of
Kidderminster lad. Itm to the reparacons of Bewdley brydge lad. to
Agnes Beterton my daughter the house in Worcester Strete, the barne in
the barne Strete, my wiffes seconde gowne, a payor of Shetes and a kercheffe.
Itm to Alice Rise my daughter the house in Mylstrete a Red heyfur, a payer
of shetes a kertell and a smocke. Itm to Thomas Gilis the house that I
dwell in with a bedde. Itm to Thomas Trupe my worste wheles and my
tomberell my 2nd gowne and my best fether bed. Itm I bequethe to
Margarett Warall my daughter all my right and interest of deltses closse
which I hold by indenture, my black horse, 20 strike of malte, a payer of
shetes, my best potte and panne. Itm I bequethe to the children of my
brother John, Agnes, Alis, Margery, and Margaret, my daughters all my
bees indifferently to be devyded amongst them. I bequethe to my coson
William Willies one pece of new cloth conLeyning 3 yds. Itm I bequethe to
my brother John my best gowne my best wagne wheles and my wayne body.
Itm I bequethe to Peter Abraham a shete."

' In the name of God Amen. In the year of our Lord 1546 and of the
Reygne of Henry VIII of England France and Ireland Kyng defensor of the
faythe and in erthe of England and Ireland hedd suprem.e the 38'h year the
30th May. I Rychard Hill of Kyddmistre make my test, in this wyse
followinge. I bequethe my soule to God and my body to be buryed in the
church yard of all seynts in Kyddmistre. I bequethe to the hye Alter there
4(1 I bequethe to my son Wyllm 40s in money and my best gowne Itm I
bequethe to Johane my daughter a kovve i6s 8d my best fether bed my best
cover with all that belongeth to the bed. I bequethe to Elnor my daughter
a kowe my best pott and the taking of the house that I dwell in duryng the
yeres of my Indentur, but I wyll that her mother have the halfe of the house
and the Londs duryinge her wydowhood and if she mary Elnor to have the
hole. Itm I bequeth to Thomas my sonn my second gowne and 6s 8d Itm
I bequethe to John Sherman my servant a bastard lambe with all belongethe
thereto. Itm I will that Alyce my wife have all such thyns as were pmysed

THE BOROUGH. 69

to her at her maryage as hyr wryttynge will playnely showe. Itm I bequethe
to Elizabeth Hotton my sister my third gowne &c.

" I make my executors

" Peter Abraham. David Wacna. Thomas Dolyttyll.

"/12 9 7i."

Under Richard Duke of York and his son King Edward IV.
the neighbouring town of Bewdley had made rapid strides in
prosperity and population, chiefly owing to its position as the
highest depot on the Severn whence the Bristol merchandise
could be conveyed to the midland and northern counties. Its
important bridge, its beneficent charter, its royal palace, its
Court of the Marches, its sanctuary, its abundance of timber,
its oak bark and tanneries, its salmon fisheries, its troops of
pack horses, its numerous trows — all these, combined with the
skill and enterprise of its inhabitants, had enabled it by the
beginning of the Tudor period to surpass its more ancient
neighbour both in numbers and wealth. A long rivalry sprang
up between these towns, separated from each other by only
two miles — a rivalry which only ceased within the last genera-
tion. The feud rose to such a pitch in 1494 that Arthur Prince
of Wales and his Council of the Marches were obliged to
intervene, and the following ordinances were made between the
inhabitants of the town of Bewdeley and the inhabitants of
the town of Kiddermyster. (Blakeivay MSS.) : —

" It is divised, ordayned, and determined, att the Cittie of Hereford by
the Counsaille of Prince Arthure the first begotten son of our said Sovereigne
Lord, for a finall concord, love, peace and amytie from hensforth to be had
bytwene all th' inh'itants and resiants of the Towne of Bewdeley on the one
part and all th' inh'itants and resiants of the Towne of Kiddermyster on th'
other ptie that they and every one of them shall obey observe fulfill and
kepe the Articles hereafter ensuing. In eschuyng all maner gruggs debats,
variances or discords, that now been, or that hereafter might happen to be
between them for any old or new matters— First &c. . . item &c. . . .
It is by the said Counsell ordeyned and deterrayned that if hereafter shall
happen anie new grugg or variaunce to be betweene the inh'itants of the said
townes, that then they, nor anie of them, take upon them to justify or avenge
their^said quarrels, but alwaies from tyme to tyme when and as often as the
cause shall so require, come and resort unto the sayd Prynce and his Coun-
sell, ther to show the causes of the same variaunces, and to abide, obei and
fulfill the direction and determinacioun at all seasons that shal be therein
taken by the said Prince and his Counsell. — In witness whereof and of all

70 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

the p'misses the said Prince hath hereunto putt his signett, the right reverend

Father in God the Bishop of Ely, president of his Counsaill with other of the

same Counsaill, have subscribed and put to their hands the dale and yeare

before rehearsed.

" Jo. Ely R. Powes R. Croft

" RoBT. Frost T. Poyntz Newton."

John Leland visited the town about 1539, and has left us this
description of it : —

" Entringe into the Towne of Kidderminster, a Markett Towne in Woycester-
shire I passed over by a Faubourge, and soe over a Bridge of 2 or 3 Arches
upon Stower River. The head of this River is about the pooles of the late
Priory of Halesowen a 6 miles of.

" The fayre and chiefe Part of Kidderminster is on the left Ripe of Stower
standinge on an hilly Piece of Ground. There is a pretty Crosse environed
with 6 Pillars about and Arches of Stone, with the 7th Pillar in the middle
to bear up the Fornix. It is in the Markett Place.

" The Church is very fair, and one . . . Coxye a Knight al richly buried
there in the Quire. This Towne standeth most by cloathinge. In tymes past
this Town belonged to the Bisetts ancient Gentlemen. After It came to the 3
Heires Generall of Bisctt, whereof one being a Lazer builded an Hospitall at
Maiden Bradley in Wiltshire to a Priory of Chanons. She gave her part here
in pios usits, and the Parsonage of Kidderminster was impropriate to Maiden
Bradley. The other 2 Partes came to the Lord Abergavenny, and in that
family it yet remaineth.

" Dowr alias Stoiir Ryver — goethe to Stiirton Castle — Thens to Kidoiir-
Mynstre, a good Market Towne, and runnethe throughe the mydle of it, and
at Rages, drownythe a Pece of it. In Kidourminstre is but one Churche, but
it is large. The Personage was impropriate to the Chanons of Mayden
Bradley in Wiltshire. A little benethe Kidour is a fayre manor place on Stour
caulyd Candalewel. It was the Coxeyes, and now It longethe to the Winters
men of fayre Lande."

In the same year (1539) in which Leland paid his visit to the
town, the parish scribe was beginning to chronicle that most
reliable source of all our local and family history for the past
350 years — the register of the old church. In this, with only a
few short omissions, are recorded all the baptisms, marriages,
and deaths which took place in the parish from that time to the
present. Few places possess such a complete record, and if this
precious heritage could be printed in its entirety the work would
be most valuable. In the appendix will be found a list of all
the family names which appear from 1539 to 1565, with the date

THE BOROUGH.

... 41

... 49

... 78

100

... 128

... 142

... 207

... 251

when each name first occurs. The number of separate surnames
is 283, and this coincides in a remarkable manner with Bishop
Sandys' answer to the Privy Council (5 Eliz., A.D. 1563),
wherein he stated that Kidderminster contained 260 families
and Mytton Chapel 23. Of course, in some cases there would
be more than one family of the same name, whereas others
would be strangers, like John a Combe of Stratford, who came
here to be married. From these figures, the only reliable ones
for enumeration since A.D. 1086, it is computed that the popu-
lation at this time was 1125. The average of burials from

1564 to 1585 amounts to

1598 to 1617

1642 to 1651 ,,

1674 to 1697

1 72 1 to 1750 ,,

1 75 1 to 1760 ,,

1771 to 1773

In 1793 „

In 1776 Bishop North reported Kidderminster as containing
1600 families. In 1793 the population was found to be 6199.
For the figures from 1801 and upwards we shall be able here-
after to make use of the accurate census returns.

Up to 1752 there was no fixed formula for the registration,
so from time to time many curious entries occur throwing light
on the moral, social, and religious life of our forefathers, and of
these some specimens are also to be given. The following
callings were exercised in the town between 1540 and 1655 : —
Weaver, millner (miller), corveser (shoemaker), haberdasher,
saddler, fuller, sawyer, wiredrawer, cutler, mercer, dyer, tailor,
fletcher (arrow-maker), barber, surgeon, sherman, tanner,
glover, capper, baker, millwright, jockey, butcher, singer, free-
mason, currier, mountebank, bellman, clothworker, " doctoure
of Phissicke," apothecary, schoolmaster, vicar, deacon, minister,
knight, esquire, soldier, " professed doctor," ragman, grinder,
spooler, papermaker, &c. The inns mentioned are the Crown,
Bull, Talbot, Angel, and Bell.

The frequent recurrence of the " sickness," with its terrible
lists of victims, notably in 1604, 1637, 1727, 1728, 1729, shows

73 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

the significance of the prayer, " In the time of any common
Plague or Sickness," which we find in our Prayer Book.

In 1635, Feb. 16, John Savage, Sheriff of Worcester, states
his accounts concerning ship money. The county was assessed
at ;^400o, of which Worcester city was to pay ;^266, Evesham
;£8^, Bewdley ;^7o, Droitwich ;^7o, Kidderminster ^30, and the
clergy £110 i8s. Sd., the residue falling upon the county.

In the Exchequer Decree Book of Charles I., No. 12, fol. 230,
is the record of an action brought by Sir Henry Nevill, kt.,
Lord Bergavenny, 31 Oct., 1631, against John Dawke, John
Pearsall, and others, touching the right of toll and profits of
fairs and markets in the town of Kidderminster, wherein
Edward Broad, of Dunclent, testified that his Lordship's
ancestors had enjoyed the said profits. Also that Sir Edward
Blount, kt., to whom the manor had been let for the term of
one or more lives, had given the toll corn to his servant, John
Nash, who had quietly enjoyed the same above ten years, and
that upon the death of Nash the defendants had gathered the
toll by some agreement with Sir Edward Blount. The Bailiff
and Burgesses pleaded only prescription, and confessed that
they were no corporation. This confession seems to have been
felt as a humiliating one, for very soon afterwards (Feb. 18,
1632-) the Burgesses presented a petition to King Charles I. for
a confirmation of their privileges and a new charter. (Hist.
MSS. Reports, iii., 191.) The matter was referred to Noy, the
Attorney-General, and upon his report he was ordered to pre-
pare a grant of incorporation. On 1634, Jan. 30, the King
ordered that the charter should pass as thus prepared by Noy.
It was dated 4 August, 1636, and is enrolled in Patent Roll,
Chas. I., pt. 2. This charter, as transcribed by Mr. de Gray
Birch, fills 52 pages, and we can only give a brief outline of its
chief provisions : —

" Charles by the Grace of God King of England &c.

" To all to whom the present letters shall come greeting. Whereas the
Borough of Kidderminster is an ancient Borough and of great commerce for
the working and manufacture of cloths and of other merchandize of divers
kinds, and by reason thereof and by the confluence of many thither daily it
is very populous, the upright men of which Borough indeed have for a long

THE BOROUGH. 73

time had, used and enjoyed divers Liberties, Franchises, immunities, exemp-
tions, customs, pre-eminences and privileges by pretext alone of divers
prescriptions uses and customs in the same Borough anciently used, as well
in the time of our very dear late Father James of blessed memory, as in the
times of our most illustrious progenitors lately Kings and Queens of this
kingdom of England ; and whereas our beloved subjects now inhabitants of
the Borough aforesaid have most humbly besought us . . . that we
would create the upright men inhabitants therein into one body corporate
and politic, and grant such liberties ... as shall be most expedient for
the public good and usefulness of the said Borough and country adjacent.
. We therefore desiring the amendment and usefulness of the said
Borough . . . and that that Borough for perpetual time to come may be
a Borough of peace and quiet, and that deeds of justice and good rule therein
be better kept and done . . . We do ordain that the same be and
remain for perpetual time to come a free Borough (liber Bitvgus) of itself, and
that the upright men and inhabitants shall for ever hereafter be one body
corporate in deed fact and name by the name of the Bailiff and Burgesses of
the Borough of Kidderminster . . . and able to possess lands, tene-
ments, meadows, feedings, pastures, liberties, franchises, jurisdictions, also
goods and chattels and all other things whatsoever . . . and to plead
and be impleaded in courts of law . . . and have a common seal. . .
There shall be one Bailiff and 12 upright Burgesses called Capital Bur-
gesses to form the Common Council of the same Borough ... to have
power of assembling themselves, and making from time to time such laws,
statutes, rights, ordinances and constitutions as to them or the greater part of
them shall seem to be good, wholesome, honest and necessary for the good rule
and government of the Bailiff and Burgesses and of all and singular the
officers, ministers, artificers, inhabitants and residents of the Borough, and
to levy reasonable sums of money upon the inhabitants for the repair and
maintenance of the bridges, streets, pavements, ways, paths and other
passages. . . . Also to ordain pains, punishments and penalties, either
by imprisonment of the body or by fines against offenders, and levy the same
fines by distress or taking of beasts of burden, goods and chattels of every
delinquent. . . . And we do nominate our beloved John Freeston to be
the first and modern Bailiff of the Borough . . . and our beloved John
Radford, Richard Potter, William Best, John Pearsall, Elias Artch, William
Yates, Robert Greene, John Doolittle, Simon Potter, William Syner, Simon
Doolittle and William Browne to be the first and modern Capital Burgesses
to be continued in the same office during their natural lives, unless they be
removed for badly behaving themselves. . . . Also they shall have the
power of electing yearly upon every Monday after the feast of St. Michael
one of the Capital Burgesses who shall be the Bailiff of the Borough for one
whole year, . . . And if one of the Capital Burgesses dies or is removed
then the surviving Capital Burgesses and Bailiff shall fill up the place, and
he who is thus elected may have the same office during his natural life and
good behaviour. . . . And further we do grant to the Bailiff' and Bur-
gesses that they may elect one discreet man who shall be called the Capital
J

74 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

Steward of the Borough, and we do appoint our beloved subject a.nd Serjeant
Ralph Clare of Cawdwell, Knight of the Order of the Bath, to be the first
and modern Steward for the duration of his life. And they shall have one
discreet and fitting man, learned in the laws of England, who shall be Under
Steward of the Borough, and we have nominated our beloved John Wyld
Esquire to be the first Under Steward. And all the Officers appointed by
virtue of these presents shall be sworn, and we do give authority to our
beloved Edward Sebright, Knight and Baronet, Francis Lacon, Knight,
Walter Blunt and John Wyld or two or more of them of administering an
oath to them upon God's Holy Gospels. . . . And we do grant to the
Bailiff and Burgesses the right of appointing twenty-five men of the more
honest and upright inhabitants residing within the Borough who shall be
called Assistants of the Bailiff and Chief Burgesses in all affairs which con-
cern the said Borough . . . and they may within a month of Easter
appoint certain Burgesses to be Constables for one whole year. . . . And
farther for the better education and instruction of the children and youths
within the Borough aforesaid in good arts, doctrine, virtue, and erudition, to
be for ever educated and trained, of our more abundant special grace we
have granted and ordained that from henceforth for ever there may be one
Grammar School which shall be called the Free Grammar School of Charles
King of England in Kidderminster . . . and that the aforesaid school
may be of one Master and one Usher (Siibpedagogus or Hypodidascalus ) . . .
and that the Ordinary of the Diocese of Worcester and all ordinaries and
their successors hereafter, and the Bailiff and Burgesses for the time being
shall be called Governors of the goods, possessions and revenues of the
Grammar School of King Charles . . . and they shall be one body cor-
porate and politic in deed fact and name ... to have perpetual succes-
sion . . . and from henceforth for ever they may have a common Seal,
and it shall be lawful for them to make anew that Seal at their pleasure . . .
and the Governors shall be persons fit and in law capable to have and
possess goods and chattels, manors, lands, tenements, meadows, feedings,
pastures, revenues, rents, services, Rectories, tithes and other possessions
for the sustaining of the said School . . . and to plead and be impleaded
before our Justices . . . and they may elect and appoint one upright
erudite and God fearing man to be the Master and one other discreet and
fit man to be Under-Master of the same School. . . . And also we give
and grant to any of our subjects free and lawful power and authority that
they may give grant and bequeath manors, messuages, lands, tenements,
woodland, tithes and rents to the Governors of the Grammar School of King
Charles and their successors. . . . And further we grant that the Bailiff,
and the preceding Bailiff for the past year, and the Under Steward of the
Borough for the time being, shall henceforth for ever be the Justices of us
our heirs and successors for keeping the peace within the Borough aforesaid,
and for executing the Statutes made for Vagabonds, Artificers and Labourers,
and for weights and measures. Provided that they shall not determine of
any murder or felony or of any other matter touching loss of life or limbs
within the Borough. . . . Saving however all rights and jurisdictions to

THE BOROUGH. 75

Henry Lord Abergavenny and to the aforesaid Ralph Clare and to all others
the Lords of the Manor Town or Borough of Kidderminster and their heirs,
and all other rights belonging to their courts leet and views of frank-
pledge. . . .

" And we do grant to the Bailiff and Burgesses all the manors, messuages,
lands, tenements, fairs, holidays and markets, which anciently they held and
enjoyed for corn, grain, cattle and animals, and all other things, together
with tolls, toUages, customs, stallage, pickage, and all other emoluments
belonging to the same fairs holidays and markets, privileges, and immunities
which the Burgesses and Inhabitants of Kidderminster heretofore lawfully
enjoyed ... by reason of any Charters or Letters Patent heretofore
granted by our ancestors ; although they may have been not used or badly
used ; and although they may have been forfeited or lost. Being unwilling
that the Bailiff Burgesses and Inhabitants should henceforth be molested,
grieved, or in any manner attacked or disturbed by reason of the premises
by us or any whomsoever the Justices, Sheriffs, Escheators, Coroners,
Bailiffs or Ministers of us our heirs or Successors. Commanding by these
presents the Treasurer, Chancellor and Barons of our Exchequer, the
Justices, the Attorney and Solicitor General of us our heirs and successors
. . . that they shall not cause any writ or summons of Quo Warranto or
any writs or processes against the aforesaid Bailiff and Burgesses . . .
before the completion of these presents. ... In witness whereof these
our Letters we have caused to be made Patent.

" Witness me myself at Banbury, on the fourth day of August in the
twelfth year of our Reign.

" By writ of Privy Seal,

" WOLSELEY."

In accordance with this charter, on Dec. 16, 1640, the BaiHff
and Capital Burgesses assembled at the " Court-house " and
drew up by-laws and ordinances for the good government of
the borough. If any one of the Twelve or Five and Twenty
neglected, without sufficient excuse, to answer the Bailifl's
summons to a consultation about the town matters he was to
pay ^s. If any difference of opinion arose the puisne of the 25
was first to deliver his opinion, and then each one in ascending
order of seniority, concluding with the Bailiff, after which a
vote was to be taken without any disturbance or interruption.
Before the next S. Thomas's-day each of the Twelve and
Twenty-five was to provide himself with a comely and decent
black suit, and a comely and decent Townsman's gown or black
cloak to be worn upon Sundays and other festival days and all
solemn meetings of the Corporation, under a penalty of i2d. for

76 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

each day's neglect. On Sabbath days and festivals the Twelve
and Twenty-five, in their said comely gowns, must attend the
Bailiff from church under penalty of 55.

The Bailiff and Justice were not at any time during their
tenure of office to appear in the streets of the town without a
comely and decent gown, cloak, or coat : forfeit 55.

Fines were imposed upon all who refused to accept any
offices to which they were chosen, viz. — Bailiff", ;i<fio ; Capital
Burgess, £5 ; the Twenty-five, £2 los. Every burgess and
inhabitant must help the Bailiff" and Constables in case of
affrays, and to this end must keep in his house or shop,
conveniently and readily prepared, one staff, club, bill, or
halbert, upon pain of 105. for every month that it is deficient.
Innkeepers must not allow any persons to use unlawful games
in their houses, nor to sit tippling on Sundays or holidays or
other time, by day or by night, excepting travellers only.
Immediately after the beginning of the 2nd Lesson on Sunday
at morning and evening prayers the Churchwardens and Con-
stables must go out of church and make diligent search into all
taverns and ale-houses. If they find there householders and
men of worth they are to take special notice of them, and
present them to the ordinary ; but if they be idle and vagrant
persons, or of no worth and ability, they shall arrest them and
bring them before the Bailiff to receive condign punishment.
If any person remove soil, muck, or compost from his stables
and leave it in the streets he must clear it away within six days
or be fined i2d. a day. Every inhabitant must cause the street
before his house to be made clean on Saturday afternoons
before sunset, on pain of i2d. No one might exercise any
trade, mystery, or occupation without special consent of the
Bailiff and Burgesses, unless he were a Burgess or had served
seven years' apprenticeship in the town : the penalty was 105.
for every market day. A fine of 205. was incurred by anyone
who entertained a stranger within his house longer than six
days, unless he had licence beforehand from the Bailiff.
Every Capital Burgess and innkeeper was required to set a
lanthorn with a burning candle therein at his house door on
every dark night from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. from Nov. i to the

THE BOROUGH.

Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Saint Mary
yearly : penalty /[d. each night.

On nth April, 1655, it was further ordered that no inhabi-
tants should suffer their swine to go abroad without a keeper,
from St. Andrew's-day until one of the town fields was turned
open : penalty j\.d. each swine.

When the Great Rebellion broke out Lord Wharton's and
Lord Brooke's regiments held Kidderminster for the Parlia-
ment, while Bewdley was garrisoned for the King under the
command of Sir Thomas Lyttelton. In the Paston Letters
(Report VIL, p. 530) we meet with the following details : —

" 1642 Oct. 19 Sub node, to Sir Wm. Paston kt. at Norwich. On Tuesday
letters came from my Lord Wharton that he had made a soldier-like retreat
from Kidderminster excusing his not fighting with Prince Rupert in regard
of the inequallity of numbers ; but it is commonly and confidently reported
by others that for haste and fear he left some waggons and 3 or 4 pieces of
ordnance behind him. There came last night from Worcester 3,200 weight
of plate."

This hasty retreat will perhaps accoimt for an entry in the
registers here : — " 1642 Oct. 14 buried one Thomas Kinge a
pliament souldier that brake his necke fallinge downe the rocke
towards Curstfield into the hoUowway that leads to Beawdley."
Prince Rupert's presence in Bewdley is shown in the Corpora-
tion records by a present made to him there of a hogshead of
claret, costing £^ los. In 1643 three Parliament " souldiers "
were buried at Kidderminster. Another was slain at Caldwell on
March the nth, 1645, and on July i a w^oman was buried
" wounded at the battle in Leicestershire." Sir Thomas Aston
had an outpost at Trimpley, perhaps on the Wars-hill camp :
one of his soldiers was slain Nov. 8, 1645 ; another died
there in Jan., 1649. A few days after the fight at Trimpley two
soldiers under Captain Dungham were killed in the town. In
the following March Captain Charles Dungham and one of his
soldiers were killed here on the same da}^ On April igth, 1646,
a soldier was buried here " slaine at the skirmish at Worcester."

In the Flist. MSS. Reports is a letter from Colonel Frazer,
Stourbridge, June 6, 1644, offering to march between Worcester
and Easum (Evesham) " where there is no other wav for his

78 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

Ma^'s to passe to Prince Rupert but through Worcester and soe
to Shrewebery. No intelligence yet, but last night there
appeared at Kittermaister at 12 of the clocke at night a partie
of 120 horse w'^'^ threatened the inhabitants to ruine them if they
sent any provisions to your Lordship's armie." On June 7th,
1644, an order was issued to all commanders, &c., in the service
of the King and Parliament, to forbeare to plunder the cloth in
the fulling mills in Kidderminster and Hartlebury belonging to
Robert Willmott, treasurer to the committee for the county of
Stafford.

After the battle of Worcester, Sept. 3, 1651, Charles II. is
said to have galloped along Chester Lane, in Kidderminster, on
his way to Boscobel. Many of his fugitive soldiers passed
through the town. Richard Baxter says : —

" Kidderminster being but 11 miles from Worcester the flying army past
some of them thro' the town and some by it. I was newly gone to bed when
the noise of the flying horse acquainted us with the overthrow : and a piece
of one of Cromwell's troops that guarded Bewdley Bridge, having tidings
of it came into our streets, and stood in the open market place before my
door, to surprise those that past by. And so when many hundreds of the
flying army came together, when the 30 troopers cried Stand and fired at
them, they either hasted away or cried quarter, not knowing in the dark
what number it was that charged. And so, as many were taken there as so
few men could lay hold on, and till midnight the bullets flying towards my
door and windows, and the sorrowful fugitives hasting by for their lives, did
tell me the calami tousness of war."

In 1665, March 6, coals were first brought to Kidderminster
from Stourbridge by water. (Parish Registers.)

The Registers make mention of an earthquake here between
7 and 8 o'clock at night on Jan. 4, 1671.

In the 17th century there was a dearth of halfpence and
farthings in the monetary circulation of the country, so many
local tradesmen supplied the demand from dies of their own.
In this county Worcester issued 48 varieties, Evesham 19,
Kidderminster 17, Bewdley 11. From time to time these coins
still turn up, and a list of them taken from Mr. Cotton's work
may be of interest. Many of them have reference to the special
trade of the town ; —

THE BOROUGH. 79

1. O. AT . THE . Raven . in = A raven.

R. KIDDERMVNSTER . l652 = R. M. B.

2. O. THOMAS . BALAMEY . iN=The Weavers' Arms T. M. B.

R. KIDDERMINSTER . l667=HIS HALF PENY.

The Weavers' Arms are : On a chevron between three
leopards' faces, as many roses.

3. O. FRANCES . CARTER=A pair of shears.

R. IN . KITTERMINSTER=F. M. C.

4. O. EDWARD . CHAMBERLIN = HIS HALF PENY.
R. IN KIDDERMINSTER=E. A. C.

5. O. EDWARD cHAMBERLiN^A man making candles.

R. OF . KEDERMINSTER^E. A. C.

6. O. WILLIAM . MOVNTFORD = A tankard. W. M.

R. IN. KIDDERMINSTER . l665 — HIS HALF PENY.

7. O. LAWRENCE . PEARSALL = Arms : St. George's Cross,

in the first quarter a lion's head erased.

R. IN . KIDDERMINSTER = HIS HALF PENY.

8. O. SIMON . PITT . 1670 = HIS FARTHING.
R. IN . KIDERMINSTER=S. E. P.

g. O. WILL PRiTTY MERCER = A pair of scales.

R. IN KITTERM STER 57 = W. P.

10. O. RICH . RADFORD . HIS . HF . PENY = The Weavcrs' Arms.
R. OF . KIDDERMINSTER . i666==The Merchant Tailors' Arms.

The Merchant Tailors' Arms are : A tent between two
robes, on a chief a lion passant gardant.

11. O. EDMVND & WILLIAM . RE ADE = The Weavers' Arms.

R. IN . KEDERMINSTER . l666 = THEIR HALF PENY.

12. O. lOHN . ROWDEN . IN = A nag's head.

R. KIDDERMINSTER . 1656 = !. A. R.

13. O. NEVIL . SIMMONS . BOOKSELR = IN KIDDER MINSTER.

R. EDWARD . BVTLER . MERCER . l663=THEIRE HALF PENY.

14. O. THO : SADLER . HIS HALF . PENY=The Tallow

Chandlers' Arms.

R. IN . KIDDERMINSTER . l664 = T. A. S.

The Tallow Chandlers' Arms are Per fess and per pale,
three doves, each holding an olive branch.

15. O. WALTER . THATCHER = A shuttle.

R. IN . KIDDERMINSTER = HIS HALF PENY . 1C7O.

86 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

In 1745 a band of volunteers was enrolled here to oppose the
invasion of the "Young Pretender." Tradition says that they
had set out on the march for Derby, and were a mile or two
from the town when a woman in a plaid suddenly appeared at a
bend in the road, and mistaking her for one of Prince Charlie's
advanced guard, the volunteers were so alarmed that they
hastily turned back and came home again !

In 1753 the population of the town had increased so much
that Lord Foley laid out fresh streets and built 200 new houses.
At this time the map was prepared by John Doharty, showing
the new streets as planned.

John Howard, the famous Bedfordshire philanthropist, paid
a visit to Kidderminster gaol. There were two rooms, called
dungeons, about loft. by 6ft., under the market house, down a
flight of six steps. There was neither court, water, nor sewer.
The town -crier was the keeper, with an allowance of a shilling
a month for attendance, and a shilling a month for straw for the
prisoners' beds !

In 12 Geo. III. (1772), cap. 66, an Act was passed for the
more easy and speedy recovery of small debts within the
borough and foreign of Kidderminster : —

" Whereas in the Borough and Foreign of Kidderminster there is carried
on a large and extensive Manufactory, which employs several thousand
People, many of whom contract Small Debts, which in the whole amount
yearly to a great Sum of Money ; and although such Debtors are well able
to pay their respective Debts, yet they often refuse to do so, presuming on
the Discouragements their Creditors lie under from the great Expence they
are unavoidably put unto, and the Delays they meet with in suing for the
same . . . be it enacted that the Bailiff, Recorder, High Steward, Lord
of the Manor, Justice, Aldermen, and Common Council for the Time being
and the Persons herein-after named, residing or having Estates within the
Parish of Kidderminster aforesaid, are hereby declared and appointed
Commissioners to hear and determine all such Causes and Matters of Debt :

Rev. Robert Job Charl- John Folliott William Wallis

ton LL.D William Williams Joseph Callow

Abraham Turner Thomas Newnham Daniel Best

James Johnstone M.D. William Wheeler Richard Colley

Adam Hough Rev. Job Orton John Butler

Rev. John Martin Joseph Harper Gregory Watkins

Francis Clare Rev. Benjamin Fawcett Francis Best

'-'

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N^„

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■^

t-l

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t-H

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;ij

THE BOROUGH.

John Watson
Pochin Lister
John Jefferyes
Joseph Austin
Joseph Lea
Matthew Jefferyes
Timothy Dobson
Josiah Lea
William Lea
John Cowper
William Best
William Roberts
Edward Crane
Christopher Hunt
Samuel Crane
Serjeant Crane
John Crane
William Yate
Thomas Crane
William Doelittle
Nicholas Pearsall
George Boraston
Benjamin Pearce
Nicholas Pearsall, jun.
John Bracknell
John Spencer (Hurcott)
Timothy Brookes
Thomas Woodward
John Mole
Matthew Wilson
John White
Andrew Cooper
John Cooper
Thomas Cooper
Joseph White
Joseph Patrick

John Spencer
Benjamin Cottrell
Benjamin Lea
Samuel Lea
John Ingram
Francis Lea
Rev. Thomas Wiggan
William Watson
Ralph Powell
Henry Darby
John Hinton
James Hilman
Samuel Harris
Stephen Miles
Samuel Stokes
John Davies
John Cartwright
Stephen Miles, jun.
John Cole
Thomas Wright
Henry Chellingworth
Joseph Hancocks
Joseph Baker
Thomas Jones
Henry Bird
John Newcomb
John Read
Joseph Child
William Taylor
Joseph Baker, jun.
Josiah Patrick.
George Hallen
Abraham Thomas
John Pearsall
John Acton
Henry Perrins

Matthew Thomas
Jeffrey Jolly
Thomas Fry
William Banks
Francis Hornblower
John Broom, jun.
Joseph Broom
Samuel Crane
Edward Griffiths
John Griffiths
John Richardson
John Stringer
Thomas Richardson
Joseph Orton
Thomas Jones
Serjeant Hornblower
Benjamin Hanbury
William Hornblower
Richard Colley, jun.
Ale.xander P'atrick
Jacob Esthope
John Yearsley
Samuel Talbot
Thomas Beck
Edward Bellamy
Samuel Hill
Nicholas Penn
John Steynor, jun.
Henry Penn
Richard Barford
Samuel Southall
Samuel Evans
John Pearsall, jun.
Henry Matthews
John Wallis
James Wynde

" Three or more are authorised to meet once in every fortnight by the
name and stile of the Court of Requests for the Borough and Foreign of
Kidderminster. Thomas Jacob White (Gentleman is appointed Clerk to the
Court and John Steynor jun. Beadle. Persons may sue for Debts under 40s.
Nothing in this Act shall prejudice the Jurisdiction of an Ancient Court
Baron held by the Lord of the Manor of the Borough of Kidderminster and
his Predecessors, Time immemorial, within the e-aid Borough."

The patriotic spirit of the Burgesses was displayed in 1798
by the eiuohiuuL of a strong baiiJ of \'oluntjcis uiuler Captain

82 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

Boycott : they were disbanded in 1825. The Volunteer move-
ment was again taken up here in 1859, and there are tjow 280
men in the ranks, under the command of Col. \V. H. Talbot,
Lieut. -Col. R. T. Watson, Majors J. Morton and J. R. Good-
win, Capt. J. Watson, and Lieuts. Dixon, Mossop, Thursfield,
Batten, and E. Talbot.

In 1812 wheat Avas 185. and 205. a bushel, ^^500 \.'as sub-
scribed in the town to buy potatoes for the poor.

In 18 1 3 an Act was passed for paving, cleansing, lighting,
and watching the town. In 1818 gas w^as introduced. In 1821,
after Queen Caroline's acquittal, 3000 weavers subscribed is.
each, and presented her with a carpet 10 yards square. In
1825 a public meeting was held to pass a vote of confidence in
Wakeman and Turner's Bank. A new charter was granted to
the town by George IV. in 1827. In 1828 there were serious
riots, and damage to the amount of ;^30oo was done before the
14th Dragoons appeared on the scene. The winciows of Messrs.
Cooper, Simcox Lea, Best, Brinton, Kallen, and Talbot, arid of
the Town Hall and Black Horse, were broken. In 1832 the
Reform Bill re-allotted a Member of Parliament to the town.

Tlie Kiddermmster Messenger was started on Juty 8, 1036, by
Mr. Arthur Brough. The title was afterwards changed to Ten
Toivns Messenger. The paper was discontinued 30 Jime, 1849,
and revived as the Sn:i in 1876. It advocates the Conser-
vative side in politics, and is now owned by Mr. Joseph Mears.
The Shuttle was started as the Radical organ in 1870, with
Mr. E. Parry as editor and proprietor. It gives special promi-
nence to all matters connected with the carpet trade. The
Kidderminster Times is neutral in politics, and is only partly
printed in the town.

By the Municipal Corporations Act, passed in 1835, the title
of Bailiff was changed to Mayor, and the Council was to be
elected by the popular voice. There are 18 Councillors, who
hold office for three years each. TJie Councillors elect six
Aldermen, who sit for six years. Previous to 1887 there were
two wards— North and South. There are now six wards, each
of which chooses one Councillor yearly.

THE BOROUGH. 83

The old Town Hall, which had been used for municipal pur-
poses for some centuries, stood at the bottom of High Street,
and the site is now occupied by a cab stand. The spacious
and convenient new Hall was opened 19th Jan., 1877. It stands
on the site of the old vicarage house, and Avas designed hy Mr.
J. T. Meredith. The older borough archives are carefully
preserved in a glass case in the " Maj'or's parlour." On the
staircase are portraits of William Butler Best, William Boy-
cott, and Thomas Tempest-Radford. The silver-gilt " loving
cup " is a very handsome specimen of Elizabethan work,
standing with cov^er nearly 2 feet high. The chief ornamenta-
tion consists of arabesques of dolphins and shells in repoussee
work. The H.M. is 1592, and the maker's monogram A.B.
The inscription runs : — " Given formerly/) Thomas Jennens of
Kitterminster and inlarged p his Granchild Thomas Jenens of
the Ciity of London Grocer A° Dni. 1623." The arms are : A
chevron between 3 gryphons' heads erased ; on a chief a lion passant.
The original donor, Thomas Jennings, was probably church-
warden in i^;53. In 1542 he married Agnes Benbowe. The
grandson, Thomas Jennings, married Elizabeth Edgeley, of
Park Attwood, in 1602. They are both mentioned as bene-
factors on the boards in the chantry. The Mayor's chain and
badge of office was presented to the borough in 1875, in the
mayoralty of Daniel Wagstaff Goodwin. The names of the
donors — former mayors of the town — are engraved on the links.
A large shield in the centre bears the arms and motto of the
borough, and there are also various emblems representing
"Art" and "Industry." The massive silver gilt mace was
presented by Mr. G. Holdsworth in the " Jubilee Year of Queen
Victoria, 1887." The design is based upon that of the cup
before-mentioned. The vase portion has in enamel a raised
shield with the arms and motto of Kidderminster.

The Corn Exchange and Music Hall were opened 4th Jan.,
1855. The Corporation Waterworks \/ere erected in 1872.
The cemetery of 16 acres was opened June i, 1878.

To do justice to the remarkable expansion of the town in the
present century would require volumes, and such a task is
beyond the scope of the present work. Two views of the town

A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

taken from the same spot (" The Copse ") in 1780 and i8go will
show how the meadows by Stour-side have been covered with
factories, and how the town has pushed its way outward and
covered the surrounding hills. Lists of the Members of
Parliament, census returns, and a few local statistics may be
of interest, and with these we must conclude this long chapter.

ELECTIONS

MEMB

ERS OF PARLIAMENT.

(Electors : 1832—

-390;

1868

2465 ; 1874—3365 ; 1889— 4184.)

1832 — Dec.

1862

Godson Rd (L C )..

172

White Hon. Luke (L.) . . . .
Talbot John G. (C.) .. ..

229
2ig

Phillips Geo. R. (L.)

• 139

1S35 — Jan.

1865

Phillips Geo. R. (L.)

. . •

• 197

Grant Albert (C.)

285

Godson R. (L.C.)..

.. .

. 121

White Hon. L. (L.) .. ..

270

1837— Aug.

1868— Nov.

Godson R. (L.C.) . .

• 195

Lea Thomas [l^.)

1272

Bagshaw John (L.)

.. .

• 157

MakinsW. T. (C.) .. ..

821

184 1 — July

1874— Feb.

Godson R. (L.C.) . .

. .

. 212

*Grant A. (C.)

1509

Ricardo Samson (L.)

, . 200

Lea Thos. (L.)

1398

1847

1874— July

Godson R. (L.C.)

Fraser Sir W. A. (C.) .. ..
LeaG. H. (L.)

1651
1318

1849

1880 — March 31

Best John (P.)

217

jBrinton John (L.)

Grant A. (C.)

1795
1472

Gisborne T. (L.) . .

.. ,

. . 200

1852

1880— May 7

Lowe Robert (L.) . .

• • 1

, . 246

Brinton John (L.)

Best John (C )

IS2

1857

1885

Lowe Rt. Hon. R. (L.)

,. 234

Brinton John (L.)

2172

Boycott W. (C.) ..

., ,

.. 146

Godson Aug. F. (C.) .. ..

2024

1859 — April

1886

Bristow Alf. R. (L.)

.. 216

Godson A. F. (C.)

2081

Huddleston John W.

(C.)

. . 207

Blunt W. S. (G.L.) .. ..

1796

Void.

t Accepted the Chiltern Hundreds.

THE BOROUGH.

POPULATION.

Date.

Houses.

Borough

Foreign.

Total.

1793 • • •

—

6,199

... 1519 ...

7.718

1801 . . .

1295 •••

6,110

. . . 1926 . . . .

8,036

1811 ...

1606

8,038 .

... 19S7 ....

10,025

1821 ...

—

10,709 .

. . . 2043 . . . .

12,752

1831 ...

2768 . . .

14,981

... 2932 ...

17.913

1841 ...

—

17.500

—

1851 ...

—

20,852

—

1861 ...

—

15.399

—

1871 ...

—

20,814

—

1881 ...

4468 . . .

22,299

. . . 5376 . • .

27.675

Stourport and Lower Mitton are not included in the above
figures. The progress of Stourport and the foreign may be
seen from the following table : —

Houses. P°P"'^-
tion.

1831 .. Stourport,. 545 .. 2952
1881 682 .. 3358

Houses. Pf.P"'^-

tion.

1831 . . Foreign
1881 ..

591
1022

2932
5376

A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

CHAPTER V.

Zbc Church.

HEARE should I begin," says Habingdon, " in
thys faire churche but with the founder ihereof,
who appearethe in the middest of the highe and
stately East window of the Quyre consistinge
of seaven panes, in a long robe uppon his knees
offeringe in his hand the portrature of the
churche to God : neyther are we ignorant of hys name beeinge
Johannes Niger de Kidderminster." We have already twice
met with the name of Niger (pp. 21, 22), the Latin form of Black
or Blake, but the owners of the name were then in a condition
of villenage. The architecture of the present chancel of the
church (Middle Pointed) corresponds with the date of the con-
secration of the greater altar by Walter de Maydeston, Bishop
of Worcester (Reg., f. 29), 5th June, 1315. For his fee the
Bishop received four marks in the pure currency. Within a
few days of his visit here the Bishop consecrated the altar of
Hadsor, and the churches and great altars at Kineton and
Kinwarton. It is suggestive that the Rector of Kidder-
minster from 1305 to 1 312 was Robert Niger or le Blake, and
that the chancel — the gift of John Niger — was consecrated in
1 315. Possibly the work was done by a relative as a memorial
of the Rector. There were also peculiar circumstances in the
appointment of Robert le Blake to the Rectory, leading to the
conclusion that he may have been a man of wealth ; for when
the monks presented him he was a layman, and after taking
minor orders at Bredon on Dec. 19th, he was instituted Feb. 12,
whilst still an acol3'te. At the Trinity ordination, 1306, he was
advanced to the sub-diaconate with 68 others, and amonirst

THE CHURCH. 87

them \vere three more — two of them at least of noble families —
who had been holding rectories whilst onl}- in minor orders,
viz., Sir Roger Corbet, of Chaddesle}' Corbet, William de
Dalby, of Atherstone, and Richard de Stafford, of Behi
Bronghton. The Diocesan Register shows that Robert le Blake
was further ordained Deacon in Worcester Cathedral ; and
Priest at Hartlebury on the Sunday after the Feast of S. Lucy,
1306.

But there must have been a church here long before this.
About 1 1 70 we find Robert of Hurcott in possession of the
Rectory; and in 1256 Richard, i^wra/ Dean of Kidderminster,
held his court at Broome, and gave a verdict in the suit between
the Prior of Hales Owen and the Chaplain of Frankley. More-
over, the church must have been a large and important one, for
in 1303 William, Bishop of Worcester, held his Whitsuntide
ordination in Kidderminster parish church, and ordained 29
sub-deacons, 68 deacons, and 46 priests. Some of the sub-
deacons were " villeins," who, by the Constitutions of Clarendon,
could not take orders without their lord's consent, so we find
appended to their names de precepto doinini. (Reg. Geynes,
f. 38a.)

There is nothing to guide us as to the date of the present
nave and tower except the architecture. The fine old massive
tower, 85 feet high, is a good specimen of the Third Pointed
style, and was at first detached, but now occupies the western
bay of the south aisle. The nave and aisles are rather late
Third Pointed, measuring 84 feet by 62 feet, having six bays
divided by channeled octagonal piers with stilted bases. On
the north side are eleven square-headed clerestory windows of
two lights ; and on the south are eight windows, the tower
taking the place of the three others. In 1464 Bishop Carpenter
granted forty days' indulgence to those who contributed to the
building of the parish church of 5. James, near (juxia) Kidder-
minster. This date would suit the architecture but not the
dedication of the present church — unless, indeed, there was
a re-dedication at the time of the erection of the nave. For only
six years later we have an entry preserved in the I'.K.O,
(Pardon Roll, 8 and 9 VA. \\ .. Ojj. nitinbiane 9) of a j^ardon

88 A HISTORY GF KIDDERMINSTER.

granted to " John Laweher of Kedermester clerk alias Sir John
Lagher of Kedyrmynster clerk, alias Sir John Lagher perpetual
chaplain of the Chapel of the Blessed Mary of Kedermynster
within the churchyard of the parish church of All Saints of
Kedyrmester &c. Feb. 5th, at Westminster." The various
wills (see pp. 67, 68) refer to the church of All Saints, and it is
thus designated in Doharty's map of 1753. In quite modern
times the chantry of S. Mary appears to have superseded the
ancient and proper dedication of the parish church.

In 1850 a south aisle was added to the chancel of good
Middle Pointed character, and divided from it by an arcade of
three arches with clustered piers. In 1874 ^^ organ chamber
was erected on the north side of the chancel, and the side
galleries were removed. In Baxter's time there were five
galleries, reduced to three in 1787 ; but by way of compensa-
tion the church was beautified (?) by a flat plaster ceiling,
which gave w-ay in 1850 to a panelled one. In 1887 a cloister
was attached to the south side of the chancel in memory of the
late Earl of Dudley, whose restoration of the chancel is thus
recorded : — ■ " In gloriam et laudem DEI honoratissimus
Gulielmus Baro Ward totum hunc Chorum Instrumentumque
ejus reparavit refecit et ornavit anno Incarnationis Dni
MDCCCXLVII. Tua sunt omnia et quae de manu tua
accepimus dedimus Tibi."

Previous to 1850 the place of the east window was occupied
by a copy of Raphael's cartoon of the Stoning of S. Stephen,
which had been presented by Dr. Butt. The new east window
is of six lights, and this, together with the other chancel
windows, and the large Third Pointed west window, is filled
with stained glass by O'Connor. The westernmost window of
the north side of the nave, representing " Faith, Hope, and
Charity," was given in i88g by Mr. T. S. Bucknall m memory
of his father and mother. The east window of the chancel aisle
was presented by those wdio had been ordained " Deacons " of
the church.

In 1880, June 6th, a new reredos was unveiled, from the
design of Mr. Hopkins. It extends the whole length of the
east window, and is executed in alabaster. The central subject

OKX

^r^^,..-^" ■ '^-i

■ -**

.^.^ ■ /

ALL SALNTS' CHURCH, KH)DEKM1NSTE1<, 1890.
(View of Tower fyom the Si'ulli-Iuist.J

oi
D
X
u

C/5

X ^

THE CHURCH. 8g

is the Lord's Supper in alto-relievo, and in compartments on
either side are figures of Moses and Elijah. In the chancel are
three sedilia and an aumbry. A beautiful stone pulpit, having
niches with figures of our Lord and SS. Peter, Paul, and John
the Baptist, replaces a wooden Jacobean one, presented to the
church in 1621 by Mrs. Alice Dawkes, and now preserved at
the " New Meeting." The octagonal font is modern : on its
sides are sacred symbols — Christ the Good Shepherd, Christ
blessing little children, the Ark, the Dove, and the Lily.
Looking eastward the view is very impressive, showing an
uninterrupted space of 147 feet. The external length of the
building, including vestry and chantry, is 215 feet.

The value of the benefice in 1288 was ^20 13s. 4^. ; in 1334,
£2S IS. 8d. ; in 1536, ;^3o 155. y^. ; and in 1890, ^1034 (gross)
and ;^322 (nett). In 1774 an Act of Enclosure was passed
whereby the Vicar was allowed 150 acres on Kidderminster
Common in lieu of the small tithes east of Stour.

THE BELLS.

There is a melodious peal of eight bells, and on these, with
four additional bells presented by the Freemasons in 1882,
various tunes are played every three hours. The diameter of
the tenor bell is 4ft. 5in., and its weight i ton gcwt. 3qrs. i4lbs.
The inscriptions on the bells are as follows : —

Treble.
The : Gift : of the Rt : Hon : Ld : Foley : A : R : 1754 :

2.
When : you : us ; Ring : we'll sweetly sing A : R : 1754 :

3-
Fear God Honour the King : A : R : 1754.

4-
Peace : and : Good : neighbourhood : A R : 1754.

5-
Prosperity : to this : Parish : and : the : Trade : thereof :

A : R : 1754 :

Churchwardens
April 20 ; 1867

90 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

6.
We : were : all : cast : at Gloucester : by : Ab : Rudhall : 1754 :

7-
Non : Clamor : sed : amor : Cantat : in : urbe : Dei :

The Rev. Legh Claughton

Designate Bishop of Rochester

Henry Toye Woodward
James Minifie
Charles Bannister
John G. Boraston

Tenor.
I : to : the : Church : the : living : call : and : to : the : grave

do : summon ; all :

C : and : G : Mears : founders : London ;

The Revd Legh Claughton Vicar.

Herbert : Willis : Moses : \

William ; Knowles : I Churchwardens

Joseph : Page : f 1857

William Richd Morton -'

Sanctus Bell.
: Come away : make no delay : 1780

New Bells.

I : Taylor : and : Co : Founders : Loughborough : 1882

Redeem : the : time ; that : flies as : we : chime

T L Claughton Vicar

Samuel Stretton
Harry Taylor
Chas Bannister
Michael Tomkinson
Jas Chambers

In : Terra Pax :

3-
Gloria : in : Excelsis : Deo

Churchwardens

THE PLATE.

The plate, as described by Archdeacon Lea, consists of three
cups, three patens, a flagon, and an ahiis dish. The cups are

THE CHURCH. 91

of modern mediaeval pattern, with the h.m. of 1849. Each of
them has the following inscription in a band on the exterior : —
" Calicem salutis accipiam et norae Dni. invocabo." Of the patens,
two are salver patens. One of them is inscribed, " Given by
Thomas Jennens of the City of London Grocer anno 1623."
This paten has an interest of its own, as it must have been one
of the sacred vessels of the church during Baxter's ministry.
The third paten is a small one, and bears the h.m. of i860.
The flagon and alms dish are also of modern date. Round the
alms dish is the inscription : — " All things come of Thee, and
of Thine own have we given unto Thee." There is also a per-
forated spoon with the h.m. of 1796.

The following benefactions are recorded on the board in the
chantry : —

"Thomas Jennings gave a Cup to be used in the Communion Service and
to be carried before honest people of this town when married."

" Thomas Jennings his Grandson gave a cover and plate to the Cup."

The paten only is now left at the church. The cup and
cover appear to have been lent to the Corporation. (See p. 83.)

THE MONUMENTS, &c.

The monuments of the Cokeseys, Philips, and Blounts have
been described in the " Baronage." Other memorials of the
dead who rest in or near the church are these : —

On a brass on north wall of chancel : William Butler Best Esq. d. Feb. i,
1865 aged 73. He was first Mayor of the Borough.

Thomas Ingram the last surviving son of John Ingram Esq. of Ticknell
near Bewdley d. i May 1817 aged 75.

Jacob Turner of Park Hall Esq. d. Jan. 6, 1820 aged 65.

William Lea late of Areley House Esq. For many years an active magis-
trate of this county b. Jan. 14, 1781 d. July 12, 1S40. He married Eliza
Frances Turner dr. of the late Jacob Turner of Park Hall Esq. by whom he
had 8 children, who together with his widow survive to lament his loss. As
Chairman of the Bench in this his native town he was laborious impartial
and affable. He was of a cultivated mind and deeply read in the Sciences.
Remarkable for the extent and accuracy of his knowledge, benevolent

92 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

charitable, upright, and of gentle manners. As husband, father, brother,
friend, beloved and respected. He died in peace Relying on his Redeemer's
merits in hope of a better resurrection.

A brass tablet on the south wall of chancel aisle records the names of
several members of one family : —

Joseph Lea d. 1780. Susannah his wife d. 1781.

Stephen Lea 1788. William Lea 1801.

Josiah Lea 1805. Elizabeth wife of Wm. Lea 1830.

Joseph Lea 1821. Ann wife of John Lea 1833.

William Lea 1840. Sarah Lea 1844.

Susanna w. of John Corrie 1851. Hannah Lea 1852.

John Lee 1858.

On marble tablets on north wall : John Soley of Sandbourn d. Feb. 14,
1775. Elizabeth Soley d. Aug, 18, 1761 dr. of Chancellor Lloyd and
granddr. of Bishop Lloyd. [Arms of Soley imp. Lloyd.]

Elizabeth wife of John Soley son of above d. Oct. 29, 1784.

Elizabeth d. of John Soley widow of Rev. Joseph Brooksbank d. Feb. 27,
1786.
John Soley of Sandbourne House d. Sept. 25, 1836 aged 69.

Joanna his wife dr. of late Sam. Skey Esq. of Spring Grove d. March 24,
1843 aged 85. [The arms of Soley imp. Skey.]

Joseph Butler draper d. 18 Dec. 1752.

John Taylor sergeant in the 4th or Queen's Own Regiment of Dragoons d.
at Elvas in Portugal Nov. 14, i8og aged 27.

Robert and Elizabeth Cooper ; This Remembrance is humbly made by
their 2nd son Robert in the 8ist year of his age. A.D. 1731.

On an alabaster monument on south wall of chancel aisle these arms : Arg.
on a fess between 2 chevrons gu. 3 mullets of the field. " M.S. Henrici Toye
Bridgman, gen. qui honesta stirpe oriundus prseclaram indolem feliciter
expolivit, nee minus aliis vixit quam sibi : legis peritiam summa probitate,
pari modestia, singulari pacis studio, ceteris demum bonis artibus ornavit ;
prudens, integer, plus, suis charus, amicis jucundus, omnibus semper bene-
volus facilisque, post vitae spatium cum laude merita peractum senio con-
fectus morbo simul correptus (eheu) paralytico placide . . . agebat
animam : Vir, si quis alius, desiderabilis obiit die 7 Novemb. ann. Di.
1713-"

On an oval monument of white marble : " In memory of the Rev. John
Martin M.A. late rector of St. Helen's and Oddingley, head master of the
Free Grammar School, and near 50 years curate of this parish — much
esteemed as a friend, a scholar, and a clergyman. He died 7 December, in
the 73rd year of his age, 1775."

THE CHURCH. 93

Some other monuments, now destroyed, are recorded in

Nash : —

Simon Wood d. 7 May 1725 aged 59; Ellen Wood his wife 9 Jan. 1721
aged 67.

John Farr d. Dec. 24, 1694 aged 46 ; Frances his wife d. Dec. 27, 1694
aged 46.

William Toye, gent. d. 2S Jan. 1728 aged 40. [Arms Toye, imp. ten
roundels ; on a chief a lion passant.]

Mrs. Frances Toye, ob. 26 Apr. 1706 aetat. 63.

Henricus Toye, gen. ob. 7 Nov. aetat. 78.

H.S.E. Johannes Reynolds gen. 7 Sept. 1710 aetat. 51. Hie defessi quicsciint.
[Arms, 3 cocks, imp. a leg between two spears.]

Mary wife of Joseph Cox gen. d. 13 April 1727 aged 52.

Joseph Cox : he was bred an attorney, and practised near 40 years in this
borough. A man so dexterous in business, and withal so faithful to his
clients, that the late Lord Chancellor Talbot in a public manner from the
bench declared him to be, both for ability and integrity, an honour to his
profession. Born 28 Feb. 1677 d. March 1737.

Mrs. Hester Jefferys d. Jan. 8, 1722 aged 66.

Mrs. Elizabeth Spilsbury, wife of Mr. James Spilsbury d. Ap. 27, 1710.
[Arms : a bend engrailed cotized a mullet in sinister chief.]

Capel Hanbury Esq. d. 14 Jan. 1704 in his 79th year. [On a bend a
star.]

Kal. Maii 1676 febre obiit Simon Degge filius unicus ex conjugatis Sim.
Degge Equ. et consiliario insigni, et Alicia uxore vere Christiana.

William son of Thomas Cox, late Rector of Market Orton, Rutland, d. 4th
May 1715 aged 51.

Hie situs est sub spe resurrectionis Adamus Hough generosus ; ob. 26
Apr. 1681 aetat. 78.

Elizabeth wife of Adam Hough gent, who died 20 June 1731 aged 54 ; and
Adam the son of Adam Hough and Elizabeth his wife, d. 9th Feb. 1731
aged 18.

Edvardus fil Joannis et Eliz. Cotton, ob. 18 Sept., 1688.

William Brittol 14 March 171 1 aged 79. Sarah his wife 25 May, 1703.

Mr. Thomas Crane of Haberley, d. Nov. i, 1728 aged 48.

Thomas s. of Edward Burton minister of Shrawley d. Nov. 20, 1689
aged 2.

John Penn late of Trimpley, d. 31 March 1729 aged 25.

Dorothy wife of William Waldrcn minister d. Aug. 26, 1662.

H.S.E. Reverendus Joannes Best ; Scholae Kederministeriensis per 30
plus annos archididascalus, ad seros usque posteros, mortuus licet, vivendi

94 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

recte magister futurus ; vir antiquae fidei, et pietatis simplicis ; mores ne
ipsa unquam incusavit calumpnia : Doctrina sibi soli semper visa est parvula :
Charitatis vix plures audivere famam quam senserunt fructum ; hanc autem
singularem sibi laudem potuit vendicare, nisi in eo omnia assent singularia,
quod spretis mollioris vitas otio, utilioris questu, difficilem docendi provin-
ciam quam juvenis nactus est non deseruit senex ; obiit 7 die Augusti A.D.
1729, aetatis suae 59.

John his eldest son was buried in St. Edward's chapel in the University
of Cambridge Apr. 13, 1726 aged 18 years.

In the churchyard : " Here lie the remains of Mr. William Greaves,
citizen and weaver of London, whose generous endeavours for the benefit of
the trade of this place procured him esteem while living, and his death
sincerely lamented. . . . He died 28 July 1725, aged 52. His mother
Mrs. Elizabeth Greaves Sept. 17, 1729 aged 89."

Mr. John Spilsbury, an eminent dissenting minister d. Jan. 30, 1727, aged
60. Mr. Matthew Bradshaw his son-in-law and successor d. 4 Nov. 1742
aged 42.

Tradition says that the grandfather of the great Lord Somers
was buried near the cross in the churciiyard.

THE CHANTRIES.

There were formerly three chantries connected with the
mother church of Kidderminster. Towards the end of the
thirteenth century the cult of the Virgin Mary received a great
impetus, and "Lady Chapels" were founded extensively in
England. In 1305 we have the first presentation of a chantry
priest to the chapel of the Blessed Mary of Kidderminster (Reg.
Geynes.), which appears to have been built in the churchyard
(infra cimiterium ) , a few yards to the east of the church. The
present building was restored or built by Simon Rise in the
early part of the sixteenth century, and after the suppression
and confiscation of the chantries in 1549, it was used as a
Grammar School. In 1848, when the new Grammar School
was built at Woodfield, the chantry was improved by Lord
Ward, and given back to the Church for parochial uses. On
the north wall is a rude inscription : — " Here lieth Simon
Brotherton Belman Buried June ye 17th 1628." On the same

THE CHURCH.

wall may still be seen shot holes made by the bullets of the
Parliamentary army.

The chantry priests, according to Nash, were as follows : —

Patrons. Priests.

Sir John Byset, Lord of Kidder-]

minster, with the Community I Robert de Ryppel, 2 Id. July 1305

. r ■
of the whole Borough . . . . j

William Bacoun, 4 March 1347

Hugh de Cokesey j John Symondesde Grafton, 22 Nov. 1349

° ■' (John de Feckenham, 13 Oct. 1350

Dionsia de Cokesey | Philip Belenger, 14 Dec 1358

•' ( Henry de Penne, i April 1365

Maculinus Delamare j j^f'^ Hankys, 5 Jan. 1391

(John Pottare, 10 Jan. 1395

William Malpas, 12 May 1400

Sir Wm. de Beauchamp . . . . Brian Ricardes, July 1403

Joane Beauchamp, Lady Ber- f™^,!;^ Sn^g^^' ^5 April 1420
gavenny .. .. .... .. "j John Westbury, 23 Aug. 1422

° (Robert bcnvener, 4 May 1424

Anna, Lady Bergavenny (wife of) T,,.,,. tth o .
the " Kingmaker ") . . . . . ) ^^^^^^"^ ^'^^' ^^P^' ^435

The Bishop (jur. dev.) . . . . Thomas Gilbert, 3 June 1446

Lady Joyce Beauchamp, sister ) John Lawher, 5 April 1468
and heir of Sir Hugh Cokesey. j Thomas Strynger, 21 April 1469

Joyce Beauchamp, widow . . . . William Wakeman, 29 March 1473

Sir John Grevil John Notynham, 30 Dec. 1479

Sir John Mortymer, Thomas\
Jenyns, Bailiff, William Col- 1

sell, and other more worthy - Nicholas Wright, 27 June 1499
parishioners of the Church of 1
Kydermyster j

Sir Edward Grevil, cousin and]

heir of Sir John Grevil, son - Roger Charouse, 26 May 1515
and heir of Joyce Beauchamp. )

King Henry Vni William Tomyns, 6 June 1542

The chantry of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
in the chapel of Trimpley, within the parish of Kidderminster,
was founded by Sir John Atwood in 1370. The ancient family
of Atwood, de Bosco, or Boys was seated at Wolverley as early
as Henry III. In 22 Edw. I. (1294) Peter Sebright granted to
John de Bosco one parcel of land in Kidderminster. In the
time of Edw. I. or Edw. II. Edmund de Luttelton (ancestor of
Lord Cobham) married Lucia daughter ot John dc Bois.

96 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

(Collins' Peerage, vii., 420.) Robert de Bosco had the wardship
and marriage of John de Beauchamp, son and heir of Richard
de Beauchamp, late Lord de la Holte (died 1327), and in right
thereof presented to the church of Holt Jan. 27, 1329.

John Boys had the Bishop's licence to celebrate divine ser-
vice in his oratory or private chapel at Wode Acton, Wol-
vardle, and Trympeleye for a year, Jan. 19, 1357. The same
Sir John built the chapel of Trimpley, and founded the chantry,
and gave one messuage and one virgate of land, 4 acres of
meadow, and 4 acres of wood in Trimpley, and one messuage
and one virgate of land, with rent and reversions, at La Lee, in
the manor of Wolverley, Friday after S. Mark, 44 Edw. IIL
(1370). By another charter, dated Wolverley, Sunday after
feast of S. Ambrose, 46 Edw. III. (1372), he gave 405. of silver
) yearly rent out of land in Rusholte (Rushock), which John de
London then held, to William de Pedmore, chaplain of the
chapel of the Blessed Mary of Trimpley, and his successors,
who shall celebrate divine offices therein for ever. If the
chaplain exercise traffic, tavern keeping (tabernas), or frequent
any plays (ludibria) or unlawful shows (illicita spectacida) for
three months, another must be presented in his room. He
must reside in the house in the churchyard, and shall have a
clerk to assist at mass at his own charge. The books, vest-
ments, ornaments, &c., are to be found by Sir John and his
successors, who shall keep the chapel and house in repair.

Sir John Atwode was buried at Wolverley 15 Rd. II. (1392),
and John Beauchamp, son of Sir John Beauchamp, of Holt,
was found to be next heir.

The incumbents of the chantry were these : —

Patrons. Priests.

Sir John Atwode William Pedmore, 10 Feb. 1 381

John Atwode William Pranke, 3 Aug. 1450

Sir Walter Skull [Y-^u^'^a Li"<?^°ft- ^^ Dec. 1456

(Richard Barbour, 31 March 1467

John Atwode James Pyry, 20 April 1501

The King, by reason of the) -ht-,,- r^-u ^,^ t 1

• ," r t- ■ T 1 c ij -William Churchley, 12 Tuly iS4^
minority 01 r rancis Ingleheld. j ^ ■' ■' -'^^

The rentals and other particulars of these chantries, as
recorded in 1549, will be given later on. The chantry

THE CHURCH. gy

house was occupied by the late incumbent in 1549, but
before Habingdon's time it was " levelled with the soylle,"
Its situation is indicated by the following record : — " On Satur-
day after the feast of S. George the Martyr 16 Hen, VII. John
Gyldon of Kyngeslowe parish of Worfield conveyed to Richard
Eugeley of Trimpley and Julia his wife, Thomas Pope and
David Maddocks, half a yard-land, lying near to the Chapel of
the Blessed Mary of Trimpley, called Gyldons with the grove
below." The " Gyldons " still appears on the parish rate-
book.

The chantry of S. Katharine was founded by Lady Joyce
Beauchamp (nee Cokesey) in 1469, and occupied the eastern-
most bay of the south aisle. The tomb of the foundress is built
into the wall under an arch within pillars of stone of very
elegant design. The work was sadly mutilated during the
Puritanic regime, and the heads of the saints and angels have
nearly all been knocked off. Roger Chance was incumbent in
1549-

The chantry of S. Katharine, with rents in Habberley and
Trimpley, was granted to Robert Thomas, Merchaunt Taylor,
and Andrew Salter, Esq., for ^1142 ^s. ^^d. on 10 March,
4 Edw. VI. (Patent Roll, part 4.)

Thomas Reve and John Herdson, 15 May, 4 Edw. VI., for
^1572 45. 5^^. get charity lands, including tenement and mill
belonging to the chantry in Kidderminster. (Patent Roll, 4
Edw. VI., part 7.)

Cecilia Pickerell, widow, obtains 25 August, 4 Eliz., lands
called our Lady's lands and All Hallows lands, in tenure of the
churchwardens, being given to superstitious uses. (Pat. Roll,
4 Eliz., pt. 3.) The same Cecilia obtains 6 February, 5 Eliz.,
the grant of a close in Kidderminster in the tenure of William
Feme, and a blade mill in the tenure of Thomas Lamb ; also
chapel lands. [Pat. Roll, 5 Eliz., pt. 5.)

William Grice, Esq., and Anthony Forster, on 18 September,
6 Eliz., obtain grant of a half-virgate of land called the Deanes,
and two closes of land on either side ot a lane near the two

A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

Yates, in the tenure of Thomas Agborough, and a cottage.
(Pat. Roll, 6 Eliz., pt. 4.)

There was afterwards some dispute about this property, for
among the Corporation deeds is a re-lease by Roger Maunsell,
of Pedmore, to Edward Blounte, of Kidderminster, of one half-
virgate, called Le Deanes, two closes on either side of a certain
lane near to the two " Les Yates," &c., a meadow called
Trinity Moore, that whole mill called a blade mill, &c. " And
I will warrant the above premisses to Edward Blount against
certain Bartholomew Buckesbie, John Walker, William Grice,
Anthony Foster, Cecilia Pickerell, and any one of them.
Feb. II, 1576."

Inventory of church goods, 6 Edw. VI. (Public Record
Office : Exch: Q. R. ,A) :—

This Inventory Indented of all the plate Belles and ornaments belonging
to the same made and presented to the kyngs Maties Commysoners the ixth
day of August Anno Edwardi Sexti sexto by Willyam Spyttell curatt Willyam
fferne and Thomas Bocher Thomas Jennyns and Robert Clerk Church-
wardens

In primis hangynge in the Steple iiij Belles

Item on Sannct Belle

Item ij chalyces of Selver with Patens

Item on peyre of great Candelstyckes wth ij peyre of lytle candelstyckes
all of brasse

Item on lampe of brasse

Item xij Copes of sundry colours some of velvett and some of Sattin

Item vi peyre of Vestments with theyr suets lackynge iij amyasses of lyck
as the Copes be

,, ix towells

,, iij Crasses of Coporas

,, ij Censers of Coporas

,, on holy water pott of brasse
Item theyre ys a Chappell belongynge to the said churche called mytton

In which theyr is on challis of Silver with a paten
Item on payre of Vestments of sylver beyinge old
Item on Cope motley colors not sylke

Item ij Belles

J. Russell William Spytull

Wm. Sheldon Curatt

George Watt

THE CHURCH. 99

Mem. There is a parcell of land in Kethermynster aforesaid which is
employed to the mayntenance of one yearly obyte within the sayd
paryshe churche of Kethermynster valewed by yere at iiijs

To the poore owt of the said obyte wd

[In P.R.O. (Patent Roll, 12 Jas. I., part 2) is a grant made
gth Feb., 1612, to George Low and another of a parcel of land
in the tenure of the churchwardens given for an obit in Kidder-
minster. Also (Pat. Roll, 14 Chas. I., pt. 7) Sir Edw. Sawyer,
kt., obtained a meadow situated at Netherton, in Kidderminster
parish, given for an obit in the Church of Hartlebury,]

2 Edw. VI. (P.K.O. Calendar of Certificates of Chantries 25. 29 — ;
60. 19 — ; 61. 15)

The Paryshe of Kyderminster wherein be the number of DII hundred
houselyng people

Chauntry B.V.M. Wyllyam Tommyns Incumbent of the age of three score
and twelve years learned and of honest convsation

Yerely value viilib xviiis iid

Plate — none. Goodes — none. Prechers — none. Scole— none

Poore iilib Clere vii'ib xviis viiid

Mem. the said Sir William Tommyns is Vycare of the paryshe of Kether-
mynster and his Vicarege or benefice is valued to be of yerely
worth xxxlib

Chauntry of St. Kateryn. Roger Channce Incumbent of the age of four-
score yeres competently learnyd and of honest conversacon

Yerely value viiilib viis vid Wherof in repryses xxviiis iid ■ clere vilib
xixs ixd

'Plate— none. Goodes psed at iiis ivd. Prechers — none. School — none.
Poore iil'b

The Chauntry of our lady within the Chappell of Trymplcy beyng two
myles dystant from the sayd paryshe churche — Willy am Churchley
Incumbent of the age of fortie and foure yeres learned and of honest
conversacon

Yerely value x'ib xvjd wherof in repryses viiis iid Clere ixl'b viiis iid

I'iate — one challis ,^ilte in the custody of S^ Robert Acton Knyght
weighing vii ouz.

CJoodes prised at xs Prechers — none. Scole — none. Poore iil'b

lOO

A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

Rental of all lands lately held by the Chantry of the Blessed -Virgin Mary.
(Aug. Off. Mtsc. Bcoks, vol. 374.)

Margaret Wylde, lane

Is&c

. .

i2d

Dominus Blunt

. .

■zod

Thomas Costin. .

, ,

William Jennyns

, ,

Gilbert Clare . .

125.

lod

Thomas Dolyttle

Thomas Gyll . .

Henry Dawke . .

Anthony Wood

zod

Richard Brotherton

2S.

Robert Wynter

. .

15s

John Cergen

zod

John Standishe

• /I

135

. ^d

William Wakeman

6s.

John Complayn

zod

Humphrey Mydlopp
Michael Betylson
Thomas Butler. .
John Tomyns . .
Eleanor Garnett
John Mundye . .
Alice Smith
John Tyllyatt . .
John Burnynson
Flumphrey Mydlop
Thomas Agborough
John Thurston
William Tomyns
Sum

£7

6s
8s

55
85

I OS

IS
IIS

7S
3^

14 6

zd.
od.
od.
od.
od.
od.
8d.
8d.
od.
lod.
zd.
od.
od.

Rentals of Trimpley Chantry

From Anthony Wood in Rushock Parish
Gilbert Clare
James Apen . .
Ramyston pasture : John Whyston

R. Longmore
Est hamsley : R. Pytt
Great lentall : William Fearn . .
Little lentall : R. Bocher . .
The Leeys, Wolverley ; John Byrd
The Chantry House, in the occupation of the late
Incumbent

Sum . . . . . . . . ;^'io I

Payments : —

' To Henry, Lord Abergavenny for rent from Ramyston
John Earl of War .vick for rent . .
Dean and Chapter of Worcester. •

£^

o
o
o

4
o
o
o
4

s. d.

II
c
5

Rentals of S. Katharine's Chantry.

Robyns Ground in Haberley by Thomas Pope

John Juke

Thomas Blonte for Blonte Meadow

Edward Gryffyn, Habberley

Humphrey Channce ,,

Thomas Cooke ,,

John Hurtyll ,,

Richard Bocher ,,

s. d.

5 o

4
o
o
o

3
2

THE CHURCH.

lOI

Near the Bridge, Richard Ibery
Ye Lake, John Sergcaant . . . . :

Ye Lake, WilUam Feme . .
Hale Street, Edward Townclarke
Wyldlyes, Trimpley : Rd Fewsterell . .
,, ,, Humphery Channce

4
I

5
6

4
o
8
o

8
4

Leonard Egeley
Payments : —

To Henry Lord Abergavenny

Sir Richard Lygon. . .. .. .. .. .. 40

Thomas Grey, Armiger . . . . . . . . . . 16

John Earl of Warwick . . . . . . one pound of pepper

There was a Chauntrye of our Ladye in Kethermyster the particulars

whereof we delivered to the Erie of Warwick.
Also Trimpley to the Erie of Warwick.

Irrotulantur.

THE " PROCESS " OF THE CHURCH OF
KYDERMINISTRE.

(As Narrated hy the Monks of Maiden Bradley.)

" The Lord Manser Bfset, founder of the Convent of Leprous
Women of Bradley, conferred the church of Kyderministre on
the Convent of Bradley after the death of Robert de Hurecote
the parson then living : —

" Know all men present and to come, that I Manasser Biset, Dapifer of
Henry King of the English have granted in perpetual alms to the Lepers of
Bradlev the Churches on my Manors after the decease of their Parsons, to
wit, the Church of Rokebourne by the assent of Henry Bishop of Winchester
after the death of Crispin ; and the Church of Kyderministre after the death
of Robert de Hurecote by the assent of Roger Bishop of Worcester. Where-
fore," &c.

Next follows the full text of charters, confirming this gift, by
(i) Henry Biset, son and heir of Manser, (2) King Henry H.,
and (3) Roger Bishop of Worcester (1164 — 1180). The monks
were impatient of the delay in getting possession, so in the

I02 A HISTOID' OF KIDDERMINSTER.

episcopate of Henry de Soilli (1193 — iig6) they persuaded
Robert to resign on a pension of 1005. They then presented
Master Adam to the perpetual Vicarage, and required him to pay
the I005. to Robert, the former Rector, and 1005. to themselves.
The Dean of Kydeministre inducted them into possession of the
temporalities of the church, and has left us this memorial of the
fact : —

" To all the sons of Holy Mother Church to whom this present writing
shall come, Calixtus Dean of Kyderministre, Health in the Lord. Know all
of you, that at the Mandate of Mauger iha Bishop (1200 — 1214) I have
admitted the Leprous Sisters of Bradley, by Andrew their Procurator, into
corporal possession of the parsonage of the church of Kyderministre. And
that this may be known at all present and future times, I have appended my
seal. Witnesses : Richard Chaplain of Kydeministre, Robert Chaplain of
Wlferdesleia (Wolverley), Laurence Chaplain of Chedestre, Walter Chaplain
of Stanes (Stone), Philip Chaplain of Mytton, Robert Deacon of Chedesleia,
Robert de Chedeston, Roger Deacon of Kyderministre, Thomas, Sacristan
of Kyderministre, Hamon Clerk, Hugh Spiringe, and many others."

" By and bye, when the said Adam the Vicar went away, the
Prior Brethren and Sisters of Bradley presented a certain
Master Robert to the vacant Vicarage ; and John Biset, son
and heir of the said Henry Biset, lord of the manor of Kyder-
ministre, presented a certain other person. But when this dis-
pute had continued beyond six months, Lord William de Bleys
(1218 — 1237), then Bishop of Worcester, as if by lapse, pre-
sented the church to Master Thomas of Upton ; and by the
title of a perpetual benefit, he ordered the Rector to pay the
convent 20 marks yearly." Archbishop Stephen Langton, the
famous champion of the English Church and liberties, issued
a charter confirming this benefit of 20 marks.

" Afterwards the said John Biset, who unjustly disputed the
right of patronage of the church, ceased from strife, and
remitted in writing his claim to the Convent of Bradley. But,
nevertheless, when the above-mentioned Rector, Thomas of
Upton, died, the same John Biset presented a certain Roger de
Essex to the church of Kydermestre, and in spite of the Prior's
objection, he was admitted and instituted to it. However,
Walter [Cantilupe] Bishop of Worcester assigned to the
Lepers certain tithes in the parish liy his charter, given at
Kemsey in 1241." In place of the annual rent of 20 marks, he

THE CHURCH. 103

assigned the Convent all the tithes of corn and hav on the
western side of the parish between Severn and Stour, excepting
the tithes of the vill of Mytton, and the tithes from lands held in
fee by the Burgesses of Kidderminster. If any new land was
taken into cultivation the tithes were to go to the mother
church. John Biset, Roger de Essex, and the Prior and
Chapter of Worcester severally confirmed this arrangement.

" But when the Lord John Biset was dead, the Lady Alicia
Biset, his wife, was dowered with the whole manor of Kidder-
minster, together with the advowson of the church ; and
she, after the death of Roger de Essex, presented Master John
de la Mare to the whole portion which his predecessor had
held, and the Bishop admitted him. And for a long time the
Prior Brethren and Sisters went to law with him both in
England and in the Roman Court, before various Judges, as is
shown by several writings in the treasury of the Convent. At
length the litigation was settled by the mediation of friends,
and concord was made in the presence of E. Dean of Wells and
Osmund Canon of the Blessed Mary of Warwick, the Auditors
appointed by the Apostolic See, May 12, 1266. [The pro-
ceedings touching the said lawsuit, together with a Bull of the
Lord Pope Urban IV., with letters and commissions of H.
Bishop of Ostia and Wells, and other instruments and sealed
letters, are in the treasury.] "

" Afterwards, when Alicia Biset was dead, the manor and
advowson descended to three co-heiresses of the Lord John Biset,
namely, to John de Rivers (Ripariis), son and heir of Margery,
the eldest daughter of John Biset, and Margery's two younger
sisters, Ela and Isabella, who renounced all their right in the
advowson of the church to their nephew, John de Rivers, for an
annual rent of 2 marks ; and he confirmed the advowson to the
convent in perpetual alms."

On the death of John de la Mare, Master William de la Lade
was presented ; and in a full Chapter of the Deanery of Kidder-
minster, held at Elmele-Lovet on Wednesday next after the
Octave of S. Michael, A.D. 1276, attended by the Rectors,
Vicars, and Chaplains of that Deanery, it was found that the
said William was legitimate, of free condition, of good report,

104 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

and of honest conversation. After an incumbency of four years
William died, and John de Ubeton was inducted into corporal
possession of the church by Robert de Leth, his proxy, at
Kidderminster, March g, 1280.

In 1305 John de Ubeton vacated the living on his appoint-
ment to the church of Berewyke, in the diocese of Salisbury,
and his successor was Robert le Blake, whose character was
approved in a Chapter held in the chapel of Belne Broicton
(Belbroughton).

The next Rector was John de Carsleghe, 1312, in whose time
the present chancel was built, and the greater altar of the
church consecrated.

"During the lifetime of Master John the Rector, Henry de
Frome, Prior, diligently examined all the records of the above-
mentioned lawsuit, and after deeply meditating as to how the
ancient advowson, so negligently and unjustly lost, could be
recovered, he sent his fellow-Canon, William de Chiwton, to the
Roman Court with a petition in the form which follows : —

" To the most holy Father our Lord the Pope, the Prior brethren and
sisters of the Convent of leprous women of Rlaydene Bradeley of the order
of S. Augustine make their supplication. By their simplicity and ignorance
in presenting divers secular persons to the church of Kydermenstre for the
space of 40 years and more they have lost the appropriation which at one
time had been justly made to them, and they entreat that their ancient right
may be restored to them by the authority of the Lord Pope. For on account
of the number of guests flocking to their House, because it is situated near
the King's Highway close to the Forest of Selewode, and by reason of the
frequent dearths, and the grievous murrain of their cattle, and the various
exactions and unfair procurations with which they are burdened, they have
been reduced to such great poverty that they cannot support the brethren
serving God there, and the sisters miserably languishing under the disease
of leprosy."

By means of the above petition the said William, the Prior's
nuncio, obtained one Bull " de Bonis," and another " Of the
Intrusion of the Rector," which are as follows: —

" Bull ' De Bonis.'
" Benedict Bishop [Benedict XII 1334] Servant of the servants of God to
the Venerable Brother the Bishop of Worcester health and Apostolic bene-
diction. It has come to our hearing that our beloved Sons the Prior and

THE CHURCH. 105

Convent of Maydene Bradeley and their predecessors have granted tithes,
rents, lands, vineyards, possessions, houses, cottages, meadows, pastures,
granges, woods, mills, rights, jurisdictions and certain other property to the
heavy damage of the said Priory * * * ^nd because it is of importance
that we should provide a suitable remedy for this, we command your Frater-
nity to recover for the Priory all their alienated property, notwithstanding
all letters, instruments, oaths, renunciations, and penalties : by compelling
all gainsayers with ecclesiastical censure, the right of appeal being withheld.
And if any witnesses shall withdraw themselves by favour, hatred or fear,
you shall compel them by a like censure to bear testimony to the truth.
Given at Avignon April 5th, in the first year of our Pontificate."

" Bull ' De Intrusione Rectoris.'

" Benedict Bishop, Servant of the servants of God, to the Venerable
Brother the Bishop of Worcester, health, grace, and apostolic benediction.
Our beloved Sons, Henry the Rector, commonly called Prior, and the
brethren of the Convent of leprous women of Maydene Bradeley have com-
plained to us, that although the Church of Kydermenstre has been canoni-
cally united to the Convent, and they long and quietly held the same :
nevertheless John de Carsleghe priest of the diocese of Worcester by his
rashness has intruded himself into the said Church, and seized upon it, and
still occupies it, to the prejudice and injury of the said Prior and brethren.
Therefore we order your Fraternity by apostolic writings, to summon the
parties and to hear the cause, appeal being removed, and make a suitable
decision, causing what you decree to be firmly observed under penalty of
ecclesiastical censure. Given at Avignon April i, in the first year of our
Pontificate."

This visit of William de Chiwton to Avignon 556 3'ears ago
led to a serious alienation of the property of the church here
which has never been recovered, and it gives us a glimpse of the
encroachment of the Bishop of Rome in the internal affairs of
England. In the fourteenth century nearly all the Bishops of
Worcester owed their position to Roman mfluence, and of
course supported his pretensions. Edward III. was only 21
years of age when William de Chiwton procured the Bulls in
favour of the Monastery ; but as the King's power became con-
solidated he refused to be a slave to the Court of Rome, and it
was rendered penal to procure any presentations to benefices
from Rome, and every person who carried any appeal to the
Pope was outlawed. In 1393 the statute of Prainuniye was
passed, severely punishing any one who at Rome or elsewhere
procured processes, bulls, &c.

io6

A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

As soon as Simon Montacute received the Pope's Bulls, he
proceeded to act upon them by converting the Rectory of
Kidderminster into a Vicarage. After " sufficient, diligent,
frequent, and solemn deliberation " with the Prior and Chapter
of Worcester Cathedral, he issued a commission to William de
Logwardyne, Rector of Hartlebury, and the Dean of Kidder-
minster to make an inquisition into the value of the living, as
well by the clergy as by twelve laymen of the parish of Kidder-
minster, " worthy of trust and sworn." The jury thus
summoned have left us the following interesting particulars : —

" They say that the House of the Rector of Kydermenstre at Hurkote, with
the demesne lands, fish ponds, and dove cot, is worth per annum 405.

The Rents of the said Rector with the labour of the Natives (villeins) of
Hurkote are worth 58s. 3^.

The Rent of Pepper and Cummin . . . i2d.

Hay from the demesne of the said Rectory 30s.

The Heather is not sold, but may be taken for Hous-bote.

The Mill of Horkote . . . 20s.

Pleas and Perquisites . . . i8d.

The Tithe of Rye (Siligo) of the said Church 30 quarters value 1005.
at 40^. a quarter.

The Tithe of Barley— 20 quarters, value 60s. at 3s. a quarter.

The Tithe of Beans — half a quarter, value 20^.

The Tithe of Oats— 12 quarters, value 20s., at zod. a quarter.

The Tithe of Hay is worth in common years 26s. id.

The Tithe of Wool— ^4.

Lambs — 13s. ^d.

Calves — i2.d.

Cheese — i2.d.

Apples — 2s.

Flax — 135. iSfd.

Onions — 13s. ^d.

Garlic — 25.

Pigeons — 3s. ^d.

Little Pigs — 105.

Hawks — 3s.

Game— 2s.

from the sale of Wood, nothing, because it is included in the
Pleas.

THE CHURCH. 107

The Obventions of Wax per annum 30s.

Oblations of the Altar „ ^ £/{.

Proceeds of the Lenten Roll ,, 66s. 8^.

From Milk, Peter's Pence, and the Tithe of Curtilages nothing, because

they appear on the Lenten Roll.
Live Mortuaries . 20s.

Dead Mortuaries ... 6s. M.
Dovecots near the Churchyard 13s. 4^.
Tithes of the Fisheries at the Staking^, 2s.
Tithes of Honey, 3s. /\d.
Eggs at Easter, 3s. ^d.
Herbage in the Churchyard i2d.
Wheat at Easter, one strike, 5^.
Tithes of the Mill of Kydermenstre, 2 quarters, 8s.
(^f Tol-corn 2 quarters, 6s.
Of " capital " malt, half-a-strike, 3^^.
Of " cursal " malt, 4 quarters, value los. 8i.

Tithes of the Mill of Sandulbourne (Sandbourne) for certain, 2s.
Tithes of the Mill of Mytton half a quarter of Wheat, value 18^., and M

at the Feast of the Lord's Nativity.
Tithes of the Mill of Caldewell for certain izd.
Rents of the Altar, coming from Affemor (Offmore), 5s.
From Tithes of Pannage, i2d.

The Sum of the true Value of the Fruits and Profits of the Church of
Kydermenstre ^'38 6s. id.

Obventions and Profits of the Chapel of Mytton in the

same Parish.

Tithes of Corn (Frumentum) in common years, 2 qrs., value 8s.
Tithe of Rye (Siligo), 5 qrs., i6s. B,d.
Tithe of Barley, 3 qrs., gs.

,, of Beans, Peas, and Vetches, 2id.
,, Oats, 6 qrs., gs.
The Altarage there, with the live and dead Heriots, which are ordained
for the service of the Chaplain, 53s. i\d.
The Sum of the true Value of the Chapel of Mytton £^ i8s. gd.
The Sum Total of both Church and Chapel ^43 4s. lo^d.

io8 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

But the necessary Expenses of the Church and Chapel aforesaid, and of the
Rectory of Kydermenstre consist in the following payments : —

The Stipend of the Parochial Chaplain, who receives per annum 665. Sd.

The Stipend of the Secular Chaplain, 505.

The Stipend of the Deacon, 205.

The Archdeacon's Procurations, ys. ^^d.

Peter's Pence, 35. /^d.

Sevagium (?), 2s.

Wax for the Chancel Lights, 5s.

Oil for the Chancel Lamps, 2od.

Incense, ^d.

For Straw for the Church, three times a year, i2d.

For Repairs of the Chancel, 3s. ^d.

For finding one Peroferum, if it is wanted \

For the Stipend of the Chaplain celebrating at Mytton j 53 ■ 4

Also for Autumnal Expenses in collecting the corn and hay at Horkote 505.

For collecting Fruits at Mytton, 65. M.

For providing Corn for the Eucharists, and Blessed Bread on Easter Day,

2.S. lod.
For Wine for the whole year, including Easter Day, 2od.

The Sum of all the things required, £1^ 15s. 2^d.

Also the Tenth to be paid for the same Church on its taxation of 31 marks,
supposing it to run continuously, amounts to £2 is. ^d.

The Sum Total of the Ordinary and Extraordinary Burdens £15 165. 6^d.

And the additional annual Burdens which the Prior and Convent of
Maydene-Bradeleghe have taken upon themselves, after they shall have
obtained peaceful possession of the said Church, are these : —

An annual Pension of one mark to the Lord Bishop of Worcester and his
successors for ever.

Also another annual Pension of one mark to the Chapter of Worcester
Cathedral.

Also the large and small tithes coming from the Woods of Trympeleye and
Eymor, which have been granted to the said Chapter, in recompense
fur the emoluments which they might have received during the
vacancies of the church, if this appropriation had not been made, 205.

Sum Total of old and fresh Burdens ;^i8 3s. 2^d.

And thus the Church, with Mytton Chapel, when the said burdens are
deducted, is worth in common years £2^ is. 8d.

THE CHURCH. log

The Obventions and Tithes which the Religious were accustomed to

receive before the Appropriation, from a time previous to which memory
does not exist, are these : —

Tithe of Corn, i6 qrs. 645.
Tithe of Rye, 40 qrs., £6 13s. ^d.

,, Barley, 12 qrs., 36s.

,, Beans, Peas, and Vetches, i qr., 3s. 4<i.

,, Oats, 40 qrs., 6G5. Sd.

,, Hay 19s.

Two Cart-loads of Hay from the Meadow called Eymores-meadow,

4s. ^d.

One Cart-load of Hay in Stonhammes-meadow, 25. 2d.

Two Cart-loads from the Meadow called Pokeles-mor 45. 2d.

One Horseload from Suttones-meadow /\d.

Total £16 13s. ^d. ; from which is to be subtracted the Expenses of
carting the said tithes 565. Sd.

And thus their portion is worth, nett ;^i3 6s. 8^.

May the Most High preserve you for long ages for the Government and
support of His church.

Given and done at Kydermenstre Feb. loth A.D. 1335."

On receiving this report Simon Montacute, Bishop of Wor-
cester, drew up a lengthy " Ordinance of the Vicarage," of
which the following is an outline : —

" To all the Sons of Holy Mother Church &c. greeting.

"We Simon, Bishop determine in this wise. The Vicar shall have for his
dwelling house one suitable Manse near to the south side of the Church in
which the Parish Priest (Parochialis Prcshikr) was accustomed to reside,
together with the Dovecot close to the churchyard, and the grass growing in
the churchyard. Also 12 acres of arable land belonging to the church viz.
Bondecroft (3 acres), the Helde lying towards Comberton (2 acres), Colver-
croft adjoining the churchyard (2 acres), Dodeleghes-croft near Whytmers
(3 acres), and one croft near Uppe-medue (2 acres). The Vicar shall also
have the tithe of hay coming from the three hamlets of Agberewe, Com-
berton, and Heathy: also the tithes of milk, cheese, chickens, calves, little
pigs, falcons, pigeons, bees, wax, honey, apples, flax, hemp, onions, garlic, of
gardens and curtilages with whatsoever seed they are sown, of feedings and
pastures ; also of woods (boscorum), of fallen timber, of pannage, game
(vivarii), fisheries, ponds, eggs; also of the mills now within the parish viz.
Kydermenstre, Sandelbourne, Mutton, and Caldewell and of those which
shall be hereafter erected, the mills of the Rector only excepted. He shall
have all mortuaries, dead animals, and tricennials, and all oblations what-

no A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

soever within the parish : moreover the whole altarage of the Chapel of
Mytton with the living and dead heriots, the tithes of lambs, wool, and all
other smaller tithes of the same chapel ; and the Lenten offerings which have
from ancient times bee\i inscribed on the Lenten Roll, and all the smaller
tithes of the whole parish.

" Saving to the Convent all the tithes of lambs, wool, and hay except
those already mentioned, and the living mortuaries, as also all smaller tithes
whatsoever coming from the manor of Oldington, and from the Court of the
Rectory of the church, when it shall have come into their hands by reason
of this appropriation : also the tithes from woods (silvis) and trees ; and the
smaller tithes from the parks of Trymple and Eymor, which we have lately
conceded to our church of Worcester.

" The Vicar shall have the rent of 5s. due to the altar of the church pro-
ceeding from Affemore (Offmoor) and the Easter wheat. He shall officiate
by himself or suitable ministers in the Church of Kyderminstre and the
Chapel of Mytton. He shall provide the Archdeacon's procurations, Peter's
Pence, the Synodal rents, and all other taxes except the one mark due to us,
and the one mark to be paid to the Prior and Chapter annual ly : which pay-
ment, and the charge of littering the church with straw at the usual times,
we wish to pertain for ever to the Religious. But the Vicars shall provide
the lights in the chancel, the bread, wine, and incense, books and ornaments
at their own expense. The reparation or rebuilding of the Chancel shall
pertain to the Convent.

" For their better memory and observance we have caused these our present
letters to be written in triplicate and confirmed by our own seal and that of
the Brethren and Sisters of Maiden Bradley : one to be kept in the treasury
of our church at Worcester, one to be in the custody of the Religious, and
the third to remain with the said Vicar and his successors for ever.

" Given at Bredon 2 Ides April A.D. 1336."

" But as time went on the Venerable Lord Symon Bishop of
Worcester abovementioned was translated to the See of Ely,
and the religious man Lord Wolstan Prior of Worcester by the
grace of God was raised to the Bishopric. Master John de
Carsleghe Rector of Kidderminster died, and after his death the
Prior and Convent immediately were solemnly inducted into
corporal possession of the church by the Venerable Official of
the Archdeacon of Worcester, as is more fully seen by his certi-
ficate." The certificate is dated at Kidderminster on Thursday
the Feast of S. Margaret the Virgin, A.D. 1340.

" As soon as the Prior and Convent were thus inducted, they
forthwith presented Sir John de la Doune to the perpetual
Vicarage in the portions assigned by the aforesaid Ordinance :

THE CHURCH. m

and he immediately after dinner, after the induction of the
Prior and Convent, was inducted to the presentation of
this kind.

" When these things had been done and gracious!}' com-
pleted, tlie said Sir John de la Doune, like an ungrateful man
(quasi homo ingvatus) after peaceful possession of his said
Vicarage, when only a short time had elapsed, raised a quarrel
about the insufficiency of his Vicarage to suj:)port the burdens
laid upon it. And this he did by the advice of the clergy, the
bishop, and his other friends, and especially of his parishioners,
who perchance desired easy rents (pingues redditus) for their own
advantage, especially because the Vicar resided personally
among them. So at length the Prior and Convent, as if com-
pelled by necessity and for the sake of peace, were obliged to
consent to a new ordinance of the said vicarage."

The bitter feeling then so widely prevalent between the
parish clergy and the monks is expressed in an old carving now
on the pulpit of Ribbesford church, but at one time forming
part of the rood screen. A fox habited as a monk is preaching
to a congregation of geese : some of the silly birds have
already been captured, and are sticking out from the cowl at
his back.

Wolstan Bransford (1339 — 1350) was one of two Bishops of
Worcester (out of 14) who were elected in the fourteenth cen-
tury without papal interference ; and it is evident from the
monkish historian's confession that his sympathies were wilh
the parish clergy against the encroachments of the Convent.
Under his auspices the following more favourable appropriation
was obtained : —

" The Vicar and his successors for ever should have the whole manor of
Horkote where the Rectors formerly were accustomed to reside, with its
buildings, lands, heriots, and everything pertaining to the said manor ; also
all the fruits, profits, oblations, and tithes great and small which Master John
de Carsleye the last Rector had held.

" Excepting the tithes of sheaves and hay proceeding from the lands and
meadows between Stour and Severn ; and the tithes coming from the Con-
vent's demesnes of Oldynton and Borclassch ; and the tithes from all land
newly brought into cultivation between Stour and Severn and containing less

112 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

than one acre which are commonly called Burgaieries ; and all tithes from
the Parks of Trympele and Eymour already conceded to the Prior and
Chapter of Worcester.

" But the Vicar and his successors must every year pay to the Convent 20
marks of silver of good and legal money in their manor of Oldynton, and one
mark to the Bishop and one mark to the Prior of Worcester. The Vicars
shall likewise pay the tenths and procurations of the Cardinals and Legates
and Nuncios of the Apostolic See, and all other taxes and burdens on the
Church, together with repairs of the Chancel up to ^od. per annum. But if
the reparation or rebuilding of the Chancel happens to exceed ^od. it is the
duty of the Convent to pay it.

" And if at any time the Vicar shall be in arrears with his payments (which
God forbid !) the Monks may sequestrate his goods wherever found in the
diocese of Worcester ; and they may re-enter his manor of Horkote and dis-
train on all goods and cattle found therein, and may drive them off and shut
them up in their manor of Oldyntone until all arrears, damages, and expenses
have been fully satisfied.

" And immediately after institution the Vicars shall swear corporally upon
the Holy Gospels of God that they will pay the 20 marks and other dues
faithfully every year at the place and times appointed.

" Sealed in the Chapter of Maiden Bradley nth Dec. 1340.
"John de la Doune agreed at Hertlebury 14th Dec. 1340.
" The Bishop affixed his seal at Hertlebury 18 Dec. 1340."

The narrative, which has hitherto carried us on without a
break from Henry II. to Edward III., a period of nearly 200
years, here ends abruptly ; and for the next two centuries,
ending with the final repudiation of the Pope's authorit}^ over
the EngHsh Church, we have only scraps of information derived
for the most part from the Diocesan Registry. With the growth
of wealth and luxury in the monastic orders, the Scriptorium
appears to have been neglected, and all our later information
from the chartulary refers only to rents and leases. Much, how-
ever, might be written on the condition of the country 555 years
ago, as revealed by the exhaustive valuation then made of the
income of the Rectory. We notice the extensive cultivation of
flax, an article absolutely necessary before the introduction of
cotton. The only vegetables grown were onions and garlic.
All the apples in the parish were valued at only 20s. per annum,
while pears are not even mentioned. Sugar was unknown :
honey was its substitute. Wool was the most valuable commo-
dity of the realm, and supplied the main portion of the King's

THE CHURCH. 113

revenue. There is some difference of opinion as to the correct
rendering of siligo, or (as it is written in the original of William
Coton's Will, page 6y) sigolum. Hale gives it as "very white
wheat, winter wheat" ; but Du Cange considers it synonymous
with the French seigle, rye, and this latter view is strengthened
by the return of 18 qrs. of wheat (fnimentum), at 45. a quarter,
in addition to 75 qrs. of rye (siligo), at 3s. ^d. a quarter. It was
cheaper than wheat. By multiplying the tithes by 10 we get
a rough agricultural return of the average produce of the
parish, viz., wheat 180 qrs., rye 750 qrs., barley 350 qrs., beans,
peas and vetches 20 qrs., and oats 580 qrs. Some portions of
the district are still known as the ryelands.

In 1399, May 12th, Richard II. claimed the presentation of
the church, and ordered Tideman Bishop of Worcester to
institute John Brugge or Bridges. This was one of the last
legal (?) acts of the tyrannical King, settled just before he
started for Ireland ; and one of the first acts of his successful
rival, Henry IV., was to restore the patronage to Maiden
Bradley, 23rd Nov., 1399. Bishop Tideman appropriated the
Vicarage again on 14th April, 1401. Another ordinance of the
Vicarage was made by Richard Clifford, Bishop ol W'orcester,
13th April, 1403. The Vicar was to provide " bread and wine
for the communion of the Parishioners, processional candles,
incense, the lights necessary for the morning masses and other
canonical hours to be celebrated daily in the choir, and one
lamp burning before the great altar in the church of Kyder-
mynstre."

LIST OF VICARS.

Appended will be found a list of 44 Vicars of Kidderminster
in a continuous succession for more than 700 years. Of a few
of them we get some further details : —

John Withers was M.A. and Proctor of Oxford University
1491, and was made Doctor of Canon Law by papal bulls.
On 3 Jvily, 15 13' ^^^ supplicated to be incorporated as

114 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

D.Can.L. of Magdalen. In Modern Wilts, pp. 103-106, is
an exemplification of proceedings between the Prior of
]\Iaiden Bradley and John Wythers, Vicar of Kidder-
minster, concerning an annual rent of 5 marks issuing out
of the church of Kidderminster, with a judgment for the
Prior and Convent, Mich., 21 Henry VII. His name is
not recorded in Nash.

Richard Jenyns disp. at Oxford 13 Dec, 1515.

William Pykenham, Piknam, or Pygnam, Oxford B.C.L.,sup,
for B.Can.L. 15 Nov., 1508; for D.Can.L. 27 June, 1509;
15th June, 1510, disp. 30 May, 1511, 5 Nov. 1516. (Oxford
Hist. Soc.)

John Harley, sup. for B.A. July, 1536, adm. 5 July, det. 1537,
disp. Mar., June, Dec, lie for M.A. 4 June, 1540, inc.
July, of Magdalen. He was born at Newport Pagnel, and
was elected Fellow of Magdalen about 1537. He was
Rector of Upton-on-Severn, Vicar of Kidderminster (1550 —
1553), and Prebendary of Worcester. Wood says that he
was tutor in the Duke of Northumberland's family, and a
preacher at Oxford against the Romanists in the reign of
Edward VI. Leland praises him for his virtues and
learning, especially in classical authors, for his fine vein of
poetry, &c. On May 26, 1553, he was consecrated sixty-
seventh Bishop of Hereford at Croydon. Queen Mary
deposed him from his See on account of his being married,
and he died in obscurity about 1557.

Alexander Creke was chaplain to the Duke of Northumber-
land (father-in-law of Lady Jane Grey), at whose request he
was presented to the Vicarage by Sir William Cecil.

(Domestic State Papers, vol. xv.)

Thomas Willoughby or Wylloby, sup. for B.A. Jan., 153*,
adm. 30 Apr., disp. Feb., 153^, because he is going to take
holy orders, det. in Lent, sup. for M.A. 17 Feb., 1531, lie.
3 May, 1539, inc. and disp. 7 July. (Oxford.)

Ralph Smith, sup. for B.A. 12 June, 1567, lie. for M.A.
24 March, 157^. (Oxford.)

THE CHURCH. 115

John Odell, sup. B.A. 5 Nov., 1584, lie. M.A. 1596. (Oxford.)
The burial ground adjoining Mytton chapel was consecrated
during his incumbency, Nov. 13, 1625.

George Dance was appointed in 1627 by Sir Edward Blount,
whose choice was far from being a happy one. Baxter in one
place speaks of him as "a w^eak and ignorant man, who
preached only once a quarter," and also as a " frequenter of ale
houses;" but to Bishop Morley he admitted that he was a
" man of unblameable life and conversation, though not of such
parts as would fit him for the care of so great a congregation."
He resided in the Vicarage-house, on the site now occupied by
the Town Hall. The Sir Rowland Hill statue, Messrs.
Brinton's works, the Bank buildings, &c., stand on ground
once fonriing part of the Vicar's garden. The " Swan " has
taken the place of the old Tithe Barn. During the vigilant
administration of Archbishop Laud, a " terrey " of the church
property was made, which is of interest when compared with
the earlier " ordinances " of 1335 and 1340 : — -

" An Inventory 01 Terrey of the Gleebe Lands, Howseinges Tyethes, and
Priviledgej belonginge to the Vicaridge of Kidr

"To all true Christian Peonle to whom this present Inventory or Terrey
Indented shall come to be seenc, reade or understoode George Dance Gierke
Vicar of Kidderminster sendeth a;reeting in Our Lord God everlastinge,
That Whereas the Right Reverend Father in God William by God's Provi-
dence Lord Archbishopp of Canterbury, Primate and Metropolitan of all
England at his Metropolitan Visitation holden within the Dyocese of Wor-
cester Anno Dni 1635 and in the Eleventhe Yeare of the Reigne of our Sov"
Lord Charles by the Grace of God of England Scotland Fraunce and Ire-
land Kinge Defender of the Faith gave forth unto his Clergy of that Dyocese
certayne Articles or Interrogatoryes amongst wch, one was for the giveing in
an Inventorye or Terrey o{ all such lands of any sorte as they or any of them
together with theire Churchwardens and Persons of Credytt coulde fynde
to be Lande Areable, Leasowes, Meadowes or Pastures, Commons or other
Commodity s &c. and the same in Parchment fayerly written should deliver
unto the Principle Register of the Byshopp of Worcester under their Handes
subscribed.

" Know Ye that I the said George Dance together with Humfrey Pagett
James Heminge Tliomas Hurtle William Garmson Churchwardens, Elias
Artche and John Pearshall High Baylyffs of the Towne of Kidderminster
ha\'c taken \eyue and survey of all the savd lands &c. as the same heretofore

ii6 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

hath bin had and used reputed and taken beyond the memory of man and
soe continued unto the Day of the date hereof. Inprimis the Mansion Howse
of the Vicaridge contayninge eight Bayes or thereabouts, one Howse over
agst the sayd Vicaridge used for a Barne and Stable contayninge syx Bayes.
And of Gleeb Landes as followeth viz. the Churchyard, one Acre and a halfe
or thereabouts, the Whytmarsh called Dudlesse Grounds being fyve Glosses
twelve acres or thereabouts, the Pasture called Culvercroft contayninge twoe
Acres or thereabouts, the Bryckfield the Barne Closse, the little Meadowe
between the Barne and the Brick field containing 7^ acres, the longe
Meadowe adjoininge to the Bryck feild syde 2 acres, one Akre of Arrable
land beinge in Leaswall feild, one Garden belonging to the Vickaridge and a
little spare Ground on the back syde of the Vickaridge Howse.

"There is alsoe a Chappell at a Towneshipp called Nether Mitton in the
sayd parish wch doth belonge to the sayd Parish Church of Kidr with Glebe
Land belonginge to the same which is annexed to the aforesayd Vickaridge
wch. hereafter followeth viz. the Chapell Church Yard containeing one Akre,
the Chapell Hill containinge 12 acres of Arrable Land, in the Church fild a
peece of eareable land conteininge 4 acres in the same field, at Newland
Gate one acre, in the Wall field at the Middle hedge three parcels of ear-
rable Land contayninge 4 acres, in old follow one peece of earrable land 2
acres, one Meadowe called Priest's Meadow contayninge 2 acres with a
Tenement to the same contayninge one Bay and half two parcels in the Cow
Pasture called the Leigh containing 3 acres, one parcell of Meddow in the
upper end of the Lampytt next to the Hedge, ^ acre. In Tythes and Tenths
as followeth of all manner of Corne and Grayne from the Ryver of Stovver
unto Dearne Foarde, Allsoe the Tythe Hay of Mytton wth. all other Tythes
here underwritten throughout the psh of Kidr. All the Tythes of Woods
(except the Woods of Mayden Bradley and Eymore Parke) and of fyshe, of
wool. Iambs, pyggs, geese, pidgeons, eggs, fruits, hempe, flax, onions, garlick,
honey, hoppes, mills, for Servants Wages and Craftsmens Hands, allsoe
Herbage and Joycements, for the Milke of a Cowe a Penny ; for every Calfe
sould the tenth penny, for every calfe reared a half peny, for the fall of a
colt a penny, a Garden Penny, for every Sheep sould between Michaelmas
and the Annunciation of the B. V. Mary a halfe peny, and from thence till
Sheare tyme a penny, of every Parishioner a Communicant, communicate at
Easter 2d., the dutyes of Weddings, Buryinges, and Purifyings as are accus-
tomed, and Mortuaries, all which Premisses are now in the possession of the
sayd George Dance Vicar or of his Assignes. There are alsoe certayn other
Groundes mentioned in a Terrey dated 1588 as belonginge to the Vicaridge
of Kidr viz. the Meadow called Pyntolatchett Meadowe 2 acres, one parcel
of earrable land called the Healde lyinge above the Worcester Crosse con-
taininge 2^ acres, one little meadow between the Vicaridge Howse and
Slower and enclosed with the Vicaridge Brooke contayninge J acre, which 3
parcells are now and have byn in the handes of other men from before the
tyme of the said George Dance his Institution. In Witness whereof &c.
Dated 14th day of January 11 Charles Anno Dni 1635,"

THE CHURCH. 117

After 13 years' ministry the Vicar offered to allow ;^6o per
annum to a Curate, to be chosen by 14 of his parishioners, and
on 5 April, 1 64 1, the famous Richard Baxter was legally
appointed. During the Civil Wars in 1646 Dance was deprived
of his benefice, but was allowed to live in the Vicarage, with a
pension of ;^40 a year. At the Restoration he sent in a petition
(Rep., vii., p. 121), 23 July, 1660, setting forth that about 14
years since he had been sequestered out of his Vicarage for his
allegiance to his late Majesty, and praying that he might have
the benefit of the order for detaining the tithes in the hands of
the churchwardens and overseers. He was soon reinstated,
and held the living till his death in 1677.

Richard Baxter was for 14 years quasi Vicar of Kidder-
minster, and his name and fame will ever be associated with
the town. His biography is national rather than local, and has
been so fully illustrated by his own Narrative, and by Calamy,
Orme, Sylvester, Long, Bates, Fawcett, Davies, Dean Boyle,
(tc, that only an outline need be given here. He was born at
Eaton Constantine, in Shropshire, 12 Nov., 1615, and was
educated first at Wroxeter School, and afterwards by the Rev.
Richard Wickstead, Chaplain to the Council of the Marches at
Ludlow Castle. His education was of a somewhat desultory
character, and he did not study at any university. His chief
delight was in logic and metaphysics and controversial divinity.
In 1633 he was introduced to Sir Henr}^ Herbert, of Ribbesford,
Master of the Revels, with whom he lived about a month at
Whitehall ; but a Court life was not to his taste, and he
returned to Shropshire. About 1638 Mr. Thomas Fole}^ of
Kidderminster and Stourbridge, built and endowed a new
Grammar School at Dudley, and offered the Head Mastership
to Baxter, who was then ordained at Worcester by Bishop
Thornborough, and preached his first sermon in the upper
church at Dudley. A year afterwards he removed to Bridg-
north as Curate to the Rev. William Madstard, who had been
Incumbent of St. Anne's, Bewdley. On 5 April, 1641, he was
appointed Curate of Kidderminster church, " and thus," says
he, " I was brought by the gracious providence of God to that
place which li.id the ( liii-fest of my labours, and \-ieldcd me the

ii8 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

greatest fruits of comfort." About the end of 1642 a Parlia-
mentary order was issued to deface images of the Trinity and
pull down the crosses in the churchyards. The townsmen were
indignant at this iconoclasm, and Baxter deemsd it prudent to
retire for a time, during which he acted as Chaplain to the
Parliamentary army. In 1647 he lived in retirement, chiefly at
the house of Sir Thomas Rouse, of Rouse-Lench (and the Hall,
Kidderminster), where he had a serious illness. Here he com-
menced his greatest book. The Saints' Everhsting Rest, which
he finished and published while at Kidderminster in 1650. He
lived in the old house in High Street, of which the lower part
has been modernised, but the upper part (and especially the
attics) has been left untouched. About 60 of his 168 published
works were issued during his residence in Kidderminster,
including The Call to the Unconverted, The Reformed Pastor, and
The Saints Rest. The latter work was dedicated to his " Dearly
Beloved Friends, the Inhabitants of the Borough and Foreign
of Kidderminster," Jan. 15, 1649. The second edition was
published in 1651, and a copy of it was presented by the author
to the High Bailiff of the town, and has ever since been most
carefully preserved among the Corporation archives. The
inscription on the fly leaf, in Baxter's own handwriting, is as
follows : — " This Booke being Devoted, as to the service of the
Church of Christ in generall, so more especially to the Church
at Kederminster ; the Author desireth that this Coppy may be
still in the custodye of the high Bayliffe, and intreateth them
carefully to Read and Practice it, and beseecheth the Lord to
blesse it, to their true Reformation, Consolation, and Salva-
tion.— Rich. Baxter." Many of his works were " Printed for
Nevil Simmons, bookseller in Kederminster," whose " half-
penny" was issued in 1663 (page 79, No. 13), and who after-
wards settled in London and continued to print for Baxter. In
the chancel of the parish church is an old oak chair with
inscrijition carved on the back, " Rev. Rd. Baxter born nr.
Shrewsbury in 1615 and died at London in i6gi. Chaplain to
King Charles II. Rev. T. Doolittle M.A., Sr H. Ashurst Bt.,
Kidderminster A. 1650 D." Baxter speaks of " Mr. Thomas
Doolittle, born in Kidderminster, a good schollar, a godly man,
of an upright life and moderate Principles, and a yer\- profitable

THE CHURCH. iig

serious Preacher." To Sir Henry Ashurst, Jiarl., Sylvester
dedicated his Rdiquia Baxteriams, i6g6. He also stood by
Baxter in the day of his trial and distress, paid the fees for his
six counsel, and when the trial before Judf^e Jefferies was over,
led Baxter through the crowd, and convey^^d him away in his
coach. He was also Baxter's executor, and it is possible the
chair may originally have belonged to him. (Bradley.) Tlie
pulpit of the parish church in use in Baxter's time is preserved
at the New Meeting. There is an oil portrait of him in the
vestry of the church, and another, dated 1691, in the vestry of
the Old Meeting. The paten used in Baxter's time is still at
the church, and it seems probable that the Jennings cup at the
Towndiall was used by him at the Holy Communion. There
is apparently nothing in the Parish Registers in his own hand-
writing, and most of the marriages, &c., were taken b\ his
assistants, Thomas Baldwin ami Joseph Read. There is one
solitary exception : — " 1659 Aug. 15th. Thomas Woodward
and Mary Richards were joined in marriage by M'' Richard
Baxtar minister." In holiness of life, intense earnestness,
devotion to duty, obedience to conscience, untiring diligence,
and loyalty to his Master, Richard Baxter has few equals.
" Once started as an author, he literally poured out l)ook after
book — great folios, thick (juartos, crammed duodecimos, pam-
phlets, tractates, sheets, halt-sheets, and broadsides." (Nat.
Biog.) His works would make nearly 40,000 closely-printed
pages ! His theological opinions, however, were unicpie, and
he has left behind him no distinct class ot followers. " He
opposed Calvinism ; he opposed Arminianism ; he would not
allow himself to be considered an Episcopalian m the ordinary
sense of the word ; he (kmied that he w'as a Presbyterian ; and
scorned to be thought an Independent." (Oniw.J With John
Tombes, the leader of the Baptists, he had a famous dispute in
Bewdley church, before a crowded congregation, lasting from
9 o'clock in the morning till 5 o'clock at night. In his pastoral
work in the town he was eminently successful. He preached
once every Sunday and once every Thursday. On Thursdays
he held an evening meeting ol his parishioners, when one of
them was called upon to repeal the sermon, and another lo
pray. In the carl\' j)art nl his ministry he catechist-d 111 i hinch,

I20 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

but afterwards two days in each week were devoted to private
catechising, he and his assistant taking fourteen famihes
between them. " On the Lord's day there was no disorder to
be seen in the streets ; but you might hear a hundred famihes
singing psahns and repeating sermons as you passed through
them. . . . Yet many ignorant and ungodly persons there
were still among us ; but most of them were in the parish and
not in the town. And whereas one part of the parish was
impropriate and paid tithes to laymen, and the other part main-
tained the church, a brook dividing them, it fell out that almost
all that side of the parish which paid tithes to the church were
godly honest people, and did it willingly without contestation,
and most of the bad people of the parish lived on the other
side. . . . Three or four of my neighbours managed the
tithes for me, of whom I never took account ; and if any one
refused to pay his tithes, if he was poor, I ordered them to for-
give it him. After that I was constrained to let the tithes be
gathered as by my title, to save the gatherers from law suits.
But if the parties were able, I ordered them to seek it by the
magistrate, with the damage, and give both my part and the
damages to the poor ; for I resolved to have none of it myself
that was recovered by law, and yet I could not tolerate the
sacrilege and fraud of covetous men. When they knew that
this was the rule I went by, none of them that were able would
do the poor so great a kindness as to deny the pa3^ment of their
tithes. ... It much furthered my success that I staid still
in this one place near two years before the wars, and above 14
years after ; for he that removeth oft from place to place, may
sow good seed in many places, but is not likely to see much
fruit in any, unless some other skilful hand shall follow him to
water it." At the Restoration Baxter was offered the Bishopric
of Hereford, which he refused. He asked only to remain at
Kidderminster ; but Dance was still legally Vicar, and could
not be removed except by his own consent. The King and
Lord Clarendon both favoured Baxter's wish, but his impatience
of all ecclesiastical authority led Bishop Morley to refuse to
grant him even a licence to the Curacy. In his parting address
to his flock he advised them " to keep to the public assemblies,
and make use of such help as might be had in public, together

RICHARD )i.\XI'h;K. ()!• K I ni)i;K M I XST l-.R.
(I-'toii! ait 0!ii /'till/ J

•5

THE CHURCH. ' 121

with their private prayers." To this he made three exceptions:
when the preacher " set himself to make a holy life seem odious,"
or " preached heresy," or " was utterly insufficient." After leaving
Kidderminster he went to London, and preached under licence
of Bishop Sheldon. He refused to comply with the Act of
Uniformity in 1662, and retired to Acton, in Middlesex, where
he wrote many books. In the same year he married Margaret
Charlton, daughter of a Shropshire magistrate, who was residing
with her mother in Kidderminster. His excellent wife, much
younger than himself, died in 1681, and he then wrote a
touching " Breviate " of her life. The intolerant spirit of the
time twice led to his imprisonment. On the latter occasion he
was tried for sedition, before Judge Jetferies, who grossly
insulted him, as described so graphically by Macaulay. He
went to his rest Dec. 8th, i6gi, and was buried in Christ
Church, London. A beautiful statue by Brock, placed in the
Bull Ring, was unveiled by Mrs. Philpott 28th July, 1875, when
addresses were delivered by Dean Stanley and the Rev. Dr.
Stoughton. [A full account of " Baxter in Kiddcniunster "
was contributed by the Rev. E. Bradley to the Leisure Hour,
August, 1872.]

Richard White was instituted 18 Oct., 1677. " A census of
the parish taken at this time returned 1587 Churchmen, 8
Papists, and 14 Nonconformists — ^which looks as if the inhabi-
tants had taken Baxter's parting advice and contented them-
selves with the ministry of the Church." Mr. White was the
author of " The Reward of Christian Patience, as it wa?
discovered in a Sermon preached at the Funeral of Mr. Thomas
Baldwin, a Nonconformist Minister of Kidtienninsler, 1693."

George Butt was son of Dr. Carey lUitt, physician, of Lich-
field, and was born 26 Dec, 1741. He was educated at Stafford
Grammar School, then on the foundation at Westminster 1756,
and thence elected to Christchurch, Oxford, where he graduated
B.A. in 1765, M.A. in 1768, and B.D. and D.D. Oct., 1793. He
was ordained to the Curacy of Leigh, Staffs., in 1765, which he
resigned for the post of private tutor to the sen of Sir E. Win-
nington. in 1771 he was presented to the Rtctory of Stanford
and Vicarage ol Ciiiton, and \n i773uuLnied M.ulha Sherwood,
p

122 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

daughter of a LonJon silk merchant. In 1778 he was presented
to the Vicarage of Newchurch, Isle of Wight, whicli he after-
wards exchanged for Notgrove Rectory, Gloucestershire. In
17S3 he was appointed Chaplain-in-Ordinary to the King. In
1787, on the appHcation of Dr. Markham, his old master at
Westminster, he was appointed by Lord Foley to the Vicarage
of Kidderminster, which he held along with his other cures. He
took up his residence in the town, but in 1794 returned to Stan-
ford, and used to ride into Kidderminster to take the services.
On 30 June, 1795, he was struck with palsy, and died on
30 Sept. following at Stanford, where he was buried. He left
a son, John Martin Butt, who took orders, and became the
author of some theological works, and two daughters, both
well-known authoresses, Mrs. Cameron and Mrs. Sherwood.
Dr. Butt published Isaiah Verified, 1784 ; several Sermons on
special occasions; in 1791, Sermons, in 2 vols. ; in 1793, Poems,
in 2 vols., dedicated to the Hon. George Annesley, afterwards
Lord Valentia, one of his former pupils.

Arthur Onslow was born 30 Aug., 1746. He was son of
Lieut. -General Richard Onslow, and nephew of the Right Hon.
Arthur Onslow, for tliirt}^ years Speaker of the House of
Commons. He went from Eton to Exeter College, Oxford,
from which he was elected a Fellow of All Souls. In 1770 he
was ordained Deacon, and in 1772 married Frances Phipps.
In 1774 he was presented to the living of St. James', Garlick
Hithe, and next year was appointed Chaplain to the House of
Commons. In 1779 he was made Canon of Christchurch, and
in 1782 he was nominated to the Curacy of Maidenhead. In
1785 he was collated to the Archdeaconry of Berks. In 1795
Mr. Onslow succeeded Dr. St. John as Dean of Worcester, and
in the same ^^ear was instituted to the Vicarages of Kidder-
minster and Wolverley. He resigned Kidderminster in iSoi
to his eldest son, Archdeacon R. ¥. Onslow. When he was
instituted to the Vicarage of Lindridge in 181 1, he also resigned
Wolverley. He died at Lindridge 15 Oct., 1817, and was buried
in the crypt of Worcester Cathedral. He left three sons,
Richard, Arthur, and Phipps ; and three daughters, one of
whom was married to the Rev. E. Winnington Ingram.

THE CHURCH. 123

Thomas Legh Claughton gained the "Latin Verse," " Latin
Essay," and " Newdigate " prizes at Oxford, wlicre he
graduated B.A. (First Class Lit. Hum.) in 1031. He was
Fellow of Trinity College and Public Examiner (1835-6). In
1841 he was presented to the Vicarage of Kidderminster by
Lord Ward. The population of the borough at his coming
amounted to 17,000, with only two clergymen and two churches.
There were no daily services, and no services on Saints' days.
One " railful " of connnunicunts was considered a large number.
To ask " Who was the meekest man?" was considered suffi-
cient preparation for confirmation. High pews, galleries, and
whitewash disfigured the fine old church. Scarcely a response
was heard except the clerk's, and sprigs of holly were stuck in
each seat for Christmas decoration. Church numbership was
scared}' understood, and there was but little intercourse
between different classes. There were occasional " Charity
Sermons," but the privilege of Christian almsgiving was little
realized by Churchmen. It is not cause for wonder that many
of the earnest men and leading families of the town were
Dissenters. Whatever we may think of the *' Oxford move-
ment " doctrinally, we cannot shut our eyes to its influence in
raising a truer conception of reverence and solemnity in the
worship of God, and in arousing the feeling of individual and
corporate responsibility and of self-denial for humanity. Under
Mr. Claughton's able administration a new era was begun in
the Church life of the parish. Baxter's uifluence 200 years
before had had great results, but he had to deal with a popu-
lation of which all the adults could be gathered into the parish
church at one time. The population had now been allowed to
grow far beyond the church accommodation, and most vigorous
exertions were required to grapple effectively with the spiritual
destitution. For twenty-eight years the work was unweariedly
and successfully carried on ; and when the life of Dr. Claughton
is written, his labours in Kidderminster will form not the least
valuable part of it. As with Dr. Hook at Leeds, his active
parochial work drew to his side a band of earnest helpers, who
longed to learn the spirit and power which animated it. Among
the Curates of the parish may be mentioned some well-known
names: — A. Biomfiold (Bishoj) of Colchester), W. Wajsham

124 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

How (Bishop of Wakefield), Hon. A. G. Douglas (Bishop of
Aberdeen and Orkney), W. R. Churton (Senior Fellow of
King's College, Cambridge), G. D. Boyle (Dean of Salisbury),
Hon. George Herbert (Dean of Hereford), Hon. H. Douglas
(Vicar of St. Paul's, Worcester), A. E. Seymour (Archdeacon
of Barnstaple), H.J. Fortescue (Vicar of St. George's, Leicester),
C. Warner (Vicar of Clun), B. Gibbons (Vicar of Stourport),
A. C. Thynne, W. W. Douglas, A. L. Peel, T. L. Inge, W. F.
W^ilberforce, J. S. Chesshire, &c. In 1867 Dr. Claughton was
consecrated Bishop of Rochester, and when in 1877 the new See
of St. Albans was formed, he became its first Bishop. He
married the Hon. Julia daughter of William tenth Baron Ward,
and has several children, one of whom is Duchess of Argyle.

George David Boyle was of Exeter College, Oxford, B.A.
1 85 1. He was ordained to the Curacy of Kidderminster in
1853, and remained four years. After three years' Curacy of
Hagley, he was appointed (1861) to the Perpetual Curacy of
St. Michael's, Handsworth. In 1867 he came back to Kidder-
minster as Vicar, and for 13 years carried on most efficiently
the work inaugurated by his predecessor. As an expert in
educational matters he rendered great service to the town in
his capacity of Chairman of the School Board during the first
years of its existence. Mr, Boyle was also an examiner in
several branches of H.M. Civil Service. In 1880 he was pro-
moted to the Deanery of Salisbury. He is the author of
Sermons ; Confession according to the Rule of the Church of England ;
Lessons from a Churchyard ; The Trusts of the Ministry ; My Aids to
the Divine Life ; and Richard Baxter, a Sketch.

Thomas Legh Claughton was son of the Bishop of St.
Albans, and nephew of the Earl ol Dudley. He graduated at
Oxford in 1871, and was ordained in 1874 ^o the Curacy of Ash-
bourne. From 1876 to 1880 he was Vicar of St. Mary, Kings-
winford, which he left on his appointment as Vicar of
Kidderminster. In 1886 he was made Canon of Worcester,
and in the following year he resigned Kidderminster and
accepted the poorer parish of St. Andrew, Worcester.

Sidney Phillips, the forty-fourth Vicar whose name is
recorded, is of Brasenose College, Oxford, and was ordained in

THE RIGHT REV. THOMAS LECH CI,AU(;UTt)N DD
First llisiiop of Sr. Alu-.ns.

ViCAK 01-- K'lIMUiKMlNSlKK liS^I 1S67,

THE CHURCH.

125

1864 in Kidderminster church. He was for three years Curate
of Newland, and afterwards held in succession the benefices of
Castle Hedingham, Essex, Monrnouth (1875-79), '^'^^ Nuneham
Courtney, Oxon. In 1887 he succeeded Canon Claughton at
Kidderminster,

Patrons.

Rectors.

Date of

Induction

between

Robert 1164 — 1180

Adam 1200— 1203

1218 — 1237

King Richard II

Convent ot ivlaiden Bradley.

Manser Biset

Prior and Convent of Maiden

Bradley . . j

Bishop William de Blois I t,, j n <.

,. ^j , - Thomas de Upton

(jur. dev.) j ^

John Biset Roo;er de Essex 1241

Lady Alicia Biset .. .. John de la Mare 1265

Convent of Maiden Bradley. William de la Lade 1276

John de Ubeton 1280

,, Robert le Blake 1305

,, ,, John de Carseleghe 1312

VlC.^RS.

,, „ John de la Doune 1340

,, ,, Thomas Payne 1362

John Porter

John Brugge 1399

Thomas Malle 1402

William Sutton

William Baker 1420

William Mountford 1431

Edward Caldecote 1463

John Newman, LL.B 1485

John Wythers, D.Can.L [1506]

Richard Jenyns (Prior) .. .. 1515

William Pykenham, D.Can.L. . 1520

William Tomyns i535

John Harley, B.D 1550

Alexander Creke 1553

Thomas Willoughby, M. A. .. 1561

Ralph Smith, M. A 1587

John Columbine 15S9

John Odell, M.A 1625

George Dance 1627

Richard Baxter 1640 — 1660]

Richard White, B.D 1677

William Jordan ,. [16^2]

John Howard, M.A 1701

William le Hunt, B.D 1729

Michael Betonson
King Edward VI. . .
Thomas Blount . ,

Sir Edward Blount
[A Committee of 14
Thomas Foley

Thomas Lord Foley

126

A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

Patrons.

Rectors.

Thomas Lord Foley . . . . Robert Job Charlton, LL.D. .

,, .... Thomas Wickens, M. A. ..

Lord Foley George Butt, D.D

,, Arthur Onslow, D.D.

Richard Francis Onslow, M. A

James Farley Turner, M. A.

Lord Ward Thomas Legh Claughton, D.D

Earl of Dudley George David Boyle, M. A. ..

Thomas Legh Claughton, M. A

Sidney Phillips, M. A.

Date of

Induction

between

1746
1776
1787

1795
1801
1836
1841
1867
1S80
1887

THE DAUGHTER CHURCHES.

The original parish of Kidderminster contained no less than
19,800 acres, or about 31 square miles. Four Vicars of district
churches now relieve the Vicar of Kidderminster of a large part
of his responsibility. As long ago as A.D. 1200 the chapel of
St. Michael at Mytton had been founded to supply the spiritual
wants of a district four miles from the parish church. (Pp. 102,
107.) From Bacon's Liber Regis, it would appear that in 1535
this chapel had fallen into the hands of the Monastery of Hales
Owen. In 1563 Mitton chapelry contained 23 families. In
1625 (Nov. 13) the ground lying round the chapel was conse-
crated for burials by John Tiiornborough, Bishop of Worcester.
Mr. John Odell, Vicar of Kidderminster, John Yarranton and
John Wilkes, chapelwardens of Mitton, and John and Hum-
phrey Grove, gentlemen there, were the petitioners. (Nash, ii.,
P- 59-) What the original chapel was like we have no record :
the present building (1791) is supremely ugly, and is very
characteristic of the entire deadness to the sense of beauty
which prevailed in the eighteenth century. The foundations of
a new church — which, when finished, will be one of the finest
in the county — were laid on Sept. 8, 1881. Only the porch and
south aisle are finished as yet, but they serve to show the beauty
of Mr, J. O. Scott's desiijn.

THE CHURCH. 127

In 1844 (June 19) th-:i hamlet of Lower Mitloii was made a
chapjir}' district : by Lord Blandford's Act in 1S66 the Per-
petual Cuiate became Vicar. The earhest register is 1693, and
the value of the living is about ;^6oo, with residence.

There are some monuments in the church : —

Here rest the remnins of Kebecka Lugg widow of Arthur Lugg Esq.
daughter of John Foley Esq. and grand daughter of Thomas Lord Folliott,
who dying without issue (Oct. ye ist, 1745) Devised her Manors of Mitton,
Lickhill, &c. to John Folliott (Lieutenant General of ye King's forces,
Governor of Ross Castle and Colonel of the Royal Regiment of Ireland) her
nearest relation of the name Folliott Who dying Feby 26, 1762 also with-
out issue devised the same together with the rest of his estate in England
and Ii eland to his first cosen and sole executor John Folliott Governor,
Representative in Parliament of the town of Kinsale Who agreeable to his
kinsman's instruction and his own inclination hath caused this monument to
be erected to perpetuate the memory of an excellent person, in every circum-
stance respectable, equal to the most accomplished and worthy.

On ye west side of this chmcell doore lyeth interred the body of the
Honourable Anne Soley wife of John Soley of Lickhill Esq. who was ye
eldest daughter of ye Right Honourable Thomas Lord Folliott and departed
this life the 28 April i6g6 aged 40 years.

Also near to the S. side of the Chancell lyeth interred ye body of Hum-
phrey Soley second son of ye said John Soley and Elisa his wife who died
27 Feb. 1700 aged 5 months.

In memory of Joseph Craven of Park House Streeten-in-Craven Leeds
who died 30 March 1867 aged 61 years. I^Ie was for many years a Deputy
Lieutenant of the County of York. Also Lord of the Manor of Lickhill and
Lower Mytton.

Also of John William Craven who died at IJphall near Edinburgh 12 Oct.
1871 aged 33 years and was interred at Dalmahoy Scotland.

Sacred to the memory of liichard Jukes Esq. who was born May xx
MDCCLXVHI and died May xxix MDCCCXXXIV. He was eminently
distinguished as a medical practitioner for superior sagacity in detecting
disease, generous devotion to the cause of humanity, and disinterested bene-
volence. These elevated qualities attracted general admiration and esteem,
and secured to him a brilliant career of profe.ssional usefulness. As a friend
he was singularly warm and confiding, and inspired in those who knew him
sentiments of regard and veneration.

Also of Lucy widow of the above died Jan. 17, 1846 aged 74.

The chappell was repaired and beautified by the inhabitants of Lickhill
and Lower Mitton and this Loft was built by Pynson Wilmol Gent, he being
Chappell warden for the year 1707,

128 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

To the memory of Richard Heath Esq. late of Stourport Who died gth of
Septr 1850 aged 57 This tablet is by his friends and fellow townsmen affec-
tionately and gratefully inscribed. With that true liberality and kind fore-
thought for the poor which characterized his life, he at his death bequeathed
;^iooo to the Church-wardens and Overseers of Lower Mitton and their
successors, directing that the interest should be equally divided between
the schools connected with this church and the most deserving poor of this
parish.

The hamlet of Upper Mitton (formerly in Hartlebury) has
recently been attached to Lower Mitton ; and All Saints
Church and Schools have been erected there at the sole cost of
Mr. Alfred Baldwin, of Wilden House. St. Gabriel's Mission
Church is in Stourport.

In very early times a curious subterranean vault, cut out of
the rock at Blackstone, and still in existence, was occupied as
a hermitage. The recluse had a lovely view of the Severn. The
chapel was about 30 feet by 14 feet, and there were several
other rooms. A view and ground plan of it are engraved in
Stukeley's Iter. Cuv., i., 13, and reproduced in Nash (ii., 48).
The hermit is supposed to have received alms from the trows
which passed up and down the river.

The old chapel of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
with its chantry, founded at Trimpley in 1370, has already been
mentioned (p. 96).

WRIBBENHALL.

After the long interval of 330 years the next chapel of
" Christchurch in Wribbenhall " was built by subscription
(1701). It was erected on a piece of garden ground held on
lease by John Cheltenham under Lord Abergavenny. The
Register of Baptisms and Marriages begins 8 April, 1723, but
the chapel and burial-ground were not consecrated till 1841.
In 1844 a district was assigned to the church, and in 1856,
under 19 and 20 Vict., c. 104, Wribbenhall was constituted a
separate parish. The old church was quite devoid of architec-
tural beauty ; so in 1S79 the new church of All Saints was built
on a site given some years previously by the late Walter Cham-
berlain Heming, Esq., of Spring Grove, to whose memory the

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THE CHURCH.

129

beautiful east window (by Heaton, Butler, and Bayne) was
erected. Mrs. Hemming contributed largely to the building fund.
The church is of red sandstone, in the Early Decorated style,
and contains sittings for 450 people.

There are beautiful windows in memory of Mr. J. \V. T. Lea,
of Netherton (Burlison and Grylls), Mr. Slade Baker, of Sand-
bourne (Heaton, Butler, and Bayne), and Miss Baugh (Hard-
man). There is also a monumental brass in memory of
Colonel Philip Wodehouse, of the 15th Hussars, one of the
heroes of Waterloo.

The old church has been pulled down, the Inirial-ground
enclosed, and a stone cross erected on the spot where the altar
once stood.

Some Incumbents of Wribbenhall

1720

Walter Jones.

....

Filewo(jd.

1722

John Hassall.

George War ton, B.D.

1739

Bingham.

1836

William Hallen, B.A.

1742

Daniel Collins.

1850

Charles Warner, M.A.

1749

— — Boraston, M.A.

1864

Augustus William Gurney

....

Thomas Wigan, D.D.

M.A.

. . . .

Joseph Taylor

1878

James Lamb Chesshire,

....

William Miles, M.A.

M.A.

—

John Foley, M.A.

ST. GEORGE.

During the deadly warfare with Napoleon the struggle for
existence had taken up all the energy of the nation, and had
left little leisure for internal reforms. With the advent of
settled peace came however into prominence the sad spiritual
destitution which had been allowed to overtake our great cities
and towns. As a thank-offering for England's safety. Parlia-
ment voted a million of money — the only money ever given to
the Church by the State — to build new churches in populous
places. To this grant we are partly indebted for the building
of the church of St. George, containing 2000 sittings, of which
1200 are free. The site and burial-gruuiul were provided !)>■
the parishioners, wlio also subscribed ^2000 towards the
building. The (iisl stone was laid by llic \'icar ot Kidtlcr-

I30 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

minster, the Ven. Archdeacon R. F. Onslow, and the conse-
cration took place 13 Sept., 1824. It has since become a
Vicarage, with a population in 1881 of 8554, and yearly income
of ^500. When " Broomfield " was purchased for the Vicarage
of Kidderminster in 1888, the old parsonage house (near The
Copse) was sold to the Vicar of St. George's. In 1832 a
musical festival was held in the church for the benefit of the
National Schools. The total receipts were ;^I242 — nett ;^45o.

The reredos of alabaster represents the Ascension in alto-
relievo in the centre, with medallions on each side symbolical of
the Four Evangelists. It was erected (1874) ^^ memory of
" Charles John MacQueen Mottram 31 years a Minister of
Christ in this town." The handsome silver-gilt alms dish was
" presented by a former Curate " (Rev. B. Gibbons) 1854.

A beautiful window, representing the " Good Shepherd " and
the " Light of the World," is dedicated in memory of Charles
Harvey (born 25 May, 1812, died 5 April, 1889), " a true Son
of the Church of England, who loved the place where God's
honour dwelleth."

On marble tablets : —

In memory of Charlotte Mary Key dr. of Sir Kingsmill Grove Key Bart.
and sister of the Rev. John Kingsmill C. Key M.A. She was for 3 years a
Sunday School Teacher and earnest Church Worker in this parish, and was
suddenly called away from earth on the day before she intended to set sail
to work with her brother in the Central African Mission at Zanzibar
Oct. 26th 1881.

Jane Hooman the beloved wife of James Hooman of Franche d. 11 Nov.
1825 aged 40 years.

Edmund Yates Peel son of Robert John Peel of Burton upon Trent Esq.
d. at Waresley 20 Feb. 1826 aged 7 months.

Incumbents of St. George's.

1824 William Villiers, M.A.

1842 John Downall, M.A., Magdalen Hall, Oxford.

1848 T. Baker Morrell, M.A., Balliol Coll., Oxford.

1852 Chas. James Macqueen Mottram, B.A., Magdalen Hall,

Oxford.

1872 Frederic Rawlins Evans, M.A., Exeter Coll., Oxford.

1876 Stephen Browne Bathe, M.A., Balliol Coll., Oxford.

1887 Theobold William Church, M.A,, Keble Coll., Oxford.

THE CHURCH. 131

The mission church of St. Andrew in this parish was built
in i88g at the sole cost of the Rev. Clement Newcomb, one of
the Curates.

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

The parish of St. John, though the youngest daughter of the
Mother Church, is inferior to none in activity for the spiritual
and temporal welfare of the people. One of Dr. Claughton's
first plans for adapting Church work to modern times was the
division of the old town parish into three districts, independent
of each other, but all looking to the Vicar of Kidderminster as
their patron. All Saints was in the centre, and St. George's
on the east, so the new church of St. John was planted at the
west end of the town. It is built of blue brick with Bath stone
dressings, in imitation of the Norman style, but with a lofty
spire. There are sittings for about iioo persons, Soo being
free. The cost of such a large building was only ^4000, and it
is hardly to be expected that it could be of very solid structure.
In fact, it is not weather proof ; but during its fifty years'
existence it has welded together the parishioners, and brought
about a unity of feeling which is now showing itself in an active
attempt to make their spiritual home more worthy of the honour
of God and more suited to the wants of the people. The arms
of Bishop Pepys (who consecrated the church June 24, 1843)
and Lord Ward are in the east window. Another window com-
memorates the chief benefactor : " Bless ye the memory of the
late John Woodward Esquire by whose pious aid this church
was in part built and the adjoining schools founded. He died
April 7, 1838 cBtat. LIX."

The reredos surrounding the apse is of alabaster in diaper
work, with recesses enclosed by semi-circular arches. The
central sculpture represents The Last Supper : other
recesses form sedilia, aumbry, and piscina. " In honour
of Ajlmighty God and of the passion of His dear Son, and in
pious memory of Edward and Ann Elizabeth Morton, this
Keredos is dedicated by their loving children. AD.
MDCCCLXXX.'

132

A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

The north window of the apse was given by the Rev. Melsup
Hill in memory of his wife. The window in the south transept
commemorates Mr. Joseph Kiteley, who died 5 August, 1880.

Two mission chapels have been built in this parish — (i) St.
Stephen's (1887), for the benefit of the very poor dwelling in the
courts of Mill Street ; and (2) The Holy Innocents (1888), for
the more distant residents of Sutton Common and Foley Park.
The population in 1881 was 7462, and the value of the benefice
^^400 with residence.

Incumbents of St. John's.

1843 Richard Pritchard, B.D.

1844 Melsup Hill, M.A., Jesus Coll., Cambridge.

1857 George Robinson Kewley, M.A., Fellow of Univ. Coll.,
Durham.

1882 John Frederick Kershaw, M.A., Trinity Coll., Cambridge.

When the districts of the four daughter churches have been
deducted, there still remains a population of 11,000, occupying
an area of 8000 acres, or nearly 13 square miles, who look up to
All Saints as their parish church. The hamlet of Trimpley,
deprived of its chapel about 300 years previously, was again
provided with its own House of God in 1844. The chapel is
dedicated to the Holy Trinity, is built in the Norman st3de,
and will accommodate 120 worshippers. There is a graveyard
attached.

St. Barnabas, Tranche, consecrated in 1871, was erected in
memory of the late Rev. H.J. Fortescue by his daughters, on a
site given by Mr. Joseph Chellingworth. There is a day school
attached to the church, for which Mr. M. Tomkinson provided
a teacher's residence as a " Jubilee " gift in 1887.

St. James's Church (1872), near the Horse Fair, was the
generous gift of the Rev. H. J. Fortescue (Curate of Kidder-
minster 1867-1876, and now Vicar of St. George's, Leicester).
It is a centre of vigorous work in a crowded district.

CHURrTT OF St. JOHN THE HAl'TIST,
Kll >1 >1:KM INS'IKK (.V.l). 1890).

4
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THE CHURCH. 133

The Church of England Working Men have lately started a
mission in a room on Larkhill.

In 1800 there was one working clergyman (a Curate) resident
in Kidderminster : there are now thirteen. The Church
service is celebrated ui no less than fourteen buildings within
the area of the old parish.

134 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

CHAPTER VI

tTbc IRonconformists.

HE " Old Meeting " is, as its name denotes, the
oldest Nonconformist congregation in the town,
and has lately replaced the plain barn -like
building of 1824 by a handsome edifice in the
Decorated Gothic style ; and has changed its
name to " Baxter Church," This is considered
to be the most handsome building possessed by the Indepen-
dents in the county. It is 74 feet long by 48 feet wide, and
affords accommodation for 1000 people. At the north end is an
apse, with organ chamber on the left side. The spire, 140 feet
high, forms a striking feature in the centre of the town. The
windows are of cathedral-tinted glass, that on the north being
of five lights, with symbols of " Charity," " The Beatitudes,"
" The Holy Trinity," &c. Mr. F. W. Tarring designed the
building, which was erected by Mr. R. Thompson at a total cost
of ^8400. The first stones were laid 30 Sept., 1884, by Mr. T.
Lea, M.P., and Mr. T. Banks ; and the opening ceremony took
place 8 Sept., 1885, when the sermon was preached by the Rev.
E. R. Conder, D.D., of Leeds.

The original trust deed bears date ii Aug., 1694 : it states
" that a dwelling house, with the garden and backside there-
unto belonging, situate in the Bull Ring Street near the Town
Bridge had been purchased of John Radford jun"" by Sam.
Bowyer, Sam. Read, Wm. Smith and Thos. Doolittle of Kidder-
minster, and a meeting-house erected thereon for the worship
and service of God."

The total cost of this first building was ;^383. Tradition

THE NONCONFORMISTS. 135

states that the Rev. Thos. Baldwin, sometime one of Baxter's
assistants, had previously held services in a room in Mill
Street ; but the first minister of the meeting-house was John
Spilsbury, son of the Rev. John Spilsbury, M.A., Fellow of
Magdalen College, Oxford, and nephew of Dr. Hall, Bishop of
Bristol. In the diaries of Joseph Williams and Mrs. Housman
there are many references to the earnest way in which he dis-
charged his spiritual duties. He died 31 Jan., 1727, aged 60,
and was buried in All Saints' churchyard. He was succeeded
by his son-in-law, Matthew Bradshaw (1726 — 1742). After a
vacancy of two years, Benjamin Fawcett, M.A., a pupil of Dr.
Doddridge, was appointed : his success was great, and in 1753
a larger meeting-house was built on the old site at a cost of
£1200. Mr. Fawcett died 18 Oct., 1780. He published an
abridgment of some of Baxter's works, and was the author of
twenty-four publications, including sermons, of which a list is
given in his funeral sermon, preached by the Rev. Thos. Taylor,
a native of Kidderminster, and prefixed to the last edition of
his work. The Grand Enquiry. His Sermon on the Murder of
Francis Best is in the town library. Mr. Best, of Caldwell Mill,
was robbed and murdered 8 June, 1771, while walking along
the footpath through the fields to Bewdley market. The
murderer, John Child, of Wribbenhall, was hanged at
"Worcester.

Towards the end of Mr. Fawcett's ministry a strong minority
of his congregation had accepted the Unitarian views which
were then spreading so rapidly among Nonconformists, and
which almost shattered the Presbyterians as an independent
body in England. Thomas Wright Hill, a native of Kidder-
minster, and father of Sir Rowland Hill, tells us in his Remains
(page 30), " My parents were of a very strict sect of Dissenters.
The congregation [Old Meeting] with which we worshipped
had the Presbyterian discipline, and was very much mixed as
to doctrinal opinions. A considerable number, among whom
were my mother and her nearest relations, were Calvinists ; a
considerable number, of whom my father was one, were Armi-
nians. My father too, and some of the Arminians, were like-
wise Arians." The next minister was John Barrett (1782 —

136 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

1798) ; but forty-six members refused to sign the invitation on
account of their Arian behefs, and decided to secede. They
asked to be allowed to hold their services in the meeting-house
during the intervals of public worship, and were requested in
return " to resign up one of the parsonage houses for which
they were in trust, agreeably to the intentions of the trust
reposed in them by the congregation, at whose expense the said
houses had been built." This they refused to do, and were
therefore denied " the use of the Meeting House by the major
part of the Trustees." They accordingly began to hold their
services, 24 Feb., 1782, in a vacant warehouse, till the " New
Meeting" Unitarian Chapel was opened 18 Oct., 1782. The
ministers of the " Old Meeting " who succeeded were Alexander
Steill, 1798; Thomas Helmore, 1810 ; Joseph John Freeman,
1820; Robert Ross, M.D., 1827; Thomas Greenfield, 1840;
Albert Creak, M.A., 1850 ; Thomas Greenfield, 1853 ; J.
Marsden, B.A., i860; George Hunsworth, M.A., 1872; Ben-
jamin Bryant Williams, 1881 ; Francis Henry Blanchford,
1886.

The Society of Friends had at one time a meeting-house in
Kidderminster. In 1659 Robert Widder, " for speaking the
words of truth to Baxter in the steeple-house at Kidderminster
was imprisoned there, as also was William Pitt of Worcester
who accompanied him ; and Nicholas Blackmore, \Yilliam
Pitt and John Waite passing from Worcester to Kidderminster
were set in the stocks there, under pretence of their having
broken the Sabbath by travelling on that day." The Quakers
would stand in the Market-place, and under Baxter's window
year after year crying to the people, " Take heed of your
priests ; they deceive your souls," and if the}' saw any one wear
lace or neat clothing they cried out to him, " These are the
fruits of thy ministry ! " (Noake : Wovcestev Sects, page 216.)

The secession of the Unitarians from the " Old Meeting,"
and the building of the " New Meeting" in 1782, has already
been noticed. The chapel, situated in Church Street, received

THE NONCONFORMISTS. 137

a new stone " Perpendicular" front, &c., in 1883, at a cost of
;^26oo, and will accommodate 700 persons. There are stained
windows — " The Sower," in memory of Mr. William Talbot
(by Pearce), and " Jesus as Teacher, Friend, and Risen Lord "
(by Hardman), in memory of Miss Annie Stooke, Also the
following tablets : —

To the memory of Nicholas Pearsall Founder of the adjacent Schools d.
2 July 1798 aged 71. Ann relict of the above and the last survivor of the
family of Fincher of Shell in this county d. 5 May 1806 aged 82 years.

George Willey born 14 March 1791, d. 4 Aug. 1875.

Rev. Richard Fry 25 years Minister born 5 Nov. 1759 d. 12 March
1842.

In loving memory of my grandparents Henry Talbot who died 23 Oct.
1873 aged 70 and Caroline his widow who died 15 Jan. 18S9 aged 87. Erected
by C.E.W.

In memory of George Talbot J. P. born 14 March 1792 d. 4 Sept. 1868,
and of Charles Talbot b. 26 Aug. 1804 d. 25 March 1841. In whose memory
this Chapel was repewed and improved July 1870.

The ministers have been — R. Gentleman, 1782 ; — Severn,
1796; J. Lane, 1806; J. B. Smith, 1810; J. Ward, 1813 ;
Richard Fry, 1813 ; John Taylor, 1836 ; Matthew Gibson,
1842; Edward Parry, 1855; Abraham Lunn, i86g; W. H.
Fish, 1875 ; W. E. Mellone, 1876 ; W. Carey Walters, B.A.,
1879 ; James Hall, 1888 ; Priestley Evans, i8go.

On 30 July, 1766, a petition was presented at the Quarter
Sessions by John Pearsall, John Hill, and Josiah Butler, under
the denomination of " Gospel Believers," certifying a tene-
ment in the Park Butts as a place of divine worship.

John W^esley first visited Kidderminster in 1771, when it was
included in the Gloucestershire circuit. " The brother that
goes on circuit from Woycestey goes on Wednesday to Stourpoyt,
Mr. CoivcWs ; Thursday, to Beivdley, Mr. James Leivis, near tlie
church, shoemaker ; Friday to Kidderminster, Mr. James Bdl,
shopkeeper, Mill Street ; Saturday evening, preach here also
and Sund.w morning."

138

A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

Wesley preached May i6, 1780, at Kidderminster, where he
sometimes spent an hour with " that good man Mr. Fawcett."
On March 22, 1782, he came again from Worcester through
roads ahiiost impassable with snow. On March 23, 1787, he
was at Stourport, " a small, new built village," where he speaks
of Mr. Heath, " a middle-aged clergyman and his wife and two
daughters, whose tempers and manners, so winning soit, so
amiably mild, will do him honour wherever they come."

Again, 20 March, 1788, Wesley went to Stourport, " where,"
he says, " twenty years ago there was but one house ; now
there are two or three streets ; and as the trade swiftly increases
it will probably grow into a considerable town. A few years
since, Mr. Cornell largely contributed to the building of a
preaching-house here, in which both Calvinists and Arminians
might preach ; but when it was finished the Arminian preachers
were totally excluded. Rather than go to law Mr. Cornell built
another house, both larger and more convenient. I preached
there at noon to a large congregation, but to a much larger in
the evening. Several clergymen were present, and were as
attentive as any of the people. Probably there will be a deep
work of God at this place. On the 22nd breakfasted at Mr.
Liste/s in Kiddcyminster, with a few very serious and pious
friends."

He was at Stourport for the last time on the i8th March,
1790, and found it " twice as large as two years ago." He
died in March, 1791, at the age of nearly 88.

The Kidderminster Wesleyan Chapel in Mill-street was
erected in 1803, and enlarged in 1821 : it will seat 600
persons.

The Baptist community of Kidderminster is an offshoot from
that founded at Bewdley in 1646 by the famous John Tombes,
B.D., the great opponent of Richard Baxter. In 1800 the
Countess of Huntingdon's chapel in Mill Street was sold to the
Wesleyans, but a few of its members kept together under the
leadership of Thomas Price, and met for worship in the private
house of Catherine Best. In 1807 four of their number were

THE NONCONFORMISTS. 139

baptised in tlie meeting-house at Bewdley by Mr. George
Brooks : these constituted " the church," and in iSog John
KimberHne's house in The Square (between the Grammar
School and New Chapel Street) was licensed for worship. In
1813 a chapel was built in Union Street, of which George
Griffin, cooper, of Bewdley, was appointed pastor. He was
succeeded by T. R. Allom 1817, William Downes 1821, Henry
Smith 1826, J. G. Stephens 1836, John Mills 1841, WiUiam
Wright 1856, John Henry Jones 1857. In 1862 the present
pastor, Rev. Thomas Fisk, commenced his ministry, which has
been so successful that in 1867 a new chapel with seats for 600
persons was built at a cost of ;^3000, on a site formerly
belonging to Sir Ralph Clare in Church Street.

The Roman Catholic mission in Kidderminster was com-
menced in 1 83 1 b_v tlie Rev. Charles James O'Connor in a
building in Chapel Street, formerly belonging to the Methodists,
and now forming part of St. John's Infant Schools. In 1834 a
new chapel, with accommodation for 240 persons, was erected
at Leswell. Mr. O'Connor was succeeded by Peter Holland
1836, Ambrose Courtenay 1853, Alban Craddock 1859, Michael
Power i86g, James McCave, D.D., 1870, Alfred Hall 1883, and
Charles Ambrose Wheatley 1885. Father Courtenay obtained
two years' absence, during which he travelled over the world
collecting funds for the nev/ church of St. Ambrose, which was
built in 1858, together with school and residence. It is of
brick, in the Early English and Decorated styles, and consists
of nave, chance), aisles, and Lady chapel. There are 400
sittings. It cost nearly ;^40oo. The east window was erected
by Dr. McCave, and has figures of SS. Ambrose, Helen, Augus-
tine, and Thomas of Canterbury. In the Lady chapel is a
window by Hardman in memory of Mrs. Shepherd.

The Countess of Huntingdon's plan of 3 ^larcli, 1790, formed
Worcester, Evesham, and Kidderminster into the twelfth dis-
trict. In 1800 llieir chapel was sold to the W esleyans, and a

I40 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

few became Baptists. The rest held together, and, being
strengthened by a secession from the Old Meeting in 1818
under Mr. Helmore, were able to build " The Countess of
Huntingdon's Free Church " in Dudley Street, at a cost of

;^IIOO.

The Primitive Methodist Chapel, built in 1824, has 250
sittings. "Catholic Apostolic" services were held in Oxford
Street ; and the Christadelphians meet in the Co-operative
Hall, Worcester Street. The Salvation Army have " barracks"
near the Horse Fair.

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THE SCHOOLS.

141

CHAPTER \^ I I

Z\K Scbool£5.

HE Grammar School is by far the oldest educa-
tional institution in the town, but its origin is
involved in obscurity. The earliest deed is a
feoffment made by Henry Benton, High Bailiff of
Kidderminster, and others, conveying lands to the
school, and bearing date 12 Oct., 20 Elizabeth
(1578), Sir Edward Blount was another benefactor 8 Jan.,
I Cog. From time immemorial the chantry was used for the
school, and possibly some of the chantry lands may have been
given as an endowment. The common seal still in use is dated
1619, and was affixed to municipal deeds before the present
borough arms were adopted. In 1636 King Charles I. granted
a charter, in which he ordered the school to be called by his
name, and bestowed upon it various privileges. The Corpora-
tion were made Governors, but administered its affairs so badly
that they were superseded by a body of Feoffees specially
appointed for the purpose. The earliest minute book com-
mences 6 Feb., 1704, with a list of 28 Feoffees. By a new
scheme drawn up by the Endowed School Commission in 1873,
the management is vested in 12 Governors, viz. : The Chair-
man of the Magistrates (ex-ojfficio), four elected by the Town
Council, three elected by the School Board, and four Co-
optative. In 1785 masters' houses were built on the west side
of Church Street close to the churchyard. In 1807 these houses
were pulled down and converted into gardens, and the new
houses (still standing) were erected on the opposite side of the
street. In 1847 the Greenhill Farm of 51 acres, belonging to
tlie school, was exchanged for Woodheld House and estate,

142 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

with the new school built thereon. Some ill-feeling was created
in the town by fears that the town boys would be neglected for
the sake of the boarders, and litigation ensued. During its 300
years' existence the school has had a chequered career — the
numbers having fallen occasionally as low as six — but it has
sent out many scholars who have done good work in Church
and State, and the present number of boys is about 80. The
building has playing fields, gymnasium, and lives - courts
attached. An annual medal has been endowed by John
Brinton, Esq., M.P. ; and challenge cups for the " Victor
Ludonim " and " Senior Fives" have been given by A. F. God-
son, Esq., M.P., and M. Tomkinson, Esq. Scholarships are
annually awarded after competition to the best boys from the
Elementary schools ; and the great want of the school now is a
scholarship which would enable clever boys of narrow means to
continue their studies at some place of still higher education.
The income for 1889 was: — From rents, ;^3 79 8s. iid. ; from
dividends and interest, ^293 us. ; and from fees, ;^338 135. 8d.:
total, ^loii 13s. yd. The following is a list of Headmasters
compiled from the minute books and other sources : —

[1650] John Pitt.

[1667] Simon Potter.

1699 Rev. John Best, M.A.

1729 Rev. Thomas Cooke.

1753 Rev. James Cooke.

1757 Rev. John Martin, M.A.

1776 Rev. Henry Matthews, B.A.

1780 Rev. William Miles, M.A.

1795 Rev. Thomas Morgan, M.A.

1843 Rev. William Cockin, M.A.

1852 Rev. George John Sheppard, D.C.L.

1869 Rev. Lionel Bankes Penley, B.A. (Second Master).

1873 Frederic Hookham, M.A.

1885 Rev. John Richard Burton, B.A., F.G.S.

The Parish Church Schools may be proud of their origin, the
founder being William Lloyd; Bishop of Worcester, one of the
famous " Seven Bishops " of English history. At his visitation
in 1702 he urged the formation of schools in the diocese, and
promised to add a tenth part to the subscriptions. The Vicar,
John Howard, was generously helped by the Society for Pro-
inotmg Christian Knowledge, and soon 50 children were being

THE SCHOOLS. 143

taught and partl}^ clothed. Sir Henry Ashurst and Edward
Harley, Esq., as executors of Richard Baxter, contributed ^20
from money left by him for charitable purposes. Other bene-
factors were Madam Rebekah Hussey, Lad}^ Langham, Lady
Bellamont, James Bruges, Mr. Ligon, the College at Wor-
cester, Henry Hoare, John Hanbury, John Soley, Harry Gray,
Sir Thos. Lyttelton, Lord Thanet, Sir John Thornicroft,
Bowater Vernon, &c. In 1739 James Gilbert left ^50, wliicli
was laid out in the purchase of the site of some of the present
school premises. William Brecknell, in 1787. conveyed pro-
perty exchanged in 1S16 for the Crabtree Close, which in 1X20
was sold as a site for St. George's Church. William Lea, of
Stone House, in 1817, gave land on which a new school-room
was l)uilt. In 1831 the two schools were educating 140 boys
and 161 girls on the Madras system.

Simon Potter, Master of the Grammar School, conveved land
in 1667 to Nevill Simmons and others for a school for the
children of godly poor parents to be taught to read the Bible
and say the Assembly's catechism, Elizabeth Bowyer, in 1701,
left property for the same purpose, and from these two bequests
the Old Meeting Schools in Orchard Street were founded.

Samuel White, in 1772, left ;^i50, the interest to be applied
in teaching six Church children and six Dissenters.

Nicholas Pearsall, in 1795, " being desirous of promoting the
welfare of his. fellow-creatures, and persuaded that their welfare
both in this world and another depended, under Almighty God,
■on their being taught to practice virtue and abstain from vice,
resolved to establish a school to teach youth this important
truth in the first place, and secondly so much of the arts and
sciences as might enable them to fill up with advantage their
respective stations in life." This foundation, known as " Pear-
sell's Grammar School," has since been merged in the " New
Meeting" Schools.

The School Board of nine members was established April,
1871, and has had the following Chairmen : —

1871 The Rev. G. D. Boyle, M.A. 1S86 Edward Parry, Esq.
1880 John ]5rinton, PZsq., M.P. 1889 The Rev. S. Phillips, M.V.

Mr. \\ . M. I\oden, solicitor, is Clerk to the Board.

144

A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ACCOMMODATION, 1890.

VOLUNTARY SCHOOLS.

0 •;:

Name of School.

Accommodation.

Cost of

Boys.

Girls.

Infants. Mixed.

Total.

Buildings.

tin

1704

All Saints' (Church-

fields)

340 •

, . 300

. . — .. — .

. 640 . ,

, Unknown.

1873

All Saints' (Broad

street)

— .

.. —

.. 297 .. — .

• 297 ..

;^IOOO

1874

St. Barnabas

(Franche) . .

— .

,. —

. . — .. 140 .

. 140 . .

;^I250*

1827

St. George's (Off-

more Road

265 .

. 250 ,

. . 180 .. — .,

, 695 ..

Unknown.

1850

St. George's (Wor-

cester Cross) . .

120 .

. — .

. 100 . . — • .

. 220 . .

;^I200

1835

St. John's (Chapel

Street) . . . .

— .

. — .

, . 300 . . — . .

, 300 . .

Unknown.

1850

St. John's (St. John

Street) . . . .

310 .

. —

.. — .. — ..

. 310 ..

Unknown.

1855)

St. John's (Brook

1885)

Street) . . . .

— .

• 357 ■

.. — .. — . .

• 357 ••

^^1650

1795

New Meeting

(Church Stieet) .

180 .

. 180 .

. — . . — . .

360 . .

Unknown.

1858

St. Ambrose (Les-

well)

100 .

. 100 ,

. . 100 . . — • . ,

. 300 . .

Unknown.

1S53

Trimpley (Holy

Trinity)

— .

. — .

,. - .. 36 ..

36 ..

Unknown.

1842

Stourport

278 .

. 246 .

■ 245 .. — ..

769 ..

Unknown.

1882

Stourport (St.

John's)

— .

. — .

. 175 .. — ..

^75 ••

Unknown.

1850

Wribbenhall

(National)..

— .

. — .

. 62 . . 140 . .

202 . .

Unknown.

1881

Wribbenhall

(British) .. ..

— .

. — .

•• — •• 335 •■

3^5 ••

;^l800

Total . . . .

1593 •

■1433 ■

..1459 .. 651 ..

5136

Including ;^300 for house, given by M. Tomkinson, Esq.

THE SCHOOLS. 145

SCHOOL BOARD.

° o Accommodation.

Name of School.

Cost of

(^ Ji Boys. Girls. Infants. Mixed. Total, buildings.

1873 Coventry Street

1877 Hume Street . .

1883 Lea Street

1883 Mill Lane

Total..

304

129
153

SS6

215 •

• 233

— .

. 121

129 .

• 131

156 .

. I5G

— •• 752 .. ^5367
151 .. 272 .. ^^1740

— .. 389 .. ;^4282

500 .. 641 .. 151 ..1878

The School of Art was originally held in " Commercial
Buildings ;" but in 1879 Mr. D. W. Goodwin gave the site for
the new building in Exchange Street. It is in the Early-
Renaissance style, and Mr. J. M. Gething was the architect.
It contains a hall 62 feet by 39 feet for 120 students, master's
and modelling rooms, antique room and painting room, &c.
Under the able management of Mr. W. Tucker, this institution
has proved most valuable to the town.

The School of Science was completed in 1887, at a cost of
/'4000. It forms the central portion of an intended triple insti-
tute of Literature, Science, and Art. Only the reading-rooms
and library are now w^anting to complete the full scheme, which
is likely soon to be carried to a successful issue. The Public
Libraries Act has been in operation for some years, and it is
expected that advantage will be taken of recent legislation to
place the schools, library, and museum under the fostering care
of the Corporation, The School of Science contains class-
rooms for physics and languages, lecture rooms, chemical
laboratories, dye house, cooking range, and reference library.
In the rear is a museum 52 feet by 41 feet, with a gallery all
round it, having excellent light for pictures. Some paintings,
drawings, fossils, minerals, coins, and curiosities have already
been presented by local donors ; and these are supplemented by
a'collection from South Kensington, changed from time to time.
Mr. W. Ray, F.C.S., is the first Headmaster. The Earl of
Dudley is President, and G. W. Grosvenor, Esq., B.A., D.L.,
is Chairman, of both schools. In 1887 two " Jubilee Scholar-
ships " were founded for the most proficient student each year
in " Art " and in " Science." Mr. Cooper, of Kidderminster,
in 1888, bequeathed ^284 to each school as the nucleus of an
rndow nient.

146 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

CHAPTER VIII

Z\K (Tharitice.

T is a delicate task to speak of generous deeds
in the lifetime of the doers ; so that although
there are now living among us many men who
have shown a public spirit equal to that of the
benefactors of past generations, the details must
for the most part be left to future times. By the

help of the Charity Commissioners' Report we record the

names and mention the gifts of

SOME BENEFACTORS.

E«

Edmund Brode, of Dunclent (1597). Rent-charge of 65. 8^.

for poor.
Sir Edward Blount (1630). Six almshouses.
Thomas Butcher (1643). £2 12s. annually for bread.
William Seabright (1620). £-^. os. Hd. annually for bread.
Thomas Cook, of Bewdley (1693). £2 12s. annually for

bread.
John Oldnall. £2 annually for bread.
Joseph Read, of Atterley. £1 annually for bread.
Edward Crane, of Hurcott (1820). ;^ioo for bread.
Dr. John Hall, Bishop of Bristol (1718), ^Tyoo for Bibles.

By an inquisition taken 20th April, 1641, it was found that
Thomas Lewes, of Kidderminster, held two barns and little
closes in Barn Street, 4 acres of arable land lying in one of the
common or leete fields, called the Church Field (i^ acre near
the churchyard, one acre near Whorwood Shipton, half an acre

THE CHARITIES. 147

near Low Hill Style, and half an acre called W'hitemarsh),
which lands then were, and time out of mind had been, com-
monly called by the name of Whitnell's Alms. Other pro-
perty belonged to the same charity in Ellarne Field, Cole Field
(near the two gates), &c. [The name " Whytnyll " occurs in
the Registers as early as 1545.] The High Bailiff was to collect
the rents, and pay the money to the churchwardens and over-
seers of the town or foreign tor distribution among the poor.
With Whitnell's alms, which now produces nearly ^200 per
annum, arc incorporated gifts left by other donors, viz. : —

John Gower, of Stone (1641), £1 yearly for poor;
Edward Mills (1615), £2 yearly for poor ; Elizabeth
Mills (1626), £2 yearly for poor ; Thomas Dawkes
(161 1), £1 yearly for poor ; Edward Dawkes (1632), £1
yearly for poor ; Alice Dawkes (1615), 13s. .\d. yearly
for poor ; William Bucknell, £^ ; Thomas Burton,
£^ ; Randell Griffin, 205. ; Henry Benton, £6 13s. 4^'. ;
Joyce Radford, ^4 ; Hugh Atwill, ^i 65. 8(/. ; William
MosELEY, £12, 65. M. ; William Child, ^10 ; Nicholas
Freestone, £10.

Sir Ralph Clare (1670). Six almshouses, and ^"30 to be
lent to poor tradesmen.

Henry Higgins (1684). Four almshouses, and ^12 for poor
children's shoes and stockings.

Abraham Plimley (1664). ^3 yearly to one honest person.

Richard Barker (1665). ;^2oo for apprentices or poor.

Elizabeth Bowyer (1701). £2, yearly to one poor person.

Rev. Joseph Read, of Oldswinsford (1709). £^ yearly for a
poor widow or education of a poor boy.

Edward Butler (1710). 405. yearly for six poor persons.

Dr. John Hall, Bishop of Bristol (1708). £s yearly to five
poor men ; £^ yearly to teach five poor children in the
Christian religion ; £^ yearly for clothes for aged and
infirm ; and residue in books to instruct poor persons in
the Christian religion.

John Spakkv 11717). £^ 5s. yearly for one poor honest man.

148 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

Thomas Doolittle (1723), Interest of ^50 to one poor
person.

Mrs. Mary Glynn, widow of William Greaves (1734). ;^20o
to be invested in land for repair of William Greaves'
vault in churchyard, and residue for ten poor ancient and
decayed women of the Church of England.

John Waldron. £1 yearly to poor.

W^HiTiNG. Ten farthing loaves weekly.

Mrs. Bridgeman. ^50 for bread.

John Wright (1771). £2^ for ten widows.

John Brecknell (1776) by his will reciting that there had
for time immemorial existed in the Church Street a
certain society for the promotion of friendly intercourse
among the inhabitants of the street, bequeathed ;^i50 to
John Watson, Nicholas Penn, and William Lea in trust
to provide and give to every child or unmarried person,
or an inhabitant of the Church Street aforesaid, one
two-penny plumbcake upon the eve of every Midsummer
day ; and further to provide pipes and tobacco and ale,
&c., for the entertainment of the male inhabitants which
should then assemble ; the residue to be given to the
poor of the street.

Humphrey Burlton (1645). 405. yearly for poor of the
foreign.

Edward Burlton, of Shrawley (1694) gave to the Foreign
the tenement and nook of land at Netherton on which
Humphrey Burlton had previously charged the 405.
There were other charities which are supposed to be lost.

With the changed circumstances of the times and the
improved administration of the Poor-laws, the old dole system
of charities often does more harm than good, and the beneficent
spirit of later years has run in new channels.

In 1 82 1 the Dispensary was founded near the churchyard :
tens of thousands were benefited by it ; and it led to the erec-
tion in 1870 of a spacious and handsome Infirmary at the top
of Mill Street, costing ;^io,ooo, of which the memorial stone
w^as laid by the Countess of Dudley. In 1886 the fever wmg

THE CHARITIES. 149

was transformed into a Children's Hospital, the cost being
defrayed by Thomas Lea, Esq., M.P. The average yearly
number of in-patients is 420, and of out-patients 1500. The
President for 1890 is S. Stretton, Esq. The honorary surgeons
are E. H. Addenbrooke, Esq., W. H. Moore, Esq., Dr. Preston,
and J. L. Stretton, Esq.

A thriving town has generally to pay a penalty for its success
in the rapid seizure of all its open spaces for building purposes ;
and soon monotonous rows of houses shut out every vestige of
nature, forcing the little children to play their games in the
dangerous streets. Well would it be if Corporations could in
good time secure a plot of ground in each proposed street, plant
it with trees, and leave it open for the recreation of the district.
Future generations will appreciate even more than the present
the generous foresight of one of Kidderminster's most energetic
sons in presenting to his native town the " Brinton Park " of
24 acres. It has been tastefully laid out, and each succeeding
year will add to its beauty. Mr. Brinton was born 25 Jan.,
1827, and has been one of the foremost men of his time in
raising the special industry of the town to its pre-eminent rank.
He has also devoted much time and his great business expe-
rience to the public affairs of the borough. He was member of
the School Board (1871 — 1886), Chairman of the School of Art
(1863 — 1889), Borough Magistrate (1856), County Magistrate
(1876), and is still Chairman of the Board of Guardians. In

1889 he was appointed High Sheriff of Worcestershire ; and in

1890 was unanimously chosen an Alderman ot the County
Council. In 1880 he was elected Member of Parliament for
Kidderminster (page 84), but retired in 1886 after a serious
illness. He has also presented to the town a handsome clock
tower and drinking fountain.

John H. Crane, Esq., of Oakhampton, whose family have
been for centuries connected with the neighbourhood, and who
was High Sheriff of the count}- in 1S.S8, has made a generous
offer to hand over the lovely " Habberley Valley " to the
Corporation for tlie perpetual use oi the town.

I50

A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

CHAPTER IX,

^be Celebrities.

ICHARD KIDDERMINSTER, D.D., was born
here in the latter half of the fifteenth century.
When about 15 years of age he was received into
the Benedictine monastery at Winchcombe, in
Gloucestershire. After four years' , study at
Gloucester Hall, Oxford, he was recalled to the
monastery, and made principal chaplain, and in 1487 was
chosen Abbot. He had considerable reputation as a
scholar and a promoter of learning, and was a reformer of the
discipline of his house. He took the degree of D.D. at Oxford
in 1500. He also visited Rome on some business pertaining to
his order, and on his return acquired much reputation as a
preacher in the beginning of the reign of Henry VIII. In 1515
Abbot Kidderminster contended in a famous debate that
"benefit of clergy" should be extended to the minor orders.
In 152 1 he wrote Tractatus contra doctrinam Ltitheyi. His best
work was a History of Winchcombe Monastery ; a List of its Abbots,

and its Charters and Privileges.

He died m 1531.

Richard Jervyes, born in Kidderminster of mean parents,
was apprenticed in London, became wealthy, and was made an
Alderman of the City. He purchased the manor of Bedcote
Stourbridge in 1538 (Nash, ii., 209), and was grandfather of
Sir Thomas Jervois, Kt., who sold the manor in 1625 to
Nicholas Sparry, Esq.

Sir Ralph Clare, of Caldwell, eldest son of Sir Francis
Clare, was a famous old Cavalier, and might have stood for the
portrait of Sir Peveril of the Peak. He was for many years
lessee of the manor of Bewdley under the Crown, and repre-

THE CELEBRITIES. 151

sented the borough in the Parhaments of 1623-5-6-8. In 1624
he bestowed a buck upon the Bayhff and Burgesses, when
£^ 135. 4^. was spent " for making five pasties thereof, and for
other meat provided when it was eaten, and for wine." He
was " servant " to Prince Henry, and was made a Knight of
the Bath at the Coronation of Charles I. When the charter
was granted to Kidderminster in 1636 he was named first High
Steward of tlie new created borough. He was a dignified and
courteous gentleman, plain and downright in speech, but kindly
in heart and ready to help, the founder of six almshouses, and
the donor of money to lend to poor tradesmen. As a zealous
Royalist he spent much of his fortune in the King's cause, was
taken prisoner at the battle of Worcester, and was committed
to Worcester gaol in 1655. As an earnest Churchman he dis-
approved of Richard Baxter's innovations ; but liis firmness of
principle and courtesy of behaviour led even his great opponent
to draw a pleasing picture of the noble old man. " One knight
Sir Ralph Clare, who lived at Kidderminster, did more to
hinder my greater successes than a multitude of others could
have done, though he was an old man of great courtship and
civility, and very temperate as to diet, apparel, and sports, and
seldom would swear any louder than by his troth, and shewed
me much personal reverence and respect beyond my desert, and
we conversed together with much love and familiarity, yet
having no relish of this prtciseness and extemporary praying ;
his coming but once a day to church on the Lord's-day, and
his abstaining from the sacrament, wdiich he refused to receive,
unless I would give it to him kneeling and not sitting, as if we
kept not sufficiently to the old way, did cause a great part of
the parish to follow him, and do as he diil. And yet civility,
and yielding niucli l)eyond others of his party, sending his
family to be catechised and personally instructed, did sway
"with the worst among us to do the like." Sir Ralph is buried
in All Saints' church under a slab close to Lady Beauchamp's
tomb. The arms are Three chevrons, crest a buck's head cabost.
" The memory of the just shall be blessed. * ■'= zealous in
his loyalty to his prince, exemplary in his charity to the dis-
tressed, and of known integrity unto all nun, full of days and
fame, he departed this life in the fourscore and fourth year of

152 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER,

his age, 2ist April, 1670." Caldwell continued in the Clare
family till 1777.

John Somers, baptized here 26 Nov., 1620, was son of
Richard Somers, Low Bailiff of Kidderminster, by his wife
Joice Child, a member of an old Kidderminster family (buried
in All Saints' churchyard 26 Aug., 1626). He was brought up
an attorney, and lived chiefly at the White Ladies, near Wor-
cester, " where he was instrumental and assistant to Bishop
Fell in recovering the rents of St. Oswald's Hospital for the
poor men and women." He and his wife (Catherine Severne)
were buried in Severn Stoke church, where there is a marble
monument to their memory erected by their son, John Lord
Somers, Lord Chancellor, one of the most famous natives of
the county, who defended the " Seven Bishops " and drew up
the Bill of Rights. John Somers' elder daughter Mary married
Charles Cocks, Esq., M.P., of W^orcester, and is ancestress of
the present Earl Somers, the Earl of Hardwicke, and Earl
Beauchamp. His younger daughter Elizabeth married Sir
Joseph Jekyll, Master of the Rolls. John Somers had also a
sister Mary, baptized at Kidderminster 8 July, 1624, and
married to Richard Blurton, Esq., who purchased the White
Ladies. The Registers give the following additional records of
the family : —

1658 Sept. 6 married Thomas Sommairs of Worcester and Rebecka
Climar.

166J Feb. 28 buried Rebeckath wife of Thomas Somars of Worcester.

1669 buried Ann daughter of John Sumers and Ann.

Robert Cooper, M.A., was the son of Robert Cooper, of
Kidderminster. He entered as a servitor at Pembroke College,
Oxford, where in 1666 he took his degree, and was made Fellow
of his College. He proved a good scholar and preacher, and
was well skilled in mathematics ; and by the favour of John
Lord Ossulton, he became Rector of a parish near Kingston-
upon-Thames, Surrey. He wrote Pyoportions concerning Optic
Glasses and A General Introduction to Geography of much merit. In
the 81 St year of his age (1731) he put up a monument to his
parents in Kidderminster church. (P. 92.)

SIK J\AI.1'|[ n.AK'K. Knkiiii- of the Ji.vTH.
(From an Old Print.)

THE CELEBRITIES. 153

Edmund Waller (1605 — 1687) is a singular and jiiquant
figure in the seventeentli century — a poet, courtier, and water-
drinker among the bibulous Restoration wits. lie was born
at Coleshill, Herts, of an ancient family. His mother, an
ardent Royalist, was connected by blood with Hampden, and
by marriage with Cromwell. His father died when he was 11
years old, and at 16 he entered Parliament. Soon he married
a rich widow, retired to his estate at Beaconsfield, and studied
literature. He was the owner of The Hall, a handsome brick
house near Kidderminster church, as well as of the hamlets of
Hurcott and Comberton. In 1635 he sold The Hall to Daniel
Dobbins, Esq., of London ; and a few years later (1643) he dis-
posed of his other property here. Hurcott was bought by
George Evelyn, who resold it in 1648 to his famous brother
John, of Wotton and Sayes Court, one of the founders of the
Royal Society, and author or translator of 30 works, including
Sylva, and whose Diaiy is so well known. John Evelyn soon
afterwards sold it to Colonel John Bridges for ;^34oo. Waller
was arrested by order of P^ari May 31, 1645, for complicity in a
plot against the Parliament. By turning informer he saved his
life, but was fined ^10,000 and banished. He lived at Paris
till 1654, when Cromwell allowed him to return, and he com-
posed a lofty panegyric in his praise. At the Restoration he
expressed his joy in a poem " Upon His Majesty's Happy
Return." He met the King's complaint that his congratulation
was inferior to his panegyric with the famous retort, " Poets,
sire, succeed better in fiction than truth." He entered Parlia-
ment again, and became the delight of the House by his lively
sayings. Pie died in 1687, aged 82. (National Biography.)

Andrew Yarranton was born at Larford, in the parish of
Astley, 1616. Several members of his family were bailiffs of
Bewdley. In his sixteenth year he was apprenticed to a Wor-
cester linen draper. When the civil wars broke out he joined
the Parliamentary army, and rose to be captain. In 1652 he
began manufacturing iron at Ashley, near Bewdley. At the
Restoration he was imprisoned for a time. As soon as he
regained his liberty he formetl })lans for ini|>in\ing inland navi-
gation. His fust sclicine was to deepen the Salwarpe, and

154 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

connect Droitwich with the Severn : this was not carried out.
His next design was to make the Stour navigable, and join it
by a canal with the Trent. Some progress was made with this
undertaking. The Registers mention that " Coales were
brought by Boates to ye Town on ye gth of March 1665."
Some of the barges used in this navigation have since been
discovered imbedded in mud. Yarranton was in advance of
his age, and the scheme then came to a stand still for want of
money : though it was carried out more than 100 years later by
James Brindley at a cost of £10^,000. Yarranton 's fertile
brain was busy devising plans for the good of his country. He
introduced clover seed, and supplied it largely to the farmers
of the western counties, whence it soon became adopted
throughout the country. He then went to Saxony and learnt
the art of making tin plates, but some patent was " trumpt up,"
and he was not allowed to continue his operations. In 1677 he
published the first part of his England's Improvement by Sea and
Land : to Outdo the Dutch withont Fighting, and Pay Debts without
Money, wherein " he chalks out the future course of Britain
with as free a hand as if second-sight had revealed to him those
expansions of her indiistrial career which never fail to surprise
us, even w'hen we behold them realised." Inland navigation,
harbours, the extension of the iron and woollen trades, the
linen manufacture, a public bank, fisheries, a land registry,
employment of the poor, a plan for preventing fires in London,
&c., all were well thought out by him ; but " his voice sounded
among the people like that of one crying in the wilderness."
His name and his writings have been nearly forgotten, though
Bishop Watson said that he ought to have had a statue erected
to his memory because of his eminent public services. The
reader will find a fuller account of this remarkable man in
Chapter IV. of Dr. Smiles' Industrial Biography.

Thomas Foley w-as born at Kidderminster, and baptized
12 Nov., 1673. Hs showed great aptitude in learning, and also
very much improved himself in the knowledge of men and
things by his travels beyond sea for several years. On his
return in 1695 he was elected M.P. for Stafford. He distin-
guished himself in a becoming regard for his religion, his Prince,

THE CELEBRITIES. 155

and his country, in consideration whereof he was (Dec. 31, 171 1)
created Baron Foley of Kidderminster. He married Mary,
daughter and sole heir of Thomas Strode, Esq., serjeant-at-law,
by whom he had issue four sons and two daughters. He died
22 Jan., 1733, and was buried at Witley, where an elegant
marble monument is erected. A younger brother, Edward
Foley, was also baptized at Kidderminster 23 Sept., 1676. He
was several times elected M.P. for Droitwich, and died April,
1747. Richard Foley was born here 19 Feb., 1681 : he was
one of the protonotaries of the Court of Common Pleas, and
M.P. for Droitwich. He died unmarried, 27 March, 1732.
Anne Foley, who married Sahvay Winnington, Esq., of Stan-
ford Court, was baptized at Kidderminster 28 March, 1670.
Mary Foley (baptized 14 Jan., 1678) married Sir Blundel
Charlton, Bart., of Ludford, near Ludlow.

John Jones, schoolmaster, of Kidderminster, wrote The New
Art of Spelling, Lond., 1704, 4to.

Joseph Williams, " the Christian Merchant," was born at
Kidderminster Nov. 16, 1692, and was son of a " clothier " who
lived in Church Street. He was educated at the Grammar
School, where he acquired a good knowledge of Latin and
Greek. He married (1719) Phoebe, sister of the Rev. Richard
Pearsall. He was a man of eminent piety, as is well shown in
his life and writings, edited by the Rev. B, Fawcett and
Benjamin Hanbury. In 1745 he was one of a band of about
100 volunteers who associated to defend their country against
the invasion of the Young Pretender, and who were accoutred
chiefly at his expense. He died 21 Dec, 1755, aged 63, and
was buried on the north side of Kidderminster cliurchyard.

The Rev. Richard Pearsall, born at Kidderminster 29 Aug.,
1698, was educated at Tewkesbury, and became a minister at
Bromyard for ten years, and then at Warminster sixteen years.
In 1747 he settled at Taunton, where he died 10 Nov., 1762.
He edited the diary of his sister Hannah (Mrs. Housman). He
also wrote Contemplations on the Ocean. Two volumes of Rcliquics
Sacra of Mr. Pearsall were edited by Tliomas Gibbons, D.D.,

156 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

and a brief account oi him, with portrait, is in the Evangelical
Magazine for October, 1810.

John Baskerville was born at Sion Hill, Wolverley. In
the Parish Register we find this entry : — " 1706. John y^ son of
John Baskervile by Sara his wife was baptised January y'^ 28."
When 20 years of age he went to Birmingham, and taught
wa-iting and book-keeping. In 1737 he kept a school in the
Bull Ring. In 1740 he started at 22, Moor Street, as a manu-
facturer of japanned goods, by which he made a considerable
income. He then took a lease of a small estate of 8 acres, on
which he built a house, and " made a little Eden." About 1750
he began type founding; but it was not till 1757 that the
famous 4to Virgil appeared — " the first of those magnificent
editions which went forth to astonish all the librarians of
Europe." (Macaulay.) In 1763 was published his famous
Bible, one of the finest ever printed. He also brought out fine
editions of the Prayer Book, Greek Testament, Milton, and
several classical authors. He died 8 Jan., 1775, and, being an
infidel, directed his body to be buried in his garden. His works
are still prized. " Every book was a masterpiece ; a gem of
typographic art. Baskerville's type was remarkably clear and
elegant. His paper was of a very fine thick quality, but rather
yellow in colour. His ink had a rich purple black tint."
(Printers' Register, 6 Jan., 1876.)

William Greaves, citizen of London, settled in Kidder-
minster about 171 7, and started the manufacture of striped
tameys and prunellas, and afterwards of various kinds of figured
and flowered stuffs, such as starrets, barley corns, &c., and the
trade made a considerable figure in foreign markets. His tomb,
of very durable stone, may still be seen in the churchyard.
The arms are an eagle displayed impaling a lion rampant, with
inscription : — " Here lie the remains of Mr. W'illiam Greaves,
citizen and weaver of London, whose generous endeavours for
the benefit of the trade of this place procured him esteem while
living and his death sincerely lamented. He was a dutiful son,
a loving husband, a sincere friend, a loyal subject, and a good
christian. He departed this life 28th July 1725 in the 53rd

THE CELEBRITIES. 157

year of his age. Mrs. Elizabeth Greaves his mother 17 Sept.
1729 aged 89."

Job Orton, a famous Dissenting divine (1717 — 1783), was
resident at Kidderminster for 17 years. He wrote a life of
Baxter, and another of Dr. Doddridge, wherein occurs the
epigram on the motto Dum vivimus viiiiainus, mentioned b}^ Dr.
Johnson as one of the finest in the EngHsh language : —

" Live while you live, the Epicure would say,
And seize the pleasures of the present day :
Live while you live, the sacred Preacher cries,
And give to God each moment as it flies.
Lord, in my views let both united be,
I live in pleasure while I live in Thee."

James Johnstone, M.D., was fourth son of John Johnstone,
Esq., of Galabank, an ancient branch of the Jolinstones " of
that ilk." He was born at Anandale April 14, 1730, and
received the degree of M.D. in Edinburgh University 1750. In
1 75 1 he settled as a physician at Kidderminster, where he soon
gained a great reputation in his profession. He published An
Historical Dissertation concerning the Malignant Epidemic Fever of 1 756,
from which he appears to have been the first to generate hydro-
chloric acid gas as a means of destroying contagion b}' pouring
sulphuric acid on conmion salt. In the 54th volume of the
Phil. Trans, he published the first sketch of his opinions of the
uses of the ganglions of the nerves. He attended George the
" good " Lord Lyttelton in his last illness, " and was not only
his physician but his confessor." He also wrote treatises
on Angina, Scarlet Fever, The Slave Trade, Hydrophobia, Sec, for
which he was voted the honorary medal of tlie Medical Society,
He sent much information about Kidderminster to Dr. Nash
for his History of Worcestershire. He died at Worcester 28 April,
1802, in the 73rd year of his age. A monument was erected in
Worcester Cathedral, but he was buried in Kidderminster
churchyard,

James Johnstone, M.D., son of the above and of Hannah
daughter of Mr. Henry Crane, of Kidderminster, was born here
August, 1754. He was educated at the Grammar School under

158 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

the Rev. John Martin, and graduated as M.D. at Edinburgh in
1 773- Next year he was unanimously chosen a physician to
the Worcester Infirmary, and soon reached great eminence in
his profession. When called on by the Magistrates of Wor-
cester to visit the prisons, where many laboured under the gaol
fever, he went into cells and dungeons full of pestilential con-
tagion, and his life fell a sacrifice to duty. He was seized with
the dire contagion, and was conveyed to his father's house in
Kidderminster, there to receive the last attention of parental
skill and affection. He died i6 Aug., 1783, and was buried in
Worcester Cathedral, where on a tablet is an inscription to his
memory from the classical pen of Dr. Parr. John Howard, the
philanthropist, mentions this sad case as " one incentive to my
endeavours for the extirpation of the gaol fever out of our
prisons." (Chambers' Biography.)

Edward Johnstone, M.D., born at Kidderminster 1757, was
the third son of Dr. James Johnstone. He settled at Birming-
ham, where he soon became the first physician of the Midland
Counties, He served the General Hospital for 22 years, and
acquired the highest professional and social position. He
retired early, and enjoyed a ripe old age at Edgbaston Hall.
His principal works were on puerperal fever and hydrophobia.
He died at the great age of 94 in 1851. (Tunmins' Warwick-
shire.)

John Johnstone, M.D., F.R.S., F.R.C.P., &c., was brother
of the above, born here 1767. He was not only professionally
famous, but scientifically also. He was a personal friend of
Dr. Parr, whose life and works he wrote and edited. His works
on Mineral Poisons, on Medical Jurisprudence, and on Madness :
Hereditary and Partial, are excellent proofs of his skill and know-
ledge. He died near Birmingham in 1836, aged 69. (Ibid.)

Thomas Wright Hill (1763 — 1853) was born at Kidder-
minster. His earliest tastes were scientific, largely influenced
by Ferguson's lectures when he was only nine years old. He
was first apprenticed to a brassfounder in Birmingham ; but
the work was uncongenial, and his experience as a Sunday-

THE CELEBRITIES. 159

school teacher under Dr. Priestley led him to devote himself to
teaching. He established first the Hill Top School in Birming-
ham, and afterwards the Hazelwood School at Edgbaston,
where many eminent men received their early training, and
pupils came to him from all parts of Europe. He had a
very remarkable and original power of interesting boys. He
made his school a small republic, and trained the boys for the
work of life. He encouraged manual labour, as well as games
and sports. He not only proposed a magazine, but the l)i)\s
printed and illustrated it also, and many etchings and earlv
lithographs were produced. His five sons trained by him had
most successful careers. The third was Sir Rowland, of the
Post Office ; Matthew Davenport was an eminent jurist ;
Edwin, at the Stamp Office, made maiiy inventions ; F"rederick
was an inspector of prisons ; and Arthur carried on the school
at Bruce Castle, Tottenham, after Hazelwood was closed. He
died in 1853, full ot honours as well as years, and has been
remembered by three generations of pupils and friends, who
owe to his teaching and example the culture and success of
their lives. (Timmins' Waywicks/iiye.J

Lant Carpenter, LL.D., born at Kidderminster 2 Sept.,
1780, was third son of George Carpenter (died 12 Feb., 1839,
aged 91), carpet manufacturer, by his wife, Mary Hooke (cbed
21 March, 1835, aged 83). Ann Lant was the maiden name of
George Carpenter's mother. The father failed in business, and
removed from Kidderminster, but Lant was left behind with
his mother's guardian, Nicholas Pearsall, who a(loj)ted him
with a view to his becoming a minister. Pearsall was a strong
Unitarian of much practical benevolence, and had fouiukd a
school in Kidderminster, at which Lant received his early edu-
cation. In 1797 he entered the Dissenting Acadenu- at
Northampton under John Horsey. This was broken u]), and
he then went to Glasgow University. In 1801 he became
assistant in the school of his connection, the Rev. John (^orrie,
at Birch's Green, near IJinniiigham. I'rom i.Soa to 1.S05 he
held the librarianship of the Li\erjH)()l Alluiiaaiin. Oii 9 J.iii.,
1805, he accepted a co-pastorate at George's Meeting, Exeter.
He brought out next year a pojuilar manual of N.T. ( Icoi^raj ihy.

i6o A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

Applying to Glasgow in 1806 for M.A. by special grace, he was
at once made LL.D. In 1817 he removed to Lewin's Mead
Chapel, Bristol, on the retirement of Dr. Estlin. The congre-
gation was large and wealthy, but had lost cohesion. Carpenter
drew its various elements together, developed its religious and
philanthropic life, and gave it a hold upon the neglected classes
of society. Of Carpenter's own catechumens, a considerable
number, including' some of his favourite pupils, ultimately
joined the Church of England. Many of the sterner Uni-
tarians regarded his influence as too evangelical. The rite of
baptism he rejected altogether as a superstition, substituting
a form of infant dedication. In 1833 the Rajah Rammohun
Roy, in whose monotheistic movement Dr. Carpenter was
strongly interested, died at Bristol, and he preached his funeral
sermon. He gave up his school in 1829. James Martineau
was one of his pupils. No master was ever more adored by his
scholars, or more effective in the discipline of character. Till
1836 he took a leading part in all public work in Bristol, and
was one of the chief organisers of the Literary and Philosophical
Institution in 1822. By 1839 his constitution was completely
exhausted under his unsparing labours. He was recommended
to travel on the Continent, but was drowned on the night of
5 April, 1840, while going by steamer from Leghorn to Mar-
seilles. He was not missed till morning, and it is supposed that
he was washed overboard. His body was cast ashore two
months afterwards near Porto d'Anzio, and was buried on the
beach. He married 25 Dec., 1805, a daughter (died 19 June,
1856) of James Penn, of Kidderminster, and had six children,
of whom the eldest was Mary, the distinguished philanthropist,
the chief organiser of industrial schools and the friend of Indian
education. The fourth was Dr. W. B. Carpenter, F.R.S.,
Registrar of London University, and a famous physiologist,
who left five sons, including W. Lant Carpenter, B.Sc, and
Dr. P. H. Carpenter, F.R.S. The youngest son, Philip Pearsall
Carpenter, B.A., was at first a minister at Warrington, but is
best known as a conchologist. The other son, Russell Lant,
was his biographer. Dr. Lant Carpenter's works were — (i)
Unitarianism the Doctrine of the Gospel ; (2) Systematic Education ;
(3) An Examination, of the Charges made against Unitarians by Rt.

THE CELEBRITIES. i6i

Rev. Dv. Magee ; (4) Principles of Education ; (5) A Harmony of
the Gospels ; and (6) Sermons on Practical Subjects. [These facts
are chiefly taken from the National Biography.] A marble
monument is erected to his memory in the New Meeting,
Kidderminster.

Sir Josiah Mason, Kt., was born in All!! Street 23 Feb.,
1795, of humble parentage. The family apparently had been
long settled m Kidderminster, for the name occurs in the
Registers as early as 1559. The future philanthropist had a
hard uphill struggle, and was obliged to commence his indus-
trial career at the age of eight by selling cakes and vegetables
in the streets. When about 21 years old he removed to Bir-
mingham, where after several trials and disappointments
prosperity at length dawned upon him. His greatest difficulty
was to save his first five pounds : when this was done the rest
was comparatively easy. Through the kind offices of Mr.
Heeley, a steel toy manufacturer, he was engaged by Samuel
Harrison to superintend a manufactory for the production of
split rings, of which, when only twelve months had elapsed, he
became the purchaser at the price of ^500, a sum he was
enabled to pa}^ out of the profits of the first year. Harrison had
made for Dr. Priestley the first steel pens recorded. Mason
saw that these rude efforts could be improved, and that pens
could easily be made by machinery. In conjunction with Mr.
James Perry, he took up this new branch of industry, which
prospered wonderfully, and laid the foundation of a splendid
fortune for the Kidderminster carpet weaver's son. About
1840 he joined the Messrs. Elkington, and brought ;^8o,ooo to aid
in developing their patents for electrotyping. Wealth flowed
in upon him, until the very disposal of it in the future became
a subject of anxious deliberation between himself and his wife
(Annie Griffiths), for they were childless, and he had not a
relative in the world. So they resolved to make desolate
orphans heirs to part of their accumulated wealth ; and the
friendless widows and homeless spinsters were not forgotten.
In 1858 he established at Erdiiigton an almshouse for 30 women
and an orphanage for 50 girls. Soon afterwards a new
orphanage was erected in the same village at a cobt of ;^6o,ooo,
u

i62 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

and endowed with property worth ;^2oo,ooo. In 1874 ^^ ^^^^
enlarged so as to render it capable of accommodating 300 girls,
150 boys, and 50 infants. The original orphanage has been
devoted to the purpose of an almshouse, with which is com-
bined a houie for girls who have gone into domestic service
from the orphanage, but are temporarily out of a situation.
Some of the orphans are always to be chosen from Kidder-
minster. The " Mason Science College " in Birmingham was
opened 23 Feb., i(S8o. About ;^6o,ooo was spent on the
building, and the total endowment is estimated at nearly
^250,000. Sir Josiah, upon whom the Queen bestowed the
honour of knighthood in 1872, died 16 June, 1881, in the 87th
year of his age. He was buried in a mausoleum by the side of
his wife in the orphanage grounds at Erdington. A marble
statue of him is erected near his College in Birmingham.
(Worcester Journal, Kidderminster Shuttle, &c.)

Sir Rowland Hill, K.C.B., D.C.L., F.R.S., &c., was born
Dec. 3rd, 1795, in Blackwell Street, Kidderminster, in a house
that had belonged to at least three generations of his family.
In the time of Edward I. John Hill (de Monte ) held a messuage
and hall a virgate of land in Comberton. The name appears
in the Registers in 1539 — the first year recorded. The distinc-
tive Christian name also occurs in 1628, June 3d : — " Baptized
Marryan daughter of Rowland Hill and Mary." From his
father, Thomas Wright Hill, Sir Rowland is thought to have
acquired the largeness of his conceptions, but from the judicious
training of his mother (Sarah Lea) he imbibed more important
qualities — firmness and shrewdness, patience and prudence.
When he was five years old the French war ruined his father's
manufacture, and he left Kidderminster for Wolverhampton,
In 1802 Thomas Hill gave up trade, and started a school at
Hill Top, Birmingham. Here Rowland was a school-boy, but
in his twelfth year he became an assistant master. The
straightened circumstances in which his family found them-
selves in his early days did nuich to develop in him the
important quality of self-help. He worked at mathematics,
navigation, astronomy, architecture, electricity, &c., with great
zest. " Most of all was he indebted for that first of all know-

SIR ROWLAND HILL, K.C.B., D.C.L., I- R.S., ^c.

'B 'I'n at Kiddcyininster Dec. 3, ijysj

THE CELEBRITIES. 163

ledge, the knowledge of self, to an eminent physician, Dr.
Johnstone (see page 158), who had engaged him to give lessons
to his son. ' I heard matters talked of which I could not in the
least understand. This discovery of my ignorance was at first
very painful to me, and set me to work very hard.' " In con-
junction with some friends he formed a " Society for Scientific
and Literary Improvement." In 1822 Rowland and his elder
brother Matthew brought out Plans for the Government and Liberal
Education of Boys in Large Numbers. Drawn from Experience. In
this work is set forth a complete scheme for the government of
a large school on a novel plan. He gave his pupils a constitu-
tion, and established a court of justice, of which the boys were
themselves the officials. When a boy above 12 left the school
a sub-committee drew up his character, entered it in a book
kept for the purpose, and it was read aloud before the whole
school. Counters were given for " voluntary labour," so as to
stimulate all tastes — working the printing-press, penmanship,
drawing, etching, painting, music, modelling, learning orations
and poetry, reports of lectures, debates, &c., composition in
prose and verse. Fights were common at first. The plan
adopted as a remedy was this : For six hours every attempt
was made to appease the boys : if all was in vain the other boys
were kept in school while the two combatants settled the
matter in the presence of a master as marshal of the lists.
Fighting was soon unknown. The system was of a highly
stimulating character, but from Rowland's eagerness and great
inventive powers the rules of the school were in a state of
continual flux. The publication of Public Education aroused
much attention to their work. Distinguished philosophers,
such as Jeremy Bentham, Joseph Hume, Grote, Brougham, De
Quincey, Malthus, Dr. Gilchrist, &c., crowded to the scene, and
the school almost at one bound sprang into fame. The book
was translated into foreign languages, and a similar system was
tried in other lands. Men of rank and learning sent their
children to be educated at " Hazelwood "—a house which the
Hills had built when Hill Top became too small for the
increased number of scholars. In 1826 a sucker from Hazel-
wood — now well known as the Bruce Castle School — was
planted m London. Here Rowland brought home liis bride.

1 64 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

Caroline daughter of Mr. Pearson, of Wolverhampton, and
here he spent the first six years of his wedded life. Nothing in
the biography of the Hill family is more interesting than the
wonderful feeling of unity and the spirit of co-operation which
prevailed among them. " As they trusted each other for aid in
case of need, so at all times did they look to each other for
counsel. The affairs of all were known to each. At every
important turn each sought the judgment of all." By 1833 the
strain of teaching had begun to tell so severely upon Rowland's
health that he had to give up the work and travel abroad. The
territory of South Australia — then a waste — was about to be
colonised under the auspices of Mr. E. G. Wakefield, who
offered him the post of secretary in England, This he accepted,
and occupied it for four years with " conspicuous success."
His brother Matthew had been elected Member for Hull, and
aided materially in getting an Act of Parliament authorising
the colonisation. In January, 1837, Rowland drew up the
famous pamphlet on Post-office Reform, which brought him into
contact with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Spring Rice.
All his knowledge of the postal service was derived from
Parliamentary reports. The charge for conveyance of a letter
from London to Edinburgh was 15. i^d. ; but from Hill's calcu-
lations it appeared that the actual cost for this distance of 400
miles was to the Government only one thirty-sixth part of a
penny. " Hence," he says, " I came to the important conclu-
sion that the existing practice of regulating the amount of
postage by the distance over which an inland letter was con-
veyed, however plausible in appearance, had no foundation in
principle ; and that consequently the rates of postage should be
irrespective of distance. I scarcely need add that this discovery,
as startling to myself as it could be to any one else, was the
basis of the plan which has made so great a change in postal
affairs." In his pamphlet he advocated the use of stamped
covers for the prepayment of letters — a plan first suggested by
Mr. Charles Knight. For the benefit of illiterate persons
Rowland made the happy suggestion of the adhesive stamp,
now used throughout the world : " A bit of paper just large
enough to bear the stamp, and covered at the back with a
glutinous wash, which the bringer might, by applying a little

THE CELEBRITIES. 165

moisture, attach to the back of the letter." Hill's scheme of
penny postage was at first treated by the heads of the Post-
office with contempt. The Postmaster-General declared that
" of all the wild and visionary schemes which he had ever heard
or read of, it was the most extraordinary." For two years the
strongest opposition was given to the plan ; but public opinion
soon began to speak out loudly in its favour, and in May, 1838,
a deputation, consisting of 150 Members of Parliament, urged
the Prime Minister, Lord Melbourne, to adopt it. On 17 Aug.,
1839, the Bill for establishing the Penny Postage received the
Royal assent, and on Sept. 16th following Mr, Hill received an
appointment in the Treasury, at a salary of ^1500, to enable
him to carry it out. On 10 Jan., 1840, the penny postage was
extended to the whole kingdom. The issue of stamps, or " bits
of sticking plaster for dabbing on to letters " as they were
derisively called, began on May ist. The " M already enve-
lope " caused so much ridicule that nearly all the issue was
destroyed. Difficulties innumerable sprang tip connected with
the forgery and incomplete obliteration of stamps, the cumbrous
routine of the old officials, the increased expenditure caused at
first by the introduction of railways, &c. ; but Rowland Hill's
energy and inventive genius surmounted them all. In 1842,
owing to a change in the Ministry, he was dismissed from his
ofiice. He was soon appointed managing director and then
chairman of the Brighton Railway Company, of which the
afTairs were in an unsatisfactory state. W'Ikmi he took office in
1843 the £^0 shares were as low as ^35. In 1845 they had
risen to ^75. At his suggestion two institutions were adopted
till then unknown, viz., excursion trains and express trains. In
1846, as a national benefactor, he was presented with a cheque
for ;^i 3,000, and in the same year was reinstated in the Post-
■ ofiice as secretary to the Postmaster-General. In 1854 he was
appointed sole secretary to the Post-office. In 1857 he was
elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, and early in i860 Her
Majesty conferred upon him the honour of Knight Commander
of the Bath. In 1864, owing to ill-health, he retired. Parlia-
ment granted him ^20,000 and an annual pension ol ^2000,
«' not merely as a meritorious public servant, but as a bene-
factor of his race ; and feeling that his tilting reward is to be

i66 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

found not in this or that amount of pension, but in the grateful
recollection of his country." The rest of his life was spent in
quiet retirement, and when he died 27 August, 1879, he was
buried in Westminster Abbey. His interesting biography,
in two volumes, written by his nephew, George Birkbeck Hill,
D.C.L., was published in 1880. Birmingham, where he spent
his youth and early manhood, has set up his statue ; and a
similar honour was done to him in his native town of Kidder-
minster at a cost of ^1800, contributed by 200,000 people chiefly
in penny stamps. The statue was executed by Mr. T. Brock,
R.A., and unveiled in June, 1881, by the Mayoress (Mrs. H. R.
Willis), when an eloquent eulogy was pronounced by Sir Rupert
Kettle. A charity for the relief of the widows and orphans of
the servants of the Post-office will keep his memory green.
" But so long as men keep warm feelings, and the name of home
has still its charm ; so long as there are sorrowful partings and
hearts that need comforting ; so long as our high aim is towards
peace on earth, good will toward men, Rowland Hill is not
likely to be forgotten. For he has done almost more than any
other man to bring near those who are far off, to bind the
nations together, and to make the whole world kin."

William Lea, M.A., son of William Lea, Esq., of Kidder-
minster (p. gi), was born at Stone House ig Nov., i8ig. He
was educated at Rugby and Brasenose College, Oxford, B.A.
(2nd Class Lit. Hum.) 1842. In i84g he became Vicar of St,
Peter's, Droitwich, which he resigned in 1887. In 1881 he was
made Archdeacon of Worcester, and filled the office with con-
spicuous tact and abilit}^ For more than 40 years he earnestly
promoted the cause of education in the diocese as secretary of
the Worcester Board of Education and hon. secretary of Saltley
College. He was also a great authority upon fruit growing,
recommending it especially to cottagers. In addition to his
published Charges, he wrote Catechisings on the Book of Common
Prayer, On the Life of our Lord, Sermons on the Prayer Book Preached
in Rome, Small Farms, and Chtirch Plate in the Archdeaconry of
Worcester. He was also collecting materials for an account of
the church fonts in the Archdeaconry. He died at " Orchard-
lea " 24 Sept., i88g, and was buried in St. Peter's churchyard,
Droitwich.

THE CELEBRITIES. 167

Humphrey Price, born at Kidderminster, and educated at
the Grannnar School, was afterwards minister of Christ Church
in Needwood. He was a mm of exceedingly benevolent dispo-
sition, but somewhat eccentric and misguided in his chivalrous
support of the cause of the weavers during the great strike of
1828. Nearly 2000 looms were standing idle from March till
the end of August, entailing a loss upon the operatives of about
^50,000. This produced great distress in the town : Mr. Price
composed a pathetic poem, " A Kidderminster Weaver's Wife's
Dream," and also published highly infiaminator\- letters
addressed to John Woodward, John Broom, James Hooman,
and George Hallen (High Bailift), which were considered
to be the cause of some riots which endued. J. iJowyer, of
The Copse, and " Oppitlanus " replied to these letters (printer,
T. Pennell, High Street). Sir James Scarlett moved in the
King's Bench tor a rule to show cause why a crinnnal mtorma-
tion should not be filed against the Ivew 11. Pnci'. He was
tried at Hereford, and sentenced to twelve months' imprison-
ment. In the end the men returned to work at lower wages,
and received 205. each as a present.

Rebecca Swan was the last ot the Kidderminster witches.
She lived in Clunxli Street, where a signboard made known lier
qualifications: — "Town and Country Letter Writer to All
Parts. Gives Advice in all Periods. No need to Apply with-
out recommendation. I have been wrongfully used. Wishes
to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. " A
number of fine cats assisted her in lier extensive trade of
fortune-teller and recoverer of stolen property : but when her-
self robbed of tweK'e half-crowns and six gold rings lier mystic
art failed to regam the articles. She was burnt to death while
intoxicated on a tempestuous night in November, 1850, when
all her cats mysteriously disappeared. [Richard Baxter was a
believer in witchcraft, and from the Townscnd MSS. it appears
that in 1660 four persons accused of the black art were brt)ught
from Kidderminster to W orcester gaol. " The eldest daughter
had said that if they had not been taken, the King should never
have come intt) lingl.ind : and though he now <lolh come, yet
lie shall not live long, but shall die a^ ill ,1 de.ilh ,i^ they: and

i68 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

that they would have made corn like pepper. Many great
charges were made against them but little proved : they were
put to the ducking in the river ; they would not sink, but swam
aloft. The man had five teats, the mother three, and the
eldest daughter one. When they went to search the women
none were visible : one advised to lay them on their backs, and
keep open their mouths, and they would appear ; and so they
presently appeared in sight."']

George Griffith served his first clerkship in a corn mer-
chant's office in Bewdley, and was afterwards resident for many
years in Kidderminster. Quite early in life he became pos-
sessed with two ruling passions — verse making and the
reformation of grammar schools. His writings were very
voluminous, chiefly in " history, history-romance, drama
satire, and a miscellaneous worship of the Muse." His chief
publications were The Free Schools of Worcestershire, Life of George
Wilson, Charles II., Going to Markets and Grammar Schools, and
Records in the Midland Counties. He died in 1883, and was
buried at Ribbesford.

Thomas Helmore, M.A., w^as the son of the Rev. Tliomas
Helmore, minister of the New Meeting (1810 — 1818). He
graduated at Hertford College, Oxford, and was ordained by
the Bishop of Lichfield in 1840. From 1842 to 1846 he was
Vice-Principal of St. Mark's College, Chelsea. In 1847 he was
made Pnest-in-Ordinary to her Majesty's Chapels Royal, He
was a prolific writer of church music, and was the originator
and principal editor of The Hymnal Noted,, Manual of Plain Song^
Carols, &c. He died July, 1890, aged 79, and was buried in
Brompton cemetery.

Dr. G. Custance, born in Kidderminster, was the author of
a History of the Church in England.

Edward Bradley, B.A., more widely known as " Cuthbert
Bede," was born in the topmost house in Swan Street, Kidder-
minster, on 25 March, 1827. His father was a surgeon, and
Edward was educated at the Grammar School under the Rev.

THE CELEBRITIES. 169

\\". Cockin. \\'hilst still a school boy he was a niLmber of the
local Athenceum, and contributed a large number of original com-
positions in prose and verse to its " Manuscript Magazine."
Many of them are illustrated in his facile style with pen-and-
ink sketches. At Durham Universit3\ where he graduated
in 1848, he was Thorpe and Foundation Scholar. In 1850 he
was ordained, and held successively the benefices of Bobbington
m Staffordshire, Denton (Hunts), Stretton, near Oakham, and
Lenton, near Grantham, which he retained up to the time of
his death, 12 Dec, i88g. His celebrity mainly rests upon his
famous book, Veniant Gveen (1854), a humorous story of Oxford
University life. His other works were Photographic Pleasures, Nearer
and Dearer, Fairy Fables, Happy Hours, Glencreggan, Humour, Wit, and
Satire, Curate of Cranston, Tour in Tartan Land, The White Wife,
The Rook's Garden, Matins and Muttons, Little Mr. Bouncer, and
Fotheringhay and Mary Queen of Scots. He was also a regular
contributor to The Queen, Notes and Queries, Society, &c. A large
w^ater-colour view of the interior of Kidderminster parish
church, sketched l)y him before its restoration, is in the
chantry. He took a tleep interest in the history and
antiquities ot his native town : several ot his early sketches
were presented i)y him to the Museum, and have been
framed at the expense of G. W. Grosvenor, Esq. Mr. Bradley
married a daughter oi William Hancocks, Esq., of Blakeshall
House, Wolverley, and leaves several children. His brother is
a well-known Worcestershire writer under t]ie nont de plume of
" Shelsley Beauchamp." An ancestor, the Rev. John Bradley,
was Rector of Ribbesford from 1725 to 1730.

Daniel Wagstaff Goodwin was born at Holt in 1821, and
was son of John G. Goodwin, Alderman and Mayor of Wor-
cester. In 1845 he came to the ancient Town Mills of Kidder-
minster, where he adopted the latest miprovements in machinery
aiul apparatus, and by unremittmg attention to business
achieved much success. He was chosen to nearly all the offices
of honour and trust in the town, such as Alderman, Mayor,
County Councillor, Churchwarden, Chairman ot the Chamber
of Commerce, &c. He was of simple, quiet manners, but liis-
played abundant common-sense and public spirit. He gave

170 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

the site and was the chief promoter of the Schools of Art and
Science ; and shortly before his death he had anonymously
otfered /500 towards building a new Free Library. He also
erected a useful and handsome drinking fountain at the Blake-
brook entrance of the town. ¥L<t died 25 March, 1890, and is
buried in St. John's churchyard.

WjLLiAM Henry Simcox was son of George Price Simcox, of
Kidderminster, and his wile Jemima (Haslope). He was edu-
cated first at Kidderminster Grammar School, under Dr.
Sheppard, whence he won an open exhibition at Alarlborough
College. In i860 he was elected scholar of Balliol College,
Oxford ; in 1863 he was First Class, Moderations ; 1864, First
Class Lit. Hum. ; 1865, Craven Scholar and Gainsford Greek
Prose Prize ; 1867, Theological Scholar and English Essay ;
1868, Arnold Historical Essay and M.A. ; Fellow of Queen's
College 1864 — 1870. In i856 he was ordained. He was Rector
of Weyhill, Hants, 1869 — 1885, and of Harlaxton, Lincolnshire,
1885 — 1887. He died in 1889, aged 48. He wrote Beginnings
of the Christian Church, 1881, and edited The Orations of Demos-
thenes and j^Eschines on the Crown, 1872, and Tacitus' Histories,

1875.

George Augustus Simcox, elder brother of the above, was
likewise born in Kidderminster, educated at the Grammar
School, and has had a brilliant university career. In 1858 he
won an open scholarship at Corpus Christi College, Oxford ;
i860. First Class Moderations; 1861, Ireland Scholar; 1862,
First Class Lit. Hum. and Craven Scholar ; 1864, Latin Essay
and Fellow of Queen's College. He has written a History of
Latin Literature, 2 vols., Longmans (1883), &c.

THE MANUFACTURES.

171

CHAP T E R X

IT be ni>amit"acturc£\

ADOX'S Fovmulare An^licaniim (Nash, ii., 42)
contains the earliest reference to manufactures
in the town : it is the release of a messuage
and land \n W'ich, made by one Alured, son of
Ketelbern, a fiilley of Kidderminster. The deed
is without date, but Hugh le Poer, one of the
witnesses, was under sheritf in the eighth, fourteenth, and nine-
teenth years of Henry HI. Taking the latest period, we get
1235 as the date when the clothnig trade was undoubtedly in
operation here.

In the VVanley MS. mention is made of Alured the Fuller as
holdmg land " on which the Hospital was formerly situated,
near the great Mill of Kiddeminster." Other deeds of the time
of Henry HI. refer to " Margery widow of Richard the Fuller,"
and " an annual rent of 25. to be paid by Simon the Fuller my
man." One of the earliest fulling-mills set up m England was
that at Bradford-on-Avon, in Wiltshire, a few miles from
Maiden Bradley. Its advantages would not escape the keen
eyes of the monks ; and before long they were the owners of a
fulling-mill worked by water power at Mytton, in the tenancy
of William de Stour. (Page 21.)

Before 1334 the manufacture of cloth was so well established
that regulations were made respecting it.

" FOR THE MAKING OF WOOLLEN CLOTH.

" Alsoe we woll that no manner of man within tlie Manner
and Burrow oft KlIIk rniinster shall iiinkc any v\uullen cluih

172 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

Broad nor Narrow without the Baylieffs Seall in payn of
XX5. tor every defauite, the one haulfe to the prince and the
Lord and the Other to the Bayliefe."

From the wording of the above there can be no doubt that
the cloth was made in the town itself. Kerseys were probably
made here also, but the following regulation relates only to the
sealing of such as were exposed for sale : —

" FOR THE SEALING OF CARSEIES.

" Alsoe wee woll that noe man nor woman shall Bring to the
ffayr or Markett Any Carseies for to sett to sale without a seall
for dought off the Catchpowles for all such Carseyes or Cloth
are fforfeyted, the one halfe to the prince and the lord And the
other halfe to the baylyffe and his Catchpoles."

Wool was abundant in England, and the prosperity of the
Flemish burghers depended entirely on this important raw
staple. In the valuation of the Rectory of Kidderminster, made
in 1335, the tithes of wool amounted to the large sum of ^4 —
three times the value of the hay and four times that of the oats.
The tithe of lambs was 135. 4^., whilst that of calves was only
I2d. The sheep, however, were small, and each fleece averaged
only i^lb. (Rogers.) The foreign wars of the Edwards and the
Henrys were carried on almost entirely by the tax on wool.
The heavy export duty on this article induced many Flemings
to take up their residence in England — just as in our own times
carpet manufacturers have gone to the United States. From
the names of some old Kidderminster Burgesses we may con-
clude that a few of them found their way here : we have for
instance Delph, Fleminge, Holland, and Flanders.

Flax was extensively grown in this district in the middle ages,
and in 1335 the tithe was valued at 135. ^d. Its importance
will be understood when we remember that cotton was unknown.
Leather was very largely used for clothing, but Bewdley was
the chief seat of the tanneries, having an abundance of oak
bark from the Wyre Poorest.

In 1533 the cloth trade of Worcestershire was passing through
a crisis ; and a paternal government interlered to protect the

THE MANUFACTURES. 173

towns from ruinous competition, though in a manner somewhat
contrary to oiu' modern ideas of political economy. John
Leland about this time records : " The Tow ne standelh most
by cloathinge."' The Act 25 Henry VIII., cap. 18, runs thus : —

" i Sheweth unto ttio Kin,;,' oar Sovereign Lord, and to the Lords Spiritual
and Temporal, and to the Commons in this present I'arh assembled, the
Citizens, Burgesses, and Inhabitants of the City of Worcester, and the towns
of Evesham, Droitwich, Kederminster, and liromisgrove within the County
of Worcester. That where the said City Boroughs and Towns ha\e been in
times past well and substantially inhabited, occupied, maintained, and
iij)holden by reason of making of woollen CMoths, called long Cloths, short
Cloths, and other Cloths, as well whites, blues, and brown blues, and the
poor people of the same Towns and of the country adjoining to them, daily
set a work, as in spinning, carding, breaking, and sorting of Wools, and the
Handicrafts there inhabiting as Weavers, Fullers, Sheremen and Dyers, have
been well set a work, and had sufficient living by the same, until now within
few years passed, that divers persons inhabiting in the hamlets, thorps, and
villages adjoining to the said towns, for their private wealths, singular
advantages and commodities, nothing regarding the maintenance and
upholding of the said Towns, ne the commonwealth of the said handicrafts,
ne the poor people which had living by the same, have not only ingrossed
and taken into their hruids divers and sundry farms, and become farmers,
grasiers, and husbandmen, but also do exercise the mysteries of cloth-
making, weaving, fulling and sheering within their said houses to the great
decay and ruin of the said Towns.

" ii For remedy whereof and for the amendment and good advancement
of the said towns be it enacted . . . that after Sept 30, i53() only such
persons inhabiting within the towns of Worcester, Kvesham, Droitwich,
Kederminster, and Bromisgrove shall make any manner of woollen cloths to
be sold upon pain of forfeiture for each Cloth xls.

" iii No higher rent shall be imposed tor houses in the said towns than
was given within 20 years next before the making of this Act.

" iv Persons may make cloaths for their own wearing, their children or
servants wearing.

" V That in every town there be due search made of every such cloth
beforesaid there made, and that they be meted both length and breadth,
being wet from the mill, before they be set upon the rack and dried : (2) and
that they shall be sealed with the seal of the searcher of the same town,
which seal shall have a stamp containing the true numbers for the length
and breadth of the same cloth being wet, on pain of forfeiting for every cloth
put to sale, not having the said seal of the searcher xx.?. ... (4) and
the searcher shall have for the sealing of every cloth a peny, and not
above."

174 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

In 27 Hy. VIII., cap. 12, is a further " Act for the true making
of cloth."

In 4 and 5 Philip and Mary, cap. 5, § 2, it is enacted that
every white cloth and clothes commonly called long" Worcesters
shall weigh 751b. at the least.

From the Borough archives we extract the following :—

" Ordinances and By-lawes agreed uppon, and made at
Kiddern>inster, under ye Common Scale of ye said Burrough,
by John Elsmore the nowe Baylive, and the Major p;irt of the
Capitall Burghesses thereof, Assembled to y' end in the Guild-
hall of that Burrough the xxiij"^*^ day of August, A.D. 1650.

" I Imprimis whereas the Burrough of Kidderminster aforesaid hath
bine, and is an Auncient Burrough and hath auntientHe had in it divers
Fraternities, Companies,, or fellowshipps of ye Tradesmen and Inhabitants
thereof known by severall names — That is to say, the Societie or Companie
of Weavers, The Societie of Taylors The Societie of Smithes and the Society
of Shoemakers, And whereas also the said severall Fraternities. Societies,
Companies, or Fellowshipps, have each and every of them had two persons-
respectively elected yerelie out of the said severall Fraternities, upon
the Munday next after Midsummer day, by ye greater of the said
respective Fraternities, which are called, and so auntiently were
called, by the name of Wardens of the said several Fraternities, which
said Wardens were, and are for ye next yere following their eleccion
to doe ye best of their skill, and power, and to execute and accom-
plish all things whatsoever by all good wayes for ye maintenance, and
continuance of good Orders for the generall good of ye said Burrough,
and for ye particular good and benefit of their respective Fraternities
or Societies. It is therefore now agreed upon and ordeigned by ye'
foresaid John Elsmore Baylive of ye said Burrough, and ye Major part of
ye Capitall Burghesses thereof. That the said severall Fraternities, Societies,
Companies, and Fellowships still continue, be, and remayne as before they
have bine.

" 3 Item it is ordeyned That at every such Eleccion such person of the
severall Fraternities as shall last come before Eleven of ye Clock to the place
of ye Assembly is, and shalbe made for the yere then next following a Beedie
or messenger unto ye savd respective Wardens, to summon ye said respee--
tive Fraternities together as often as he shall by the sayd respective
Wardens be commanded [penalty 35. 4^.]

" 5 It is ordeyned that no person of any of the particular trades belonging
to any of the said Fraternities shall set up any shop or house of trading
within the said Borough or exercise any of the said Trades unless he be first

THE MANUFACTURES. 175

admitted into one of the said Fraternities by the respective Wardens and
Companies, paying for his admittance such reasonable summe as shall then be
agreed upon by him and them, and not exceeding Twenty Shillings ; the one
halfe to goe to ye said Baylive and Capitall Burghesses for the use of the
said Burrough, and ye other halfe to ye use of the said respective Frater^
nities. And it is further ordeyned that no person shall exercise any of the
said Trades there unlesse he hath bine bound an Apprentice to ye same by
the space of Seaven yeares [penalty Ten Pounds]

" 14 Item for asmuch as the Society of Weavers of the Stuffes called
Kidderminster Stuffes have received of late much dammage in their repu-
tacion of trading by the Covetousnes and irregularity of some others of ye
same profession and Trade within ye said Burrough who for their own
advantage have driven a privat Trade of ye same Stuffes deceitfully made
both for measure and workmanship. By which means a scandall is fastened
upon ye said Trade, the Traders therein much disparaged, the Trade
decayed, and the poore increased, who formerly by their Labour therein
were supported and mainteyned. For the regulating hereof and to th'end
ye said Trade, and profession may regaine its credit (now so much impayred),
the poore as formerlie set on worke, and releeved, and that each man may
in love and charity live neighbourly one with another. It is therefore
thought fit, and ordeyned that from henceforth no Master of and in the
said Trade of Weavers, nor likewise of any the Trades belonging to ye
severall Companies or F'raternities as aforesaid shall take any Apprentice to
any their severall trades but he shall first acquaint ye Wardens of the said
severall Fraternities Companies and Fellowships therewith, who shall take
care to have him bound according to ye Lawes of ye Realme, And shall
enroll his name, age, and time of his service in their book, for which they
shall be allowed 2sh. 6d. and not above, to be payd by him or her that shall
procure the same Apprentice to be bound as aforesayd. And likewise yt
all and every Master of the said Trade of Weaving within the sayd Burrough
be required to take no Apprentice to ye foresayd trade for ye space of Seven
years after ye Confirmacion hereof according to ye Statute in that behalf
made, except only poore boyes necessarily cast upon the Towne (if so many
there be) or a Townsman's owne sonne, if any such be ; And also not to take
an Apprentice till he that taketh him hath been a Master at ye sayd Trade
sne whole yere ; And that to and for each Apprentice that any man shall
take in ye sayd Trade he doe keep Two Journymen, which shall be such,
and none others, and so qualified, as ye Lawes of this nation doe allow of,
and that shall be approved of to worke in the said trade by ye sayd Frater-
nitie Societie Company or Fellowship of Weavers. And that in case any
Tradesman within the said Burrough shall fall into decay having an Appren-
tice The same person so decayed shall not take money to make his sayd
Apprentice free ; But with the consent of ye same Fraternitie, Company or
Society shall turne him over to some other of the same profession, and trade
^o work out the residue of his time then undetermined.
W

176 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

" 15 Item it is thought fit, declared, and agreed upon, That for and during
the space of three years next after the confirmacion of these present Ordi-
nances as aforesaid, no one Master of the sayd Trade or Fellowship of
Weavers doe keep at work at once any more Loomes of Linsey Woolseyes
than onelie three, except he be (for good causes by him alleaged, and so
approved) admitted and alowed to keepe more by the Wardens and Fellow-
shipp of the same profession at their comon hall, or meeting. Nor shall
any person setting up the sayd Trade of Weaving of Linsey Woolseys, and
other stufFes made of Linnen and Woollen within the sayd limit of time in
the sayd Burrough be permitted to worke upon more than one Loome till
the sayd time of three years be expired, nor to weave unto or for any that is
not free of the sayd Trade. And that each Loome shall if conveniently it
may weave a piece a week of six quaters wide and Twentie fower yards long,
for which peece the Journyman that workes thereupon shall weekly have five
shillings during the sayd time and so proportionally for other breadths and
lengths."

The charter of Charles I. (1636) recites that Kidderminster
is an ancient borough of great commerce for the working and
manufacture of cloths. Baxter says : — " My people were not
rich ; there were among them very few beggars, because their
common trade of stuff weaving would find work for them all,
men women and children, that were able, and there were none
of the tradesmen very rich, seeing their trade was poor, that
would but find them food and raiment ; the magistrates of the
town were few of them worth ^40 per annum, and most not
half so much ; three or four of the richest thriving masters of
the trade got but about £"500 or ;^6oo in twenty years, and it
may be lost ;^ioo of it by an ill debtor. The generality of the
master workmen lived but little better than their journey men,
but only that they laboured not quite so hard."

In 23 Charles 11. (1671) an Act was passed for regulating the
manufacture of Kidderminster stuffs : —

" Whereas divers abuses and deceits have of late years been had and used
in the making of stuffs, called Kidderminster Stuffs, within the borough and
parish of Kidderminster, tending to the debasing of the said manufacture,
and to the great prejudice of the publick.

" For the prevention of which abuses and deceits, may it please your
Majesty that it may be enacted : that there shall be chosen one president,
four wardens and eight assistants, all which shall be master weavers within
the said Borough the first Monday after Pentecost, in the year of our Lord

THE MANUFACTURES. 177

1671, and from thenceforth yearly and every year, by the master weavers of
the said borough or the greater part of them then present.

" And for the regulation and good government of the said trade and manu-
facture, the said President, Wardens and Assistants or any seven or more of
them whereof the President and three or more of the said Wardens are to
be present, shall and may from time to time meet and consult together for
the good and benefit of the said trade and manufacture and for the due
execution of the powers and authority given by this Act, and to make and
ordain Bye-laws Rules and Ordinances for the better regulating of the said
trade and manufacture, and the artificers of the same ; and to make seals
from time to time for sealing of the same stuffs : which Bye-laws Rules and
Ordinances being ratified and confirmed by the Justices of Assize for the
County of Worcester for the time being, shall be published at least twice in
the year, at two publick assemblies for the said trade and manufacture and
by the several persons using the same within and under the said Regulation.
And the said President, Wardens and Assistants or any seven or more of
them shall have and hereby have power to impose a fine or penalty upon any
person or persons using the said trade, or that shall be under the regulation
thereof, as shall not conform to such Rules so made. Provided that the
said fine or penalty upon any person for not conforming as aforesaid shall
not exceed forty shillings for any one Offence.

" And for the better regulation of the said trade and manufacture, and the
avoiding of fraud and deceits therein ; be it further enacted by the authority
aforesaid, that all linen yarn reeled, and usually bought and sold, or esti-
mated by the lea to be hereafter used by any of the said artificers and stuff
weavers within the said borough or parish of Kidderminster or liberties
thereof shall be made without fraud or deceit, and be openly bought and
sold in some publick market place on the market day within the said borough
to be appointed by the Bayliff of the said borough for the time being : and
before the same be exposed to sale, shall be reeled on a reel four yards about,
every lea of the said yarn containing two hundred threads. And in case any
person or persons shall hereafter sell or expose to sale any the yarns afore-
said, made or reeled in any other manner then as aforesaid ; it shall and may
be lawful to and for the said President, Wardens and Assistants to seize and
carry away all such deceitful and defective yarns, which said yarns within
- twenty days after such seizure shall be tried by a jury of twelve honest and
able artificers of the said trade who shall be from time to time impannelled
and summoned by a precept under the hands and seals of the Bayliff and
any one Justice of the Peace of the said borough to appear at the Guild-kail
of the said borough to try whether the said yarns be made and reeled
according to the true intent and meaning of this act. And if the said jury
impanelled and sworn as aforesaid shall find any of the said yarns not made
and reeled according to the intent and meaning of this act, that then the
said Bayliff and Justice of the peace of the said Borough shall impose such
fine upon the owner of such defective yarns in their discretions shall be

178 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

thought meet not exceeding the value of the moyety of such defective yarns :
which said fine the owners of the said defective yarns shall pay to the said
President for the time being (to be disposed of as the said President,
Wardens, and Assistants or the major number of them shall seem meet at
their next publick meeting within thirty days after the said tryal) and in
default thereof the said yarns to be sold by the President or any two of the
said Wardens and the overplus of the moneys thereof coming after the fine
or fines deducted to be restored to the said owner or owners upon demand.

" And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that all sorts of
clothes and stuffs woven with wool! onely, or of wool! and other materials
within the said borough or parish of Kidderminster or the liberties thereof
shall be under the Power, Government, and regulation of the said President,
Wardens and Assistants, in such manner, as by this act, and the Bye-laws
and ordinances made or to be made by vertue thereof or by the laws or
statutes of the Realm, are or shall be established.

" And that all clothes and stuffs made or to be made under the regulation
aforesaid before the same shall be exposed or put to sale, shall be brought to
some convenient place within the said Borough to be appointed by the said
President and Wardens to be viewed and searched by the said President,
and any one of the said Wardens, or by any two of the said Wardens, and if
the same shall be found to be well and sufficiently made and wrought,
according to the rules and ordinances of the said trade and manufacture ;
then all such clothes and stuffs shall be by the said President and any one
ot the said Wardens sealed and allowed accordingly ; and if upon such
search and view any clothes or stuffs shall be found or conceived not to be
well and sufficiently made and wrought according to the rules and ordi-
nances of the said trade ; then such clothes and stuffs shall be seized by the
said President and Warden, or any two of the said Wardens, and be
brought to tryal and the owner or owners fined in such manner and form as
in this present Act is before limited and appointed for the tryal of defective
linen yarn.

" And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid ; that the said
President, Wardens and Assistants, or any two or more of them, shall have
and hereby have power and authority to enter into and search the houses
and work-houses of any artificer, under the regulation of the said trade, at
all times of the day, and usual times of opening of shops and working ; and
into the shops, houses and warehouses of any common buyer, dealer in, or
retayler of any of the said clothes or stuffs, and into the houses and work-
houses of any dyer, sheer-man and all other workmen's houses and places of
sale or dressing of the said clothes, stuffs, and yarns and may there search
and view the said clothes stuffs and yarns respectively, whether they be
made and wrought according to the laws, orders, and ordinances of the same
trade and if any cloths stuff, or yarns shall be found faulty or defective to
seize and carry away the same to be tryed by a jury as afore in this Act is
appointed.

THE MANUFACTURES. 179

" And be it also enacted by the authority aforesaid, that it shall not be
lawful for any person or persons to buy any piece or pieces of clothes or
stuffs, made, or to be made within the said borough or parish or liberty
thereof, before the same be sealed as aforesaid, and if any piece or pieces of
such cloth or stuff, shall be found in the possession of any person or persons
unsealed (except in the possession of the first owner or maker thereof) the
person or persons in whose custody the same shall be found, shall be
adjudged guilty of deceit shall forfeit for every such piece of cloth or stuff so
found in his or their possession unsealed as aforesaid, the sum of four
shillings, and the maker and seller of the same who shall deliver the same
out of his or their possession before the same be sealed, shall likewise forfeit
for every such piece other four shillings to the use of the poor of the same
trade.

" And if any person shall counterfeit any seal of the said trade or shall
seal any piece of cloth or stuff made under the regulation of the said trade
with any counterfeit seal, or shall remove a seal of one piece and set it unto
another piece which hath not been sealed, as before in this Act is appointed
to be sealed ; every person so offending and being thereof convicted by his
own confession or by the oath of two or more witnesses, shall forfeit for
every such offence the sum of twenty pounds.

" And for the better providing that poor journeymen who have served in
the said trade, and are not able to set up for themselves may be imployed in
work ; it is hereby enacted, that every person under the regulation of the
said trade, who shall imploy two apprentices in the said trade, shall likewise
imploy and set on work two journeymen in the said trade during the time he
shall have or imploy two apprentices upon pain that every person shall
forfeit for every moneth so offending as aforesaid the sum of twenty
shillings.

" And be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, that the one moiety of all
fines, forfeitures and penalties before in this Act mentioned, other than
such as are expressly otherwise appointed shall be to the use of the Kings
Majesty his heirs and successors, the other moiety to the use of the poor o{
the said trade ; and shall and may be levied by distress and sale of the goods
and chattels of the offender or offenders by warrant under the hands and
^eals of the i-!ayliff and one of the Justices of Peace of the said borough, or
be recovered by action of debt bill, plaint or information in any of his
majesties courts of record wherein no essoin, protection, or wager of law
shall be allowed.

" And be it also enacted that all Bayliffs, Justices, Sheriffs, Constables and
all other officers shall be aiding and assisting to the said President, Wardens
and Assistants or any of them, as often as they shall be thereunto required
and in all Actions and Suits that shall be brought against any person or
persons for what he or they shall do in persuance or in execution of this
Act or any of the authorities hereby given, the person or persons so sued or

i8o A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

molested shall or may plead the general issue of not guilty and give the
special matter in evidence and shall recover double costs in any such case if
the verdict pass for such person or persons or that the plaintiff or plaintiffs
be Nonsuit therein or forbear further prosecution or suffer discontinuance ;
for which costs the said person or persons shall have the like remedy as in
any case where costs by the law were given to the defendants.

" Ifi the Savoy

" Printed by the Assigns of John Bill

and Christopher Barker, Printers to the Kings

Most Excellent Majesty leyi."

In 1677 the number of looms of all sorts was 417 ; master
weavers, 157; journeymen, 187; apprentices, 115. Only one
of the masters had seven looms ; most of them had two
or three.

In the parish accounts of St. Michael's, Worcester, for the
year 1623, eight yards of Kidderminster stuff at 14^. a yard
were bought for the clothing of two pauper lads.

At the Restoration 14 yards of " Kidderminster stuff," value
£-^ js. 6d., were purchased for Worcester Cathedral. At Wen-
lock, in 1687, it was resolved to have a carpet of " Kidder-
minster stuff" for the Council Chamber. Judge Jefferies
alluded to the distinctive trade of the town when he inveighed
against poor Baxter'^s " linsey-woolsey doctrine." The linsey
woolseys, or " Kidderminsters," were printed linseys in use for
hangings of rooms and beds. When this industry declined, the
manufacture of a rough cloth called frieze, chiefly sold to the
Dutch, was taken up. In the early part of the eighteenth
century cheneys and ratteens were made. On the decline of
the clothing trade the town was reduced very low for want of
business, yet a few employed themselves in making worsted
stuffs, or stuffs composed of worsted and silk mixed, called
Spanish poplins ; the breadth of these was half a yard. (Nash.)
Other fabrics manufactured here were arras, woollen camlet^
glossanett, Irish foplin, and several kinds of crape.

About the year 1717 Mr. Greaves, of London, encouraged a
manufacture of striped tameys and prunellas. In 1748 yard-
■wide silk and worsted stuffs were made to great advantage. In

THE MANUFACTURES. i8i

1755 was established a manufacture in silk alone, figured and
flowered for women's cloaks. "The invention of quilting
worsted in looms for bed-quilts and petticoats, in imitation of
Marseilles quilting, is to be ascribed to the Messrs. Pearsall,
and is executed by those ingenious weavers Freestones, who
have likewise invented a loom for weaving nets of all kinds."

In 1772 there were 1700 silk and worsted looms at work. In
1767 a journeyman's wages were from los. to 125. a week.

In 1776 an advertisement in Berrow's journal announced that
on Feb. 3rd (Bishop Blaze) the Woolcombers of Kidderminster
intended making a grand Cavalcade round the town dressed in
the following manner, viz. they will be completely dressed with
Caps and Sashes of their oimi maimfacture : to be preceded by an
Orator, then the God Jason bearing the Golden Fleece, a
Shepherd and Shepherdess, the Patron Bishop Blaze in a
single-horse chair, attended by two Pages ; the Woolcombers
on Horse-back two and two : Band of Music. To start from
the Rose and Crown about 10 a.m.

On 27 Feb., 1794, '^h^ woolcombers presented a petition to
Parliament setting forth their certain ruin by the invention of
a machine, which, when worked by one person and four
children, would do as much as thirty men.

At the time of the American War of Independence trade had
been so bad that nearly the whole of the 87th Regiment and
part of the 88th were raised in Kidderminster : few of them
ever came back.

By 1 83 1 the silk and worsted looms had decreased from 1700
to 340. Bombazine was being made, but not so much as
formerly.

" The old order changes, giving place to new," and any
manufacturing town that is content to rely on its present
success, without making constant efforts to improve its indus-
tries and develop new ones, will soon find itself left behind in
the race. Fortunately for Kidderminster, at nearly every
period of its history it has had men of sagacity, enterprise, and
forethought, who could read the signs of the times. In 1735

1 82 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

the first carpet factory was erected on Mount Skipet, Kidder-
minster. From an article by Mr. Joseph Mears, of The Sun, we
learn some interesting details of the early history of this impor-
tant industry, with which the fortunes of the borough are now
so closely interwoven. A local poet mentions the names of
Pearsall and Broom as those of the founders of the carpet trade.
It is probable that to Pearsall belongs the honour of weaving
the first " Kidderminsters," a flat carpet, now made chiefly in
Scotland, though keeping the old name. The master weavers
in the town, however, had carefully noted what had been done
at Wilton, Wiltshire, under the patronage of Henry Herbert,
ninth Earl of Pembroke. That nobleman had been a traveller
for years through Flanders and France, and had inspected
splendid products of the Continental carpet looms, and had
patriotically resolved to have weavers, artists, managers, and
everybody essential to the use of the carpet trade near his
Wilton mansion. He therefore persuaded Anthony Duffory,
Pierre Jernaule, and others to leave France for England, and
in 1745 those famous weavers began at Wilton to revolutionise
the carpet trade of the empire. In 1755 Axminster began to
work side by side with the industry of Wilton. It was a tr3ang
hour for carpet masters on the banks of the Stour — everything
depended on a bold and rapid resolve to wrestle with W^ilton
for the cut carpet market. Three years had proved that Kidder-
minsters could not hope to compete with Wiltons, and instead
of pausing to see what the next three years would bring forth,
a brave townsman quitted Kidderminster and crossed the
Channel, determined to make or mar his fortune as a carpet
weaver. John Broom, a middle-aged man of enterprise, whose
tomb may still be seen in the old churchyard, travelled first
to Brussels and next to Tournay , studying with desperate earnest-
ness the " mystery " of Brussels carpeting, and bent on finding
for Kidderminster a first-class adept in the Brussels trade. At
Tournay he made the acquaintance of just the weaver he
wanted, and losmg no time in embarking with him for England,
Mr. Broom settled his Belgian stealthily in the neighbourhood
of Mount Skipet. In an upstair room master and man built
forthwith the first Brussels loom A.D. 1749, and they worked
the machine with as much secrecy as though they were coun-

THE MANUFACTURES. 183

terfeiting coin. Gradually the secret carpet weaving was on
everybody's lips, though as yet none but Broom and his Belgian
could pretend to produce a Brussels. But as the weavers drove
their loom by candle-light as well as by sunlight, another manu-
facturer in the town engaged a workman night after night to
climb a ladder and watch their proceedings, until he was able
to bring out a Brussels loom. The plot succeeded, and a second
firm — or, rather, several firms — were the consequences of the
conspiracy. The trade expanded so much that, in 1753, Lord
Foley laid out new streets and built 200 new houses. The
master weavers of Wilton were so alarmed by the rising carpet
trade at Kidderminster that they resolved to sink large sums
over and above their common profits in order to crush it. liut
the Brussels carpeting had taken root, and in less than fifty
years it was found to flourish exceedingly, and became the chief
industry of the town. In 1807 the silk and worsted looms had
decreased from 1700 to 700, while the carpet looms had increased
from 250 to 1000. But nearly all other weaving except that of
carpets was swept away in 1825. when Jacquard machines were
introduced for the manufacture of carpets by Messrs, Lea, Broom,
and Sons. In 1828 a severe competition arose with the Scotch
manufacturers. Wages were reduced, and a ruinous strike
ensued. In 1830 the ill-feeling between masters and men
culminated m some very serious riots. By 1838 there were
2020 carpet looms — 1765 for Brussels, 210 for Kidderminster,
and 45 for Venetians. There were 24 employers and 4016
■weavers in the town. It would appear, however, that the
manufacturers had not the same enterprising spirit that distin-
guished their forefathers. When the celebrated Mr. Whytock
invented and patented his new fabric called tapestry or printed
"Brussels, he offered to sell the patent to the carpet masters of
the town, but they would not purchase it. A similar thing
happened when Mr. Bigelow, of Massachusetts, offered to
Kidderminster the sale of his power loom, first shown in the
Great Exhibition of 1851, and afterwards erected on trial at the
Hoobrook mill. Eventually the Messrs. Crossley, of Halifax,
at the price of ^10,000, became the purchasers of the Patent
Rights for Great Britain, with the result that for a period they
almost monopolised the trade. They offered the invention to

i84 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

Kidderminster on payment of a royalty, and the privilege was
soon secured by Messrs. Worth, Brinton, and Jecks Dixon.

The firm of Messrs. Pardoe, Hoomans, and Pardoe saw
the fatal mistake that had been made in the rejection
of the power loom, and they did what they could to make
amends by applying it to the manufacture of tapestry carpets
in this town in 1851 ; while Messrs. James Humphries and Sons
applied steam power to the manufacture of Brussels carpets in
1852. The development of the movement for the introduction
of the power loom was exceedingly rapid, and the late Earl of
Dudley gave it an immense impetus by erecting spacious works,
with steam power and plant, in what is now known as Green
Street. In this way many of the manufacturers were allowed
to have their work carried on in what was popularly known as
•' Lord Ward's shed." Power looms were placed there by
Messrs. H. Woodward and Sons, Morton and Sons, Samuel
Fawcett, Thomas Humphries, and John Lloyd Dobson. The
population, which had decreased nearly 4000 in the decade
1851 to 1861, began rapidly to rise again, and the trade
increased to an enormous extent. Many acres of ground were
soon covered with large and well-appointed factories, affording
employment to thousands of workmen, and keeping the builders
busy in the erection of new streets. The railway was opened
in 1852.

In 1854 George Price Simcox (firm formerly Lea and Simcox)
obtained a patent for prmcmg a twill tabric which was woven
plain colour, then printed with blocks, and called " Beaver
Carpet." Works were erected on the Worcester Road for
weaving and printing this fabric, and are still called the Beaver
works. The carpet was not a success, and was followed by a
one-irame white Brussels fabric printed with a pattern from
blocks in the same wa}' as the beaver carpet. This firm also
introduced a low quality Brussels carpet called "Stouts:" it
was made by hand in some factories at Mount Pleasant, now
occupied by Messrs. Tomkinson and Adam.

A most important development of the trade, and one of far-
reaching intiuciice on the luture fortunes ot the town, was the

THE MANUFACTURES. 185

introduction into En-^land in 1878 01 the Royal Axminster
power-loom. Messrs. Tomkinson and Adam acquired the
patent rights for Great Britain, and the first looms were erected
in their factory on Arch Hill. They also granted licenses for
the use of the patent to Messrs. Southwell of Bridgnorth, J. W,
and C. Ward of Halifax, and H. J. Dixon and Sons, Woodward
and Grosvenor, and Morton and Sons, of Kidderminster. This
loom was invented by Halcyon Skinner, and became the pro-
perty of the Alex. Smith and Son's Carpet Company, Yonkers,
New York. The power Chenille Axminster setting loom was
invented by Mr. William Adam ; and m 1880 the firm of Tom-
kinson and Adam licensed James Templeton and Co. and J.
Lyie and Co., of Glasgow, and R. Smith and Sons, of Kidder-
minster, to use the patent. The first looms were erected at
" The Sling " in the shed formerly used as a tapestry weaving
shed by Messrs. Pardoe, Hoomans, and Pardoe. The American
patent was disposed of to the Alex. Smith and Sons" Carpet
Company, Yonkers, New York. The great Jubilee banquet of
1887 was held in a new shed built by Tomkinson and Adam at
Mount Pleasant.

In 1889 an attempt was made to combine nearly all the carpet
factories of the town into one huge undertaking under the
control of a " Syndicate." The large scheme tell through, but
led to the comoination of some firms, and the transformation of
others into limited liability companies. The value of the carpet
factories here now is estimated at fully ^2,000,000. The
"Carpet Manulactunng Company'" is a combination of two
very successiul undertakings — " Morton and Sons "' (founded
1809) and "" Richard Smith and Sons' (founded 1855) — which
owns 702 looms for Brussels, Axminster, Royal Axminster,
Chenille, and other carpets.

The firm of " John Everard Barton and Sons " has
been in existence for over 100 years. In 1807 a deed
of partnership was drawn up between Charles Wright,
George Gower, and John Gough. Later on the firm became
" Wright, Crump, and Crane,"' relatives of the founders. In
J855 John Everard Barton and Thomas E. Crane took over
the business, and carried it on together until Mr. Crane's death

i86 . A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

in 1865. Mr. Barton died in 1885, and was succeeded by
his sons.

i The famous firm of " John Brinton and Co." employs 1500
hands, producing Brussels, Wilton pile, tapestry, and velvet
carpets, and hosiery and carpet worsteds. Mr. William Brinton,
grandfather of the present head of the firm, began in the carpet
trade in 1784. His son Henry, in 1821, started the existing
works on some small premises originally owned by him, and
which haye since been so much extended that six acres of land
are coyered by the buildings of the company. In 1848 Mr,
Henry Brinton took his third son (the present head) and another
son (Henry) into partnership. Both the Henry Brintons died
jn 1857, and the survivor, Mr. John Brinton, carried on and
developed the business in a marvellous manner, until in 1880
he merged it into a limited liability company, of which he con-
tinues to hold the chief management.

" Henry Jecks Dixon and Sons " was founded by Mr.Bowyer,
who was joined in 1823 by Mr. H. J. Dixon. In 1886 it was
formed into a limited company. Besides Brussels, Wilton, and
Axminster carpets, this company manufactures saddle bags,
moquettes for furniture coverings, carriage linings, &c.

" Woodward, Grosvenor, and Co. (Limited) " is an old-
established firm owning the Stour Vale Mills, and manufacturing
high-class Brussels, Wilton, and Royal Axminster carpets.

" Edward Hughes and Sons " (founded 1850) produces Patent
Aubusson carpets and beam rugs, in addition to all the best
varieties of carpets. The premises at Worcester Cross, now
occupied by the firm of " H. R. Willis and Co.," were built by
Mr. James Holmes, who had previously been partner in
" Butcher, Worth, and Holmes," of Callows Lane. Mr,
Holmes afterwards sold the works to Messrs. John Crossley and
Sons, of Halifax, and became their manager. In 1869 the pre-
mises were purchased by Mr. H. R. Willis, who has consider-
ably improved and extended them. His " speciality " is superior
Brussels and Wilton carpets. " Messrs. M. Whittall and Co."
{1868) make Brussels and Wilton carpets and Patent Afghan

THE MANUFACTURES. 1S7

squares. The " Chlidema Company " manufactures a carpet
01 seamless border without mitre, cross-join, or false shading.

Other well-known manufacturers (1890) of all the best kinds
of carpets are Messrs. John Bennie and Co., of the "Jubilee
Works,' Exchange Street ; W. Green and Sons, New Road
and Mill Street; W. J. Bannister, Hartlcbury Road; C. Har-
rison and Son, Stourport ; Humphries and Sons, Mill Street;
Naylor and Lloyd, Mill Street ; T. and A. Naylor, Green Street;
G. W. Oldland and Co., New Road ; Potter and Lewis, New
Road ; Purdey and Co., Vicar Street ; M. Whittall and Co.,
Exchange Street ; and T. B. Worth, Stourport.

Mr. Thomas Lea, M.P., has extensive mills for spinning all
kinds of worsted yarns for the carpet, hosiery, furniture, and
clothing trades. The same industry is carried on by Mr. Edwd.
A. Broome, of the Castle Mills, and Messrs. Watson Brothers,
Pike Mills. Mr. Richard W'atson, whose family has been con-
nected with the trade of Kidderminster for upwards of 200
years, and Mr. Samuel Broom, commenced worsted spinning at
Drayton Mill in 1843. In 1847 Mr. Broom retired, and in 1854
Mr. Joseph Naylor joined Mr. Watson. In 1859 the Pike Mills
were built, and Drayton Mill given up. Mr. Watson retired in
1873, and his son, R. Talbot Watson, joined Mr. Naylor, and
subsequently J. Harold Watson and Mr. Naylor's sons, Thos.
F. and Arthur Naylor, were admitted partners. The partner-
ship was dissolved 111 1883, when R. T. and J. H. Watson
carried on the worsted spinning, and T. F. and A. Naylor took
up the woollen spinning and carpet manufacturing, which had
been added to the business in 1868, The Pike Mill was totally
destroyed by hre on July ist, 1886, but was rebuilt and work
resumed in September, 1887.

Messrs. Crowther Brothers carry on extensive iron manu-
factures at the Stour Vale and Falling Sands works. At
Stourport and Wilden are the Anglo-American Tin Works.
Stourport also has vinegar works, and does some boat-
building. Other industries carried on in Kidderminster are
maltings, breweries, wire works, brickfields, tanyards, &c.
The paper manufacture at Hurcott is of long standing: the

1 88 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

Registers record the burial of Robert Gough Aug. 20, 1653,
" whoe dyed at Hurcoate papar myll."

For six centuries and a half the looms have been busy at
Kidderminster in the manufacture of textile fabrics of various
kinds. When the demand f.or one product passed away
another product took its place. In this way the town has more
than held its own in the manufacturing world. With one or
two exceptions a good understanding has existed between those
who have risked their capital in the development of the various
industries and those who have co-operated with them by
manual labour. Whilst other nations are straining every
nerve to drive England from her pre-eminent position, it was
short-sighted policy on the part of some of the weavers that led
them a few years ago to oppose the introduction of a new
manufacture by Messrs. Jecks Dixon.

The striking improvement in artistic skill that has charac-
terised the last quarter of a century has now enabled native
talent to supply the designs required by the carpet trade,
whereas in former years Frenchmen were generally employed
for the work. In this respect the local School of Art has done
most valuable service. The scientific teaching of chemistry
and dyemg recently started will no doubt have equally bene-
ficial results, and enable the town to keep abreast of every
development in the future.

THE NEIGHBOURHOOD.

189

CHAPTER XI

^bc 1Rcil3bbourboo^,

CLENT.

(By John Amphlett, Esq.)

HIS parish is situated at the highest part of the
range of high land that forms the north-eastern
boundary of the valley of the Severn. Among
these hills, which attain a height of over 1000 feet,
rise the head waters of the stream which, flowing
through Hurcott and Broadwaters, joins the Stour
at Kidderminster, after a course of some seven miles. The
name of Clent, no doubt, is Danish, though it would be more
applicable from its meaning to jagged precipices than to
rounded outlines such as those of the Clent hills. It is true
that the legend of St. Kenelm would assign the name of Clent
to this locality in 821, the year of his murder, while the Danes
did not come into England until 30 or 40 years after. But the
legend is told us not in contemporary writings, but in histories
compiled by monks who lived 300 or 400 years after the event,
by which time the Danish name would have become well
established.

The earliest mention of Clent, apart from its connection with
St. Kenelm, whose legend is so well known, is that in the year
1016 it was bought, with Kingswinford and Tardebig, from
Ethelred II. by /Egelsi, Dean of the church at Worcester,
for 200 pounds weight of silver. During the disturbances con-
sequent upon the seizure of the English Crown by Canute, the
Sheriff of Staffordshire, whose name was ^Evic, " quidam

tgo A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

malignus homo " says the chronicler, took possession of these
villages. It was from the fact that the levies due to the Crown
were- paid to the Sheriff of Staffordshire that Clent, with the
adjoining village of Broom, then portion of the manor of Clent,
came to be considered within that county. But at the time of
Domesday its ancient connection with Worcestershire had not
been forgotten, and it gave its name to a large hundred in the
northern part of that shire. In later days it has come back to
Worcestershire again, having been made a portion of that
county by a Boundary Act passed after the first Reform Bill
of 1832.

At the time of Edward the Confessor and of Domesday^
Clent was a manor belonging to the Kmg, and it remained in
the possession of the Crown till the time of John, who exchanged
it with Ralph Somery, Baron of Dudley, for the manor of Stow-
heath, near Wolverhampton, reserving to himself a small chief
rent. For 120 years the manor remained with the Someries,,
when it passed through a female to. Lord Bottetourt, and after
his death to his granddaughter, the wife of Lord Burnell. When
she died childless there were several claimants for it, and after
much litigation an agreement was come to by which Clent
became the property of the Earl of Wiltshire.

During the Wars of the Roses the Earl of Wiltshire's estates^
were confiscated, and the manor of Clent fell into the possession
of the Staffords, of Grafton Manor ; but on the accession of
Henry VII. it was restored to Thomas Butler, the late Earl of
Wiltshire's brother. From him it descended to Ann wife of
Sir John St. Leger, of Annary, in Devonshire, aunt of Anne
Boleyn, the ill-fated Queeft of Henry VIII. ; and her grandson,
another Sir John, sold it in 1564 to Sir John Lyttelton, of
Frankley, in whose family it has smce remained.

There is another small manor in the parish, consisting of
Calcott Hill farm, the glebe land, and one or two other fields.
It is known as Church Clent Manor, or the King's Holt. Its
history is obscure, but it in some way originated with the neigh-
bouring Abbey of Halesowen, whose property it was at the
dissolution of that monastery. Afterwards it remained some

THE NEIGHBOURHOOD. 191

time in the possession of the Crown, whence its second name ;
and then was granted to the notorious John Dudley, Duke of
Northumberland. When this nobleman lost his head, his
possessions again came to the Crown. Church Clent was, after
some time, sold, since which it has passed through the hands of
several proprietors.

No church is mentioned as being in the parish at the time of
Domesday, and we do not hear of a Rector of Clent till 1205.
The parsons of Clent were Rectors till 1345, when, following a
usual proceeding with such establishments, the Abbey of Hales-
owen took possession of the great tithes of the parish, and
deputed a Vicar to serve the church. After the dissolution the
advowson and the tithes were granted to the Duke of Northum-
berland, and after his attainder were sold by the Crown.
Before very long a dispute arose concerning them, and both
advowson and tithes got into Chancery. By some means the
tithes came out of this Court, and after passing through several
owners were bought by the Amphletts ; but the advowson still
remains in the patronage of the Lord Chancellor.

The present church is dedicated to St. Leonard, and was
thoroughly restored in 1866. The first parson of Clent is
called" Master Herbert of St. Peter's," so that the first church
has either disappeared or the present one has changed its
patron saint. It should be noted, however, that the church of
Broom, a parish which formerly formed part of the manor of
Clent, is dedicated to St. Peter. Little original work remains
in Clent church, but the tower and chancel are conii)aratively
untouched. The south arcade is Early English, and the roof of
the chancel is of typical Early English work. Strange to say,
nevertheless, the roof rests on walls of the most debased Per-
pendicular work at least 300 years later in date, and so must
have been transferred to its present position from some other
part of the church. The tower is of plain Perpendicular archi-
tecture of late date. The north aisle is quite modern, of the
date of the restoration in 1866. One of the most curious things
about the church is the orientation of the chancel, the axis of
which in reference to the axis of the nave bends considerably

192 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

towards the south. Instances of orientation are not uncommon,
but the bend is usually towards the north. The registers begin
in 1562, and are fairly continuous to the present date. The
earliest legible inscription in the churchyard is i6gi.

There are few antiquities in the parish. The four stones on
Clent Hill are quite modern, all tales to the contrary notwith-
standing. They were erected by the first Lord Lyttelton about
1760, and formed part of a general scheme for the decoration of
the neighbourhood carried out by that nobleman. It is some-
times said that the stones stand each in a different county, but
this statement has no foundation in fact. All over Clent Hill
the traces of old hedge banks may be seen, showing that culti-
vation was at one time more extensive on the slopes than at
present. It is probable that the land went out of cultivation
at the time of the Black Death in 1348. One of these hedge
banks, running up the hill near the road from Clent church to
St. Kenelm's, is called St. Kenelm's furrow, and there is a
legend attributing it to the running away of an old woman's
cow, dragging the plough behind it, through her persistence in
working on St. Kenelm's day.

There are records of the enclosures of two commons in the
parish — Calcott Hill about 1678, and Clent Lower Common in
1788. On Clent Lower Common, called formerly also Clent
Heath, there used to exist several barrows, which were explored
during the last century, and bones were discovered in them ;
faint traces of them still remain. Of the remaining common
land in the parish, altogether about 260 acres, 170 acres on
Clent Hill were placed under the control of a body of conser-
vators, and dedicated to the public b}' Act of Parliament in
1880; and in spite of the poor accommodation and the com-
parative difficulty of access, increasing numbers of visitors in
each year come to this parish to enjoy the bracing air, the open
commons, and the distant views.

THE NEIGHBOURHOOD.

193

WOLVERLEY.

OR more than a thousand years this pretty village
has pertained more or less completely to the
Bishops and Cathedral of Worcester. In the
Saxon charters the name is spelt in eighteen
ways. The earliest name apparently was
Seckley — " Secceslea, which the country people
call also Uulfordilea " (Heming, p. 410), most likely from
the droves of wolves that had then their lairs in these
wild regions. Originally forming part of the district of
Sture-in-Usmere, it was given by Bishop Deneberht to
Kenulph, King of Mercia, in 816, and restored to Aelhun,
eleventh Bishop, fifty years later, by King Burhred. As we
have seen (page 7), it was ravaged and seized by the Danes, but
was afterwards given back to Worcester by Earl Leofric, at the
intercession of Lady Godiva. The charter invokes the fate of
Judas Iscariot on all who should presume to infringe this gift.
The Cullecliffe (Cookley) portion was given by King Edgar
(964) to Earl Beorthnots and his heirs, which land William the
Conqueror gave to Worcester 1066. The bounds are marked
as " From the river Usmere to Mount Hesecande, thence to
Cuthred's tree, thence along the dyke to Stour, &c." The
Horsebrook, Keningford, Kinver-stone, Hoccanstige Road, Mere-
well Spring, Meredeune, Indosse, Stapol, and Mount Litlan-
dune are also mentioned in the bounds.

In Domesday we read : — " The church of Worcester holds
Ulwardelei ; there are five hides. In demesne are two ploughs
and four villeins, and five bordars with four ploughs. There is
a priest having half a carucate, and one freeman having one
hide, and paying two sextaries of honey ; there are six slaves,
some men and some maids, and a mill of six shillings. In the
time of King Edward it was worth £^ ; at the survey 405."

King Stephen gave leave to the monks of Worcester " re-
edificare Burconam terram suam apud Wlverdela."' King

194 ^ HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

John (1208) granted to them here Soc and Sac, Thol and
Theam, and Infangethef, with judgment of fire and water, of
gallows and sword, fines for murders, &c., freedom from attend-
ance at the Hundred and County Courts, &c.

In 1240 the monks cultivated for themselves two carucates of
land, which they had previously let for ;^4 yearly. They
also held the mills, which used to pay 105. The fulling-mill
was let for 13s. 4^. Twelve freemen held lands chiefly in
virgates. There were eight cottars : three paid a rental of id.
a quarter ; four paid three farthings a quarter ; and " The
smith makes the iron of one plough for his own land, and for
another receives lod., and for a bill 8d." Five villeins, holding
half a virgate each, paid 10^^. a quarter. (Reg. Prior. Wig.)

The Rectory of Wlverslawe was given to the Priory of Wor-
cester by Bishop Roger, who died 11 79. The reasons assigned
afterwards by the monks as a pretext for its impropriation were
the ruinous condition of their buildings and the cathedral
tower, and the heavy law expenses they had incurred in
defending their rights. Pope Clement issued a bull in their
favour from Avignon, and the ordination was made in 1354 by
John Bishop of Hereford, " having special power from the
Apostolic See."

The Register begins with the year 1539, when there were 17
baptisms, 9 burials, and 3 marriages. In 1563 a return gives 72
families. In 1776 there were 120 houses and 500 inhabitants.
In 1 881 the population had increased to 3343. The oldest
family in the parish was the Attwoods (page 95), of which the
elder branch became extinct in 1726. The Sebrights go back
as far as Henry III. William Sebright, Esq., in 1620, founded
and endowed a grammar school, and left money for repairing
the church and four bridges, &c. Colonel Sir F. Winn Knight,
K.C.B., of Wolverley House, and Major A. T. Hancocks, of
Wolverley Court, are the representatives of families of long
standing here. John Baskerville (p. 156) was born in this
parish.

The Enclosure Act was passed in 1775, but Nash mentions
1456 acres of common land as still unenclosed in 1782. The

THE NEIGHBOURHOOD.

195

old church of St. John the Baptist was pulled down in 1769,
and a new one, built of brick, was opened 20 Sept., 1772. In
1882 the chancel was restored by the Ecclesiastical Commis-
sioners. The altar table and cloth were given by Mr. and Mrs.
E. J. Morton, of Heathfield ; the pulpit is a memorial to Mr.
John Saunders, of Sion Hill ; and the east window is erected in
memory of Mr. William Hancocks. In the nave is a fine mural
tablet by Flaxman in memory of Helen Charlotte wife of Mr.
John Knight, of Lea Castle. The nave was thoroughly restored
and beautified in 1889. The Vicarage, in the patronage of the
Dean and Chapter of Worcester, is valued at ^300 with resi-
dence, and is now held by the Rev. C. B. Rowland, M.A., St.
John's College, Oxford. Edmund Green, Abbot of Hales Owen,
was Vicar 15 10 — 1520. The well-known linguists and anti-
quarians, Dr. Hickes and Dr. Hopkins, held this benefice in the
seventeenth century.

HAGLEY.

OPE and Shenstone, Thomson and Gray, have
sung in famous verse the beauties of this charming
spot. But a still greater renown arises from its
being the home of the distinguished famil}- of
Lyttelton, which has shown for generations how
the feudal leaders of mediaeval times can adapt
themselves to modern circumstances, and still take the lead in
all that is best for their country. The late Lord Lyttelton
(George William, fourth Baron) will be long remembered for
two great improvements wrought by his influence, viz., the
reformation of grammar schools and the increase in the
Episcopate.

There are Roman and British remains in this parish. On
Wichbury Hill is a large camp occupied by the Romans before
fighting the Britons who were posted on the Clent Hills. An
earthen pot full of Roman coins was taken out of a pool close

ig6 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

to the hill. Sepulchral urns have also been found. The Roman
Road is now called the King's Headland.

Hagley is mentioned in Domesday as one of 14 Worcester-
shire manors of William Fitz-Ansculph, of Dudley. There
were 5^ hides, having one plough in demesne, a priest, five
villeins, ten bordars, with five ploughs, and land sufficient to
employ eight more, two serfs, and a wood. Before the Con-
quest Godric, a thane of King Edward, held it — now Roger
under Fitz-Ansculph.

The Paganels and Somerys succeeded Fitz-Ansculph. In
the time of Henry H. William de Haggaley held it as a knight's
fee of Gervase Paganel. In 24 Edw. III. Edmund de Hagley
gave up the manor and advowson to his lord paramount, Sir
John Botetourt, for 100 marks. Twenty-three years later
Henry de Haggaley, heir-at-law to Edmund, recovered the
manor : he was High Sheriff in 1398 — 9 and 1403. In 141 1 he
sold it to Thomas Walwyn, who alienated it to Jane Beau-
champ, Lady Bergavenny, and she devised it to her grandson,
Sir James Boteler, son and heir of the Earl of Ormond, created
Earl of Wiltshire in his father's lifetime. He was a Lancas-
trian, was taken prisoner at Towton, and beheaded. The
confiscated land at Hagley was granted by Edward IV. to
Fulke Stafford, but it soon reverted to the Crown, and was
granted to Queen Elizabeth Woodville. In 18 Edw. IV. the
King and Queen conferred it upon the Abbot and Convent of
Westminster, for two monks to celebrate masses for the repose
of their souls. But soon Thomas Butler recovered the for-
feited lands of his brother, the Earl of Wiltshire, and his great-
grandson, Sir John St. Leger, sold them in 1564 to Sir John
Lyttelton, of Frankley, Kt., in whose family they still remain.
In 1600 John Lyttelton, Esq., was implicated in the Essex
rebellion, for which he was tried, condemned, and imprisoned.
His estate was forfeited, and complete ruin threatened the
family, when his noble wife Muriel, daughter of Lord Chan-
cellor Bromley, came to the rescue. She threw herself at the
feet of King James I. at Doncaster, and obtained a grant of her
husband's estate, and soon an Act was passed whereby Mr.
Lyttelton's attainder was reversed. After the Gunpowder Plot

THE NEIGHBOURHOOD.

197

two of the conspirators, Stephen Lyttelton and Robert Winter,
were concealed in the old Hall at Hagley, but were betrayed by
an under-cook.

The present Hall was erected by George first Lord Lyttelton.
The oldest part of the Church of St. John the Baptist is of the
time ot the Somerys, about Henry 111., hut it has been much
enlarged. About 1858 it was restored .at a cost of ;^230o, as a
county testimonial to the high character of the fourth Baron
Lyttelton. Afterwards a tower and spire were added from the
designs of Mr. J. E. Street.

The Registers commence in 1538. The present Rector is the
Rev. W. C. Gibbs, M.A., of Jesus College, Cambridge. The
patron is Viscount Cobham, who lately inherited this title from
one of Marlborough's famous generals, at the death of the Duke
of Buckingham and Chandos.

STONE

RSO D'ABITOT, in Domesday, held Stanes in
Creslau (now Halfshire) hundred, containing six
hides ; Turni and Euchil held it for two manors.
Herlebald held it of Urso. In demesne are two
ploughs and sc\cn villeins, and fifteen bordars
with six ploughs. There arc tour slaves and a

mill of three ovx. ; one lewe and a half of wood. In the time of

King Edward it was worth 405., now 305.

Emmeline, Ursos daughter and heir, carrietl the manor to
her husband, Walter de Beauchamj). Some time after it
belonged to Ralph de Somery. A family, " de Stanes,"
flourished here as early as Henry II., taking their name from
the place. Thomas Foliot inherited the property in tlu' lime of
Edward 111., h\ his marriage with a daughter of Richard de
Stone. Su- Jolin h'oliot sold it to Sir Williaiii ('ourttyn ; it

igS

A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

afterwards passed to the Rushouts, and then to Mr. Cox,
attorney, of Kidderminster, whose daughter sold it to Mr. John
Baker. Mr. James Holcroft, of Stourbridge, is now lord of
the manor.

The hamlet of Dunclent, in the time of the Conqueror, was
the land of St. Guthlac, and was held by Nigel. It afterwards
became the property of the Beaucharaps, and was held under
them by the Dunclents. (Pp. 55, 64.) Later on it came to the
Barons of Abergavenny. Edward Broad, of Dunclent, had
much influence at Kidderminster in the time of Charles I.
From the Foleys it passed with the other estates to Lord Ward,
and the Earl of Dudley is the present owner. The *' Monks'
furlong " formerly belonged to the Abbot of Bordesley.
Henry VIIL gave it to John Maynard, who conveyed it to
Edward Broad.

The church of St. Mary, consecrated by Bishop Gifford in
1269, and originally dependent upon Chaddesley, was appro-
priated to the College of Warwick. Thomas Forest, in 151 1,
left land for the Lady Chapel. (Page 68.) The church was
almost entirely rebuilt in 1831. The Register dates from the
year 1601.

CHADDESLEY CORBET.

DDEVE, a woman, held Cedeslai of the King at
the time of the Domesday survey. She had held
it in the reign of Edward the Confessor. There
were 25 hides with eight corn farms. Ten of
these hides were free from geld, as appeared by
the testimony of the county. In demesne were
three ploughs and 33 villeins, and 20 bordars, and two
priests with four bordars. Among them all they had 25
ploughs. The number of bondmen and bondwomen was
eight. Three mills paid 12 seams of corn. Two houses in

THE NEIGHBOURHOOD. igg

Worcester paid i2.d. In Wich five salt pans paid 21s. ^d.
There was a wood of two lewes, and another wood of one lewe,
T.R.E., and at the time of the survey, it was worth £12.

Chaddesley was formerly included in Pyperode Forest, the
name of which still survives in Peper Wood. The Corbets
afterwards came into possession of this parish. Edward I.
issued a mandate " to our beloved and faithful Peter Corbet "
to take and destroy wolves wherever he could find them within
the counties of Gloucester, Worcester, Hereford, Salop, and
Stafford. From the Corbets Chaddesley passed to the Beau-
champs, Barons of Bergavenny, and afterwards by purchase to
John Pakington. Humphrey Pakington, his son, was seated at
Harvington, a hamlet of the parish, and left by his wife, Abigail
Sacheverell, two daughters co-heirs : Mary, who inherited
Chaddesley, was married to Sir John Yate, Bart., of Buckland,
Berks, and Anne to Sir Henry Audeley, of Bere-Church, in
Essex. Lady Yate died 12 June, i6g6, aged 86, and was buried
in the Lady Chapel of Chaddesley Corbet church, where may
be seen a quaint epitaph by her daughter ApoUonia. She built
and endowed three almshouses for widows. She was a strong
supporter of the Roman Catholics, and sent a village lad,
Sylvester Jenks, to Douay, who in 1686 returned to Harvington
as missionary priest, and was made Chaplain to James II. In
1688 a " Protestant mob" from Kidderminster attacked Har-
vington Hall ; but the drawbridge was up, and they could do
little damage. The old Hall is still standing, though its glory
has departed, and soon it will become a complete ruin. At the
top of a fine old oak staircase is " Lady Yate's Nursery,"
which communicates by a latticed door with an inner chamber,
formerly decorated with foliage, vine stems, and pomegranates.
This was the chapel, from which a narrow doorway gives an
outlet to the roof and many little secret rooms, providing a
refuge for the priest, and where even now one could play a good
game at " hide and seek." Under the boards was a small
secret closet for the sacred vessels. On the first floor was a
large banqueting-hall, lately despoiled of its oak wainscotting.
By lifting up a step in the staircase, entrance is gained to
another InddLii room, 5fl. yin. by 5ft., and 6i"t. high. On its
z

200 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

floor lies to this day the self-same thick sedge mat bed on which
the hidden priests lay. Air was admitted by a curious contri-
vance in the roof; and in a small cupboard close at hand was
a chink through which a message or food could be passed.

In 1743 a new chapel was built, much used by the foreign
artisans of Kidderminster and Stourbridge. This became a
school-room, and was replaced by the present chapel, opened
May 29, 1825.

Father Wall had charge of Harvington for 12 years : he was
taken prisoner at Rushock, tried at Worcester for high treason
by Judge Atkins, and suffered death 22 Aug., 1679. His body
was buried in St. Oswald's churchyard : his head is kept at
Douay in the cloister of the English Friars. In 1879 a memorial
crucifix was erected in the graveyard at Harvington. Charles
Dodd, D.D. (Hugh Tootle), wrote his Church History, in 3 vols.,
at Harvington. He died Feb. 27, 1744. The sweet sedge
(A corns Calamus), used formerly for strewing upon the floors of
halls and chapels, grows abundantly in the moat of Harvington.
Sir N. W. Throckmorton, Bart., the lord of the manor, is des-
cended from Mary Yate, granddaughter of Lady Yate, who
married Sir Robert Throckmorton, of Congleton, Warwickshire.

The church of St. Cassyon at Chaddesley is very fine, and
contains some good Norman and Decorated work. The font is
very ancient. There is a recumbent figure of a Crusader, sup-
posed to be a Corbet ; also a brass to Thomas Forest, keeper
of Dunclent Park, his wife, and eleven children. There is no
date, but by turning back to the will (page 68) it would appear
to be about 151 1.

William Beauchamp, Lord Bergavenny, gave to the collegiate
church ol Warwick, of his ancestor's foundation, the advowsons
of the churches of Spellesbury and Chaddesley Corbet. At the
dissolution of religious houses the tithes were granted to the
Corporation of Warwick, in whom they continue.

THE NEIGHBOURHOOD.

20I

HARTLEBURY.

URHRED, King of the Mercians, gave Hartlebury
to the see of Worcester about 850. It is thus
described in the Domesday survey : — " The
Church of Worcester holds Huerteberie with six
berewicks. There are 20 hides, and in demesne
four ploughs, and 24 villeins, three bordars, and a
priest ; among them all they have 21 ploughs. There are 12
bondmen and 3 bondwomen, and two mills worth four shillings
and 10 seams of corn. A wood one lewe long and half a lewe
broad. In VVich five houses pa3ang five mitts of salt. In the
time of King Edward it was worth sixteen pounds, now thirteen
pounds and ten shillings."

Bishop Walter de Cantilupe, a supporter of Simon de Mont-
fort, began to fortify the Castle, which was embattled and
finished by his successor, Godfrey Giffard, 1268. The gate-
house was added in the reign of Henry VL by Bishop
Carpenter.

In 1646 the Castle was strongly fortified and held for the King
by Captain Sandys and Lord Windsor, with 120 foot soldiers
and 20 horse, and had provisions for twelve months. When
summoned by Colonel Morgan for the Parliament, it surrendered
in two days without firing a shot. The Parliamentary Com-
missioners seized the Castle and manor, and sold them to
Thomas Westrowe for ^3133 65. 8i. At the Restoration they
were given back to the Bishop. The avenue of limes in the
park was planted by Bishop Stillingfleet. Bishop Pepys made
a present of the deer, which had been kept here from time
immemorial, to Queen Victoria. The library was built by
Bishop Hurd, who also presented to it the choicest works from
the libraries of Pope and Warburton. The copy of the Iliad
from which Pope's translation was made is among them. Some
of the Castle moats have been filled up and laid out as flower
gardens.

In November, 1269, Bishop Giffard consecrated the church
of St. James the Apostle. Bishop Sandys, in 1575. erected the

202 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

present tower, and the chancel was rebuilt by a late !• Rector,
the Rev. Samuel Picart, early in this century. The rest of the
church was rebuilt in the Early English and Decorated styles
in 1836, from the designs of Mr. Rickman. In 1877 the church
was partially restored and refitted. In the churchyard is a
stone coffin lid with floriated cross, supposed to be that of John
de Rodeborewe, Rector in 1290, who founded a chantry in
honour of tiie Blessed Virgin Mary, and endowed it with lands
in Waresley, Whittying, Stone, and Shenston, in this manor.
The communion plate is of gold, being the gift of good Bishop
Lloyd and his wife in 1714. The font belonged to the old
church. The Registers are interesting, and commence with
1540. In them is this entry : — " A.D. 1553. Bishop Hooper
was called before the Privy Council, August 22. He was sent
prisoner to the fleet, September i. 1555, February g, burnt.
Richard Patey, whom ye Pope has made Bishop in 1534, was
now restored."

The Rev. James Stillingfleet, when Rector in 1700, built the
present parsonage house, a good specimen of the Queen Anne
style. Among the Rectors have been some famous men,
including Miles Smith, one of the translators of the Authorised
Version of the Bible, Richard Bentley, the famous critic, &c.
In the churchyard are the tombs of three Bishops of Worcester,
Richard Hurd (1808), Robert James Carr (1841), and Henry
Pepys (1861). A pretty half-timbered mission church was pre-
sented to the parish in 1882 by the present revered Bishop, for
which Mrs. Philpott provided the interior fittings. The
Rectory of Hartlebury, in the patronage of the Bishop, is now
held by the Rev. D. Robertson, Rural Dean of Kidderminster,
who has a very interesting collection of portraits of former
Bishops of Worcester.

The Hartlebury Grammar School is mentioned as early as
Richard II. ; but was refounded by Queen Elizabeth, who
granted it a charter in 1558.

In a secluded part of one of the glebe meadows is a curious
hermit's cell, 18 feet by 12 feet, cut out of the rock.

APPENDIX. 203

APPENDIX

iDomec1^a^ 1&oo\{, a,2). 1080,

Rex Willielmus tenet in dominio Chideminstre, cum xvj Berewiches,
Wenuerton, Trinpelei, Worcote, Frenesse, at alia Frenesse, Bristitune,
Harburgelei, Fastochesfelde, Gurbehale, Ribeforde, et alia Ribeford, Sud-
tone, Aldintone, Mettune, Teulesberge, Sudwale. In his terris, simul cum
Manerio, sunt xx'i hida:. Hoc Manerium fuit totum wastum. In dominio
est j caruca et xx villani et xxx bordarii cum xviij carucis et adhunc xxti
carucae plus ibi possunt esse. Ibi ij servi et iiij ancillae et ij molini de xvj
solidis et ij salinae de xxx solidis et piscaria de c. denariis. Silva de iiij
iewis. In hoc Manerio tenet Praepositus terram unius Radchenistre et ibi
habet j carucam et molinnm de v. oris.

Ad hoc Manerium pertinet una domus in Wich et alia in Wirecestre
reddentes x denarios. Totum Manerium T.R.E. reddebat xiiij libras de
firma. Modo reddit x libras et iiij solidos ad pels. Silvam hujus Manerii
posuit Rex in foresta. De terra hujus Manerii tenet Willielmus j hidam et
terram unius Radchenistre et ibi habet j villanum et viii bordarios habentes
iiij carucas et dimidiam. Valet xj solidos. De eadem terra tenet Aiulfus
unam virgatam. Ibi j caruca et ij servi. Valet ij solidos.

Charter of Ikino 1bciir\> tbc Scco^^.

Henricus Rex, Dux Normannias et Aquitaniae, Comes, Archiepiscopis,
Episcopis Comitibus, Baronibus, Vicecomitibus, Ministris, et omnibus
fidelibus suis, Franciae et Angliae salutem. Sciatis me dedisse concessisse
(in foedo) et hereditate Mansero Bysset dapifero meo, pro servicio sue in
Worcestershere, Kedemynster pro xx//. in Wiltes, Combe pro xxvi//., in
Gloucestershire Wikewood pro x//., in Hampshire Dounreston pro
viij//. et Burgagium de Rokebon cum Hundredo et cum omnibus
suis pertinentiis pro xli//. et pertinentiis de Lechedesham. Et praeterea
dedi Wadersey que reddebat matri meo (sic) per annum xx5. scilicet
in Wichenford. Quare volo et firmiter precipio quod ipse Manserus
et heredes sui has terras predictas habeant et teneant de me et
heredibus meis, bene et in pace, et honorifice, et hereditarie, in bosco,
in piano, in pratis, pascuis, in viis et semitis, et in omnibus locis, cum
soca et saca, et tol et them, et infantethef et outefantethef, et cum omnibus
libertatibuE et liberis consuetudinibus, cum quibus aliquis Baronum meorum
Anglie melius et quietius, (et) honorificentius tenet. Teste me ipso, Thoma
Cancellario, Reginaldo Comite Cornubiae, Willelmo Comite Leicestriae,
Henrico de Essex Constabulario, R. de Ham, Roberto de Lacy, Warraino
hlio Barnard, fosclino Barrete, Roberto de Donstapell. Apud Cant [ujariam.

204

A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

" The Regester Boke of Weddings Christenings and Buryings
made and kept in the parish Church of Kidderminster, from
and beginning in January in the year of our lord 1539 unto this
present yeare of our lord 1614 newly written at the special!
Commandment of the right reverend father in god Henry Parry
then Lord Byshopp of Worcester, John Colombine Clerke then
being Viccar ther, John Clymar, John Peersall, Thomas Crane
and Robert Hawkins, Churchwardens."

[The entries of baptisms, weddings, and burials are all mixed
up together, just as they happened to occur. Our fixed
rules of spelling were not then in force. We first give a list of
the surnames occurring in the registers in the period from 1539
to 1565. The figures after the name show the date of its first
entry. Few families could have been living here in the above
time without the birth, wedding, or burial of some one or other
of their members. Probable variations in the spelling of a
name are indicated by brackets.]

N.B. As these names

are arranged accord

ing to the

alphabet, they will not

be repeated in the

Index.

Aslow

• 1540

[Bucknell]

• 154I

Brincklow . .

■• 1542

Arche

• 1540

[Bucknyll]

• 1546

Bradburne

• 1542

Agraven . .

. 1540

Betenson . .

• 1539

Bolas . . . .

• 1542

Allen

■ 1540

Blount

• i539

Brooke

•• 1543

Agborow . .

• 1541

Butler

• 1540

Barnard

• 1545

[Abarowe]

• 1542

Boucher

• 1540

Brodwey . .

• 1546

Alchurch . .

• 1542

Bennett

• 1540

Bowyer

• 1546

Arthure

• 1543

Browne

• 1540

Bocher

• 1546

Apen

• 1543

Barnisley . .

• 1540

Brushwood

• 1547

Adams

• 1545

Barbor

• 1540

Ballard

• 1550

Avery

• 1548

Burfield ,.

• 1540

Burnell . .

• 1550

Amys

• 1550

Burlton

• 1540

Bradeley . .

• 1550

Ayre

• 1552

Bytham

•• 1541

Blysse

•• 1551

Abintone . .

• 1559

Badger

• 1541

Bourne

• 1553

[Abbington]

• 1565

Bancks

• 1541

Bache..

• 1560

Aston

• 1559

[Banks] . .

• 1547

Bradford . .

• 1560

Astley

• 1559

Brotherton

• 1541

Bayleis

• 1560

Alridge

. 1560

Barret

• 1541

Benton

• 1561

[Albridge]

• 1563

Buckman . .

• 1541

Brocke

• 1563

Allden .. .

• 1563

Burdnyll . .

• 1541

Blassard . .

• 1563

Bowky

■ 1539

Baker . . . .

• 1541

Blythe .. .

• 1563

Buckenyll . .

• 1539

Benbowe . .

• 1542

Burrows

• 1564

APPENDIX.

205

Barnes

• 1565

Dawley

• 1539

Gossard

• 1542

Cowp

• 1539

Dolman

• 1540

Goodman . .

• 1543

Clymer

• 1539

Doolittle. . . .

. 1540

Goppe

• 1544

Carpenter . .

• 1540

Dawks

• 1540

Greene

• 1545

Cowall . . .

• 1540

Dallow , . .

• 1541

Gorst

• 1546

Clemens

. 1540

Dunclent . .

• 1541

Gerye

• 1547

Cooke

• 1540

[Duncklen]

• 1542

Garnat

• 1549

Cownde

• 1540

Dison

• 1541

Gyles

• 1560

Chapman . .

• 1540

Denson

• 1541

Gosnell

• 1560

Clarke . . .

• 1540

[Denston] . .

• 1551

Gouldsmith

. 1560

[Clearke] .. .

• 1545

Deane

• 1542

Gest

• 1563

Crompe

• 1540

Dike

• 1543

Glover

• 1563

Combes

• 1540

Dyplowe . .

• 1543

Gurden

• 1564

Capullwood

• 1541

Dangland . .

• 1545

Grayshill . . .

• 1564

Comber

• 1541

Delph

• 1545

Gillam

• 1565

Colbe

• 1541

Dicke

• 1548

Hay ley . . .

• 1539

Collett . . .

• 1541

Dedicote . .

• 1550

Hill

■ 1539

Costen

• 1542

Dunston

• 1553

Hoggeson . .

• 1540

[Coston] . .

• 1545

Done

• 1559

Howseman

• 1540

Clent

• 1542 '

Dennis

• 1559

Hoggins . . .

• 1540

Cleyter . . .

. 1542

ap David . .

• 15^

Hey

• 1540

Coke

• 1543

Davies

• 1565

Hurtill .. .

• 1540

Comberbach

• 1545

Elyatts . . .

• 1539

[Hurtyll] .. .

• 1546

CoUe

• 1546

Eyre

• 1540

Hancox

• 1540

Clemeford . .

• 1546

ap Evans . .

• 1540

Hulley . . .

• 1541

Carme

• 1546

Egeley

• 1541

Hondye

• 1541

Cowden

• 1546

[EugeleyJ . .

• 1545

[Handye] .. .

• 1550

Compayne..

• 1546

Edmonds . .

. 1560

Heath

• 1541

Colyns

• 1547

Foxsall

■ 1539

Holyman . .

- 1542

Clare

• 1547

[FoxallJ . . .

• 1541

Haskett . . .

• 1542

Churchyard

• 1547

Fisher

• 1540

Hadley . . .

• 1542

Cully

• 1547

Fyndon

• 1540

Hassould . .

• 1542

Cokesey

• 1547

Fox

• 1540

Harries

• 1543

Crakeford . .

• 1547

Fearne

• 1541

Holmer

• 1544

Clemson

• 1547

Fleminge . .

• 1543

Hockham . .

• 1545

Calvert . . .

• 1547

Foster

• 1544

Hadgley . . .

■ 1545

Chaunce . .

. 1548

[Forster] . . .

• 1550

Hastings . .

. 1546

Crane

• 1552

Fowler

• 1547

Hullam . . .

• 1546

Cocke

• 1559

Fayrefield . .

• 1550

Hope

• 1546

Cagier

■ 1559

Freestone . .

• 1559

Hyweye

• 1546

Coppe

• 1560

Fartlowe . .

• 1561

Hewett . . .

• 1547

Cutler . . .

. 1560

Fawkner . .

• 1565

Has well

• 1548

Corbett . . .

• 1563

Grigorye . .

• 1540

Hall

• 1550

Cley

• 1563

Gryffith .. .

• 1540

Higgins .. .

• 1550

Cauke

• 1564

Gryffyne . .

• 1541

Hannsor . .

• 1551

Churchman

• 15(^5

Gnowsall . .

• 1541

Hawke

■ 1552

Cawdry

. 1569

Garden

• 1542

Holbecke .. .

• 1559

2o6

A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

Harrisone . .

• 1559

Lyrrocke . .

.. 1560

Pyggyne . . .

• 1547

Hayles

• 1559

Lyneall

.. 1564

[PiggineJ .. .

• 1551

Hansett . . .

• 1560

Myson

.. 1540

Pyle

• 1547

Hardye

• 1560

Mill . . . .

.. 1540

Parker . . .

• 1548

Hullbye . . .

• 1560

Mershe

.. 1540

Pickthorne

• 1548

Hopton

• 1561

Mychell . .

.. 1540

Pyke

. 1548

Hanburye . .

• 1563

ap Morgan

.. 1541

Patricke

• 1550

Hynston . .

• 1563

Moore

.. 1541

Page

• 1552

Hardwicke

• 1563

[More]

•• 1550

Person

. 1560

Horneblower .

• 1563

Mylls . . . .

.. 1541

Portman . .

. 1560

Hulkey .. .

• 1564

Malpas

.. 1541

Payton

• 1561

Heyes

• 1564

Manning . .

.. 1542

Player

• 1 561

Heminge . .

• 1565

Monnynge. .

.. 1542

Parkins

• 1564

Heyld

• 1565

Moundye . .

•• 1543

Rice

• 1539

Insall . . . . .

. 1548

[Monndy] . .

.. 1546

Rawlynes . .

• 1540

Jennyns

• 1539

Manneringe

•• 1553

Russell

• 1541

Jones

• 1540

Mathew

•• 1559

Rose

• 1541

Jewks

• 1540

Mason

•• 1559

Robins

• 1542

Jorden

- 1541

Middlehoppe

.. 1560

[Robynnes]

• 1549

Johnson

• 1543

[Middleshopp

] • • 1564

Riddle . . .

• 1542

Jokine

• 1549

[Middlesop]

•• 1565

Raibold .. .

• 1542

Jerves

• 1564

Machyne . .

•• 1563

Radford . . .

• 1542

Kynnerton..

• 1540

ap Maddocke

.. 1564

Rogers

• 1542

Kempstowe

• 1540

Maynard . .

.. 1564

Richardsone

■ 1543

Kyles

- 1545

Mather

.. 1565

Kugg

• 1548

Kynrowe . .

• 1545

Morris

.. 1565

Rowland . .

• 1549

Kysone

• 1547

Overton

•• 1559

Richmond . .

• 1559

Kyrrye

■ 1548

Ap Powell . .

•• 1539

Ratcliffe . . .

• 1561

Kelleye

• 1551

Pirry . .

•• 1539

Reynolds . .

• ^564

Kyteley

• 1549

Potter.. ..

.. 1540

Ryste

• 1564

[Kiteley] .. .

• 1551

Parkes

.. 1540

Sharratt

• 1540

Kinderdale

• 1559

Penson

.. 1540

Skyler . . .

• 1540

Knotsfoord

• 1559

Perkes

.. 1541

Sturnye

• 1540

Kirkmans . .

• 1560

Parkeyate . .

.. 1541

Stone . . , . .

• 1540-

Karolynes . .

• 1564

Penn . .

•• 1541

Smyth

• 1540

Lyle

■ 1539

Pytt . . . .

.. 1542

Shelley . . .

• 1540

Longmore . .

• 1540

Pereson

.. 1542

Stampes

• 1540

Leycet

■ 1540

Pardoe

•• 1543

Stanley

• 1541

Latwey

• 1540

Purslowe . .

•• 1543

Serjeant

• 1541

Lee

■ 1540

Pynner

•• 1545

Scott

• 1541

Lache

• 1540

Pralle . . . .

•• 1545

Stowre

• 1542

Lowe

• 1540

Pargett

•• 1545

Shingleton..

• 1542

Lyndon

• 1542

Plevey

•• 1545

Sherwood . .

• 1542

Launder

• 1545

Parsone

.. 1546

Sowthall . .

• 1547

Lydeyate . .

• 1547

Pellett

.. 1546

Somerfeild

• 1547

Lovell

• 1550

[Pillet]

.. 1551

Sebright . .

• 1549

Lake

• 1559

Pope . .

•• 1547

Sadler

• 1551

APPENDIX.

207

Stanfield . .

Stanford . .

Sare . .

Sampson . .

Smalle

[Smalej

Symonds . .

Standishe . .

Symkes

Stapull

Skytt .. ..

Sanford

Sutton
Tyllyate

[Tyllet] . .
Thomyns . .
Tyler .. ..
Thruston . .
Taunton
Tayler
Togood
Tudge.. ..
Turner
Troughton . .
Towneclarke
Thatcher . .

1552
1553
1559
1559
1560
1564
1561
1563
1563
1563
1564
1364
1565
1539
1551
1539
1539
1540
1540
1540
1540

1541
1541
1542
1542
1543

Tyrer . .

Tyncker

Thatchem

Tymkins

Trussell

Toy

Underhill

Vernam

Vaughane

Ware . .

Wryte

[Write]

Warroll

Wilks . .

Wannerton

Wordle

[Woordyll

Whytefoot

Wynyatt

Weston

Walker

Walton

Wood . .

Wats . .

[Watts]

Wynsham

•• 1545

•• 1559

. . 1 560

•• 1563

.. 1563

.. 1548

.. 1546

•• 1559

•• 1539

■• 1539

.. 1541

•• 1539

.. 1540

.. 1340

.. 1546

.. 1540

•• 1541

■• 1541

.. 1541

.. 1542

•• 1542

•• 1543

■• 1542

[Vynsham

Whyte

Warton

Willmotts

[WolmottJ

Wilcoxe

Wilkinsone

Wakeman

Whytnyll

Woodward

Wyckins

Whyttell

Whytaker

Watkys

Wall ..

Waynwright

Waringe

Whytmore

Whytfeild

Welshman

Woldnall

:01dnall]

Whystone

Wawyne

Yorksheire

1543
1542

1543
1543
1546

1543
1545
1545
1545
1545
1548
1548
1550
1550
1550
1550
1559
1557
1560
1561

1563
1540

1564
1564

1543

[Previous to the adoption of the Gregorian or New Style in Enfjland in 1752, the les<al year

began on March 25th.]

1539-

1540,
1541-

1542-

January vi buried Johane the daughter of Thomas Hayley
xxxi maried John Bowky and Erne Buckenyll

Feb. XV. buried John the sonne of Michel! Betonson
xvii buried Margret Jennyns widow

March xvii buried William the son of Thomas Blount

Feb. V maried John Combes and Joyce Blount

October iv buried Sr, John Barret, preist

XV ,, Sr. Nicholas write,* preist
Nov. XV maried John Bucknell and Joane Burdnyll
Aug. XXV buried Sr. Thomas Alchurch, pst
Oct. i maried Thomas Jenyns and Agnes Benbowe

* Sir Nicholas Wright was appointed Chaplain of St Mary's Chantry,

iune 27th, 1499. The patrons were Sit John Mortimer, Thomas Jenyns,
ailiff .William Colsell, and other " more worthy " parishioners of the Church
of " Kydermyster." He appears to have held the Chaplaincy only till 1515.

A A

2o8 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

1543, April XX buried Sir Philip pardoe, preist
Feb. xix buried Sir James Pirry,* preist

1547. Aprill xvi was buried Mrs. Joane Blunt

June xvii maried Mr. Simon Clare and Mrs. Agnes Blounte
July xviii cristened John the sonne of Thomas Jenyns
Oct. xii buried William Cokesey

1548. Sept. viii maryed Kenellme Channce and Agnes Betenson
March iii christened Dennis dr. of John Bucknell

1549. May vi christened Elizabeth dr. of William Woodward

,, xvii ,, Agnes dr. of George Kyteley

Sept. xxvii buried Dame Agnes Blount t
March v christened Agnes dr. of Humphrey Sebright

1550. March xxx buried Sr, William Thomyns J preist late Vicar of Kither-

minster
Nov. vii buried Gilbert Clare gent
March i christened Myrable dr. of Thomas Mytton
1553. August the xxiij day was christned Alexander the sonne of Sir William

Spittle, preist §

[From September 24th, 1553, until June 24th, 1559, the record is blank.]

In arid from the xxvth day oj June in the first yeare of the Raigne of our late
Soveraigne Ladye Queen Elizabeth.

1559. The xxvth day of June was maried John Clymar and Joane Hodgetts
August xii buried Humfry Sebright

Sept. I buried Edward Blount Esquier

October xxviij christened Arthure the sonne of Nicholas Betenson

Feb. xxi maried John Bucknell and Amye Best

1560. July xxviij christened Agnes dr. of Robert Edgley.
Feb. xvi christened Thomas son of William Jennyns

* Sir James Pyry was presented to the Chaplaincy of St. Mary, Trimpley,
by Sir John Atwode, April 20th, 1501, and held it till his death.

t On the 20th of June, 14 Henry VIH (A.D. 1523), the rectory of
Kidderminster was leased to Sir Thomas Blount, Agnes his wife, Edward
Blount and Joan his wife, for 97 years.

+ Sir William Thomyns was instituted to the Vicarage of Kidderminster
on the presentation of Maiden Bradley Convent, July 12th, 1535. In 1542,
June 6th, he was also presented by Henry VIH. to the Chaplaincy of St.
Mary's Chantry. There is clearly no break in the continuity of the Church
at the Reformation.

§ Curate of the Parish Church.

is6i.

APPENDIX.

209

May xi christened Richard son of John Bowyer of Trimpley
Sept. V christened Mary the dr. of Thomas Blount Esquier
Sept. vii christened Thomas son of Richard Potter

[Another blank occurs from Feb. 22nd, 1561, to October, 1563.]

1563. October xxvi maried Edward Crane and Joane Gryffyne
Nov. xii christened Gabriell son of John Brocke
Jan. xxix maried Edward Toy and Marget Goston

c. Nicholas, s. of Nicholas Freestone and Joane

b. W. Jennyns

b. Joane, d. of John and Alice Fawkner

c. and b. John, s. of George and Joane Blount

b. Margery Ley, wyddow

c. Elizabeth, d. of Elize Cheltnam, and of Margery

c. Wm., s. of Thomas and Joane Dolittle
b. Thomas Blount, Esquier

b. Richard Wilks, a bachelor from Mytton
b. John Madeley, clerk

b. Joane and Joane, the drs. of Thomas and of Joane
Whyttell

b. William Hornblower, of Netherton

c. Henry, s. of Thomas and Agnes Toy, from Mytton

b. Gods creature,* the sonne of John and Jane Glazzard

b. Edward Newman Surgion a Londoner inhabiting with
William Allen

c. John, the sonne of Ralph Smyth, viccarr, and of Alice

m. Thomas Webb of the Rock and Thomasin Hill,

widdowe

b. Henry Kempstowe, whoe was then high Baylife of

Kidderminster
was John Ball, of Carbee, in the County of Northampton

and Margery his wife, passing through Kidderminster,

when the said Margery was delivered of a man child,

whose name was John, wher he was both baptized and

buried

1564-

Aug.

31-

1565-

Apr.

20.
29.

June

1566.

Feb.

1567-

Aug.

1568.

Sept.

21.

Dec.

1570-

Nov.

lO.

Mar.

I57I.

Feb.

Sept.

23-

1572.

June

21.

1573-

April

14-

May

Nov.

17-

1574-

April

24.

Dec.

21.

1575-

April

19-

* This expression has given rise to much debate. It doubtless refers to
the practice, common at that time, of lay baptism, so strongly objected to at
the Hampton Court Conference of 1604. Compare the following entry in
the Elmley Lovett Registers : — " 1588 Bu. Creature the daughter of Robert
Briges being christd by the midwife was buried the xith day of December."

2IO

A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

1575-

May

Aug.

Jan.

^57^-

Apr.

Dec.

16
26

Jan.

Feb. 14
Mar. 16

1577. April 24
June 6

b. Mrs. Ann Clare, widdow

b. Sir Nicholas Compton, Vicar of Stone

b. Blanch, the wyfe of St. Warborowes pishe in

Westchester

m. Hugh Evans and Magdalenn Symcocks

b. A poor Welshwoman from Wrignall

b. Richard, the sonne of Rd. Ingram, gent., wch child

horded at Thomas Evesans, in Kidderminster
b. Joyce, the wyfe of Xtofer Cooke, from Haberley, and a

creature of God, her sonne

b. John Hill, weaver

c. and b. John, s. of Thomas, a millner of the How Myll

was christened and buried a Creature of God the daughter

of Philip Whytefoot
married Robert Smyth of Bwimingchamis Aston to Anne

Lane of the parish Ketherminster with Willm Gosnell

buried John Sergeant one of the high Baylifes of Kither-

minster
married Thomas Pytt and Clare Clare
buried John Mason the fuller
b- on A. powell a scholler of Oxford drowned at

Severne in Wrignall

c. Gilbert son of John Bourne and of Alis

bd. Alice wyfe of Raphe Smyth viccar of Kitherminster

bd. Wm sonne of Nicholas Bettison which pernshed by a
fall out of the bell seller in the steeple and fell through
all the flowers to the ground,
md. Rowland Blunt and Alice Wilmot
bd. Alice wyfe of Edward Sebright of Horstone
b. Julyan Clowde from Mr. Coles of the Talbott

b. Lawrence Cromwell, a poore man

b. a child from Roberts the welchmans in Coventry Street
b. Thomas Churchyard with the Crooke legg
b. old Joane a poore woman of the Church Hill out of the
Chamber next to Mr. Blount's house

b. Edmund Jurden of Worcester being drowned by mis-
fortune

m. Xtofer Symcocks unto Joane Holmer

b. Symon Clare Esquier Justice of Peace and Quorum in

the county of Worcester
b. Agnes the wyf. of the said Symon Clare Esquier
b. Robert Jervice one of the nomber of the highe Baylifes

July

3
25

Dec.

1577-

Feb.

1578.

June

July

6
17

Sept.

1579-

Apr.

June

Aug.

II.

Nov.

23-

30-

1580. June 12.
July 23.

„ 29.
Aug. 16.

APPENDIX.

211

1581. June 10.
Feb. 26.

Mar, 12.

1582. Apr. 30.

Aug. 27.

1583. Apr. 12.
May 3.
Dec. 30.
Mar. 13.

1584.

Sept. 9.
Nov. II.

1586. Apr. 4.
May 30.
July 20.
Aug. 28.
Oct. 4.
Dec. 8.

1587. June 10.

1588.

May 4.

Aug. 12.

Mar. 18.

1590. June 16.
Aug. 8.

1591. Mar. 6.

1594. July 30.

1595. Nov. 2.
Feb. 13.

1596. Apr. 30.
Aug. 21.
Nov. 8.

Dec. 20.

1597. Mar, 2.
April 25.

m. Thomas Dawxe unto Alice Doolittle

b. one John Stevens A stranger and an inhabitant of A

pishe in Lancashire called Armestirke (? Ormskirk), a

surgion by professione
b. Richard Rysse

b. John Hawwoth of Wymstowe his wyf Margrett being
at his buriall

b. Margrett the wyf of John Serjeant Highe Baylife

c. Thomas the sonne of Roger Hurtyll and Margerye
b. Mrs. Alice Dawks the wife of Mr- Henry Dawks

b. Margarett a poore wench

c. Magdalen the dr. of Mr, Edmond Burfeild and of Anne

c. John son of John Costen
b. John Nott from the Crowne

b. John Burlton, Tanner from Wribnall

c. Richard son of Symon Clare and Joane
b. Alice wyfe of Thomas Jennings

b. A man from Biackestone that was drowned

b. Davy a welsh boy.

b. A woman that was found dead in Burlashe by Mr.

Edward Blount Esq. and vewed by vi honest men
m. Evan ap Powell and Marye ap Meredith
b. Magdalen dr. of Edmond Burfeild, Clearke

b. Raphe Smyth viccar of the Towne

c. Alice dr of Nicholas ffayreyeare, Clearke

b. Anne wyfe of Mr. John Hassoll

c. Thomas son of Thomas Doolittle

c. Merriall the daughter of Sir ffrauncis Clare, knight

c. John son of Nicholas Freestone

b. John Legg from Heythey Myll

b. Mrs. Margerye Blount
b. a fondling from Wrignall

b. Mrs. Merrell dr. of Mr. Francis Clare, Esquier
m. William Stooke and Margaret Mason

m. Nicholas Allyne of VVakysbery Court and Anne

Woldnall.
m. Mr. John Dawks and Anne Aston of Tewxburye

c. *John son of John ffreestone.

b. owld Elizabeth Damice one of the Alms Howse

* John Freestone was nominated the first Bailiff of Kidderminster by the
Charter of King Charles 1, 1637,

212 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

1598. Jan. 22. bd. Wm. Rayson of Worcester clothworker from the Bow

(?) Myll at Nethermytton

1599. Feb. 24. A lycence of eating flesh made the xixth day of the same

moneth for Nicholas Bowyer the younger for recovery
of his health his said sickness still continuing was
recorded according to the statute
* Willm Smith Curate Thomas Pytt Churchwarden

1600. Feb. 6. cd. John son of John Radford of the porche
Feb. 8. bd. Ezechiell the sonne of John Stuard the Jockye

1601. Oct. 13. b. Hughe boucher of Puckstone
Oct. 22 b. Rowland Blount

F"eb. 5. m. Mr. John Acton to Mrs, Anne Clare
Mar. 6. b. Joane wife of Thos. Jenens

1602. June 15. m. Thomas Jenens and Eliz. Edgley

Aug. 12. b. John Raybold servant with Humfrey Doolittle in

Worcester Street
Oct. 31. c. Edward that found at the Lee
Nov. 17. m. John Wildgoose and Alice Blount

1603. Feb. 15. b. Nicholas Betenson Deacon of the Church of Kither-

minster

1604. Ap. 30. b. Anne the wife Philip Flanders and John his sonne of the

sicknes t
May 5. b. Nicholas Lowe and his mother of the sicknes
May 26. b. Mr Rd Child Highe Baylife

1607. Dec. 13. c. Lettice d. of Edward the Singer

1610. Ap. 4. b. Wm. Sebright

Jan. 20. b. Mr John Gower gentleman

1612. Mar. 28 b. Mr Gilbert Blount Esqre

May 13. b. Mr Thos Dawks one of the hihe Baylifes

Sept. 14. b. Mr Thomas Pytt one of the hihe Baylifes

Sept. 28. c. Anne d. of Mr Walter Blount

1614. Oct. 26. b. Margrett Collyns a poore wench yt went from Conn-

stable to Connstable to wrignall.
Dec. II. b. a creature of Christ the daughter of John George from
Mytton

1615. Dec. 5. b. John Denson, A poore man that came from Bewdley to

bee conveyed to Belbroughton and died by the way
with a certificate from Mr Milson Baylife in the
yeare 1615

* An Act for the increase of fishermen and mariners, 5 Eliz. (1563). Any
person eating flesh on Wednesdays, &c., shall pay a fine of £2 or suffer
three months' imprisonment.

t The Plague (Gaol Fever) of 1604 ravaged all England. 115 died at
Bewdley in 5 months. In London with a population of '150,000 it is
computed that 30,000 perished.

APPENDIX.

213

m. Thos. Doolittle and Margaret Bowyer

c. Jane d. of Edward Dawks and Ales his wife

b, Sorobabell the son of William Seelee

b. Parnell the wyf of Richard Bucknell

m. John Heath * preacher of gods word and Mary

Houlden
m. John ffrestone and ffrancis Pytt.

b. the honorble ladye Madame Mary the wyfe of Sr.

Edward Blount knight t
m. Thomas Wyldye of Worcester and Ursula Soley of

Bewdley
was Mr. John Odwell inducted viccar of Kidderminster
The same day buried John Davids A freemason

c. Thomas son of Henry Sergeant and Bridgett

b. Andros from Lickhill within the libertie of Mitton

b. Wiliam Child one of the low bailiffs

c. Frauncis the dr. of Rowland Hill and of his

wife
c. John the sonne of Richard Somers
c. Dorothie dr. of Thomas Woodward of the Angell
b. Margarett dr. of Mr. Thomas Blount of Astley
m. Henry Dyson of Inkeberow Gent and Jane Fownes

widdow
b. Muriell lady Clare +

b. John Woodward of the Green being drowned

c. Elizabeth dr of Xtofer Wade Citizen of London and of

Elizabeth

Thomas Causten had a certificate for marriage at Wor-
cester

b. Mr. Thomas Acton from Comberton

b. Abraham Woolverley killed at Habberley

b. olde Edward Crane of Haberley

b. Henry son of Henry Baker and of Alice his wyf from
Blackestone

b. one Griffyne Powell supposed a straunger and wan-
dering person found dead in a barne at Wribenhall
whoe died as is supposed about St. Andrewstide before,
whoa was afterward knowne to be maried and dwelling
in Ludlow, and by his mother a woman of good estate,

and his brother with her of the pishe of neer

Ludlow, cau.sed him to he taken up, whome haveing
see viewed shee acknow Irdgcd him to be her sonne

I6I6.

Ap. 10

July 17

Oct. 24

Feb. 9

Feb. 15

I6I7.

Nov. 14

Feb. 10.

1618.

June 12

June 22

Oct. 18

Mar. 23

I6I9.

May 16

1620.

Julye 16

Nov. 26

I62I.

April 2

May 27

Nov. I

Nov. 13.

Jan. 23

Jan. 30

1622. April 24.

April 26.
May 8.
Julye 30.
Sept. 24.

Feb. 7.

* Incumbent of St. Anne's, Bewdley.

t Lady Mary Neville, sister of Lord Abergavenny : one of the two ladies
in alabaster, now lying near the lower entrance of the Church.
I Wife of Sir Francis Clare, and mother of Sir Ralph Clare.

214

A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

1622. April I.

1623.

June

12.

June

30.

Aug.

Sept.

22.

23-

Dec.

24.

Jan.

29.

1624.

May

20.

June

24.

July

Aug.

Nov.

Mar.

19-

1625.

July

Oct.

12.

Jan.

18.

Mar.

17-
20.

1626.

Aug.

26.

1627.

June

19.

Oct.

19-

Nov.

15-

Nov.

30.

Jan.

29.

Mar.

17-

1628.

Mar.

25-

May

10.

June

14-

c. Margarett the dr of Rd Hickotts of the pishe of St.
Chadde in Shrewsbury and of Mary his wife brought
to bedd at Widow Stevens in Wribbenhall comeing up
Severne in a trow with her husband

m. Thomas Balamy and Elizabeth Cowp

b. an abortive the sonne of Cesarr Hawkins Esquier and

of Priscilla his wife
b. Alice Edgley widdow from Parke Attwood
b. owld Mr. James Taylor
a boy from Netherton being a stranger and wandering

beggar owt of Chesheir
b. owld Thomas Walker of the well in Worcester Street
m. Simon Potter and Dorrytie Wall by lycence at the

Rock

b. Anne a poore girle called blacke Anne

b. a poore wandering beggar man a stranger unknowne

who died in a Barne at Nethertoa

b. a servant dwelling at the Bull

b. owld father Symcoxe

c. Mary dr. of Richard Sommers and of Joyce his wife

b. Mr. Symon Clare batchelor

c. John son of Nicholas Pearsall and Alice

c. John the sonne of Thomas Lea and of Jane his wife

Richard Baker had a certificat for marriingof Jone Marice

at Dowles
c. Honora dr of Richard Harding Esquier and of

Catherine
c. John the sonne of Edward Pytt and of Mary

b. Richard ffreestone, Deacon

c. Elizabeth dr. of Captaine Edmund Woodward

b. Jo3.Trfi the wyfe of Richard Sommers low bayliffe

m. Mr. Willm. Glasbrooke and Anne Longmore at Wor-
cester by Lycense

b. John Snowe a poore impotent man travailinge from the
the Councell in ye Marches of Wales dyed at Blake-
stone

b. Mr. John Odell vickar

Thomas Lee had a certificate to marry with Mary Mowle

of the pishe of St. Peters in Droytwitch
m. Mr. William Smith and Mrs. Anne Odell

c. Jozias a childe founde neere the Whooe brooke

c. Mary dr of Elizabeth Foster a poore walking woman
m. Thomas Willmott and Elizabeth Shenston
c. Marryan dr of Rowland Hill and Mary

APPENDIX.

215

162S.

1629.

1633.

1634.

1635.

June

July

Aug.

Jan.

July

Oct.

Dec.

1630. July 8.

Nov.
Feb.

18.
24.

1631. Aug. 17. b

Oct.
May

27.
9-

June 18.

Jan.

30-

May

24.

June

Jan.

24.

31-

Feb.

Mar.

21.

Ap.

30.

Aug.

26.

Oct.

14.

Dec.

13-

29.

Feb.

14.

Mar.

21.

b. Symon Brotherton

m. Michaell Betenson and Margarett Cheltnam

c. John son of Mr. William Glasbrooke and Anne

c. Jane dr. of Mr. Rd. Barbar and Katheryne from Blake-
stone

b. Mrs. Alice Dawkes Widdow

b. a poore traveilling child out of Mr. Burton's barne

c. Edward son of Alexander Caple A mountebank

b. Hugh Stevens that was drowned at Bewdley in

Severne
b. Margery dr of David Jones an extravagant and of

Margarett Meredyth bastard
b. Sir Edward Blount Knight
b. the child wch was found drowned at wrignall being

made away by the mother of it whose name was Joane

Lyll'ey for wch fact she suffered at Worcester the 4th

of Aprill next after the Gaole Delivery
Humfrey Grove of the Chaunter house neere Alveley

servant to Mr. Humfrey Burlton of Wrignall
b. Symon Smith bellman

b. Mrs. Alice the wyfe of Mr. John Daukes one of the

High Bayliffs
were marryed Henry ffylldust and Joane Hodgetts ye wch
marryed Mr. Samuell Attwoodd Esq. Elisabeth
Baskervill by lycense

c. Mary dr. of Stephen Bache

b. Newporte son of Mr. John Stepkin and of Judyth

c. John son of John Baskerville and of Mary
b. Thomas Hill Clothworker

b. Rd. Raynolds who was starved to death in the snowe

b. Thos. Wells starved in the Snowe

b. Anne wife of Mr. Thomas Bray doctoure of Phissicke

b. John son Symon Potter

b. Welch John

c. Sissillia dr. of Mr. Daniell Dobbins Esquier and of
Ursula his wife

c. William son of Josephe Amphlett and of Johane

b. Richard Cleeve clericus ecclesiae

b. Anne dr. of Mr. ffrauncis Clare and of Anne

b. Mr. Symon Pitt one of the High Bailiffs

b. Edward son of Phillip Flaunders

[At the end of Volume. I is engrossed " A true Copie of the letter of that
Worthy and Charitable christian William Sebright of London Esquier
expressing for his Guifl of rhirieen I'ence weekly in wheaton bread &cj';

b 13

2i6 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

" Forasmuch as certain pishioners of Kidderminster whose names are
subscribed have by the consent of the Viccar and Churchwardens for the
tyme being newlie enlarged nyne seats next unto the middle Alley of the
Church at their owne pp. Costs and charges, amounting to the some of
fowerty shillings or thereabouts ; It is concluded and agreed that the said
nyne persons shall have convenient Roome in the said Nyne seats soe by
them repaired as shalbe fytting for them the better thereby to heare divyne
service, and the word of God read and preached unto them, soe that they
may from tyme to tyme resorte thereunto without the lett molestation or
disturbance, of any the rest of 'he pishioners that would displace them and,
seat others therein. For wytness whereof we the said Viccar and Church-
wardens have hereunto set our hands this present Aprill the eighteenthe.

Anno Dni 1620."

[Names cut; out.]

VOLUME II.

1636. This Register Booke was begun on the first day of June

1636

June 24, c. Hanna dr. of John Wallis and Susanna

November b. Frauncis the sonne of Henry Baker the xxth. day whoe
was drowned at the Callis Bridge in a greate floude
by a fall of a horsebackethe xiiith day of the same:
moneth and not found'until the sayd xxth day

Dec. 21. c. John the sonne of Elizabeth Tyllam filius populi
„ 28. c. Anne dr. of Mr. Frauncis Clare and of Anne

29. c. Candida dr. of Mr. William Welsh and of Elizabeth;

Feb. 27. c. Mary dr. of Joseph Amphlett and of Johane

1637. April 13. c. Ursula dr. of Daniel Dobbins Esquier and of Ursula
June. William the son of Mr. James Kyrle somtyme sojourninge-

at Mr. Danyell Dobbins whoe went to Beawdley
schoole was there drowned in Severne by bathinge-
himselfe and was buried on the 14th day
Sept. 8. b. Thomas Sutton of the sicknes

[In October 60 deaths from the " sicknes."]
Oct. 20. The searching woman buryed the same day of the sicknes.
[In November 1637 there were 62 deaths from the sick-
ness. In November 1636 there were the average;
number of 7, which included one by drowning]
[In December 47 deaths from the plague.]
P^eb. 14. b. Robert Morris servant to Sir Raphe Clare Kt

18. c. William the son of Thomas Lea and of Jane
Mar. I. c. Mary dr of Thomas Wylkes and of Joane by Mr. Turner,
of Mytton

I
I

APPENDIX. -iif-/

1638. July I. c. Nicholas son of Nicholas PearsaU and of Alice

25. m. Symon Clymer and Anne Hassold
Sept. I. c. Elizabeth dr of Mr. Nathaniell Eston cl and of

'Elizabeth
Dec. 5. b. Marmaduke Corbett

1639. c. Thomas son of Thos. Cheltnam and of Mary
b. William son of Richard Bradeley deceased

b. Elizabeth dr of Francis Holloway and of Jane

c. Elizabeth dr. of John Cholmeley Esq. and of Anne

m. John Baskervile and Alice Baker

m. Thomas Bucknell and Florance Pryce

c. Ursula dr. of Thomas Dannce and of Ursula uxor

m. Moses Mason and Annie Suffild

c. Dorothy dr of Daniell Dobbins Esq and of Ursula uxor

c. Thomas son of Bartholomew Perrins and of Margaret

c. Cordilla dr of Humphrey Pagett and Alice

m. Frauacis Bradeley and Elizabeth Peeters

b. a Cripple wch dyed in the prison

b. Elizabeth dr. of John Chomley Esquier and Anne
m. Richard Bucknell 6c Margarett Malpks

b. John Burnham Master of Arts and Schoolemaster

c. Alice dr of And re we George a walkinge body
b. a pliament souldier
b. a souldier

Aug. 22. b. James Phewtrell a souldier

b. John Windie alias Walker whoe was slain at Cawdwall
b. Samuell Taylor a ragman drowned in ye well in

Coventry Streete
b. a strainge woman wounded at ye battell in Leicester-

shiere
b. Rd. the son of Rd. Pitt gent. & of Joice his wife who
bathinge himselte in Stower was there unfortunately
drowned
Nov. 8. b. a souldier belonginge to S"" Thomas Aston slaine at

Trimpley
Nov. II. b. John Vygons a souldier under Captaine Dunghill
Nov. 14. b. another of his souldiers one Giles both slain in ye

towne
Mar. 13. b. Captaine Charles Dungham and Richard Kerby one of
his souldiers
1646. April 19. b. John Jones a pliamt souldier slaine at the skirmish at
Worcester
Dec. 28. c. John ye sonne of a wanderinge woman from fraynch
Jan. 17. c. Thomas ye sonne of Thomas Doolitile & of Anne
164.7. •^"g- t). Mr Samuell Attwood Esqr

July

26.

Jan.

Feb.

13-

1640.

April

ij-

May

26.

June

Aug.

16.

Sept.

Oct.

iS.

Nov.

3-
21.

I64I.

May

28.

Nov.

^5-

1642.

Mar.

1643.

Nov.

31-

1644.

June

15-

21.

Aug.

22.

Mar.

II.

15-

1645.

July

Dec. I.

1650.

April 25.

I65I.

June 22.

July 14.

July 24.

Feb. 3.

Mar. 4.

22.

i653.

July 25.

Aug. 15.

Sept. II.

218 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

1649, Aug. 6. b. Elias Harryts, Mary his wife their sonne and daughter
all slayne by the fall of a tree
m. James Pitt & Elizabeth Cooper at Dowles

b. Guendoline ye wife of James Tolbutt

b. Mistress Margrett Merricke widdow gent

b. Mary Cheltnam whoe was scalded in Rd. Clarkes

Furnace
m. John Pearsall and Rebecka Bellarmy
m. Mr. Richard Serieant and Mtris Hannah Burnham at

Cosson in ye parysh of Woorfield

b. Mr. John Pitt scoolmaster

c. Sarah dr of Mr. Rd. Serieant & Hannah

m. Thomas Pardoe and Sarah Naysh by Mr. Osland of
Bewdley

b. Alyce dr. of Richard Bough Esquire who dyed at Mr.
Danyell Dobbins his house

b. ould John Hill a pfessed doctor

A true and pfett Register of all births of children, weddings
and burialls on and after the 29th Sept. A.D. 1653 by
Edward Climar late before chosen and elected Register
by the Vote of the townesmen and pryshoners at a
publique meetinge, and afterwards Sworne by Mr.
Lawrence Pearsall then Justice of the Peace according
to an Act of Pliament of the 24th of August.

1653. Oct. 14. b. Thomas Crane ye Eldar from Spennylls. The 6th,

13th, & 20th days of this instant November was an
intention of marryge published in the church accord-
inge to ye Act of pliament at the clause of the
morninge Exercise betweene Edward Climar the sonne
of John Climar weaver And Cicillie the dr. of Richard
Raynolds dyer none excepting against it by me
Edward Climar Registar.
Dec. 3. day was marryed Edward Climar abovementioned and
Sycillie & pronounced husband and wife by Mr.
Thomas bellamy then High Bayliffe and Justice of the
peace and quorum

m. William Warren and Elizabeth Attwood of Wolverley.

1654. July 13th &c. m. William Kendrick of the Chaddesley Corbett

to Ann Amphlett of Elmley Lovet widow of Wm.
Amphlett, of Ambersley

Oct. 17. Samuel Whitefoote of Woolverley and Ursula Kettle of
Kingsnorton came to Kidderminster with 2 certificates
under the hand of Mr. Thos. Baldwin and Mr. Francis
Pottar and married by Mr. Nycholas Pearsall High
Bayliffe.

APPENDIX. 21^

^654. Feb. 26. William Cardall of Hagley & Mary the dr of Mr. Nycho.
Addenbrooke of Ould Swinford came with certificates
from Mr. Gervace Bryan & Mr. Bartholomew Kettle
&c. Upon sight whereof they were joined in marriage
by Mr. Thos. Bellamy.

30 Aprill 1655. Cornelius Holland and Jane Rushmore (?) of the payshe
of oulde Swinford came &c. and were joined in
marriage by Mr. Lawrence Pearsall High Bailiff

1655. Mar. 23. Roger Shakespeare and An Davis both of Dudley came &c

1656. April. published the intention of marriage in our markett place of

kiderminster at the season appointed by the late Act
of pliamt between William Thomason of Wolverley &c
July 24th &c. in our mkett place Wrofe Rogers of the Cittie of
Hereford Esquier and Mary Sallway Spinster the dr.
of Mtriss Dorothie Sallway of Kidderminster &c

165C. Sept, 13. b. ffraunces the wife of John Carpenter junior beinge the
firste Corps the greate belle was runge for after he
was caste
Oct. 26. b. Mr. William Speerels at Stone church

1657. June 25. b. Waltar Hardman whoe was slaine by blankley

Oct. 23. William Read of Mamble gent and Elizabeth Dyckins of
Bobbington brought a certificate under the hand of
Mr. John Boroston pryshe Register of Bewdley in wh
he certified that by his appointment the intention of
marriage had been published in their Market place of
Bewdley without exception &c. Declared &c. by Mr.
Wm. Mountford Justice of the Peace

1658. Mar. 28. baptised Thomas son of Mr. Lawrence Pearsall & Joan
c. Joseph & Benjamin sonns of John Hill
c. Aquila and Priscilla children of Thomas Simon

1659. July 12. m. Waltar Yarrington of Astley and Margrett Myllton of
Stower brydge by Mr. Samuell Bowatter

c. Eliz. dr of Nevill Simonds

Mti'is Roberta Dyson was carried to Inkberough and ther

buried
b. Mr. John Rowden
b. Ann George whoe poysoned herself found Guiltie of hir

own death by the Jurors then chosen
Thomas Woodward and Mary Richards were joined in

marriage by Mr. Richard Baxtar minister

1660. June 26. m. Edward Baxtar of Layton, Salop joynar and Joyce
Browne of this pryshe by Mr. Waldron

Mr. Thomas Bawldwin minister of Gods word and M<riss
Elizabeth Soley were joined in marriage by Mr.
Richard Serieant minister of Stone

Mar.

28.

June

13-

Aug.

22.

July

12.

July

••

12.

„

24.

Aug.

30.

Aug.

15-

June

26.

May

24.

220 A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

1660. July 22. c. John s. of John Baskarvield and Katharine

Sept. I. b. Mtr.s Marie Thomas wyddow late wyfe of Mr. John
Thomas late minister at Over Arley

Mar. 5. b. a creature of Christ the sonne of Edward Walker
apothecarie

1661. May 20. c. Abigaile dr of Mr. Rowland Spencer
Oct. 23. b. Marie wife of Joiin Clare

Dec. 27. b. Margrett wife of Richard Bucknell of fraynsh

1662. April 9. m. John liaskarvield to isable Johnsone

1663. Nov. S. b. Joyce the wife of Mr. Francis Clare
Feb. I. b. Joane Yarrenton wid

1664. Aug. 22. c. Mariell dr of Mr. Francis Clare & Mary uxor
Oct. 20. b. Mr. Abraham Plymley

1665. Jiune 30. c. John son of John lieuchampt & Judith
Mar. 20. b. Elizabeth wife of Mr. George Dance Vicar

1666. Oct. 26. b. Edward Burton who was kild at ye walke mill at

Broadwaters
Dec. 4. b. a Welshman from the bell
Mar. 5. b. Thomas Harcot kiJd with a cart coming from Bewdley

1667. April 3. b. Mary dr. of John Rosse who came with a passe
Nov. 23. b. a Innocent a dr. of Thomas Hawkes

Mar. 23. c. Henry son of Henry Addenbrooke

1668. Jan. 23. c. Joseph the son of John Williams and Joane ux
Feb. 21. b. Winifred Wilmot widow

Sept. 17. b. Mtris White widow

1669. Oct. 15. c. Thomas the son of Thomas Leah & Eliz. uxor
Feb. 12. c. William the son of Thomas Lea and Grissell uxor
Mar. I. c. Ann the dr. of Thomas ffoley Esq^e & Elizabeth

1670. April 23. b. Sr Ralph Clare

Sept. 3. c. Thomas s. of Thomas Perrens and Mary uxor

Nov. 3. b. Richard Aumphlit

Nov. II. c. Ralph s. of Mr. Francis Clare & Mary

Dec. I. b. Humphrey Whittell

Jan. 7. b. John s. of Thomas Hancox and Mary

1671. Mar. I. b. Nicholas Penn of Trimpley

1672. April 15. m. Christopher Humphries & An Proudly

May 5. c. Thos. son of Robert Vernon and Mary of Ribbenhall
Dec. 4. c. Daniell s. of Beniamine Broome & Margery ux
1674. This Register Booke was bought by Thomas Perins &

Edward Walter churchwardens for the Burrough &
Wm. Bowyer & John Crane churchwardens for the
ftoreigne in the yeare supradicto Pretium £1 15s. od.
Mrs. Dorothy wife of Mr. Adam Hough.
Thomas the sonn of Thos ffoley Esq. & Elizabeth
Mr. Charles Bowyer and Mary Cooper
John son of Benjamin Broome and Alargery

1673-

June 28.

Nov. 12.

1675.

Sept. 24.

Oct. 27.

APPENDIX.. 2-2T

1675. Jan. 4. Remember betweene 7 and 8 aclock at night an earth-
quake

b. Mr. Wm. Kent an exciseman
m. Richard Hill & Eliz. Amis
m. Thomas Hill & Anne Tilt
m. Ralph Cheltnam & Eliza Bradley
m. George Patchett and Clariencha Geligoe
m. Stephen Lea & Margaret Callow

c. Edward sonn of Thomas ffoley Junior Esijnire &
Elizabeth ux

c. Simon s. of Simon Deage Esq. and Mary
c. Stephen s. of Stephen Lea and Margaret
m. Mr Thomas Baldwin & Elianor Bennett by licence
c. Elizabeth a childe that was founde in the common
water lade in the Mill strete

b. Margaret wife of Edward Crane in woollen*

c. Richard s. of Mr. Rd. White Vicar & Mary
m. Robert Willmott and Sarah Willton by lycence
c. John s. of Thos. Hill and Ann feltmaker
borne Martha d. of Thomas ffoley Esq. & Eliz

b. John Broome m wollen

c. Richard s. of Rd. Bottlestaff & Alice
borne Rd. son of Thomas Foley Esq. & Eliz
borne John s. of Mr. Thomas Baldwin & Elionar
b. Francis Clare Esquier in woollen
m. Elias Artch and Mary Rowley

b. Robert Heming who died in the heath goeing to Bewdley
m. Joseph Housman & Prudence Clymer

b. Alice (who was slayne by her husband in Kiddermster)

dr. of Thomas Hornblower & of Alice
b. Moses Mason in woollen
m. Edward Rouse and Mary Clare by banes
b. Rd. son of Mr. Walter Thatcher

b. Richard Holloway in woollen
m. Jonathan Lea and Mary Sale by bandes

c. Ann dr. of Allen Breaknell and Susannah
c. Joane d. of Edward Rouse and Mary
b. Mr. John ReynoUes Schoolmaster
b. John Mathews Mr. Packwood's man

b. Thos. s. of Mr. Abell Attwood and Ann
m. William Lea and Alice Hole

c. Thomas found at Hoge hill barne
borne Frances d. of Francis Preene & Mary

Jan.

II.

Jan.

13-

1676.

Apri

July

13-

July

31-

Aug.

18.

Sept.

23-

Dec.

1677.

June

Dec.

29.

1678.

May

Aug.

20.

Dec.

31-

Feb.

II.

1^79.

Aug.

27.

Mar.

II.

1.680.

April

Aug.

Feb.

19.-

Mar.

i68i.

Aug.

13-

Dec.

25-

Dec.

31-

L682.

May

12.

1683.

June

24.

Sept.

Oct.

23-

1684.

Sept.

24.

Nov.

Mar.

22.

1686.

Mar.

30.

Oct.

26.

L687.

Sept.

17-

1688.

May

Nov.

13-

1689.

Jan.

L690.

May

28.

The Act was passed to encourage the woollen manufacture.

222

A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

Bailiffs of 1ki^^ennin0tcl^

1381
1388

1400

1574
1576
1577
1578
1579
1580

1585
1591
1598

1604

1608

1612

1615

i5i6
1619

1623

1626
1630
1633
1635
1636

1637
1638
1650
1653
1654
1655
1657
1675
1683

1707
17 1 2
17 1 6

Nicholas Polton
[William Hulpole
tjohn Sugge
(John Pryntour
Ijohn Horewode

Henry Kempstowe

Hugh Wantner

Jjohn Sergeant

Henry Benton

William Fearne

Robert Jervice

Henry Dawkes
— HassolL

John Dawkes
f Richard Fearne
I Richard Child

John Radford.
[Thomas Dawkes
[Thomas Pitt

Nicholas Bowyer

Thomas Woodward

William Child
[ Geoffrey Hornblower
[ Francis Perry

Richard Sommers

Thomas Lake

John Dawkes

Simon Pitt

John Freestone

William Best

Richard Potter

John Elsmore

Thomas Bellamy

Nicholas Pearsall

Lawrence Pearsall

William Mountford •

John Pearson

William Lewes

Allen Brecknell

WilHam Hill

William Silk

I72I

. William Silk

1723 •

John Harris

1743 •

Thomas Lea

1753 •

. Charles Knocker

1755 •

. William Wallis

1756 .

Richard Colley

1757 •

Joseph Baker

1759 •

. Joseph Baker

^765 ■

. Joseph Lea

1764 .

Joseph Lea

1765 •

. William Lea

1766 .

Thomas Ferrins

1767 .

. William Oldnall

1768 .

Thomas Perrins.

1769 .

. William Oldnall

1770 .

Joseph Callow

1 77 1 .

Edward Crane (deed)
■ 'William WalHs

1772 .

. Stephen Miles, jun.

1773 .

. Henry Bird

1774 •

John Newcomb

^775 •

. John Yearsley

1776 .

. Samuel Harris

1777 .

William Lea

1778 .

Henry Bird

1779 .

John Newcomb^

1780 .

William Lea

1781 .

. Henry Perrin

1782. .

. Josiah Lea

1783 •

. Henry Perrin

1784 .

Josiah Lea

1785 .

. Timothy Crump,

1786 .

. Joseph Par doe

1787 .

. Robert Shirley

1788 .

. Joshua Moreton

1789 .

Timothy Crump.

1790 .

. Joseph Pardoe

1791 .

Joshua Moreton,

1792 .

. Robert Shirley

1793 •

. James Cole

1794 •

William Thorn.

APPENDIX.

223

1795 •

. *Richard Colley, jun.

1811 .

. John Newcomb

William Thorn

1812 .

William Boycott

1796 .

George Gower

1813 .

. John Roberts

1797 .

James Cole

1814 .

. Joseph Newcomb

1798 .

William Thorn

1815 .

William Nichols

1799 .

. * George Gower

1816 .

John Roberts

*Richard Colley, sen;

1817 .

William Boycott

*John Newcomb

1818 .

Winter Frost

*Henry Perrin

1819 .

Joseph Newcomb

*Josiah Lea

1820 .

. William Nichols

*Robert Shirley

1821 .

James Sprigg

*James Cole

1822 .

. Thomas Jones

William Thorn

1823 .

. James Sprigg

1800

. *Richard Colley, sen.

1824 .

George Hallen

*John Newcomb

1825 .

Thomas Jones

Henry Perrin

1826 .

. Samuel Beddoes

I80I .

Josiah Lea

1827 .

George Hallen

1802

Robert Shirley

1828 .

Samuel Beddoes

1803

James Cole

1829 .

George Custance

1804 .

. George Gower

1830 .

John Gough

1805 .

John Roberts

1831 .

Thomas Bradley

1806 .

George Gower

1832 .

John Gough, jun.

1807

. William Boycott

1833 •

Samuel Beddoes

1808 .

Joseph Newcomb

1834 .

Thomas Bradley

1809

James Newcomb

1835 •

Thomas Bradley

I8I0

. William NichoUs

riDavors.

1835 •

. tWiUiam Butler Best

1847 .

William Boycott, sen.

1836 .

. William Butler Best

1848 .

. William Boycott, sen.

1837 •

George Hooman

1849 .

. William Roden, M.D.

1838 .

George Talbot, jun.

1S50 .

William Boycott, jun.

1839 •

("harles Talbot

1851 .

William Grosvenor

1840 .

Henry Brinton

1852 .

. Joseph Kiteley

I84I .

Joseph Newcomb

1853 •

Joseph Kiteley

1842 .

William Henry Worth

1854 •

Henry Saunders

1843 .

James Morton

1855 •

. George Turton

1844 .

. William Butler Best

185G .

Joseph Kiteley

1845 .

George Hooman

1857 •

James Batham

1846 .

. William B. Best

1858 .

Henry Jecks Dixon

* Refused to serve. As a result bye-laws were constituted 7 July, 1801,
imposing fines for refusal, viz., Bailiff ^42, Alderman £zb 5s., Councillor

;^IO lOS.

t Elected Dec. ji.st.
c c

224

A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

1859 .

. Henry Jecks Dixon

1876

i860 .

George Turton

I86I .

Pemberton Talbot

1877

1862 .

. William Rodeg

1878

1863 .

William Roden

1879

1864 .

. William Roden

1880

1865 .

. Alfred Talbot

1881

1866 .

. Charles Edwd.Jefferies

1882

1867 .

. Charles Edwd.Jefferies

1868 .

. William Cowen

1883

1869 .

. William Cowen

1870 .

Samuel Tovey

1884

I87I .

William Boycott

1885

1872 .

William Green

1886

1873 •

. Henry Dixon

1874 .

. Daniel Wagstaff

1887

Goodwin

1888

1875 .

Thomas Tempest-
Radford

1889

Thomas Tempest-

Radford
James Joseph Harvey
William Cowen
Joseph Naylor
Henry Richard Willis
James Binnian
George William Gros-

venor
Daniel Wagstaff

Goodwin
William Green
George Holdsworth
Thomas Tempest-

Radford
Michael Tomkinson
Edward James Morton
Edward James Morton

Ibicjb Stewarb0.

1636 .

. Sir Ralph Clare

1802

* * * *
Thomas Lord Foley

1833

1766 .

. Thomas Foley, Esq.

1870

1778 .

. Thomas Lord Foley

1888

1793 •

. Hon. Edward Foley

Thomas Lord Foley
Thomas Henry Lord

Foley
William Earl of Dudley
William Humble Earl

of Dudley

1774

John Viscount Dudley

and Ward
John Viscount Dudley

and Ward

1789
1823

William Viscount
Dudley and Ward

John William Viscount
Dudley and Ward

^own (Zlcvhe.

[-1487] .

Thomas Kynfare,

alias

1826 .

. Thomas Hallen

Taillour

1836 .

. Thomas Hallen (re

[1764] .

. Gregory Watkins

elected)

1788 .

. James Pinches

1856 .

Henry Saunders

I80I .

. George Hallen

1867 •

. James Morton

INDEX.

225

BRIEF GENERAL INDEX.

Abergavenny, family of, 35-38

Appropriation of Church, by Bp.
Simon, log ; by Bp, Bransford,
in; by Bp. Tideman, 113 ; by Bp.
Clifford, 113.

Archery, 61, 62

Arthur Prince, ordains love and con-
cord between Bewdley and Kidder-
minster, 6g

Auxeville, Ralph de, gets knight's fee
in Kidderminster, 14 ; gives land to
Maiden Bradley, 15, 16

Bailiffs, antiquities and duties of, 20 ;

privileges of, 55 ; list of, 222
Baptist Chapel and Ministers, 138
Beauchamp, William de, his Charter,

17
Sir John, made Baron of

Kidderminster, 31 ; gets charter

from Richard II., 31 ; beheaded, 32

Benefactors, 146-149

Bewdley, its prosperity, 69 ; quarrels
with Kidderminster, 69

Biographies of — J. Wither?, 113;
Bishop Harley, 114 ; G. Dance,
115; Ba.xter, 117; White, 121;
Butt, 121 ; Dean Onslow, 122 ;
Bishop Claughton, 123 ; Dean
Boyle, 124 ; Canon Claughton,
124; Abbot Kidderminster, 150;
Jervyes, 150 ; Sir R. Clare, 150 ;
John Somers, 152 ; R. Cooper, 152 ;
Waller, 153 ; Yarranton, 153; Lord
Foley, 154 ; Williams, 155 ; Pear;
sail, 155; Baskerville, 156; Greaves,
156; Job Orton, 157; Dr. John-
stone, 157, 158 ; T. Wright
Hill, 158 ; Dr. Lant Carpenter,
159 ; Sir Josiah Mason, 161 ; Sir
Rowland Hill, 162 ; Archdeacon
Lea, 166 ; Rev. H. Price, 167 ;
Rebecca Swan, 167 ; G. Griffith,
168 ; Helmore, 168 ; Bradley, 168 ;
D. W. Goodwin, 169; Simcox, 170

Biset family, 13, 28-32 ; pedigree of,

Blackstone, hermitage at, 128

Blount family, 46-49 ; pedigree of, 49

Brinton Park, 149

Bulls (papal), 104, 105, 194

Burnell, family of, 33-35

By-laws (1330), 56-60 (1640), 75-77

Carpet-making, introduction of, 182 ;
factories, 183-187

Chantries, St. Mary, 35, 39, 40, 44,
67, 94.. 95. 97- 99. 100, loi ; St.
Katharine, 42, 97, 99, 100, loi ;
Trimpley, 95-97, 99, 100 ; Hartle-
bury, 202

Chaddesley Corbet, short history of,
198

Charles i.. Charter of, 72-75

Charters of. Henry IL, 13, 203 ;
Richard II., 31 ; Henry VIII., 38 ;
Elizabeth, 13; Charles I., 72-75;
George IV., 82

Civil War, 77, 78

Clare family, 44, 45 ; pedigree of, 45 ;
Sir Ralph, 150

Clent, short history of, 189

Cokesey, family of, 38-43 ; monu-
ment of, 42 ; brass of, 41 : pedi-
gree of, 43

Corporation, constitution of, 82 ;
ornaments of, 83

Churches : .\11 Saints, architecture
of, 86, 87 ; bells of, 89 ; plate of, 90 ;
goods of, 98, 99 ; monuments in, 91 ;
"process" of, 101-113; Vicars of,
113-126; St. George, 129, 130; St.
John, 131, 132 ; St. Barnabas, 132 ;
St. James, 132 ; Trimpley, 132 ;
Mytton, 126-128; Wribbenhall, 128,
129; Clent, igi ; Wolverley, 195;
Hagley, 197 ; Stone, 198 ; Chad-
desley Corbet, 200 ; Hartlebury,
201, 202.

Churchyard Cross — see addenda

226

A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

Court of Requests, 80, 81

Danes, ravages of, 7, 8

Deneberht, his agreement with

Kenulph, 6
Domesday Book, Kidderminster, 10,

203 ; Hagley, 196 ; Chaddesley,

ig8 ; Clent, 190 ; Hartlebury, 201 ;

Wolverley, 193 ; Stone, 197

Earthquake, 78
Enclosure Act, 61

Final Concords, 64-67

Foley, family of, 49-51 ; pedigree of,

51
Frankpledge, 56
Freedom, growth of, 20, 25, 26, 58,

63. 67

Grammar School, 74, 141

Habberley Valley, 149
Hagley, short history of, 195
Harmanville, Maud, brass of, 41 -
Hartlebury, short history of, 201
Harvington Hall, 199
Henry HI. at Kidderminster, i5
High Stewards, list of, 224
Husbandry, old system of, 18, 19, 20

Infirmary, 148

Kidderminster, etymology of, g, 10 ;
population of, 12, 85 ; fairs, 17, 29

Leland, his description of Kidder-
minster, 70

Maiden Bradley Convent, founded
28 : its connection with Kidder-
minster, 101-113; suppressed, 45
Mayors, list of, 223
Markets, Regulations of, 57-60, 72
Members of Parliament, 54, 84
Mitton, 16, 107 ; monuments in
church, 127. See also addenda

New Meeting, 135, 136
Newspapers, 82

Offa's settlement, 5, 6
Old Meeting, 134-136

Burnell, 35 ;
45 ; Blount,

Pedigrees of, Biset, 32

Cokesey, 43 ; Clare

49 ; Foley, 51 ; local families, 53
Phelip Sir John, 40, 41 ; brass of, 41
Plagues, 25, 26, 71, 72
Population in 1086, 12; in 1563, 1776;

1793' 71 ; in 1801, &c., 85. See

corrigenda

Recorders, list of, 224

Registers, names in, 204, &c. ; extracts

from, 207
Rentals of manors, 21, 25
Riots, 82, 167
Roman Catholic chapels and priests,

139, 199, 200
Roman remains, i

Schools : Grammar, 74, 141 ; Parish
Church, 142 ; Potter's, 143 ; Pear-
sail's, 143 ; Art, 145 ; Science, 145;
Board, 143, 145 ; voluntary, 144

Stone, short history of, 197

Town clerks, list of, 224

Trades in olden times, 71

Trade Tokens, 78, 79

Valuation of benefice, 106-109, 115,

116
Villeins, their condition and duties,

10, II, 19, 20; lists of, 21-24; their

houses, 27
Volunteers, 80, 82

■Ward, Baron, purchases Kidder-
minster, 50 ; a benefactor, 52 ;
memorial of, 52

Weavers, Society of, 174, &c.

Wesley, at Kidderminster, 137, 138

Wills,' of Coton, 67 ; Forest, 68 ;.
Hyheway, 68 ; Hill, 68

Witches, 167

Woolcombers, iSi

Wolverley, short history of, 193

Wribbenhall, Christchurch, 128; All
Saints, 128

INDEX.

'22J

INDEX OF NAMES.

\_See Page 204. J

Abberley, 18
Abergavenny, 34, 35, 36,
38, 47, 67, 70, 72, 75,

95, 100, 128, igO, 198,
199, 200, 213

Abraham, 68, 69

Achebornj, 15

Aclon, 44, 81, 99, 121,

212, 213
Adam, 184, 185
Addenbrooke, 66, 149,

219, 220
Aegelsi, 189
Aevic, 189
Agborow, 10, 22, 25, 98,

100, 109
Aiulf, II
Alchurch, 207
Allom, 139
Allyne, 211
Alured, 171
Amphlett, 215, 216, 218,

220
Andrews, 51
Ansculf, II, ig6
Apen, 100
Arley, i
Argyle, 124
Artch, 73, 115, 221
Arthur (Prince), 69
Arundel, 33, 35
Ashbourne, 124
Ashe, 51

Ashurst, 118, 119, 143
Astley, 66, 153, 213
Aston, 217
Atherstone, 87
Attwill, 147
A^ttwood, 55, 56, 64, 95,

96, 194, 215, 217, 218,
221

Audeley, 199
Austin. 81

Auxeville, 14, 15, 16, 20,

21, 25

Avignon, 105, 194
Axminster, 182

Bache, 215
Bacoun, 95
Bagger, 67

Baker, 62, 66, 81, 125,
129, 198, 213, 214, 216,

217, 222

Baldwin, 119, 121, 128,

135, 219, 221
Ballamy, 79, 81, 214,

218, 219

Balle, 16, 24, 25, 209

Banbury, 75

Banks, 81, 134

Bannister, 90, 187

Barbar, 215

Barbour, 96

Bardolph, 41

Ba ford, 81

Barker, 147, 180

Barnett, 67

Barrett, 135, 207

Barton, 65, 185, 186

Baskerville, 156, 194,
215, 217, 220

Basset, 28, 32

Batham, 223

Bathe, 130

Batten, 82

Baugli, 129

Baxter, 49, 78, 91, 115,
117, 118, iig, 120, 121,
123, 125, 135, 138, 143,
151, 167, 176, 180

Baylly, 65

Beauchamp, 17, 31, 32,
34. i5' 36. 47. 64. 65,
95. 97., 1 52

Beaconsfield, 153

Beck, 17, 62, 81

Becket, 14

Beddoes, 223

Belbroughton,87,i04,2i2

Belenger, g5

Bell, 137

Bellamont, 143

Bellamy, 222

Benbow, 83, 207

Benedict XII., 104, 105

Bennett, 66, 221

Bennie, 187

Bentley, 202

Benton, 141, 147, 222

Berewyke, 104

Bergavenny (see Aber-
gavenny

Bernard, 62

Best, 73, 80, 81, 82, 83,
84, gi, g3, 135, 138,
142, 208, 222, 223

Betenson, loo, 125, 207,
208, 210, 2X2, 215

Beterton, 68

Beuchampt, 220

Bewdley, 46, 47, 48, 61,
64, 68, 6g, 72, 77, 78,
117, iig, 137, 139, 150,

Bigelow, 183

Bill, 180

Binnian, 224

Bingham, i2g

Birch, 72

Bird, 55, 81, 100, 222

Birmingham, 156, 158,

161, 162
Biset, 13, 14, 16, 17, 28,

29. 30, 32, 36, 55. 56,

70, g5, loi, 102, 103,

125
Black, 86, 87, 104, 123
Blackmore, 136

22<S

A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

Blackstone, 128

Blake (see Black)

Blakewell, 7

Blanchford, 136

Blaze (Bp.), 181

Bleke, 62

Blomfield (Bp.), 123

Blount, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48,
49, 72,74, 98, 100, 115,
125, 141, 146, 207, 208,
209, 210, 211, 212, 213,

215
Blunt, 84
Blurton, 152
Bocher, 98, 100
Boraston, 81, go, 129,

219
Bordesley, 198
Boscobel, 78
Boscode (seeAttwood)
Bosel, 2
Boteler, 26, 39, 43, 64,

196
Botetourt, 34, 190, 196
Bottlestaff, 221
Boucher, 211
Bough, 218
Bourne, 210
Bowater, 219
Bowyer, 66, 134, 143, 147,

167, 186, 209, 212, 213,

220, 222

, Boycott, 82, 83, 84, 223,

224
Boyle, 124, 126, 134
Bradford-on-Avon, 171
Bradley, 119, 121, 168,

169, 217, 221, 223
Bradshavv, 94, 135
Bransford (Bp.), 11 1
Bray, 215
Brecknell, 81, 143, 148,

221, 222
Brede, 62
Bredon, 86, no
Brentford, 5
Bridgman, 92, 148
Bridges, 48, 115, 113
Bridgnorth, 34, 117
Brindley, 51
Brinkworth, 14
Brinton, 82, 84, 142, 143,

149, 184, i85, 223
Bristol, 160
Bristow, 84
Brittol, 93
Broad, 72, 146, 198
Brock, 121, 166, 2og
Bromley, ig6

Brommore, 30
Bromyard, 155
Bromsgrove, 62, 63, 173
Brooke, 77
Brookes, 81, 139
Brooksbank, 92
Broom, igo, 191
Broome, 81, 87, 167, 182,

183, 187, 220, 221
Brotherton, 94, joo,

215
Brough, 82
Browne, 66, 73
Bruges, 143
Brugge, 125
Bryan, 219
Buckesbie, 98
Bucknall, 67,88, 147, 207,

208, 213, 217, 220
Burfeild, 211
Bund, 66
Burcher, 52
Burford, 7
Burhred, 7, 193, 201
Burlish, 14, iii
Burcher, 52
Burlton, 53, 148, 211,

215
Burnham, 217, 218
Burnynson, 100
Burnell, 33, 34, 35, 190
Burton, 66, 93, 142, 147,

215, 220
Butcher, 146, 186
Butler, 79, 80, 92, 100,

137. 147. 190
Butt, 88, 121, 122, 126
Button Oak, I
Butts, 61

Caldecote, 125
Caldrigan, 54
Caldwell, 38, 39, 63, 70,

77, 107, 109
Calixtus, 102
Callow, 80, 221, 222
Cameron, 122
Cantilupe, 17, 102, 201
Carpenter (Bp.), 87
Carpenter, 159, 160, 161,

201, 2xg
Carsleghe, 104, 105, no,

III, 125
Carter, 79
Cartwright, 81
Ceadde (Chad), 2, 9
Cedd, 2, 9,
Ceolfrith, 4, 6,
Cergan, 100

Chaddesley, i, 6, 9, 68,
87, 102, igS, igg,
200

Chaddaleswyche, 64

Chamberlin, 79

Chambers, 90

Chaucer, 41

Chaunce, 97, 99, 100, loi,
208

Charlton, 80, 121, 126,

155
Charouse, 95
Chellingworth, 81, 132
Cheltenham, 128, 209,

215, 217, 221
Chesshire, 124, 129
Child, 81, 135, 147, 152,

212, 213, 222
Children-Hanley, 64
Chiroton, 104, 105
Cholmeley, 217
Church, 130
Churchill, 66
Churchley, 96, 99
Churchyard, 66, 210
Churton, 124
Clare, 43, 44, 47, 49. 53,

64, 65, 66, 67, 74, 75,

80, 100, 139, 147, 150,

208, 210, 211, 212, 214,

215, 220, 221, 224
Clarke, 66, 98
Claughton, 52, 90, 123,

124, 126, 131
Cleeve, 215
Clement (Pope), 194
Clent, 1,66, 189, 190, 191,

192, 195
Clifford (Bp.), 113
Clifton, 7
Clymer, 204, 208, 217,

218, 221
Cobham (Lord), 95, 197
Cockin, 142, 169
Cocks, 152
Cokesey, 38, 39, 40, 42,

43, 62, 64, 65, 70, 95,

97, 208
Cole, 81, 210, 222, 223
Coleshill, 153
Colley, 65, 80, 81, 222,

223
Collins, 129
Colsell, 95, 207
Columbine, 125
Combe, 13, 46, 49, 71 , 207
Comberton, 14, 15, 16,

23, 25, 26, 46, 48, 64,

109. 153' 162, 213

INDEX.

22g

Complagn, loo
Corapton, ,210
Conder, 134
Cooke, 100, 142, 146
Cookley, 6, 7, 193
Cooper, 63, 81, 82, 92,

145, 152, 218, 220
Cowen, 224
Cowp, 214
Cowper, 81

Corbet, 18, 87, 199, 200,

217
Corrie, gi
Coston, 35, 66, 100, 211,

213
Colon, 67
Cotton, 78, 95
Cottrell, ,8j
Courtenay, 139
Coventry, 44
Cowell, 137, 138
Cox, 93, 198
Craddock, 139
Crane, 53, 67,80,81, 93,

146, 149, 157, 185, 209,
213, 218, 220, 221,
222

Craven, 127
Creak, 114, 125, 136
Croft, 45, 49, 70
Croome, 44
Crossley, 183, 186
Crowther, 187
Crump, 185, 222
Custfield, 77
Custance, 168, 223
Cyniberht, 4, 9

D'Abitot, 18, 44, 197
Dalby, 87
Dalmahoy, 127
Danes, 7, 8
Dance, 115, 116, 117,

120, 125, 217, 220
Darby, 81
Darell, 64
Davies, 81
Davvkes, 66, 72, 89, 100,

147, 211, 212, 213, 215,
222

Deanes, 97, 98

De Burgh, 52

Deerhurst, 2

Degge, 93, .221

De la Doune, no, in,

125
De la Lade, 103, 125
De la Mere, 40, 95, 103,

125

Deneberht, 6, 193

Dennington, 40
Deorham, i
Despencer, 34, 35, 47
Dixon, 82, 184, 185, 186,

188, 223, 224
Dobbins, 48, 66, 153,215,

216, 217
Dobson, 81, 184
Dodd, 200
Doddridge, 157
Doharty, 56, 80, 88
Doolittle, 6g, 73, 81, 100,

118, 134, 148, 209, 211,

212, 213, 217
Douglas, 40, 124
Dounreston, 13
Dowles, I
Downall, 130
Dovvnes, 139
Droitwich, 11,54,55,72,

154, 166, 173, 199
Dudley (see Northum-
berland)
Dudley, 54, 117
Dudley (Lord), 52, 88,

126, 145, 184, 224
Dudley (Lady), 52, 148
Duffory, 182
Dunclent, 55, 56, 64, 72
Dungham, 77
Dyckins, 219
Dyson, 213, 219

Eastham, 7

Eaton Constantine, 117
Eddeve, 198
Edgbaston, 159
Edgeley, 83, 97, loi,

208, 212, 214
Ednam, 51
Elkington, 161
Elmley Lovett, 44, 103
Elsmore, 174, 222
Elyot, 65
Englefield, 65
Erdington, 161, 162
Kridge, 38
Essex, 102, 103, 125
Esthope, 81
Estlin, 160
Eston, 217
Ethelbald, 4, 7
Ethclred, 7
Evans, Si, 130, 137
Evelyn, 48, 153
Evesham, 18, 54, 72, 77,

78, 139, 173
Exeter, 159

Eymore, loS, 109, no

Farr, 93

Fawcett, 80, 135, 138,

155. 184
Fawkner, 209
Fayreyeare, 211
Fearne, 222
Feckenham, 62, 95
Feme, 97, 98, 100, lor
Fewsterell, loi
Filewood, 129
Fincher, 137
Finian, 2
Fish, 137
Fisk, 139
Fitzalan, 35, 51
Fitzwalter, 34
Fitzwith, 31
Flandei's, 172, 212, 215
Flemyng, 67
Foley, 18, 20, 21, 38, 48,

49, 50, 51. 53, 80, 89,

117, 125, 126, 127, 129,

154, I55> 198, 220,

224
FoUiott, 80, 127, 197
Forest, 38, 67, 68, 198,

200
Forster, 97, 98
Fortescue, 124, 132
Franche, 10, 23, 25, 55,

62, 132, 144
Frankley, 87
Eraser, 77, 84
Freeman, 136
Freeston, 66, 73, 147,

181, 209, 211, 213,

214, 222
Frome, 104
Frost, 70, 223
Fry, 81, 137
Furnivall, 41, 42
Fylldust, 215

Galabank, 157
Caret, 67
Garmson, 115
Garnett, 100
Geligoe, 221
Gentleman, 137
Gething, 145
Gibbons, 124, 130, 155
Gibbs, 197
Gibson, 137, 184
Giffard, 136, 201
Gilbert, 95, I43
Gilis, 68
Gisborne, 84

230

A HI STONY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

Glasbrooke, 214, 215
Glynn, 148
Godiva, 7, 193
Godson, 84, 142
Goodwin, 82, 83, 145,

169, 224
Gough, 105, 188, 223
Gower, 147, 185, 212,

223
Grafton, 63
Grant, 84
(rranville, 50, 51
Gray, 143
Greaves, 94, 148, 156,

157, 180
Green,_ 73, 187, 195, 224
Greenfield, 136
Greville, 42, 43, 95
Grey, loi
Grice, 97, gS
Griffin, 100, 139, 147,

209
Griffith, 168
Griffiths, 81, i5i
Grosvenor, 145, 169,

185, 186, 223, 224
Grove, 66, 126, 215 x*^
Gunhilda, 7
Gurney, 129
Gyldon, 97
Gyll, 100

Habberley, 10, 19, 21,
25, 62, 64, 149, 213

Hacun, 7

Hagley, i, 55, 56, 66,
195, 196, 197

Hale, 65

Hales Owen, 34, 87, 126,
190, 191

Hall, 135, 137, 139, 146,

147
Hallen, 81, 82, 129, 167,

223, 224
Ham, 7
HanLury, 48, 66, 93,

143. i-DD

Hancocks, 81, 169, 194,

195, 220
Handlo, 34, 35
Hankys, 95
Hanley Castle, 36
Harding, 214
Hardman, 136, 138, 139,

219

Hardwicke (Earl), 152
Harley, 33, 114, 125, 143
Harmanville, 41, 43
Harper, 80

Harris, 81, 222
Harrison, 161, 187
Hartlebury, 18, 68, 78,
99, 106, 112, 201, 202
Harvey, 130, 224
Harvington, 199, 200
Harward, 66
Hnssall, 129, 211, 217
HassoU, 222
Hastings, 36
Hawkins, 214
Haye, 66
Hayle, 62
Hayley, 207
Heath, 128, 138, 213
Heathy, 55, 56, 62, 109
Heathored (L'p.), 5
Helmore, 136, 140, 168
Hemming, 128, 129
Henleghe, 17
Henry II., 13
Henry HI., 16
Henster, 65
Herdson, 97
Hereford, 35, 69
Heryng, 62
Hickes, 195
Hickeson, 62
Higgins, 147
Hill, 24, 65, 68, 81, 95,

132, 135, i37> T^5^, 159,
162-166, 210, 213, 214,
215, 219, 221, 222

Hinton, 81

Hoare, 143

Hoarstone, 18, 48, 66

Hobday, 66

Hodgetts, 51, 208, 215

Holcroft, 198

Holdsworth, 83, 224

Hole, 221

Holland, 139, 219

Holloway, 2x7, 221

Holmes, 186

Holt, 95

Hook, 159

Hookham, 142

Hooman, 130, 167, 184,
185, 223

Hooper (Bp.), 202

Hopkins, 88, 195

Hore, 65

Horewode, 62, 222

Hornblower, 81, 209,
221, 222

Hough. 48, 66, 80, 93,
220

Housman, 135, 155, 221

How (Bp.), 124

Howard, 51, 80, 125,

142, 158
Huddlestone, 84
Hugh3s, 186
Hulpole, 62, 222
Humphries, 184, 187,

220
Hunsworth, 136
Hunt, 66, 81
Hurcott, 10, 25, 26, 46,

48, 67, loi, 106, 112,

153, 187, 188
Hurd (Bp.), 201, 202
Hurtill, 53, 100, 115
Hussey, 143
Hyheway, 68

Ibery, loi

Ingram, 50, 81, 91, 122,

210
Inkberow, 213
Ivens, 18, 52

Jambertus, 5

Jefferies, 81, 93, 121,

180, 224
Jekyll, 152
Jenks, 199
Jennings, 62, 83, 91, 95,

98, 100, 114, iig, 125,

207, 208, 209, 211,

212
Jernaule, 182
Jervice, 222
Jervyes, 150, 210
John (King), 15
Johnstone, 80, 157, 158
Jolly, Si
Jones, 81, 129, 139, 155,

223
Jordan, 125
Jukes, 53, 100, 127

Kempsey, 102
Kempstowe, 209, 222
Kendal, 65
Kenelm, 189, 192
Kendrick, 218
Kent, 55, 56, 62, 221
Kenulph, 6, 193
Kershaw, 132
Ketelbern, 171
Kettle, 166, 218, 219
Kewley, 132
Ivey, 130
Kidderminster Abbot,

150
Kimberline, 139
Kineton, 86

INDEX.

231

Kinlet, 46
Kinsale, 127
Kinver, 4, 6, 64
Kinwarton, 86
Kiteley, 132, 208, 223
Knight, 194, 195
Knocker, 222
Knowles, 90
Kynfare, 224
Kyre, 7
'Kyrle, 216

Lacon, 74
Lacey, 66
Lake, 222

Langton (Abp.), 102
Lamb, 97
Lane, 137, 210
Lant, 159
Laud (Abp.), 115
Laweher, 87, 95
Lea, 19, 22, 25, 81, 82,
84, 90-, gi, 92, 129,

i34> 143, 148, 149,
162, 166, 184, 187,
214, 216, 220, 221,
222, 223

Le Hunt, 125

Leland, 43, 61, 70, 173

Lechmere, 55

Leitleye, 64

Lewes, 146, 222

Lewis, 66, 137, 187

Ley, 2oy

Lichfield, 121

Lickhill, 65, 127

Lihtfot, 54

Lindridge, 122

Lincroft, 96

Lister, 81, 138

Lloyd (I3p.), 92, 142

Lloyd, 187, 202

Logwardyne, 106

Longmore, 66, 100, 214

Lorde, 62, 65

Lowe, 64, 84, 98, 212

Ludford, 155

Ludlow, 117

Lugg, 127

Lunn, 137

Lutlev, 66

Lye, 68

Lygon, loi, 143

Lyle, 185

Lyttelton, 77, 95, 143,
157, 190, 195, 196,
197

McCave, 6, 139

Maddocks, 97

Madeley, 209

Madstard, 117

Maiden Bradley, 15, 16,
20, 21, 26, 33, 36, 45,
46, 70, 101, 104, 105,
no, 112, 113, 125,
171

Makins, 84

Mai, 62, 125

Malpas, 62, 66, 95, 217

Marsden, 136

Martin, 80, 92, 142, 158

Martineau, 160

Mason, 161, 162, 210,
211, 217, 221

Matthews, 56, 81, 142

Mauger (Bp.), 102

Maunsell, gS

Maydeston (Bp.) 86

Maynard, 198

Mears, 82, 90, 182

Mellone, 137

Meredith, 83

Merrick, 218

Miles, 81, 129, 142, 222

Milred (Bp.), 4

Mills, 139, 147

Miniiie, go

Mitton, ID, 12, 14, 16,
19, 21, 23, 24, 25, 65,
66, 71, 85, 98, 103,
107, 108, 109, no,
114, 116, 120, 126,
127, 128, 171, and
addenda

Moncrieffe, 51

Montacute (Bp.), 106,
109

Morgan, 142, 201

Morley (Bp.), 115, 120

Moore, 17, 149

Morrell, 130

Moreton, 222

Morton, 82,90, 13:, 184,
185, 195, 223, 224

Mortymer, 95

Moseley, 147

Moses, go

Mossop, 82

Mottram, 130

Mountt'ord, 79, 125, 219,
222

Mountjoy, 48

Mundye, 100

MuslcU, 55, 64

M\dk)pp, 100

My 11, 67

Myllton, 2ig

Mytton, 208

Nash, 72
Naylor, 187, 224
Needvvood, 167
Nelme, 65
Netherton, 22, 25, 98,

148
Newchurch, 122
Newcomb, 81, 131, 222,

223
Newland, 125
Newman, 125, 209
Newnham, 80
Newton, 70

Nevill, 14, 36, 47, 4g, 72
Nichols, 223
Niger, 21, 22, 86
North, 71
Northampton, 159
Northumberland (Duke

of)> 45, 46, 114
Noake, 136
Notgrove, 122
Nott, 211
Notynham, 95
Noy, 72

Oakham pton, 64
O'Connor, 88, 139
Odell, 115, 125, 126,

213, 214
Odhams, 66
Offa, 5, 6
Oftinore, 107, no
Okv, 62
Oldefelde, 62
Oldington, 10, 14, 15,

16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 24,

25, 26, 46, 65, 66, III,

1 12
Oldland, 187
Oldnall, 53, 63, 68, 146,

21 1, 222
Onslow, 122, 126, 130
Orton, 80, 81, g3, 151
Ossulton (Lord), 152
Oswald, 2
Oxford, 114

Packington, 65, 66, 199
Pagan el, ig6
Page, 90
Pagett, n5, 217
Pardoe, 53, 184, 185,

20S, 218, 222
Parkes, 68
Parlour, 65
Parr, 158

232

A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

Parry, 82, 137, 143
Paston, 77
Patchett, 221
Patrick, 81
Pauncefote, 32
Payne, 125
Peada, 2
Pearce, 81, 137
Pearsall, 66, 72, 73, 79,

81, ii5> i37» i55> 159,

181, 182, 214, 217,

218, 219, 222
Pearson, 164, 222
Pedmore, 96, 98
Peel, 124, 130
Peinton, 64
Penda, 2
Penley, 142
Penn, 62, 81, 93, 95,

148, 160, 220
Pennell, 167
Pepys (Bp.), 131, 201,

202
Perrin, 222, 223
Perrins, 81, 217, 220
Perry, i5i, 222
Pershore, 54
Phelip, 40, 41, 43
Phillipps, 44, 64, 67
Phillips, 84, 124, 125,

126, 143
Philpott, 121
Phipps, 122
Picart, 202
Pickerell, 97, 98
Pinches, 224
Pipard, 64
Pirry, 96, 208
Pitt, 45- 55> 79, 100, 136,

142, 210, 212, 213,

214, 215, 217, 222
Plessetis, 29, 30, 33, 36
Plimley, 147, 220
Poer, 171
Pole, 34, 41
Polton, 62, 222
Ponet, 62
Pope, 97, 100
Portes, 64
Porter, 125
Porto d'Anzio, 160
Portway, i
Potter, 66, 73, 95, 142,

187, 209, 214, 215,

222
Powes, 70
Powell, 81
Power, 18, 139
Powys, 66

Poyntz, 70

Pranke, 96

Preene, 221

Preston, 149

Price, 138, 167

Priestley, 159, 161

Pri'tchard, 132

Pritty, 79

Pryntour, 62, 222

Purdey, 187

Puxton, 10, 22, 25, 62,

64
Pykenham, 114, 125
Pymp, 64

Quinzehides, 34

Radford, 66, 73, yg,

134. i47> 211, 222
Rammohun Roy, 160
Ramyston, 100
Ratsey, 65
Ray, 145
Rayson, 212
Reade, 79, 81, iig, 134,

146, 147, 219
Reve, 97

Reynolds, 93, 218, 221
Ribbesford, 6, 8, 10, 64,

65, 169
Ricardes, 95
Ricardo, 84
Rice, 44, 45, 65. 68, 94
Richard II., 26
Richardson,, 81
Ripariis (see Rivers)
Rivers, 29, 30, 32, 36,

103
Roberts, 81, 223
Robertson, 202
Rock, 64, 65
Roden, 143, 224
Rodeborowe, 202
Rogers, 63, 219
Rokebourne, 13, loi
Ross, 136
Romsey, 30, 31, 32, 33,

65 .
Rouse, 48, 118, 221
Rowden, 79, 219
Rowland, 195
Rowley, 2'2i
Rudhall, 90
Rugge, 63

Rupert Prince, 77, 78
Rushock, 96, 100
Rushout, 198
Russell, 43, 98
Ryppel, 95

Sacheverell, 199
Sadler, 79
Sale, 221
Salter, 97
Salwarpe, 153
Salway, 219
Santon, 65
Sandbourne, 92, 107,

109
Sandford, 30
Sandys, 201

Saunders, 195, 223, 224
Savage, 72
Sawyer, 66, 99
Scott, 126
Sebright, 53, 74, 95,

146, 194, 208, 210,

212, 215
Seckley, 193
Seelee,' 213
Selwood, 104
Sergeant, 66, loi, 210,

211, 213, 218, 2ig,

222
Severn, 137
Severne, 152
Severn Stoke, 152
Seymour, 124
Shakespeare, 219
Sheldon, 45, 98
Shenston, 214
Shepherd, 139
Sheppard, 142, 170'
Sherman, 68
Sheiwood, 121
Shirley, 222, 223,
Silk, 222
Simmons, 79, 118, 143,

219
Skey, 92
Skinner, i8'5
Simcox, 170, 184, 210,

214
Snel, 21, 24
Soley, 53, 66, 91, 127,

143, 213, 219
Smith, 66, 100, 114, 125,

i34> 137. 139, 185,

202, 209, 210
Somers, 94, 152, 213,

214
Somery, 190, 196
Sommers, 222
Smiles, 154
Southall, 81
Sparry, 147, 150.
Speerels, 219
Spencer, 81, 22a
Spicer, 53, 64

INDEX.

233

Spilsbury, 93, 94, 135
Spi-igg, 223
Spring Grove, 61, 92
Spyttell, 98, 208
Stacy, 29
St. Albans, 124
Standish, 100
Stanhope, 51
Stanley, 121
Stapleton, 42, 43
Steill, 136
Stephens, 139
Stephyn, 66
Stepkin, 215
Steynor, 81
Stillingfleet (Bp.), 201
Stokes, 81
Steward, 53, 212
St. Leger, 190, 196
St. Pierre, 40, 43
Stooke, 137, 211
Stringer, 81, 95
Strode, 51, 155
Stourton, 70
Stoughton, 121
Stratford, 71
Stretton, 90, 149
Sugge, 62, 222
Sutton, I, 10, 22, 25, 51,

63, 125
Stone, 64, 68, 102, 166,

197, 198
Stour, 8, 12, 24, 171
Stour-inrUsmere, 4, 5,

6, 7, 9, 193
Stourbridge, i, 77, 78,

150
Stourport, 18, 21, 85,

137, 138, i44> 187
Stafford, 63, 190
Stanford, 121, 122, 155
Symonds, 63, 95
Syner, 73

Taillour, 224
Talbot, 14, 64, 81, 82,
84, 137, 218, 223, 224
Tanner, 6, 8
Tarring, 134
Taverner, 47
Taylor, 64, 81, 90, 92,

129, 135, 137. 214
Tempest-Radford, 52,

83, 224
Templeton, 185
Tenbury, 7

Tewkesbury, 2, 36, 155
Th.inet (Lord), 143
Thatcher, 79

Thomas, 55, 81, 97, 220
Thompson, 52, 134
Thomason, 219
Thornborough (Bp.),

117, 126
Thorn, 222, 223
Thornycroft, 143
Throckmorton, 65, 200
Thursfield, 82
Thurston, 100
Thynne, 124
Ticknell, 91
Tillyatt, 100
Timmins, 158, 159
Tombes, 119, 138
Tomkinson, 52, go, 132,

142, 144, 184, 185, 224
Tompkins, 66
Tomyns, 95, 99, 100,

125, 208
Tovey, 224
Townclarke, loi
Townshend, 53
Toye, 53, 66, 93, 209
Trimpley, 10, 23, 25, 34,

48, 63, 77, 95, 96, 97,

108, no, 132
Tucker, 145
Turner, 80, 82, 91, 126
Turton, 223, 224

Ubeton, 104, 125
Upton, 102, 114
Urban IV., 103
Uriconium, i
Usmere, 4, 193

Vernon, 53, 220
Villiers, 130
Vincent, 66

Wacna, 69
Wade, 66, 213
Wadersey, 13
Waite, 136
Wakeman, 63, 82, 95,

100
Waldron, 93, 148
Walker, 66, 98, 214, 220
Wall, 66, 200, 214
Waller, 48, 153
Wallis, 80, 81, 216, 222
Walter, 220
Walters, 137
Wannerton, 10, 53, 58,66
Wantner, 222
Ward, 48, 51, 88, 94,

124, 126, 131, 137, 185,

198

Waresley, 66, 130
Warm', 18
Warminster, 155
Warner, 124, 129
Warren, 46, 218
Warrington, 160
War ton, 129
Warwick, 30, 35, 100,

198, 200
Wassell, 2, 77
Watkms, 80, 224
Watt,' 98

Watson (Bp.), 154
W'atson, 8i, 82, 148
Webb, 209
Weaver, 66
Wenlock, 180
Werefrith, 7
Wesley, 137, 138
Westbury, 95
Westminster, 10, 196
VVestrowe, 201
Wharton. 77
Wheatley, 139
Wheeler, 80
Wheler, 66
White, 65, 81, 84, 121,

125, 145, 220, 221
Whitefoote, 218
Whitehouse, 52
W'hiting, 148
Whitnell, 147
Whittall, 186, 187, 209,

220
Why took, 183
Whyston, 100
Wiccii, 2, 5
Wich, 10, II, 171
W'ichenford, 13
Wickens, 126
Wickstead, 117
Widdcr, 136
Wiggan, 81, 129
Wigmore, 49
Wike, 18
Wikewood, 13
Wilberforce, 124
Wilder, 128, 187
Wilde, 53
Wildgoose, 212
Wilkes, 66, 126, 209,

216
Willets, 66
Willey, 137
Williams, 80, 135, 136,

155, 220
Willies, 68
Willis, 166, 186, 224
Willoughby, 114, 125

234

A HISTORY OF KIDDERMINSTER.

Wilmot, 49, 53, 78, 127,

zio, 214, 220, 221
Wilson, 81
Wilton, 182, 183
Wiltshire (Earl of), 190
Winchcombe, 150
Winchester, 16
Winford, 66
Winnington, 50, 131,

155
Winter, 43, 70, 100
Wintour (see Winter)
Witfield, 54, 55
Withers, 113, 114, 125
Witley, 39, 40, 50
Wodehouse, 129
Wolseley, 75
Wolverhampton, 162,

164

Wolverley, 6, 7, 8, 54,
95, 96, 100, 102, 122,
193-195, 213
Wood, 93, 100
Woodfield, 94, 141
Woodward, 81, 90, 119,
131, 167, 184, 185, 186,
208, 213, 214, 219,
222
Worcester, r, 7, 10, 11,

17. 33. 34. 36, 39, 4i>
44, 54, 55, 67, 72, 77,
78, 100, 105, 108, 114,
122, 124, 136, 137, 139,
143. r57. 158, 169, 173,
180, 194, 200, 201
Worth, 184, 186, 187,
223

Wribbenhall, 6, 10, 18,
20, 23, 25, 38, 48, 65,
66, 128, 144, 213

Wright, 81, 95, 139, 185,
207

Wroxeter, i, 117

Wulstan (Bp.), 7

Wyld, 74, 100

Wyldye, 67, 213

Wynde, 81

Wyre Forest, 172

Wysham, 32

Yarrington, 66, 126, 153,

219, 220
Yate, 199, 200
Yates, 73, 81
Yearsley, 81, 222
Yonkers, N.Y., 185

Stamford : Printed at the Old Lincolnshire Press.

07-

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UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

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