Collections for a History of Worfield by William Hardwicke (William Salt Library 351/40)

William Hardwicke was born at Allscote Jan 12 1772, articled to W. J. Smith of Wolverhampton and worked as a solicitor in Bridgnorth

Hardwicke says that Worfied used to be called Worfield Holme. the etymology of the name is difficult to ascertain. It was also known as Wolphenisford and generally known by this name in the early Saxon. Worfield is a combination of weorth, or weord and the saxon veld or feld.

To the ancient word Masserdine at which we are struck by its singularity, the saxon intruders added feld or veld, ...now written Masserdine field. This is to the south of Hallon and adjoining to the NE the castle hill and its opposite ford called Wolpherensford. the name taken from Wolpher (now called Wulfhere), King of Mercia who began his reign in 659, died 675, a reign of extermination, bloodshed and robbery in conflict with the Britons. Wolpher’s palace was at Darlaston near Stone and that is correct but there follows in Hardwicke speculation over the origins of Kingslow, Stanlow, Rowley and the Lowe and the fact that there would have been interments there at that time given rise to the place names.

Origins of the Lord of the Manor of Worfield

The lordship formerly belonged to a branch of the Talbot family, who disposed of it to John Warter, solicitor to the admiralty from whose daughter it vested in the Boycot family. the ancestors of the Boycotts took a very active part at the Battle of Worcester in favour of the exiled king who granted them the manorial bearings they now use.

Thomas Boycott esq the present lord of the manor has a neat mansion there standing on an eminence extremely interesting and beautiful for its picturesque scenes.

(I assume this is Rudge Hall)

Hardwicke describes the scenery in Worfield Parish including Churle Brook which falls in to the the Worfe. It becomes Churle Brook after the conjining of Hilton Brook and another stream. Pasford, he says the name comes from the pass leading through it from Kingslow to Pattingham. Wash Stones pool on Rudge Heath is the boundary between Hilton and Rudge townships. Stretford Brook WH says is Saxon.

Guithling became Watling street. Hardwicke talks about the the Irish passing through the parish from SE to NW.

The Romans were supposed as well as having the camp at Chesterton, to have had a station at Stableford.

There were 3 mills mentioned in domesday times including Badger. The other two were Worfield and Rindleford

Rindleford at about 1720 was converted into an oil mill but lately disused, being now altogether used for grinding corn, a large portion of this structure being purchased from the lord of the manor in 18.... Worfield Mill has been lately rebuilt and continuing as the property of the lord of the manor.

The 3 mills were soke mills called the lord’s mills.

Also in domesday there was mention of a fishery and this must have been on the Worfe. there is also noticed a wood 3 miles long and one wide. This, I conceive must have been from Rudge Heath across the late Chesterton Common, through the ground at the NW point called the folly which was Collections for a History of Worfield by William Hardwicke (William Salt Library 351/40) the waste to the extent of Cranmere heath, the Brand heath, Winscote hills and Sowdley common. the 1st and 2 last have been lately inclosed.

At the period of the domesday survey there were 3 Englishmen with 5 carrucates of land, with 18 villeins and 5 bondsmen or husbandmen, making 23 families. Hardwicke surmises that these englishmen must have been saxon chieftains.

Again he suggests there must have been 5 large houses at the time of domesday. Hallon was the head of the seignory and held by the crown, having been an occasional residence of British and Saxon Kings. Portions of this were granted out as copyhold which must have been after the conquest. The other houses were Ewdness, Oldington, Cattestree and Ackleton.

The Forest of Morfe after Robert de Bellesme’s rebellion in 1088 went back to the king as the Bellesme’s land was confiscated. The Forest of Morfe was so held until 12 James 1 1613.

In the reign of Edward the Confessor, Algar Earl of Mercia held the manor.

Hardwicke says that there can be little doubt of a castle on the perpendicular eminence opposite Hallonsford,he says that British sovereigns used this castle from time to time and this was the reason why the Romans had settlements at Chesterton and Stableford.

(Note. There is no source material given from which he makes this deduction. I can’t at the moment see the link between Hallon Castle and Chesterton and Stableford)

A deep hollow avenue called the Portway led out of the public road from Cranmere to Hallon beween Masserdine field and this fortress down to the ford from whence it proceeded to Chesterton and was most likely the principal and nearest road of connection between their station at Stableford and their camp at Chesterton. (I can’t see this reasoning as I thought there was a Roman Road roughly being the line of the current B4176)

Ancient Find.

About 1787, 8ft down, on a field at Rowley and contiguous to Wolpheresford, near Hallonsford. it resembled the skin of an animal as a thong with small round pieces of gold attached,with a variety of hieroglyphics eg sun, moon, battle axes, chariot wheels, depicted. It was found by a man employed digging drains and the man gave it to the vicar, the Rev Henry Bromwich who didn’t know what it was and gave it back to the man. it was years after that Bromwich found out that the sun was the year, the moon the month. the vicar tried to get it back but the man, thinking it to be of no value, gave it to some children ? of the hayens to play with and that was that.. it was called a memory belt.

John Lye lived in a cottage next to st peter’s well and that area was called walstone

There were 2 pieces of land which according to Hardcastle show the royal connection - King’s Yard at Hallon and Bury lands. A bury was a British fortification

Hardwicke talks about circular fortifications in a line between The Walls and the Hallon fortification, on the north side of the road between Rowley and Bradney.

Alfred decreed that the Danes should restore the lands to the Saxons. Hardcastle surmises that Ethelflaeda lived at Hallon for some time while she oversaw the building of fortifications against the Danes eg Panpudding Hill Collections for a History of Worfield by William Hardwicke (William Salt Library 351/40) Ancient families: Rowley of Cattstree, Cattstree of Cattstree, Saddlers and lately purchased by Edmund Sherrington Davenport from James Marshall of Roughton (the devisees of)

Evidence for a castle at Hallon

• On Castle Hill. several small strips were granted to the lower peasantry. It continued to be mentioned up to the time of the first court rolls in the reign of Edward III • 2 Edward III (1329) Matilda of the castle died seized of a cottage here. Matilda took her surname from this place (presumably called castle.) • 7 Edw III (1334) Robert ? New was presented to the court for unjustly throwing up a certain ditch at the castel in hale for which he was amerced by the jury • About 3 years later (1337) Thomas de Rowlowe was admitted to a pleck of land on castel hul 40 ft long and 30 ft wide. • in 14th of same reign (1341) Johillus? de Wynneswanstone and Alice his wife surrendered a cottage and curtilage in a place called haleon the castel hul to the use of Simon de Whiteby. • 1 Henry 4 (1399/1400) Dawkeyn de Oken and Avis his wife surrendered 2 cottages in Hallon near to the fortification. (the castle thus being noticed) to the use of Roger Jones and Edith his wife, probably their daughter.

• 6 June 20 Charles 1 (1644) John Cox gent, then deceased surrendered, in his lifetime, amongst other lands, a messuage, yard land and three nooks of land in Hallon of the demesne lands, half a nook, five selions and two cottages and a dole of meadow, in a meadow called Hall Meadow and Pillingshall in Hallon, a weir near Burcot Pole and a croft of land adjoining to the Castle Hill in Hallon with a cottage thereupon erected, except that said part of the croft, upon which the common Pinfold was lately erected, to the use of William Rowley gent of Rowley, Roger Rowley esq his son and heir apparent and Thomas Billingsley in trust who were admitted. This John Cox died 15 May 20 Charles 1 1644. Also seized in his demesne as of fee and in a messuage called Catstree and a yard of free land, held of the lord of the manor by fealty, suit of court, four shillings rent per annum and a heriot ?mountier, a horse, saddle and bridle lance and armour for the use of a man and 3 doles of land , called Chelsmore, by fealty, suit of court and twelve pence rent per annum, which were settled to the same use.

The Castle and the Pinfold

Hardwicke seems to be suggesting that the site of The Pound is the site of the castle.

Long has its solitary site been enclosed with a rugged and pitiful stone wall, after the repeated and unheeded outrages and expoliations of ignorance, and apathy had been committed upon it, being now consigned to the ignoble, debased and brutal purpose of the parish pinfold. A circumscribed enclosure, to secure such animals, which had been trespassing upon their neighbours’ lands, or found upon the public roads, all trace and discovery among the ... community, of the interesting and traditionary details of former times, occurrences and events, having been sunk and lost in oblivion.

Prior to and at the time of the Conquest Worfield was in Staffs. at the time of Roger de Montgomery Worfield is called Worfield Holme to imply a large manor consisting of many townships.

Henry 3 Richard de Sandford died seized of this manor. There was an inquest and it then reverted to the crown. These are the townships mentioned as being transferred Burkott, Bradeney, Stapleford, Ewyke, Oldington, Esterhull,?Reavington? now Roughton, Halene or Halawingham, now Hallon and Morfe Wood are named. Hardwicke can’t understand why this is such a small part of the manor. Collections for a History of Worfield by William Hardwicke (William Salt Library 351/40) The area from Higher Pendlestone to Bromley was always part of the Lordship of Worfield and other townships which we now know to have been in the Manor of Worfield would have been in existence at this time. Chesterton, Worfield, Alscote, Rowley, Bradney, Kingslow, Stanlow, Catstree, Rindleford, Bromley, the other Burcote, Newton, Winscote, Swancot, Sonde, Hilton. Nor is there any mention of the subordinate manors of Ackleton, Edwness and Wyken.

Soon after this period the manor passed to the Earl of Hastings and afterwards the Earl of Hastings who died 34 Henry 3 (1249/1250)

Soon after Henry 3 (1272) the manor passed into the hands of the Earl of Pembroke, the family of Hastings.

By an inquisition taken before the King’s escheator in Worfield on the18th March 6 Edward 2 (1313), Robert de Ewyke, Stephen de Oldynton, Robert de Cattestre, Roger de Cattestre, Robert de Winnescote, Roger de Alvescote, Robert atte Sonde, Robert de Bromleye, Walter atte Broke, Matthew de Rouhton, Henry atte Pirie, Henry de Hulton,all afirmed that John de Hastings the elder held on the day of his death...with appurtenances by the service of one knight’s fee. Also say that there are 4 acres of meadow and valued by the year at 6 shillings, the price per acre at 18d and there is a certain wood the profits of which are of no value, and there are two water mills , which are valued by the year at 40s and one fulling mill valued at the year by half a mark. Also say that there are eight score and four free tenants, who hold eight score and four messuages, and two hundred and ten acres of land, paying by the year the sized rent of £32. 16s. 11 1/2d payable quarterly on 25 March, 24 June, 29 Sept, 30 Nov. The pleas and purchased court there, valued at two marks. Also say that the aforesaid tenants hold the tenements aforesaid by socage, and that John de Hastings the younger, is his son and next heir, and of 26 years of age, and more. (He was actually 26)

In 17 Edward 3 the lord of the manor gave the Chaplain of Worfield who was a perpetual curate, three messuages and a toft to boost the stipend.

The Earl of Abergavenny sold the Manor of Worfield to William Whitmore of Apley. 18 Dec 21 James 1 (1623) was held in London at Balmes house under George Whitmore and John Weld Esq town clerk of that city, farmers of the Hon Henry Neville and the last council held by George Whitmore and John Weld was on ????The purchase was carried into effect in 1631.

The Lord of the Manor of Worfield became Sir William Whitmore, the eldest son of William Whitmore of Balme’s house in the parish of St John, Hackney, by Anne his wife, relict of ... King and daughter of William Bond of London merchant.

Joan de Hastings died 24 henry 6 1445- 17th may 1435. she died possessed of the seignories of Worfield and Hagley.

Richard Beauchamp, Earl of Worcester, and Lord Abergavenny was 14 when he becane seignour of the manor of Worfield. up to page 23 page 29 first known public court held 1326, feast of St Philip and James 1 May 1 Edw 3. 28 townships are mentioned, Aclynton, Oldynton, Eudinas, Cattestrie, Rowlowe, Asterhull, Bradeney, Sonde, Ewyke, Hulton, Wyke, Newton, Alvescote, Wynnescote, Chesterton, Stanlowe, Kyngeslowe, Stapleforde, Burcote, Roughton, Hockombe, Swancote, Barndelye, Hale and Worfeld with the exception of Nether Burcote and Rulneforde which were added later Collections for a History of Worfield by William Hardwicke (William Salt Library 351/40) In 1789 there was a survey done of the parish and the acres of enclosed land amount to more than 7015 acres. The survey was done by Messrs Vickers father and son and assessed by John Bishton of Kelsall Salop and Daniel Banton of Shipley in the parish of Claverley.

The towns of the Britons are said to be a confused parcel of wretched habitations generally placed in a wood. 19 james (1621) the manor was most seriously and injudiciosly mangled and amputated about due to greed which in a course of a few years led to the almost complete obliteration of oak.

Worfield

Hardwicke’s description of Main Street Cottages

‘They are neither to the taste of the day nor to the comforts expected from the march of intellect.’

From the south Main St was an avenue and Lower Hall was lived in by Sir John Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury. He died in 1548 and was buried at Bromsgrove his seat. He had Pepperhill as another family home. Then Thomas Talbot of Worcester and George Talbot his eldest son sold in 1684 this decanal (ie relating to a dean/deanery) mansion, gardens and lands with the manor of Wyken to Henry Davenport. On the north side of the house is a brick and timber structure, the dwelling of the 6 former vicars since the reformation. On the same point are several miserable dwellings which had been given at times to form a revenue for the priests of chantry who officiated at St Mary’s altar. in 1 Edw 6 (1547/8) the chantry priests were dispossessed. The crown took over and the churchwardens bought the houses for the poor of the parish. This happened in James 1’s reign. At the north end of these houses is a small meadow.

The next piece of antiquity is Worfield Ford. Opposite it is a beautiful spring which issues from underneath the perpendicular rock which in RC times was called St Peter’s Well. There are also several cottages which have been noticed under the name of Walton

St Peter’s Church

There were three Rood Lofts, in Saint Mary’s Chapel, Saint Nicholas’s Chapel and over the door. There was a cross on each of the rood lofts and there were images which were dressed 23 Henry 3 (1238/1239)

23 Henry 8 (1531) an organ was installed and paid for by Sir John Lye 6/8d churchwardens gave 4/1d, John Gyldon £5, Stephen Smythe of Chesterton, 6/8d, and John Bradeney 3/4d, The wardens at this time were Roger Cattestree of Cattstree and Thomas Warter of Stableford.

William Wenlock the subprior of Wenlock was the designated repairer. The subprior was called Corvehill, alias Corfield but afterwards changed to Wenlock in consequence of his being in the monastery there. Later his name was changed again to Sir wWlliam Corvehill!!!!The organ was lost, possibly at the reformation but in 1819 an organ was again installed and a new gallery created to house it.

William Hardwicke remarks that John Corfield was part of an ancient plebian family

21 henry 7 (1505/1506) William Baker erected an oratory

Men sat apart from women in the church till 15 may 1796

On August 13 1796 a plain bob was rung by six Pattingham lads Thomas Shelley, George Shelley and James Shelley, John Salter, William Law and John Law Collections for a History of Worfield by William Hardwicke (William Salt Library 351/40) The old vestry stood at the NW extremity, a large square room from whence is the approach into the organ gallery, and in which the Jury of the Lord of the Manor court of ancient demesne upon all trials respecting land in this manor were impanelled and there sat to hear evidence adduced before the High Steward and assessor and afterwards deliver a verdict upon the case. It was upon one of those important but disagreeable occasions that ...Hoccom of Hoccom was seized with death and expired before he and his companions could deliver their verdict. The partition was taken down, space filled + pews and then a new vestry built at the east of the St Mary’s Chapel.

The font replaced one that was in St Nicholas Chapel and had been carved by a mason from Pattingham, Stephen Powell and put there on 14 May 1796 by the direction of John Jasper of Stableford and John Clarke of Ackleton, gent. They were the churchwardens. This in turn replaced an earlier font, it having been removed from a pew in which it had stood for many centuries near to the south or principal entrance and beautiful specimens of ...ornamentation going back WH believes to the start of the Church. In 17 Henry 7, Roger Hasylwood and William Walker churchwardens paid Thomas Tumnand three and a half pence for covering the font and in the following years Roger Rowley of Rowley and John New of Chesterton paid 2d for a cord and nails about it to hang the canopy upon. In 1671 William Barney was paid 4/6d for making the lid for the font.

In 1593 the armorial bearings of Q Elizabeth were painted on the walls along with the 10 commandments and other pieces of scripture. The painter received £1.2s 2d. Comings and goings with Mary when the Pope was again head of the church and in 1607 King James 1’s coat of arms were painted on the wall at a price of £1.12s 4d. These were destroyed by the Protectorate and Cromwell’s arms shown at a price of18s. At the Restoration they were destroyed and Charles 11’s arms painted by Robert Wade at a cost of £3. In 1705? william of Orange’s house of Nassau arms were painted by John Bedford who also painted some sentences on the walls and got £11. The latest being George 2.

The inscriptions on the old bells which were cast in Gloucester by Abraham Rudhall in 1699. the inscriptions were

1. I too the church the living call and to the grave do summon all.

2. Will Thomason, Thomas Bache churchwardens 1699

3. Abraham Rudhall cast us all, John Walker gent

4. God save the King. Thomas Bradburne

5. we were all cast at the City of Gloucester

6. prosperity to all our friends 1699 John Marlpas, Thomas Barney sextons are.

The bells were often out of use, ropes were scarce and several bells had to be recast. There were 2 occasions when the bells were rung in a year. The daye of accession to the throne and the gunpowder plot.

When Prince William was declared King, Henry Davenport directed the ringers in peal. HD’s eldest son, Sherrington Davenport was equerry to the King William.

2 soldiers who had landed with the Prince of Orange in travelling across the country came to Worfield to crave charity and they were presented with 18d to relieve their necessities. Collections for a History of Worfield by William Hardwicke (William Salt Library 351/40) 33 Henry 8 there was a new translation of a sacred work intro by churchwardens John Oliver of Hocom and Thomas Bradburne of Chesterton. In 1550 William Billingsley of Hallon and John Marrall of Hilton, were churchwardens. King henry’s new books - kings book and psalter were bought from Robert Wade, priest but a year later being 1 Mary 1, it was all change again. Roger Barret of Alscote and Richard Rowley of Cattstree, churchwardens . When Queen Elizabeth came to the throne the reaction against popery was great and the statues of wood and stone went. About 1556 Stephen James of Swancote and John Wever of Alscote were churchwardens. A new Mary’s altar was created to replace that swept away by reformers. In 1 or 2 Elizabeth, William Rowley of Wyken and John Baker of Bromley were churchwardens and Henry’s books were back in use. all at the parishioners’ cost. In 17 Elizabeth 1, Richard Morrall of Stableford and William Beech of Alscote churchwardens

Cemetery

A great part of the plot was fenced with pales in James 1 reign but in 1664 was secured by a proper stone wall built by Jonas Groom. George Runnowles was paid for the mortar. 62 wain loads of stone were brought in. Francis Payne was paid for fencing the church.

Shaft of the medieval cross has long gone, perhaps it went at the time of the Reformation.

WH does says that the old club room was where the half yearly courts of the lord of the manor were held.

On the north side of the churchyard there aren’t many remains, it was generally used for felons and malefactors but almost certainly contains the bodies of the plague victims of 1349 in pits of 12 to 20. The area is called the pest ground.

The Bromley tomb.

At the base of the George Bromley tomb there were the kneeling figures of their children. These had been despoiled by Hardwicke’s time

Tombstones in St Peter’s Church

The John Lye stone is very worn and even in Hardwicke’s time was difficult to read but this is what he could make out.

In pious love of Jesus, pray for the soule of John Lye of Worfield, Chaplain of the chantry of the Blessed Virgin Mary - the year of our Lord one thousand and five hundred and forty two.

Another stone which is too worn to read today but is an important one because on Sir George Bromley’s tomb it says that his wife was Jane Wannerton daughter of John Wannerton.

Wannerton

Here lye the bodyes of John Wannerton gent and Allice his wife under the hope of a joyful resurrection the which John dyed the 24th of Dec in the year of our Lord God 1575. The said Allice dyed the first day of March in the year of our Lord 1574

Berkeley

Under this stone (marmore) lies Thomas ? the younger (minores) son of Francisci???? son filii of Thomas Berkeley of Ewdnesse in agro Salopiae armiger et militis uxoris ? filiarum minus gulidoni Collections for a History of Worfield by William Hardwicke (William Salt Library 351/40) Child de Kinlett Militis in eodem agro Existentisdum vivus spes indolis maximum depositum vero in spem laeta resurrectionis nat 19 sep 1681 obit 18 april 1682

Floor stone relquice elizabethe conjujes samuel fletcher felice rev nathaniel dolman de aldridge et barr in com stafford et rector guce. spe beate resurrectionis vitam 10th day october 1728 hic quoque iacet quicquid mortale fuit precedicti samuel fletcher generosi cui pudor et justice soror in corrupta fides surdague veritas kuando ullum unvenient pavum obiit 9th nov1751 aged 74

James Hancox

Sacred to the memory of James Hancox the third vicar of this church after the reformation in england a pious and virtuous man an unwearied worker in the vineyard of the lord was born the 15th day of july in the year of our Lord 1637 he took up his pastoral charge in the year of our Lord 1663 he married Anne the daughter of John Swynfen of Swynfen in the county of Stafford Esq and relict of the Rev Joseph Baker by her he had an only daughter given in marriage to Francis Wightwick esq of Tunstall he died suddenly the 22nd day of January 1706/7 having bequeathed the interest of £100 to the church and poor forever William Bell On a small painted tablet against an inner wall near to the belfry and almost facing the south wall of the nave

In memory of William Bell late of Burcote who died May 29th 1730 aged 69 years

Flat stones south aisle

Blank then alongside Under this stone are deposited the remains of Eleanor Bradburne who died on 21st Sept 1756 aged 13 years. she was a daughter of the late John Bradburne Esq and Eleanor his wife of this parish Collections for a History of Worfield by William Hardwicke (William Salt Library 351/40) Here lieth the body of Eleanor Bradburne the relict of John Bradburne esq who departed this life on 20 July 1793 aged 75 years

Alongside the above here lieth the body of John Bradburne of Chesterton who departed this life March 11th 1750 aged 47

Under this stone are deposited the remains of Elizabeth Bradburne who died the 24th Sept 1731 aged 43 years she was a daughter of the late John Bradburne esq and Eleanor his wife of Chesterton in this parish

Alongside above. Here lie the remains of Mary Bradburne spinster sister of John Bradburne Esq of Chesterton who died Nov 12th 1783 aged 75 years

On a tablet

Leonora eldest daughter of Richard Dukes gentleman of Bridgnorth and Abbotts Astley surrendered her existence to her creator after a protracted illness borne with great Christian piety and ?died on the 31st January 1790 in the 16th year of her age latin

John Dukes of London gentleman 2nd son of said Richard Dukes died 16th January 1800 aged 24 years.

Richard Dukes died 26th january 1803 aged 60

Francis Dukes brother of said Richard died 26th june 1790 aged 42 years

The surviving son and daughter of the above named Richard Dukes raised his memorial as a tribute of their affection for their deceased relations

Flat stone in cross aisle here lieth interred the body of Elizabeth daughter of Thomas Hoccom of Hoccom yeoman and of Elizabeth his wife who departed this life the 9th day of march in the 12th year of her age here lyeth interred the body of anne the daughter of John Warter gent of Crookmead in the Parish of Pontisbury in the County of Salop who departed this life Nov ? in the 22nd year of her age AD 1710 short was my time great was my pain great is your grief great is my gain flatstone middle

Thomas Billingsley of Bradney 6 Dec 1723 ?aged 65 In memory of Francis Baker youngest son of John and Elizabeth Baker late of Bromley who departed this life 2nd Feb 1770 aged 63

Judith daughter of John Stanier of Uppington gent wife of Thomas Bache of Chesterton interred 10 June 1727 aged 65 Collections for a History of Worfield by William Hardwicke (William Salt Library 351/40) Mary Browne spinster nuper of Sidbury daughter of John Browne of Broome Parva in the Parish of Avenbury in Herefordshire ? quadragessimo ? in her fortieth year

Davenport House built around 1725

The sarcophagus in St Peter’s Churchyard

About a century ago WH says a stone coffin was dug up in the cemetery close to the porch - the principal entrance on the south side measuring in length 7 feet which appears to be of very great age judging from the rudeness of its workmanship, a cavity was hollowed out, rounded to receive the head and tapered at the neck.. It is unhappily broken toward the feet. Of its original contents we can say little. They may have belonged to one of the Saxon Lords, probably of one of the subordinate manors, Ackleton, Ewdness or Wyken prior to the banishment of Robert de Bellesme in 1102. The Saxon nobility and gentry were interred in these kind of receptacles. The use of stone coffins was before the fourteenth century. The rock is supposed to have come from the quarry at Sowdley Common near Burcote.

Talks about the material Quatford Church has been built out of and the Wenlock buildings. (Is this the material of part of the wall, around Roughton Manor?)

1607 Richard Morrall put a cross on top of the church spire. About 1665, ivy clothed the spire and Jonas Groom and his man were employed to get rid of it.

1797 William Stringer gent was then of Swancote, according to Hardwicke, and afterwards of Sowdley Park in the parish of Cheswardine

Image of Virgin Mary

18 Henry 7 (1502/1503) image of an angel was painted at a cost of 2s 1d Agnes Hasylwoode gave Roger Rowley and John New 1d towards the work. Clothes were bestowed on the images 10 henry 8 (1518/1519) which were conveyed to Evesham by Thomas Trenand who got 1/6d and then were taken to Worfield by John Priss who got 2/8d. In 23 henry 8 (1531/1532) a coat and flaps were bestowed on an image of Christ, a coat and suit on the Virgin Mary and coat on St Peter. To St Peter, Richard Felton and his wife Elizabeth gave a cow in the keeping of Richard Blakeman and he to pay yearly to the church 2s. In 1550 William Boorder was paid for making the lord’s coat and flaps

The organ was first in the church in 1531

Tombstones within the Lower Churchyard at St Peter’s

The Bell Family near this place lie the remains of John Bell late of Roughton who died june 28th 1740 aged 73 years . Jane M. Bell died Dec 20th 1752 aged 51 years, William Bell son of Thomas and Jane died July 9th 1753 aged 16 years Thomas Bell died April 11 1754 aged 57 years, William Bell brother to Thomas Bell died 1754 Nov 22 aged 53 years. Thos bell son of Thomas and Jane Bell died March 1 1770 aged 40 years likewise John Bell his brother died march 27th 1799 aged 74 years

Devey Collections for a History of Worfield by William Hardwicke (William Salt Library 351/40) Near to the prinicpal or south entrance are several Devey tombs but the footsteps of the youths of the school of this parish have obliterated the whole of the inscriptions.

Billingsley

Near to the above in memory of Charlotte Billingsley who died july 16 1793 also Richard Billingsley gent who died march 9th 1804 aged 64 a loving husband and wife most dear this tender couple lie sleeping here.

John Bradney

On the east side of the principal avenue near to the south entrance. here lyeth interred the body of John Bradney who departed this life in the 80th year of his age AD 1696 here also lyeth the body of Jane the wife of the said John Bradney who departed this life dec 12 1712 and

In memory of John Bradney of Hilton who departed this life the 28th day of november 1750 aged 55 years also Elizabeth the wife of Joseph Bradney departed this life 9th dec 1766 aged 52 years. Life how short, eternity how long good god on what a slender thread hang everlasting things.

Thomas Worrall

On a headstone near to the east end of the chancel In memory of Thomas Worrall late of Oldington departed this life January 31st AD 1753 aged 35

Upon a headstone near to that above.

Eykyn

James Eykyn gent died October 16th 1783 aged 46

Close to the above

Near to this place are deposited the remains of many ancestors of the Eykyn family of Ackleton in this parish particularly of James Eykyn gent and Catherine his wife with several of their children also 3 of their grandchildren James, Elizabeth and Ann who died in their infancy son and daughters of Roger and Elizabeth Eykyn of W’ton Co Stafford and also of Elizabeth their mother, daughter of Gregory Hickman of Stourbridge in the Co of Worcs gent after a long and painful illness which she supported with piety, great patience and resignation died on the 16th aug 1767 in the 35th year of her age. she was not only amiable in her person, but a most affectionate wife and tender mother, a benevolent christian and sincere friend

Hardwicke talks of the Worfe meandering to the east of Elsall Cranmere. where is it?? Terrill is a small stream rising in the grounds of Thomas Whitmore of Stableford and joins the Worfe at Broadbridge. The Chesterton Brook crosses the Rabbit Run at the south east corner of Crows Heath Ackleton or Chesterton Common from whence it is known by the saxon appellation of Stretford Brook and then it weaves through Thomas Smythe’s property in Hilton. the stream from Hilton to the Worfe is Churle Brook

Hallonsford was the main route across the River Worfe

St Peters well goes into Worfe

Brewood, Bilbrook and Stottesdon used to decorate their wells with boughs and flowers on Holy Thursday. There are 2 wells at Brewood, the Leper Well and the Briny Well. There were also Collections for a History of Worfield by William Hardwicke (William Salt Library 351/40) celebrations, cakes and ale and dancing. Later though the wells were given sanctity and pagan healing powers and well worship started.

Hallon Hall

The ancient family of Barker lived at the old timber and plaster mansion of their ancestors in the reign of Edward 3 afterwards ?of brick with stone corners around 1688 and then they moved to Davenport House in 1725.

William le Barker lived here 14 Edward 3 (1340-1341) with his daughters Agnes and Sybil and his son Roger who inherits.

Roger le Barker has 2 sons by his wife Alice, William and Robert

William le Barker’s wife was Margery

By the female line the estate came into the Daye family. William Daye is descended from Morgan Daye of Wrockwardine.

Elizabeth Daye was the wife of William Felton of Ewdeness and had 2 daughters. She remarried William Berkeley of Shrewsbury and there was no issue. Alice Daye, the other sister married Thomas Ridley of Ely whose son Lancelot came into the county and lived at Bowldings Astley Abbotts being of the family of Bishop Ridley one of the protestant martyrs. Richard Daye of Newport was the son.

After the death of William Daye, Alice his widow married John Wannerton a lawyer and town clerk of Bridgnorth. He was a younger son of John Wannerton of Wannerton parish Kidderminster. His wife was a Leighton. John Wannerton lived at Hallon in 2&3 Philip and Mary (1555-1556).

Jane Wannerton was the only child and married into the Bromley family.

Richard Knowles was a popish schoolmaster Edward 6 (1547-1553 ) and he and John Wannerton bought some of the trappings for the Church.

The Bromleys came from Bromley near Stafford called Gerards Bromley.

Broseley was called Burwardslegh

George Bromley married Alice Barker so the Barker estates moved to the Bromley family. On 3 Feb 20 Eliz he got from Henry Nevil Lord of Abergavenny a lease on the town meadow. This was odd because occupancy of this meadow usually went to the beadle and the reeve had the right to a rick on the land. George Bromley also occupied another prized piece of ancient enclosed ground called Patmarsh. When he died then Edward Bromley his son had it and when he died Dame Margaret, Edward Bromley’s relict got another lease from George and William Whitmore and William Weld.

1582 George Bromley was possessed of the castle of Great Shrawardine from his brother Thomas who bought it from Henry Fitzalan.

Sir Edward Bromley and younger brother George were possessed of Albrighton Rectory nr Shifnall

George Bromley the younger lived at Sherrifhales but was buried here.

The Brierley Trusts start here, George Bromley interred 1641 gave £120 to charitable uses in the Parish of Worfield £30 of which bought land in Brierley and the rest is in the hands of trustees Collections for a History of Worfield by William Hardwicke (William Salt Library 351/40) Patmarsh. The name is from peat.

Francis Bromley lived at Hallon and married 1581

Thomas Bromley son b 1584 d 1609 and his sister Joan inherited

Joan became the wife of William Davenport of Wrenbury Chester

The old house at Hallon - of which not a vestige remains except the boundary fence which divides the deep dell or road called Pud Lane from the area on the north side of the house. William Davenport disposed of all his family estates in Choreley. Richard Daye took offence over some matter and decided to try to deprive William Davenport of his copyhold estates in Worfield. Peter Gifford was involved ?as lessee and contested this. The legal wranglings went on for 4 years. William Davenport was succesful. William Davenport and his neighbour John Walker, John Warter of Stableford and Alexander of Hallonsford got permission to crop the oaks on Cranmere Heath 7 March 19 James 1 and exterminated them.

Edward Davenport born 1620 was slain in the civil war in ireland

Henry Davenport born 1607 died at Hallon married Lettice Maddocks of Bridgnorth. Henry had a son of same name. He was a magistrate and sheriff and married, at Pattingham, Elizabeth, the daughter of Sherrington Talbot esq of Salwarpe, Worcester. They had 12 children.

Henry Davenport who succeeded to the estates as the brother and heir of General Davenport who was killed in Dublin. He succeded in 1677 and was a london merchant. He was involved with the South Sea Bubble. He took down the family house soon after he succeeded. The new house was to the south of the former house. some have said the house stood on waste but it didn’t these were copyhold lands. (were there no cottages, I wonder?) The poet Shenstone laid out the grounds and the architect was Francis Smith of Warwick formerly of the Wergs.

Sherrington Davenport b 1710 m 1730 Gratiana Rodd. They had 8 sons and 5 daughters. Their son Harry b 1744 died at sea - he was in the navy. Hardwicke says he liked the brandy too much

William Yelverton davenport was in the navy and then took holy orders

Mr Smythe took over the Davenport house in 1744 was said by William Yelverton Davenport to be ‘agreeable, not without learning but entirely without taste. His wife has much of the latter. generous though.’

Sherrington Davenport died at Cranmere Hall in 1774

Daniel Chardin Davenport d at Wollerton Hall 1778 aged 42. He was a ventriloquist!

William Yelverton Davenport mar 1771 Jane Elizabeth Blythe she died at bath 1811 of fever on the brain. Her family had Broseley hall and she was buried there. William Yelverton Davenport died aged 83 at Davenport.

Edmund Sherrington Davenport mar Elizabeth Tongue.

Elsall used to belong to the family of Kynnersley of Badger then they went to William White of Badger and then to John Jasper of Stableford.

The Barney Family Collections for a History of Worfield by William Hardwicke (William Salt Library 351/40) Francis Barney born October 1698 had no issue. He was very careful with money but could be generous. Once he said to a neighbour ‘Are you going to the fair tomorrow?’ The man replied, ‘No, I haven’t the money.’ Barney said, ‘How much would it take for you to go?’ £4 said the man and Barney lent it. The man went to the fair and repaid the money to Francis Barney the following week. Francis Barney left £3,000.

Timothy Barney was blacksmith at Hallon and died in 1788 at the age of 73 years and he also had a careful streak. His dress to visit an attorney in Bridgnorth would be an old flannel waistcoat with sleeves. This garment saved the expense of a coat. A wallet over his shoulder, a short old leather apron and a torn hat patched with linsey (Note: short for linsey-woolsey, a linen and wool mix I believe, but whether this meant just linen as it is written I don’t know.) Timothy Barney was a ringer at the church for fifty years and continued so till his death even though he couldn’t ring because he was ill. Bellringers were paid and if you couldn’t ring you subcontracted the job at about a sixth of the wages. valentine vickers . cranmere it has lately been drained and nearly made dry.

The first Cattestree to live here was Thomas Cattstree 48 Edward 3 whose son Roger was possessed of a dwelling house and estate under the surrender of Roger Walker and joan his wife. In 3 Richard 3 he obtained a nook of land here called felthouse ? or telthouse -noke-land from Richard Walker of Wyken and Isolda his wife 3 Richard 2. Roger Cattstree died possessed of the whole in Henry 4 14 Alice was the relict.

In 5 henry 4 John Cattstre and Rose his wife had a cottage and curtilage from Thomas son of William Gold and in 1 Henry 5 possessed a toft and half a yardland from William Ewyke.

Eventually the Cattstreys dies out in Worfield in the male line and goes to the Cox family.

William Whitmore on feb 1724 just prior to his death charged the estate with £20 per year for his faithful servant Albert Mayderman. ‘the ancient family residence of the Cattstrees is now much improved with considerable additions to the house and modern outbuildings recently erected being now occupied by Samuel Nicholls and the estate has been much increased from the inclosure of the 2 commons

John Warter lived at Swancote

James Marshall estate was bought from Allan Pollock

Alscote

Alscote inclosure 1703. The copyhold proprietors got together, and divided the old open fields, before this it was open field farming. There is a field called Churchfield not because there was a church here but because the footpath goes towards St Peter’s Church. In the village of Alscote there had been several farmhouses, which were knocked down, leaving only two main farm houses, the one on the west rebuilt (around 1720) by and belonging to Thomas Slater and the one on the east where William Hardwicke was born (‘the house where I had my being.’) The Wm Hardwicke house was rebuilt by William Beech around 1680. There was also a small house in Alscote green called the Greenhouse which was on the north side and this was lived in by a Rowley, this side of the family was from Newton and they were a younger line than those at Stableford and a scion of the original family from Rowley. There was a green at Alscote. Hardwicke talks about Soudley Common ‘lately a wild heath and thus particularly noticed in the Commonwealth.’ Between Alscote and Rindleford were several curious earthworks of an early camp and vestiges of ancient warfare. Whitning house was owned by the Townesend family very early on. Collections for a History of Worfield by William Hardwicke (William Salt Library 351/40) Alscote used to be called Alvercote. In Edward 2 Walter de Alvercote died possessed of a messuage and a half yard land but died of the exterminating pestilence which in 23 Edward 3 went through the country. The Barrets and Bullocks were also in Alscote. The Barret family up to 1723. The Whites from Badger lived here, one of them married a Slater. Late 17th or early 18th century the Rowley male line died out in Cattstree and the daughter, Elizabeth married John Sadler at Stockton 1723. Elizabeth died at Cattstree in 1782

Cattstree was the ancient boundary between 2 commons, Cranmere and Soudley Collections for a History of Worfield by William Hardwicke (William Salt Library 351/40)