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A
History of BewdleY;
WITH CONCISE ACCOUNTS OF SOME
NEIGHBOURING PARISHES.
By JOHN R. BURTON, B.A., F.G.S.,
Rector of Dowles.
LONDON :
PUBLISHED FOR THE AUTHOR BY WILLIAM REEVES,
185, FLEET STREET. E.G.
1883.
DA
TO
MilHam micbols riDarc^, lEsquirc,
LORD OF THE MANOR OF BEWDLEY,
THIS ATTEMPT TO ILLUSTRATE
THE HISTORY OF
THE ANCIENT BOROUGH
IS INSCRIBED.
653512
PREFACE.
This work has been drawn from very many sources. The
Corporation Records were kindly placed at my disposal by
R. Hemingway, Esq., Town Clerk. For permission to examine
the voluminous MSS. of Dr. Prattinton in the Society of
Antiquaries I am indebted to C. Knight Watson, Esq. The
Hayley MSS. were lent me by the Rev. John Cawood ; and the
Ribbesford Registers by the Rev. E. H. Winnington Ingram.
My thanks are also due to the Rev. J. E. A. Fenwick for access
to several rare books in the fine library collected by the late
Sir Thos. Phillipps, Bart., at Thirlestaine House, Cheltenham.
Help has likewise been kindly given in various ways by the
Bishop of Worcester, the Dean of Worcester, J. O. Halliwell-
Fhillipps, Esq., LL.D., F.R.S., Professor Willis-Bund,
Rev. A. James, Rev. E. Bradley (" Cuthbert Bede"), Rev.
J. P. Hastings, S. Z. Lloyd, Esq., and many others.
The materials for this work have been accumulating for
several years, and would make a far larger book. than that now
laid before the reader. A local history can, however, only
expect a limited circulation ; and it was not considered
desirable to increase the price first named.
The account of Stourport and the villages adjoining Bewdley
does not claim to be more than a mere outline. A New County
History, which is to be taken in hand shortly, will most likely
do ample justice to these places.
Any profits there may be from the sale of this book will be
given for the benefit of Dowles Church and Sunday School.
Bewdley, Jimc, 1883. J. R. B.
LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS.
Alderson, Rev. Frank, Dudleston Vicarage, Ellesmere.
Andrews, Mr. W., F.R.H.S., Hull.
Antiquaries, Society of, Burlington House, London.
Bagster, Mr. Basil B., Wribbenhall. (4 copies.)
Bagster, Mr. Henry T., Wribbenhall.
Baker, Mr. George, Beaucastle, Bewdley.
Baker, Mr. Richard C, Wribbenhall.
Baker, Mr. Slade, Sandbourne.
Baldwin, Mr. Alfred, Wilden House.
Baldwin, Mr. Enoch, M.P., The Mount, Stourport. (3 copies.)
Baldwyn, Mr. J. Gough, Stourport.
Bancks, Mrs. C. P., Bewdley.
Bancks, Miss, Wribbenhall.
Barton, Mr. Everard, Summerdine. (2 copies.)
Barton, Mr. William, Stamford.
Bathe, Rev. S. B., St. George's Vicarage, Kidderminster.
Baugh, Mrs., Bewdley. (2 copies.)
Beaman, Mr. John, Bewdley. (2 copies.)
Beauchamp, Right Hon. the Earl, Madresfield Court. (2 copies.)
Beddoe, Mr. Henry C., Hereford.
Beddoe, John, M.D., F.R.S., Bristol.
Beeby, Mrs. R., Stoke Golding.
Belling, Mr. John, M.A., Stonehouse.
Bentley, Rev. S., Bosbury Vicarage.
Birmingham Free Library.
Blencowe, Rev. Alfred J., Witton Vicarage, Northwich.
Blencowe, Rev. Charles E., Marston Vicarage, Banbury.
Blencowe, Mr. John A., Marston House.
Blencowe, Miss, Marston House.
Booth, Mrs., Wribbenhall.
Boraston, Miss, Dublin. (3 copies.)
Boraston, Mr. S., Wribbenhall.
Boughton, Sir Charles Rouse, Bart., Downton Hall, Ludlow. (3 copies.)
Bradley, Rev. Edward, Stretton Vicarage, Oakham.
Brinton, Mr. John, M.P., Moor Hall, Stourport.
Bromley, Miss, Bewdley. (3 copies.)
Bury, Mr. John, Kateshill, Bewdley. (2 copies.)
List of Subscribers.
Bury, Miss, Bewdley.
Brown, Mr. Charles, Droitwich.
Bryan, Miss, Bewdley.
Burton, Miss, Paris. (2 copies.)
Burton, Miss, Stamford.
Burton, Mr. George H., Stamford.
Carnarvon, Right Hon. the Earl of, Portman-square, London.
Cartwright, Mrs., Stourport.
Cave, Rev. Fred. L., Bloxham. (2 copies.)
Cawood, Rev. John, Bay ton Rectory.
Chellingworth, Mr. W. H., Trimpley House.
Chesshire, Rev. James L., Wribbenhall Vicarage.
Childe, Mrs. E. Baldwyn, Kyre Park, Tenbury.
Clack, Mr. J. S., Bedford.
Claughton, Rev. T. Legh, Vicarage, Kidderminster. (2 copies.)
Clinch, Mr. Alfred M., Bewdley. (4 copies.)
Cole, Miss, Bordesley Hall, Redditch.
Colledge, Mr., Dowlas.
Compton, the Very Rev. Lord Alwyne, the Deanery, Worcester.
Cownley, Miss, Kidderminster.
Cooke, Mr. George, Carlisle.
Cooke, JNIiss, Tettenhall.
Cookes, Rev. H. W., Astley Rectory.
Corbet, Mr. Henry, Fort Royal, Worcester.
Crane, Mr. H., Oakhampton, near Stourport.
Crane, Mrs., Oakhampton, near Stourport.
Crane, Mr. John H., Hillhampton House.
Crane, Miss, Bewdley.
Crowe, Miss, Bewdley.
Dalley, Mr. T. C, Bewdley. (2 copies.)
Davies, Mr. D. Lloyd, Wyre Court, Bewdley.
Davis, Rev. E. V. W., Abdon Rectory.
Davis, Mrs., Dowles.
Daunt, Mr. A. Kingscote, Bewdley.
Dewse, Mr. G., Stamford.
Dingwall, Mr. R. M., Clapham, S.W.
Downing, Mr. J. Marshall, Dowles. (3 copies.)
Dunn, Rev. M. W. M., Sutton Coldfield.
Essington, Mrs., Ribbesford House.
Fenwick, Rev. J. E. A., Thirlestaine House, Cheltenham.
Fisher, Mr. J. B., Wribbenhall.
Fletcher, Mrs., Kingston-on-Thames. (2 copies.)
Fleming, Mrs., Wribbenhall. (3 copies.)
Foley, Right Hon. Lord, Grosvenor-square, London.
Foley, Mr. P. H., Prestwood, Stourbridge.
List of Subscribers.
Ford, Rev. W. O. Parker, the Vicarage, Bewdley.
Foster, Mr. W. O., Apley Park, Bridgnorth.
Foster, Mr. W. J., Bewdley.
Foster, Mrs., Wells.
Gabb.'Mr. John, Bewdley. (2 copies.)
Gabb, Mr. Leonard A., Bewdley. (2 copies.)
Gardiner, Mr. Benjamin, Eymore House. (2 copies.)
Gibbons, Rev. B., Waresley House, Hartlebury. (2 copies,)
Godson, Mr. A. P., Pump-court, Temple, E.G.
Grazebrook, Mr. H. Sidney, Chiswick.
Gretton, Rev. F. E., B.D., Oddington Rectory, Stow-on-the-Wold.
Griffin, Mr. G. F., Stourport.
Groome, Mrs., Eastbourne.
Gurney, Rev. A. W., Little Hereford Rectory, Tenbury.
Hall, Lieut. F., R.N., Broadway.
Hall, Miss, Ashford House, Ludlow.
Hallen, Rev. W., Wribbenhall.
Harrison, Mr. C, Areley Court.
Hancock.s, ]Mr. W,, Blakeshall House.
Harvey, Mr. James J., Kidderminster.
Hassall, Miss, Wribbenhall.
Hastings, Rev. J. P., Martley Rectory.
Havergal, Rev. Prebendary F. T., Upton Bishop Vicarage.
Hately, Mrs., Clifton.
Haywood, Mr. J. S., Worcester.
Hemingway, Mr. R., Bewdley.
Hereford, Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of, Hereford.
Hereford, the Hon. and Very Rev. the Dean of, Hereford.
Hemming, Mrs. Walter, Spring Grove, Bewdley.
Hill, Mr. T. R., Q.C., M.P., Worcester.
Hinton, Mr. W., Bewdley.
Homfray, Mr. H., Kidderminster.
Hopkins, Mr. T., Bewdley.
Humpherson, Mr. Chas. J., Newport, Monmouthshire. (2 copies.)
Ife, Miss, Melton Mowbray.
Ife, Miss Ellen, London.
Ingram, Rev. E. H. Winnington, Ribbesford Rectory. (4 copies.)
Irving, Rev. Alex.. Wellington College. (2 copies.)
James, Rev. Alfred, Burwarton Rectory.
James, Rev. G. Howard, Nottingham.
Jefferies, Mr. C. E., Wribbenhall.
Kane, Mrs., The Grange, Monmouth.
Kenrick, Mr. W., Harbornc.
Knight, Mr. F. Wynn, M.P., Wclverley House, Kidderminster.
List of Subscribers.
Lamb, Mr. W. M., Worcester.
Lamb, Miss J., Bewdley.
Landon, Mr. Whittington, Bewdley.
Lawrence, Mr. J. T., Bewdley.
Lea, Rev. Josiah T., Far Forest Vicarage. (2 copies.)
Lea, Mr. John W. T., Netherton House, Bewdley.
Lea, Ven. Archdeacon, St. Peter's Vicarage, Droitwich.
Lea, Rev. F. Simcox, Tedstone Delamere Rectory, Worcester.
Lechmere, Sir Edw. A., Bart., M.P., Rhydd Court, Upton-on-Severn.
Lloyd, Mr. S. Zachary, Areley Hall, Stourport.
London Library, 12, St. James'-square, S.VV.
Lubbock, Sir John, Bart., M.P., Lombard-street, E.G.
Lyttelton, the Right Hon. Lord, Hagley Hall, Stourbridge.
Lyttelton, the Hon. and Rev. Canon, Hagley Rectory.
Lyttelton, the Hon. and Rev. Arthur T., Selwyn College, Cambridge.
McClelland, Mr. Hugh, Birmingham.
Manby, Mr. Cordy, Wassail Wood, Bewdley. (2 copies.)
Manchester, Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of
Marcy, Mr. W. Nichols, Manor House, Bewdley. (8 copies.)
Marcy, Mrs. ditto ditto.
Martin, Mr. Joseph, Stourport.
Moilliet, Rev. J. L., Abberley Rectory, Stourport. (2 copies.)
Monck, Rev. Edward, Battle, Sussex.
Moore, Miss, Liverpool.
Morrall, Mr. E., Bridgnorth.
Morris, Rev. Haywood, Stottesdon Vicarage.
Morris, Mr, T., Hereford.
Morris, Mr., Stourbridge.
Morton, Mr. E. J., Wolverley.
Nellist, Mr., Crundalls, Wribbenhall.
Nicholas, Mrs., Malvern.
Nicholas, Mr. Richmond, Wimbledon, Surrey. (3 copies.)
Nicholas, Miss, Wribbenhall.
Nicholls, Mr. John, Bewdley.
Nicholson, Mr. T., F.I.B.A., Hereford.
Norris, Mr. W., The Mount, Tenbury.
North, Mr. Thos., F.S.A., Llanfairfechan.
Ouseley, Rev. Sir Fred. A. G., Bart., St. Michael's College, Tenbury,
Owens, Mr. Thos., Bewdley.
Parkes, Miss, Blakebrook, Kidderminster.
Parton, Mr. W., Wribbenhall.
Payne, Mr. Philip, Bewdley.
Pease, Mr. Arthur, M.P., Darlington.
Pease, Miss Beatrice, Darlington.
List of Subscribers. '^
Pease, Sir Joseph W., Bart., M.P., Guisbro' Hall, Yorkshire.
Pemberton, Mr. Geo. A., Dowles.
Phillipps, Mr. J. O. Halliwell, F.R.S , Hollingbury Copse, Sussex.
Phillipps, Miss K. E. Halliwell, Hollingbury Copse.
Philipps, Mrs., Edgbaston.
Pitt, Miss Harriet, Wribbenhall.
Player, Mr. J. Hort, Birmingham. (3 copies.)
Pountney, Mr. Charles, Bewdley.
Powis, Right Hon. Earl of, Powis Castle, Welshpool.
Prescott, Mrs., Birches Farm, Tenbury.
Price, Mr. S., Bewdley.
Puckey, Mr. J. C, Stansted, Essex.
Purton, Rev. John, Oldbury Rectory, Bridgnorth.
Rayson, Rev. William, R.D., Lindridge Vicarage.
Reiss, Rev. Fred. A., Rock Rectory. (2 copies.)
Reiss, Mrs. L., 22, Princes-gate, London.
Roberts, ~SIt. T. Lloyd, Corfton Manor, Shropshire. (2 copies.)
Robertson, Rev. David, R.D., Hartlebury Rector}-. (2 copies.)
Rollason, Mr. T., Handsworth.
Rushout, the Hon Miss, Burford House, Tenbury.
Salisbury, Very Rev. the Dean of, Salisbury.
St. Albans, Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of, Danbury Palace. (3 copies.)
Sanders, Rev. S. J. W., Northampton.
Shaw, Mr. Giles, Winterdyne. (3 copies.)
Smith, Mr. James, Bewdley.
Smith, Mr. John, Bewdley.
Smith, Rev. Prebendary I. G., the Vicarage, Malvern.
Smith, Mr. S., Public Library and Museum, Worcester.
Smith, Rev. T. Ayscough, t'le Vicarage, Tenbury.
Southwell, Mr. T. Martin, Bridgnorth.
Spencer, Mr. W. F., Spring Grove.
Stone, Mr. James E., Kidderminster.
Sturge, Mr. Charles, Wribbenhall. (4 copies.)
Swinburn, Mrs., Wribbenhall.
Tangye, Mr. Joseph, Ticknell.
Tempest-Radford, Mr. T., Kidderminster.
Temple, Sir Richard, Bart., G. C.S.I , the Nash, Kempsey.
Tomkinson, Mr. M., Kidderminster.
Tonks, Mr. J., Bewdley.
Turner, Rev. G. P., Downton Vicarage, Ludlow.
Vawdrey, Rev. Daniel, Areley Kings Rectory.
Walcot, Rev. John, Bitterley Court, Ludlow.
Walcot, Mrs. Owen, the Erwy, near Ellcsmere.
List of Subscribers.
Walcot, Commander John C. P., R.N., Bitterley.
Walcot, John Halliwell, the Erwy.
Warner, Rev. Prebendary C, Clun Rectory. (2 copies.)
Watson, Mr. John, Waresley.
Watson, Mr. C. Hugh, Stourport.
Webster, Mr. Cecil, Bewdley.
Whieldon, Rev. Edward, Hales Hall, Cheadle, (3 conies.)
Whitcombe, Mr. R. H., Bewdley.
White, Mr. Milson, Bewdley.
White, Mrs. R., Upton-on-Severn.
Wilding, Rev. C. J., Arley Vicarage.
Willis-Bund, Mr. J. W., Wick Episcopi, near Worcester.
Wilson, Mr. Geo. E., Wyddrington, Birmingham. {2 copies.)
Wind.sor-Clive, Lady Mary, Oakley Park. (2 copies.)
Winnington, the Dowager Lady, Ashburton House, Putney.
Wodehouse Mrs., Ham Hill, Worcester.
Wood, Mr. E. T. W., Henley Hall, Ludlow.
Woodward, Mr. Robert, Arley Castle. (2 copies.)
Woodward, Mr. Robert, jun., Arley Cottage.
Woodward Mrs., Ashdown Cottage, Tenbury.
Woodward, Mr. H. Toye, Kidderminster.
Worcester, Right Rev. Lord Bishop of, Hartlebury Castle.
CONTENTS.
Rise of the Town and Descent of the Manor
The Chapel . .
The Bridge . .
Ticknell and the Court of the Marches . .
The Corporation
Nonconformist Chapels and Meeting Houses
Grammar School, Charities, &c. . .
Illustrious ]\Ien
Ribbesford
Dowles
Wribbenhall . .
Lower Areley
Upper Arley . .
The Rock or Aka
Mitton..
Extracts from Ribbesford Church Registers
Chapel and Bridgewardens' Accounts . .
Bailiffs of Bewdley . .
Members of Parliament for Bewdley
High Stewards, Recorders, &c., of Bewdley
Charter of Edward IV.
Extracts from Dowles Parish Registers . .
Pedigree of Mortimer
Miscellanea . .
Index . .
Page
I
i6
27
31
43
48
51
55
62
76
83
86
90
92
95
iii
xii
xxxvi
xxxix
xl
xlii
xliii
xlvii
xlix
li
CORRIGENDA.
Page 9, line 2 from bottom : for roll read toll.
Page 13, ,, 2 „ : insert 18.
Page 61, „ 12 ,, : Sam. Skey the ^Wt'r was buried
April 4, 1800.
Page 64, ,, 2 ,, : for at read ad.
Page xxix., line 7 : for Tuckers read Tinkers.
Page xli., line 3 from bottom : for 1883 read 1835.
IRiec of tbc Zom\ an^ 2)C0ccnt of tbc ni>anor.
HE earliest mention of the modern Bewdley
occurs under its old Saxon name of
Wribbenhall — a name still retained by
the adjacent village on the eastern side
of the Severn, In the time of William
the Conqueror both formed part of the
great manor of Kidderminster. We read
in Domesday Book (1085) : — " King
William holds in demesne Chideminstre,
with sixteen berewicks or hamlets : Wenvertun, Trimpelei,
Worcote, Frenesse (Franche), and another Frenesse, Bristi-
tune, Harburgelei (Habberley), Fastochesfelde, Gurbehale,
Ribeford, and another Ribeford, Sudtone, Aldintone, Metune
(Mitton), Tuelesberge, Sudwale. In these lands together with
the manor are twenty hides* : the manor was all waste." The
name Giivhehale here mentioned is no doubt the Norman way of
spelling Wribbenhall ; for having no letter W, the Normans
expressed the sound by " Gu " — e.g., Gulielmus for Willelmus,
Gualterus for Walterus, Guarrena for Warrena. By substi-
tuting W for " Gu " we get Wrbehale ; and we find it thus
written in the annals of the Church of Worcester : — " In the
year 1215 Hugh de Mortimer did fealty for Wrbehale in the
A Domesday " Hide " was about 240 acres.
A HISTORY OF BE WD LEY.
Chapter-house at Worcester of 20s. a year, which his prede-
cessors had granted to the said church to be received by the
hands of certain persons ; who, because they would not render
their rent, being ejected, both for a valuable consideration and.
by force, he himself took the said land, and was to render the
rent."''' The Register of the Priory of St. INIary of Worcester
(1240) informs us how Wribbenhall first came into the posses-
sion of the Church, and reads thus :— " Concerning Wruhenhale.
A certain man, Thurstin by name, gave us Wrubenhal, Ralph
de Mortimer senior conceding and confirming, as his charter
beareth witness. In after times Roger de Mortimer took it for
a fief. Whence he swore fealty to the Prior and Convent, and
gave a relief [payment to the lord by a feudal tenant on
entering his fief] , and bound his heirs, as his charter wit-
nesseth, to do fealty to the Prior and Convent, and to give a
relief according to circumstances, and to pay every year at the
feast of St, Martin twenty shillings. "f
The charter of Thurstin or Turstin here mentioned would
seem to be still in existence, and is thus described in Archcso-
logia, vol. xxxi., app., page 475 : — " 18 April, 1844, Evelyn
Philip Shirley, Esq., M.P. for Monaghan Co., exhibited a
charter of the 12th cent. [? nth] from muniments of the Lech-
mere family. It is a grant of land in Wribbenhall made by
Turstinus to the monks of a n:ionastery not specified. The
peculiarities of this charter consist, first in its being signed wuth
a cross by each of the persons who made and confirmed the
grant ; and secondly in the seal being suspended by a thin
label, not as usual from the foot of the charter, but from the
middle of it. It is believed that this is the only instance
* " Anno Mccxv. Hugo de Mortuo mari fecit fidelitatem de Wrbehale in
capitulo Wigornensi de xx solidis annuis, quos antecessores sui ecclesiae
prai-dictae contulerant per manus quorundam percipiendos ; quibus eo quod
redditum suum non redderent et vi ejectis et pretio, ipse praedictam terram
suscepit redditum redditurus." — Annalcs Monasticl, vol. iv., page 405.
t De Wruhenhale. Quidam homo Thurstinus nomine dedit nobis Wru-
benhal : Radulphus de Mortuo-Mari seniore concedente et confirmante ; sicut
carta ipsius te.statur, succedante tempore Rogerus de Mortuo-Mari cepit earn
ad feodo firmam. Vnde Priori et conventui fidelitatem juravit, et releviura
dedit, et obligavit heredes suos sicut carta ipsius testatur ad faciendum
Priori et conventui fidelitatem, et ad dandum relevium pro tempore et ad
solvendum singulis annis. In festo S. Martini xx sol. A.D. MCCXL.—
Registnnn Prioratns Dtat.c Mari^ Wigomicnsis. Camden Soc. p. 20b.
RISE OF TOWN S- DESCENT OF MANOR. 3
hitherto known of such a singular mode of attaching the seal
being practised in England ; although something similar exists
in the collection of charters in the Hotel de Soubise at Paris."
This same Turstin, who figures here as a benefactor to the
Monks of Worcester, was also Lord of Ribbesford ; but, as will
be seen later on, his character is there drawn by the monks in
very different colours.
In the year 1148 Simon Bishop of Worcester in a very
solemn manner confirmed to the Prior and Monks of Worcester
all'" their lands and possessions, among which is named Wriben-
hale. The manor belonged to the office of Cellarer in the
Monastery, and was allotted with other places for the particular
purpose of buying wood.'"
In 1203 Roger de Mortimer did fealty to the church of W^or-
cester of twenty shillings of Wurbenli [Wribbenhall] .f
In 1 2 15, as has been shown, Hugh de Mortimer did the like.
The following extract relates to Roger Mortimer, his nephew
and heir, and would indicate that the ancient Wribbenhall, or a
part of it, became the modern Bewdlcy : — " By an inquisition held at
Worcester 7 May, 11 Edward III. (1388), before Robert de
Longdon, deputy of William de Trossell,| the King's escheator
for England on this side Trent, it was found that the manor of
Beaidieu was held of the Priory of Worcester by the yearly rent
of 205., which had been paid by Roger Mortimer the elder,
Edmund Mortimer his son, Roger the son of Edmund Mor-
timer, & Edmund the son of Roger & Matilda his wife, who
were lords of Beaulieu & paid the rents before mentioned. "§
Here the owners of the manor, the persons who held it of
them, and the amount of rent paid, are precisely the same as
those given in 1215 ; but the name of the place has been
changed from Wrbehale to Beaulieu, or " beautiful place." It
was seldom that Norman place-names ousted those of Saxon
origin ; but the loveliness of the scenery well justified the
change in this instance.
• Hay ley MS.
t Reg. Prior. Beat. Maries Wigorn., p. 20b. Cam. Soc. vol. 91.
J Sir Wm. Trussell was the judge who condemned the Despencers to
death, and pronounced the deposition of Edward II.
§ Hayley MS. This will be more readily understood by reference to the
Pedigree of Mortimer in the Appendi.\.
A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
The earliest mention of the town under its present name
appears to be in the Close Roll of Edward I. (1304), when
Margaret wife of Edmund de Mortimer is said to have had
assigned to her for her better support certain lands in Beaidieu.
Bewdley was probably a residence — at least an occasional
residence — of the Mortimers about this time ; for on a muti-
lated stone coffin lid discovered during the recent restoration
of Ribbesford church is a shield bearing their arms : — Barry of
six or and az., an inescutchcon arg. ; on a chief gold, gyvoned of the same,
two pallets of the same. On the sides are the words, " Je vous
PRi" and " Bon Henri." Norman-French monumental inscrip-
tions were in general use only for a short time — 1290 to 1320 ;
and it is to this period that we should assign the origin of the
name Beaulieu or Bewdley. As examples of similar etymology,
we find that Beaulieu in Monmouthshire became Bewley,* and
Roilieu near Oxford became Rewley. In all the Inquisitiones
post Mortem of the 14th century it is styled Beaulieu or Beauleu.
In the charter of Edward IV. (1472) the name is spelt Beau-
deley, showing that the change into its modern form was
nearly completed. Leland (1506— 1552), who visited the
town about 1539, says, " I gather that Beaudley is but a very
new town, and that of old tyme there was but some poore
hamlett, and that upon the Building of a Bridge there upon
Severne, and resort of people unto it, and commodity of the
pleasant site, men began to inhabit there ; and because that
the plott of it seemed fayre to the lookers on it took a French
name Beaudley quasi bellus locus. I asked a merchant there of
the antientnesse of the towne, and he answered mee that it was
but a new towne, adding that they had liberties granted by
King Edward."
Camden (1551 — 1623) gives the same derivation. " Bewdley,"
says he, " takes its name from its most pleasant situation —
" Delicium rerum Bellus Locus undique floret
Fronde coronatus Virianje tempera sylvae."
Which Bishop Gibson translates thus —
" Fair seated Bewdley, a delightful town,
Which Wyre's tall oaks with shady branches crown."
* Tiiylor's Words and Places, p. 267.
RISE OF TOWN c?- DESCENT OF MANOR. 5
Dr. Stukeley in a letter dated from Bewdley, Sept. 17, 1712,
says, " Were I to choose a country residence for health and
pleasure, it would be undoubtedly on the west side of the
island, not' far from this river (Severn), and where it is most
distant from the sea." (Ittn. i., page 71.)
We have seen that in the time of the Conqueror Bewdley
(or Wribbenhall) was given by Turstin, a vassal of Ralph de
Mortimer, to the Priory of Worcester. In 12 15 the tenant of
the Monastery was ejected, but allowed compensation ; and
then the Mortimers themselves resumed possession subject to a
yearly rental of 205. After 1388 no mention of Bewdley is made
in connection with the Monastery, and the manor descended
through the Mortimers to our own Queen Victoria.
To trace the history of the great family of the Mortimers
would fill a volume. It was, moreover, a family so mixed up
wath the general history of England that the local historian
may the more readily pass it over. The founder of the family
in England was Ralph de Mortimer, who came over from Nor-
mandy with the Conqueror in 1066, and was the King's ablest
Lieutenant in the West, and the vanquisher of Edric Sylva-
ticus, the Saxon Earl of Shrewsbury. As a reward for his
services he received the castle of W^igmore, and lands at Cleo-
bury and elsewhere. Again, when in 1074 Roger Earl of
Hereford lost his lands by rebellion, they were conferred on
Mortimer, who then became one of the greatest barons in the
West, and owned 132 manors on the Welsh border. The
pedigree of Mortimer (see Appendix) is traced from him.
Roger Mortimer (III.), created Earl of March, married Joan
daughter and heiress ot Sir Peter de Geneville, and by this
marriage the whole inheritance of Geneville and half the lands
of Lacy came to the Mortimers. This was the notorious Roger
Mortimer, the murderer of Edward II. : he was executed in
1330, and his estates were forfeited. Roger Mortimer (IV.) his
grandson regained the patrimony and the Earldom of March.
In 6 Edw. III. this Roger gave to John Chamberlain, grand-
father of John de la More, custody of all his cattle in his manors
of Clebury and Beaulieu and also in the Chace of Wyre.*
* " Rog'us de Mortuo Mari dedit Joh'i Cam'ario Avo Joh'is de la More
custodiam om'ium p'cor' suor' in man'iis suis de Clehury et Beaulieu ac
eciam chacee de Wyie." — Inq.post Mortem, 6 Edw. 111., vol. iv., p. 52.
A HISTORY OF BE WD LEY.
Dying in Burgundy in 1360 he was succeeded by Edmund
Mortimer (III.), Earl of March and Ulster, through whose
marriage with Philippa daughter of Lionel Duke of Clarence
their descendants ultimately succeeded to the Crown.
In 1425 Richard Duke of York inherited the manor, and
under his beneficent rule Bewdley made great progress. In
1441 he granted his office of Chief Ranger of his forest of IVeye
(Wyre) in County of Salop to Leonard Hastings. In 1446 he
obtained a licence for a market every week upon the Wednes-
day at his manor of Beaudley, and for a fair yearly upon the
festival of St. Agatha the Virgin (Feb. 5).-'= Thus in 1446
Bewdley rose from the condition of a village to the dignity o-f a
market town, and in past times the holding of fairs and markets
was regarded as a most valuable privilege. The want of a
Bridge over the Severn seems to have been then immediately
felt, and next ye^t (March 20, 1447) we find the Bishop of
Worcester (John Carpenter) in his Castle of Hartilbury granting-
40 days' indulgence to all contributing to the building of the
bridge lately founded (noviter fundaii) between the ville of Wre-
benall in his diocese and stretching across the Severn to the
ville of Bewdley in the diocese of Hereford.
In 1459 Richard Duke of York was attainted, his property
forfeited, and £/[0 per annum from Bewdley was given to Lord
Dudley. In the early part of 1460 Bewdley was granted to
Edward Prince of Wales, son of Henry VI., to get Wales from
the Yorkists ; and in December Duke Richard was slain at
Wakefield, and his head fixed on York gates with a paper
crown on it. Richard's eldest son Edward, though only 19
years of age, was a very successful- leader ; and within a few
months of his father's death he entered London in triumph,, and
was proclaimed King by the title of Edward IV. (March 3,
1461). It is needless to say that with this change in fortune
his father's attainder was reversed, and the ancient patrimony
restored. Hence it was that the manor of Bewdley became
part of the private property of the Sovereigns of England.
In 1472 Edward IV. granted a Charter of Incorporation to
the town, and conferred on it many privileges. (See appendix).
Cart. 25 & 26 Ply. VI., n. 41.
RISE OF TOWN S^ DESCENT OF MANOR.
After the manor of Bewdley became Royal Demesne or
Crown Land, it was customary for the King to let it to farm for
a term of j-ears, except when it was actually occupied by
members of the Royal Family. In the time of Henry VII.
Prince Arthur held it and all the ancient Earldom of March in
his own hands. In the next reign it was at times the residence
of the Princesses Mary and Elizabeth. Some old deeds in the
possession of John H. Crane, Esq., show that in 1601 it was
leased to Sir Edward Bkiunt. In 161 2 it w^as held by Henry
Pdnce of Wales, and the following survey of the manor w^as
then taken : —
Man'ium de)
Bewdley j
The presentmt of the Jury Sworne at a Court of Survey
of the princes highnes of the said manner : as well for the
meareing & bounding out of the said Mannor As also for
other businesses of the princes highnes to them given in
charge there holden the last day of September in the
yeares of the reigne of or Soveraigne Lord James by the
grace of God of England &c the Tenth & of Scotland the
46th before John Townley Esqr Steward and surveyor of
the said Mannor
Thomas Boylson
Edrus Hale
Edrus Tombes
Willus Milton Sen
Ricus Whitecote
-Jur'
Noia Jur'
ffrancus Dickins
Walter us Hill
Thomas Dedicott
Johes Hayles
Willus Milton Jun'
-Jur'
Ricus Barret
Johes Hill de Silton
Humfrus Burlton
Ricus Clare
Willus Kaye
Johes Tyler
Johes Hard wick
Willus Boylson
Johes Nash
-Jur'
,-Jur'
The bounds of the Mannor.
The first meare or bound of the said Mannor or Lordshipp beginning
on the sowth side of the Town of Bewley leadeth along by the River of
Seaverne unto a meadowe called Blackstone meadowe in the Lordshipp
of Ribbesford & so leadeth by the bounds of the said Lordshipp of
Ribbesford adjoining to Bewdley parke pale up along to the said
parkes end And so to a copice called the Hoockleasowe and from
thence leading to another copice called the Hoockwood and from
thence to a place called the Rovell parcell of the princes woods & so
leading along from Hoockwood hedge vnto a certaine leasowe called
porters & then leading by the said leasowe hedge unto a brooke called
Gladder brooke, and so over the said brooke unto tin; lands of S' Tho:
8 A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
Conisby kn* called parlors and from thence unto certaine grounds here-
tofore waste and now Inclosed into seu'all parcells in the tenure of
divers persons conteyning in the whole by estimacon' about Ten acres,
& from thence unto a waste parcell of ground of the Lordshipp of
Abbottesley called Gibheath & from thence unto a poole called the
Dead poole, and from thence vnto a place called Tybbebach & so to a
meadowe called Gavards meadowe & from thence unto the lands of the
said Sr Tho: Conningsby & so unto certaine Leasowes called ffoxlies &
ffoxlies hill which are adjoining vnto blisse yate & thence leadeth east-
ward from the Bliss yate unto a Copice of the said Sr Thos: Coningsby
called parlors Bynde als-Shutford & so leading to Gladder brooke
againe along by a wood called Altonswood unto a place called the Lye-
head All which said Lyehead is within the Lordshipp of Bewdley, &
so leading by Altonswood vnto a marish ground seggbach And so from
the said seggbach leading by Altonswood to Cleobury way And so still
leading from the said Altonswood vnto a place called the over end of
the Lords yard. And from thence to a place called the Shelfe heald
brooke & from thence Down a long by the said brooke so to Dowles
brooke & so a long by Dowles brooke, to Goodvvater Brooke from the
which Goodvvater Brooke cometh a great highway, And so by the
Lordship of Dowles to Barkehill & so down Barkehill a long by the
lordship of Dowles unto the said River of Seaverne on the North side
of the Town of Bewdley, & from thence along by the said River of
Seaverne to the Sowth side of the said Town of Bewley where the first
bound began, And also certain waste grounds of this Lordshipp divers
parcells whereof are now Inclosed called Linoils, Hedgewick & good
Moore, with the Copices called the old Binde, the new bynde, the new
Lodge binde, which Copices are meared & bounded as hereafter
followeth That is to say from Dowles brooke up a long by Altonswood
unto a Coppice of the aforesaid Sr Tho ; Conningsby called Roiose
Bynde & so a long Downe by the said Coppice & up againe to Cleobury
way, & from thence leading by the said way to Altonswood & so lead-
ing along by the said Altonswood to Oledgewick & and from thence
along by the said wood to Lempe Brooke & so directly by Lempe
brooke to Dowles brooke aforesaid & from thence up to the corner of
Altonswood where the last bounds began.
Concerning the Capitall mesuage & the demeasne Item the Jury
doe pesent that the prince hath a Capitall mesuage within the said
Mannor called Ticknell & a Stable called the Kings Stable togeather
with a parke called Bewdley parke, & fair meadows adjoining called
the Lady meadowes.
Item they doe pesent that there are groweing within the said parke
3500 old Trees And they value 1000 of them at ;/|'iooo And one other
1000 of them at 1000 INIarks, & one other 1000 of them at ;^5oo and the
500 residue at 500 Nobles.
The parcke conteineth about 400 Acres (halfe) of it is heath ground
RISE OF TOWN cT-- DESCENT OF MANOR. g
wherein by estimac'on there are between one hundred & eighty head
of Deere besides the feeding of which Deere the herbage may be
esteemed to be worth £xx by the yeare, And the said meadowes called
the Lady Meadowes conteine about 34 Acres and are worth £^0 by ye
year.
Item they pesent that there is no Advowson within this Mannor but a
Chappell, to which King Phillippe & Queen Mary, by theire L'red
patents under the greate Seale of England have graunted a Stypend of
;^viii pr Annu', which is paid by the Kings mats Receivo''s accordingly.
The Waste and Comond within the jMannor. acres
Item they pesent that the Lodge Copice cont' by estimac'on . . 60 o
Item the parke end Copice cont' by estimac'on 60 o
The new bynde Coppices conteine by estimac'on 26 o
The Coppices called Hitterell Coppices cont' by estimac'on . . 104 o
The old Bynde Coppice cont' by estimac'on 040 o
The Coppices called powcamaston and picamaston conteining 048 o
by estimac'on 48 acres which are in a lease I
for ;^xxii p' Annu' & which they conceive to be the worth ^
the rent '
One pcell of waste called great Hedgwick con' b}- estimac'n . . 240 o
One pcell of waste called ye little Hedgwick, cont' by estm' . . 070 o
One parcell of waste called the Goodmore cont' by estimac'on. 040 o
One parcell of waste called the Lynolls con' by estimac'on. . . . 050 o
The Lords yard, Cold harber & Shelfe head con' by estm'. . . . loo o
Whereupon are growing about 60 great Trees to the value of £^ a Tree
And the vnderwood is worth pesently to be felled
One parcell of waste called the Rovell cont' about two acres where-
upon there is wood growing worth ^t,. acres
One pcell of ground called the Lyehead now inclosed cont' by
estm' 016 o
The Barkhill conteining b}- estimac'n 004 o
A waste called Hacidlyes Bind con' by estimation 020 o
The new Lodge Bind conteyning by estimation 024 o
whereupon some wood is groweing worth £6 135. ^d.
Intrusions within the Mannc.
* * ;;: ^ t- * *
The Town of Bewdley.
The Towne of Bewdley scituate within the said Manner is scituate
adjoining to the said River of Seaverne which Town was Incorporate
in the third year of his Maties Reigne by the name of the Bayliffe &
Burgesses, The Jurisdicc'on of wch said Corporac'on doth extend to
the lymitts of the said Mannor, Upon the graunting of which said
Charter there is reserved xxs. p Ann' to the Kings Ma'ies.
Item they pesent that there be four fairies by the yeare & two marketts
weekly graunted by Charter, And the roll of ye Marketts and of Bridge
are graunted to the Corporac'on by the Kings Matie.
lo A HISTORY OF BE WD LEY
The Bayliff and Burgesses of Bewdley were the next lords
farmers of the manor. The Court Rolls commence in 1655,
Sept. 4th, Sir Ralph Clare, Knight of the Bath, being the lord,
and Adam Hough, gent., steward of the manor. From 1670 to
1673 the Courts were held in the name of Samuel Gardner,
gent. In 1673 Bewdley manor was settled in jointure on Queen
Catherine of Braganza, wife of Charles II., who then demised
the park and manor and first and second vesture on the cutting
of Lady Meadows, and liberty to get coals, to Sir Richard
Powle, from Michaelmas, 1702 (when Gardner's lease expired),
for 40 years, at a rental of ;£'i7. 105. ^d. She also demised to
Sir R. Powle 447 acres of coppice to hold from Lad5^-day, 1695,
for 40 years — rent ^17. Five days after this Sir R. Powle sold
his interest in these leases, for ^1123 and ^1081. 15. 8d. respec-
tively, to Sir Francis Winnington. In 1674 Sir F. Winnington
also purchased for ^2765 Gardner's title to the manor for the
residue of 31 years. vSoon afterwards Charles II. demised a
lease to him for gg years, from the expiration of his former
leases. This grant continued the Winnington family in posses-
sion of the manor till 1841, when it reverted to the Crown. The
Earl of Dudley was afterwards lessee, and in 1870, on the expi-
ration of his term, the whole of the estates (2210 acres),
including Winterdyne, Ticknell, Kateshill, Park Lodge, Park
Farm, Wharton's Farm, Bowcastle, Uncles', and part of
Wyre Forest, together with the manorial rights, were sold to
various purchasers.
Tradition relates that the original town of Bewdley was situ-
ated on the Wyre Hill at sgme little distance from the Severn ;
and an ancient inn — formerly the " Shoulder of Mutton," now
the " Old Town-Hall " — had, until recent times, a projecting
story with pillars, under which was a covered market. Edward I.
granted to Henry de Ribbesford a market on every Wednesday,
and a fair on St. Margaret's-day, and this may have been- the
site on which it was held. It is now quite disused for this pur-
pose, but the houses near it are very old, and the high road
went past it till 1753. Such a splendid position on a fine river,
and near a forest abounding in oaks, was not overlooked by the
inhabitants of Bewdley, and they made use of their opportuni-
ties by applying themselves to boat-building and navigation.
RISE OF TOWN <T~- DESCENT OF MANOR. ir
In 1412 (13 Henry IV.), in a Parliament held at Westminster^
the citizens of Bristowe (Bristol) and Gloucester prayed that
they might pass Bewdley without hindrance. " Certain persons-
of Bewdiey having great boats called tvowes had confederated
themselves together for their singular profit, and would let no
one pass through the said parts with their goods and chattels,
except they would hire the said boats for the carriage of the said
goods: & that on the eve of St. Michael last past, lying in wait
near Bewdley with great force and arms, they had seized upon
a great drag or flote going to Glos'ter (such as complainants-
had used to make in their parts to carr\' timber & fuel) & made
the masters of it cut in pieces the said fiote in the said river, or
otherwise they would cut off their heads. They therefore pray
free passage, &c." The men of Bewdley do not appear here in
a very favourable light ; but they seem to have been anxious to
protect their own interests, and the place must have been
already of some importance.
Leland has left us a descriptive account of the town, as it
appeared about 1539 : —
" From Kidderminster to Beaitdly 2 miles by a fayre do'wne, but somewhat
barren, as the Ve^-ne is thereabout on every svde of Bcaudky for a little com-
passe. I entred into Beaitdley, in Schropshirey as some saye, by a goodly fayre
bridge over Scverne of [five] great Arches of stone, being even then in new
reparation.
" This bridge is onely on Scverne betv,-ixt Bcaiidlcy and Worcester bridge. To
this Bridge resort many flatt long vessels to carry up and downe all manner
of merchandize to Beaudley & above B'eaudley. The East part of the Bridge
at Beaitdley and the left Ripe of Scverne be in Worcestershire ; but many say and
hould that the west end of the Bridge and the right ripe of Scverne within tl?e
town of Beaudly be in Schropshire, & Wyre Forrest in Scliropshire going to the
parke of Tetenhall. The Towne self of Beaudley is sett on the side of aii Hill,
soe comely, a man cannot wish to see a Towne better. It riseth from Scverne
banke by East upon the hill by west ; soe that a man standing upon a Hill
trans pontem by East may discerne almost every house in the towne, and at
the rising of the Sunne from East the whole Towne glittereth (being all of
newe Building) as it were of gould.
" There be but 3 Streets memorable in the Towne. One from North tO'
South, all along Scverne banke. The second is the Markett place, a fayre
large thinge and well builded. The tliird runneth from North to South on
the Hill syde, as the first doth in the \'al]cy of Scverne. The Parish Church
12 A HISTORY OF BE WD LEY.
standeth a mile lower at Ripley,* iit aqua dcfluit ripa dextra. By the distance
of the Paroch Church I gather that Bcaudlcy is but a very new Towne.
" There was a Privilege of Sanctuary given to this towne that now is
abrogated." f
This description applies to the present site of the town, and
no mention is made of the old part on the Wyre hill.
Under the Tudors the prosperity of Bewdley was in full tide.
Henry VII, enlarged Ticknell House and made it into a Palace
for Arthur Prince of Wales, who there resided and held his
Court. There, too, he was married to Catherine of Aragon.
Henry VIII. granted three charters to the town, and sent his
daughters the Princesses INIary and Elizabeth to reside in it.
The many distinguished persons who were constantly coming
to the town, attended by large retinues, would give increased
employment to the inhabitants. To prevent disputes a special
law was made to regulate the prices to be charged by the
innkeepers (1528) : —
" Apud Bewdeley xvi die Nov. a. 19 Henry VIII. For the considerations
mentioned in this Bill It is ordered by the Princesse| Counsaill that during
the abode of the Princesse Counsaill in the Towne of Bewdeley all manner
of persons the Princesse Servants or belonging to the said household shall
have their horses at Liverie in all Innes and hosteries of the said Town after
the rate of \d. ob daie and night for hay and litter. And all other Estrangers
Sutors and others repairing to the said Towne to pay after the rate of i]d.
daie and night for hay & litter, &c.
" Henry Collier. Ja. Denton. G. Bromley.
" Thomas Gent. T. Russell. R. Hassall."
Manufactures of various kinds were started in the time of the
Tudors, and flourished. The chief of these was cap-making,
which at one time afforded employment to probably 1000 people
in Bewdley. In the Ribbesford Registers the term " capper "
appears as the trade in a large proportion of the entries.
Fuller (Worthies, p. 49) says that this occupation set no less
than 15 callings to work. Machinery was forbidden, and the
trade was protected by law. In 22 Edw. IV. a penalty of
405. was inflicted upon any one setting up a fulling-mill. A
mill would thicken and full more caps in a day than fourscore
* Ribbesford in marg.
t Leland's Itinerary, vol. iv,, p. 100: Oxford 1744.
\ The Princess Mary.
RISE OF TOWN & DESCENT OF MANOR. 13
men, and it was considered inconvenient to turn so many
labouring men to idleness. In 3 Henry VIII. it was enacted
that no caps or hats ready wrought should be brought from
beyond seas. In 13 Eliz. caps were to be worn by all persons
(some of Worship and Quality excepted) on Sabbath and Holy
days under penalty of ten groats. This was repealed in 39 Eliz.
By an Act of the Common Council of London in 1665 all caps
were to be brought to Blackwell Hall except Monmouth and
Bewdley caps. The French Protestant Refugees brought into
England the use of hats, and the new fashion caused the decline
of the Bewdley manufactures. In the time of Charles II. Tvlr.
Yarrington says, " Cap-making in Bewdley is grown so low that
great part of the ancient cap-makers in that town are wholly
decayed, and the rest at this present day are in a very low con-
dition." One of the most eminent cappers of Bewdley was
Walter Palmer, who lived in High Street, in the house now
belonging to Mr. IMarcy. His daughter Sarah was married at
Ribbesford, Aug. 23. 1688, to Israel Wilkes, grandfather of the
notorious John Wilkes, Member for Middlesex, and editor of
the North Briton. Another daughter married Dr. Jas. Douglas,
Physician to Queen Caroline ; and his son George married
Anne Johnson in 1687, and was grandfather of Mrs. Skey, wife
of Jonathan Skey. " Walter Palmer, Bewdley, capper, 1656,"
and "Thomas Farloe, capper in Bewdley, 1670," issued tokens
which passed current in the town for halfpence. The trade
appears to have afterwards revived, and to have lingered on till
the beginning of the present century. The Worcestershire
Guide for 1797 enumerates amongst the callings exercised here
" Dutch and sailors caps, which are much prized for their
excellent napping." Cap-making is now a thing of the past.
In the time of Elizabeth there were twelve tan-yards in
Bewdley, and tanners have been among its greatest benefactors.
The neighbouring forests supply abundance of oak bark, and
there is no apparent reason why this industry should have
fallen off.
In 1697 Mr. Christopher Bancks, of Wigan, started a pewter
and brass foundry. This proved very successful, and was
carried on by successive members of the family until about . . .
years ago, when Messrs. William Stokes and John Smith
14 A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
became the proprietors. It still maintains a high reputation
for the excellence of its brass-work. It is said to be one of the
•oldest manufactories in England.
Among the callings exercised in the time of Elizabeth and
James I., as we learn from the Registers, were sherman, carver,
glover, trowman, parchment-maker, bargemaker, wire-maker,
bowyer, fletcher (maker of arrows), cutler, cooper, walker
(fuller), farrier, haberdasher, tailor, collier, joiner, dyer, vintner,
carpenter, cardmaker, butcher, baker, mason, fishmonger, glass
carrier, staymaker, bedder, clothmaker, saddler, lathmaker,
capper, tanner, shoemaker, brickmaker, weaver, fisher, aqua
vitae man, and a salt peter man.
Weavers of sacking and bombazine used to reside on the
Wyre Hill. The making of combs, drinking-cups, and other
articles of horn has been carried on for more than a century,
and now remains as the chief special manufacture of the town.
The market has dwindled by degrees, and instead of 32
butchers holding stalls in the shambles there are now only 2.
Formerly the barley market, shambles, and butter cross formed
a long range of timber buildings, filling up the middle of Load
Street. They were taken down in 1783.
We have seen that as early as 141 2 the men of Bewdley had
become bold watermen and owned large barges or trows. Lat-
terly a great part of the carrying trade both by land and river
came into their hands, and they had the best boats and best
crews on the river.* Merchants from Bristol, then the first sea-
port in the kingdom, established depots for their goods in Bewd-
ley and Wribbenhall. Large storehouses were built, and the
wares were conveyed by long trains of pack-horses to the inland
towns, and returned bringing Manchester, Sheffield, and other
goods to be shipped down the Severn to the seaports and West
of England. Many old houses here have extensive buildings in
the rear, now almost disused. " The number of malt houses,"
says Nicholls, " in several parts of the town points out another
very extensive object of trade, the chief markets for which were
some parts of Shropshire, towards Tenbury and Ludlow ; but
* Dugdale's " England and Wales Delineated," vol. i, p. 162.
RISE OF TOWN ^ DESCENT OF MANOR.
15
in later times a turnpike road having been made through those
towns to Worcester, the demands from Bewdley were much
lessened." Had the Worcestershire and Staffordshire Canal
joined the Severn here, as it was once intended it should, Bewd-
ley would no doubt have become a place of great trade. But
unfortunately the inhabitants petitioned against the canal, and
thus inflicted a blow on their town from which it has never
recovered. In 1797 seventeen regular " Trows" went weekly
to and from Bristol and Bewdley, and tw^enty-eight to and from
Bristol and Stourport. Thus the larger portion of the carrying
trade and commerce was intercepted by the rising little town at
the mouth of the Stour.
Before 1801 the population can onl}' be calculated roughly.
The number of baptisms from Jan., 1864, to Jan., 1S71, was 534,
and the population 3021. The number corresponding to this
for the 7 years ending Jan., 1602, was 434, and the proportional
population would be 2450. At Kidderminster the baptisms for
the 7 years ending 1602 amounted to 392, w^hich would betoken
a population of 2200. Below is a table of population of Bewd-
ley as given by the census returns
1801
1811
1 82 1
1831
1851
1861
1871
1881
3671
3454
3725
3908
3327
2905
3021
3342
The rateable value of the Borough is ;/r8i55 125. 6d. Number
of municipal electors, 501
rate 15 per thousand.
parliamentary ditto, 1276. Death
i6
A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
Z\K (Tbapel
ELAND relates that a privilege of sanctuary was
formerly given to Bewdley ; and this statement is
confirmed by the preamble to a Bill of Forfeiture
against Thomas Crofte passed in the Parliament
of 7 Henry VII. (1491). It sets forth that the
said Thomas Crofte had " commytted a detest-
able murder within the Marches of Wales, and thereupon is
fledde, and hath taken the Sanctuary of Beaudeley."*
The town of Bewdley was extra-parochial, until by a private
Act of Parliament made in the reign of Henry VI. it was put
within the parish of Ribbesford. Later still by statute 34 and
35 Henry VIII., c. 26 — " An Act for certain ordinances in the
King's Majesty's dominion & principalitie of Wales" — it was
enacted that Bewdley should form part of Worcestershire, and
be within the Hundred of Dodingtre.
As a sanctuary town it would afford a refuge for those
escaping from justice ; and tradition relates that it was these
fugitives who first built the Chapel in the town that they might
receive the consolations of religion without going beyond their
bounds.
There is also a tradition that the oldest chapel in the town
was situated at the foot of the bridge nearly opposite the
" Saracen's Head." Dr. Prattinton says that a small building
in Ross's S.E. view of the Bridget was reported to have been
* Rot. Pari., 7 Hy. VII., in vol. 6, p. 441a.
t See Frontispiece.
ir'/Trr'-PVi '
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THE CHAPEL. ' 17
the chapel, though in his time it was used as a hearse-house.
Mr. Hayley had heard, when a boy, that this building was the
oldest in the town ; and in the Court Rolls of 1748 this locality
was called St. Anne's Corner. Small chapels were often built
near Bridges, but Leland's account shows plainly that in his
time the chief chapel was situated on its present site at the top
of Load Street. " In the towne," he says, " is but a Chapel of
Ease, and that is of Timber, in the heart of the towne." The
chapel of old was dedicated to St. Andrew,^' and it contained
three chantries, each provided with its own chaplain. The
cliantry of St. Mary was on the S. side of the chancel and of
the same length with it. Its gross annual value in 1545 was
£d) 35. 4^. On the N. side of the chancel were the two other
chantries : one of St. Anne — valued at £g 55. ^d. — founded by
John Washbournf , and the other of the Holy Trinity — valued
at £g 35. 6d, In a conveyance of the manor of Dowles in 1544
one part is called " Trynytie Ground, now or late in the occu-
pation of William Weston, Warden of the Guylde of Holly
Trinytie in the Churche of Bewdeley." In 1553 the Incumbents
of two of the chantries, viz., William Weston and Humphrey
Mallet, were living, and received pensions of £6 each from
Queen Mar3^
Between the two chantries on the north side of the chancel
went up a flight of steps from the street into the chancel. A
Mrs. Holl told Dr. Prattinton in 1808 that there were houses
under the chancel. | This explains the curious entry in the
accounts for 1596 for expenses incurred in mending the " hole
out of the Chancell into Mersour Tavarn."§
The chapel was probably built about the time of Henry VI.
It was a plain timber structure, and houses were built close up
to it nearly all round. Perhaps this accounts for the fact that
though it was standing till 1745, no known illustration of it has
come down to us.
• Ecton's Thesaurus (1742), p. 223 ; Bacon's Libey Regis (1786), p. 379.
t This was probably John Washborne, Lord of Washborne and Stanford,
eldest son of Peter Washborne (living 28 Edw. III.) and Isold daughter of
Thomas Hanley, of Hanlcy Castle, heir to his uncle John Washborne (son and
heir of Sir Robert Washborne, Kt.) He died at Wichenford 13 May, 1454.
His only daughter Isold married John Salwey, and from them are descended
the Salweys of Moor Park, the Winningtons of Stanford, and the Ingrams of
Ribbesford.
§ Ditto, i5yC.
2
,S A HISTO RY OF BEWDLEY.
Habingdon, who died in 1647, describes the painted glass
and inscriptions which were in the chapel in his time. In the
east window of the chancel were four panes— in the second,
France and England with label of three argent, on each as
many torteaux supported with two falcons close arg., the vervels
and bells or, having heads of angels covered with Dukes' crowns
or. (Arms of Richard Duke of York, father of Edward IV.) On
the third, an inescutcheon of four coats— i, York ; 2, England
within a bordure arg. (Holland Earl of Kent) ; 3, Mortimer
with an inescutcheon arg. ; 4, Or, a cross gules (De Burgh Earl
of Ulster)— the arms of Duke of York quartering Holland his
grandmother, Mortimer his mother, with De Burgh in right of
Philippa of Clarence. In fourth pane, Gyronne of twelve argent
and gules (Peverell).* In the lower part of the first pane :
«' Orate pro animabus Richardi Herina " — the rest broken
out. In the highest part of the window : " Ora pro animabus
JOHANNIS GyBBYS, ET IsABELL.E, ET PRO DOMINO DaVID GyBBYS,
rectore matricis EccLESi.^."t Also : "Orate pro bono
Willielmi Bradmaker." In the east window of the north
aisle were four panes. In the second were arms of France and
England supported with a bull sable horned or and a lion
arg. (Arms of Edward IV. : the lion was one of Mortimer's
supporters, the bull Clarence's.) In third pane 6 coats blazoning
the arms of Elizabeth Queen of Edward IV. In first pane,
France and England quarterly label of three, ostrich feathers
(Edward Prince of Wales). In fourth pane, France and Eng-
land, label of three, on each many torteaux, on both sides a
falcon arg. beaked and legged or (Richard Duke of York).
Under the window was inscribed : " Orate pro bono statu
Joh'is Wiglond ET Johanna uxoris ejus qui hang fenestram
fieri fegerunt." In the highest south window of the Lady
Chapel were three panes : in the middle one, the Virgin Mary
with our Saviour in her arms : in the dexter, a prince with a
cap of maintenance and a book under his left arm, subscribed
" Crispiniane ;" in the sinister, a nobleman with a shoemaker's
cutting-knife in his right hand, subscribed " Crispine." In
another window was written : " Glowceser gorneser, Richar-
* This coat is still in Ribbesford Church.
t David Gybbes was Rector of Ribbesford 1467 — 1507.
THE CHAPEL.
19
Dus Taylor corneser, Johannes Hawll corneser." The
arms — sable, three goats' heads erased arg. horned or. In
another, under some figures kneehng, this inscription : " Orate
pro bono statu JoHANNIS WiGLAND . . . QUI SUNT fundatores
Hujus capell^," In another were the figures of three dead
persons in their winding-sheets in an erect posture. Over the
first : " Suche as ye bin so weare wee." Over the second :
" As wee bin shall yee bee." Over the third : " Take yee
WHICH OF us three." Under a painting in another window :
," William Monnox et Alice uxor ejus, et Johannes Bonner
ET Isabella uxor ejus."
The arms of the Corporation were also in the chapel, and
Habingdon describes them thus : " Argent, an anchor az.
through a tun or, on the dexter point a sword in chief of the
second hilted of the third ; on the sinister, a rose gu., with a
branch slipped vert."* This description does not agree in some
respects with the present Corporation seal and other copies of
the arms of the borough as carved on the Bridge, Town Hall,
&c. The blazoning of the arms of Bewdley as given by Edmond-
son is : " Ar., an anchor in pale az., the ring or ; the anchor
surmounted with a fetterlock of the second ; within the fetter-
lock, on the dexter side of the anchor, a sword erect of the last,
hilt and pomel or ; on the sinister side of the anchor a rose gu."
Edmondson differs from Habingdon chiefly in substituting a
*' fetterlock" for a " tun." The fetterlock was one of the badges
of Edward IV., who granted the charter and arms to the town.
• Nash, vol. ii., p. 284.
20 A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
Previous to the Reformation there were, as has been stated,
three endowed chantries, each served by its own priest ; and to
two of them at least guilds were attached, of which the priests
acted as wardens. Guilds were formerly very common in
Europe, and were societies of a semi-religious character.* None
of the trades assembled to form fraternities wdthout ranging
themselves under the banner of some saint. The Guild of
" Cornesers, Cordwainers, or Cobelers" t at Bewdley se^ms to
have chosen the Virgin Mary as its patroness, and to have
founded the Chantry of St, Mary, SS. Crispin and Crispinian,
the patrons of shoemakers, were naturally also honoured with
figures in this chantry.
In the reign of Edward VI. guilds were suppressed, under
the pretence of their being nurseries of treason and conspirac}',
and their property was vested in the Crown. Bewdley chapel
was thus deprived of its income, which would probably in these
days have amounted to ^400 per annum. Queen Mary as a
compensation settled a yearly stipend of ^8 upon the chaplain,
which is still paid out of the revenues of the county of
Worcester.
The Chapel Wardens' accounts now come to our help, and
from them we gather a few gleanings concerning ecclesiastical
matters, commencing at a period of only 12 years after the
restoration of Protestantism, The chaplain in 1569 was Sir
Thomas Warter, whose whole stipend was £1 1 per annum and
65, 8i, for a house. Clergymen w^ere formerly styled Sir ; but
the title w^as gradually disused about this period.:]:
Mary Queen of Scots, the next in succession to the throne,
was a Romanist, and men's minds were still undecided as to
which faith would ultimately triumph. In the year in which
the accounts commence was the Rebellion of the two Earls in
the North, when at Durham cathedral the communion table
* " Gild," says Wright, " is the Saxon for money, and fraternities were
called guilds because at first when they associated for charity, religion, or
merchandise they cast their money together for the common charge. They
had annual feasts at which they chose new officers ; and they maintained
priests to say mass for the living and the dead of their society. From these
sprang the guilds of corporations and cities, and the place in which they
assembled was called their guild-hall."
t " Cobbler" was not then a word of contempt.
\ 1570, "Sir Thomas Warter ;" 1574, " Mr. Warter ;" 1581, "Thomas
Warter, Clerk."
THE CHAPEL.
was thrown down and the English Bible torn into pieces. A
homily-book against the Rebels was read in Bewdley chapel.
The Romish vestments, which had been treasured up for 14
years, were disposed of in 1572, when the collapse of the Rebel-
lion shov/ed that the Reformation was of a really national cha-
racter. A communion cup was bought in the same year for
four guineas ; also a napkin for the chalice.
The Bishop of Worcester was at Bewdley in 1572, and Mr,
Heward of the Crown supplied him with refreshments. The
visit next year of the Bishop of Hereford is noticed, because
65. 8(7. was paid " for W3'ne and suger to make my Lorde Bishop
drinke."
From time to time companies of strolling actors came into
the neisfhbourhood, such as the Queen's Pla^^ers (1572), the
Earl of Leicester's Players (1573), m}'^ Lord President's Players
(1593) : and as there was no other building in the town of suffi-
cient size, they seem to have been permitted to make use of the
chapel for their exhibitions ! The entry in 1572 runs : — " Paid
unto the quenes plaiers in the church — 6s. S^'f." It was the
custom for companies of comedians to put themselves under
the patronage of distinguished persons, whose " servants " they
styled themselves ; and these visitors to Bewdley seem certainly
to have been actors of stage plaj'-s, however profane the custom
of turning a church into a theatre may seem to us in these days.
When Gosson wrote his School of Abuse in 1579, dramatic enter-
tainments were usually exhibited on Sundays ; and Mr. J. P.
Collier's History of Dramatic Poetry shows that the Bewdley
custom, though rare, was not altogether unknown in England.
He says (page 145) : — " It is as certain that churches and
chapels of monasteries were the earliest theatres as that eccle-
siastics were the earliest actors of stage-plays : when the one
practice or the other was discontinued we have no distinct
evidence. From the following passage in a tract printed in
1572, it appears that even then interludes were occasionally
played in churches : the author is speaking of the manner in
which the clergy neglect their duties : — ' He againe posteth it
(the service) over as fast as he can gallop ; for either he hath
two places to serve, or else there are some games to be played
in the afternoon, as lying for the whetstone, heathenishe
22 A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
dauncing for the ring, a beare or a bull to be bayted, or else
jack-an-apes to ryde on horseback, or mi enterlude to he played ;
and if no place else can be gotten, it must be doone in the church.'' "
In 1582 twenty shillings was laid out in "glassing" the
chapel. In 1583 comes the first mention of pew-rents, which
was 2s. 6d. for the half-year. Extensive repairs were made to
the organ in 1585.
One of the old chantries appears to have been set apart for
the use of the Lord President of the Marches and his Council,
and the floor of it was well strewn with rushes (1580). The
floor of the chapel was only bare earth till 1592, when 4000 tiles
were brought from Bristol to pave it.
The Bishops of Hereford and Worcester were at Bewdley
together in 1593. A gallon of beer costing 4^. was given to the
Bishop of the diocese, in addition to the wine and sugar offered
to both Bishops. Dr. Lewis was presented with a pottel of
wane and sugar and metheglin.
In 1594 a new surplice was made from g|- ells of cloth, at a
cost of £1 I05. 9^/. In 1595 five ounces of fringe for the pulpit
cloth were bought for 125. 6d. In 1596 the bells were rung at
the coming to Bewdley of Henry Earl of Pembroke, Lord
President of the Marches, accompanied by his wife, sister of
the famous Sir Philip Sydney. She was a lad)^ of most culti-
vated mind, and her influence and popularity in Bewdley are
strongly shown. A vacancy occurred in the office of chaplain,
and at the Countess's recommendation the Rev. Walter Sweeper
was appointed. The townswomen gave a present to her Lady-
ship of the value of £10 is., equivalent to certainly £$0 of the
present money. We are not told what the gift consisted of in
1596, but two years later, on the occasion of a further visit, the
townswomen gave her one sugar loaf, two boxes of comfits, and
four boxes of marmalade, the total value being £1 los. jd.^'
' It was to this lady that Sir Philip Sydney's Arcadia was dedicated;
and when she died, in 1621, Ben Jonson wrote the following lines for her
tomb in Salisbury cathedral —
" Underneath this marble herse
Lies the subject of all verse —
Sidney's sister, Pembroke's mother.
Death, ere thou hast slain another,
Wise, and fair, and good as she.
Time shall throw a dart at thee."
THE CHAPEL. 23
In 1600 some mending was done to " stop out the boys in the
loft." In 1604 the " waytes " and bell ringing welcomed the
entry of Lord Zouche, the new President, into the town. Also
a new Prayer-book, containing the results of the Hampton
Court Conference, was bought for the chapel. In 1605 a flagon
pot of tin was bought, and the church was painted. In 1607
the bells were rung for the first time on " the 5th of November."
In 1620 special mention is made of the " women's seats "
in the church, showing that the division of the sexes is not a
modern innovation. In 1632 long sermons were the fashion,
and an hour-glass was set up, so that the preacher might know
when to finish his discourse. In 1642 the gunpowder was
removed from the chapel into the Court-house ! The Civil
War was now beginning, and the Chapel Wardens' accounts
and Ribbesford registers contain many allusions to the stirring
events. Prince Rupert's first entry into Bewdley was in Sept.,
1643. The bells were rung ; and a hogshead of claret presented
to him by the town. In 1644 on Tuesday, June 11, King
Charles I. came to Bewdley, and stayed three days at Ticknell.
He attended service in Bewdley chapel, and the Bailiff's seat
was set apart for his use. The King was in Bewdley again on
June 17 and 18, 1645, and slept at the Angel Inn.
In 164S a heated religious controversy arose between John
Tombes, minister of Bewdley, and the famous Richard Baxter,
of Kidderminster, concerning infant baptism. Wood says,
" They frequently disputed face to face, and their followers were
like two armies, which led to a breach of the peace, and the
civil power was obliged to interfere." Baxter's own account is
as follows : — " Mr. John Tombs of Bewdley was reputed the
most able and learned Anabaptist in England. We kept fair
correspondence for a long time, and I studiously avoided all
debates with him about infant baptism ; but after a day's dis-
pute at Bewdley my hearers were more settled and the course
of his infection stopped. Mr. Tombs and I agreed to meet at
the Church in Bewdley on Jan. 7, 1648, where from nine o'clock
in the morning till five o'clock at night, before a crowded con-
gregation, we continued our dispute, which was very free in
managing our arguments from infants' right of Church member-
ship to their right of baptism." An allusion to tJiis dispute
24 A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
will be found in the accounts, where it appears money was laid
out afterwards in mending the seats. Also a quart of sack was
given to Mr. Tombes, and a quart to another minister.
In 1650 the triumph of the Rebellion was complete, and ten-
pence was spent in " putting out" the King's arms. Soon after
the departure of Tombes the Baptist, Henry Oasland, a Pres-
byterian, was appointed minister, and infant baptism was
resumed in the church. The annual stipend of £S was for a
few years during the Commonwealth received from the Rectory
of Ombersley instead of from the county ; and was augmented
by the town to ^60.
In 1660 came the Restoration, and the King's arms were set
up again at a cost of £2 los. A new ring of bells was purchased
the same }^ear.
About 1696 Salwey Winnington, Esq., M.P. for Bewdley,
built a stone tower to the chapel.
In 1720 a dispute arose between the Corporation and the
Rector of Ribbesford about the right of presentation to the
chaplaincy. The Corporation repaired the chapel, and paid
all expenses ; and up to this time had appointed the chaplain.*
In stating their case they claimed that the chaplain was really
independent of the Rector. " Mr. Hammonds,! however, being
a man of letters, life, and parts, by request of many good people
in the town, did frequently preach at the chapel ; but when he
was by Mr. Bailiff Smith and Chaplain Heath locked out, and
not permitted to go up into the pulpit to preach, he did not look
at this force as any injury done to right : but that some in the
town were disaffected to him and unwilling of his labors in the
chapel." Counsel's opinion was, that this being a chapel of
ease to Ribbesford, the proper patron was the Rector, and the
Corporation acknowledged his right under their common seal.
In 1745 it was decided to pull down the chapel and tower
and build a new one of stone. The tower was rebuilt at the
expense of the Rev. Thomas Knight, Rector of Ribbesford.
* See Chapel Wardens' Accounts 1634, ^"^^ Corporation Books.
t Rector of Ribbesford 1614 — 1630.
THE CHAPEL. 25
The new chapel cost about ;^22oo, towards which Wilham
Bowles, Esq., M.P., contributed ;^i3oo. In response to a brief
in aid of the building fund 9517 parishes contributed ;^6o7
45, gd., or an average of 15. 3^^. each. The balance was raised
by voluntary subscriptions in the town, and the chapel was
opened on Lady Day, 1748. There appears to be no record of
its consecration ; and the dedication has been changed at some
time from St. Andrew to St. Anne.
In 17S0 the bells were re-cast and the chimes were added.
The treble weighs 5 cwt. and the tenor 16 cwt. 2 qrs. 6 lbs. The
bells bear the following inscriptions : —
1. When you us Ring we'll sweetly sing
2. Fear God and honour the King
3. Prosperity to this town.
4. Samuel Skey Bailiffe
5. Samuel Kenrick Justice
6. Thomas Rudhall Founder Glocester
7. Nathaniel Adey Bridgewarden
8. Right Honble Lord Westcote High Steward for the
Borough of Bewdley.
In 1837 the edifice was repaired at an expense of ^1000, and
600 free sittings Avere added. It was renovated in 1871, and
again improved in 1879, when a stained glass window was put
in the chancel in memory of the Rev. John Fortescue, the late
Vicar. In 1852 a district was assigned to this chapel, which
thus became a parish church, but the endowment still consisted
only of the £S granted by Queen Mary, and of about ^17 left
by Richard Vickriss in 1661, The Incumbent was dependent
almost entirely upon the precarious income from pew rents.
In 1880, however, Mrs. Fortescue purchased Lower Park House
for ^2000, and presented it to the Church for a Vicarage. This
generosity was met by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners with a
grant of £^0 per annum. In August, 1882, Mrs. Fortescue by
will left a further sum of about ;^i5oo to be invested for the
beneiit of this church.
Richard Clare, who had a tanyard by Doglane Brook, by will
dated May 10, 1618, left los. yearly for a sermon to be preached
annually in the chapel on the first Sunday in the year " to re-
znind people of their mortality."
3
26 A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
Incumbents of Bewdley Chapel,
William Weston, Chantry Priest, 1547.
Humphrey Mallett, Chantry Priest, 1547.
Sir Thomas Warter (i569)..,5^/. Aug. i, 1593.
George Sowthall, 1593 — 1596.
Walter Sweeper, 1596.
Yardley.
Lewis Morris {1605). ..sep. May 7, 161 1,
Underhill.
Heath, 1615.
Wright.
WiUiam Madstard.
Manoah Sharrard, 1625 — 1634,
Robert Morton, 1635 — 1646.
John Tombes, 1646 — 1649.
Edward Bury, 1649 — 1650.
Henry Oasland, 1650 — 1662,
Thomas Soley, 1663 — 1669.
Sares Bojdston, 1669 — 1672.
Thomas Boraston-.-sf/*. July 27, 1706.
John Hassall {ij2o)...sep. 1739.
Thomas Howard, 1731 — 1778.
William Burrell Hayley, 1778 — 1780,
Edward Baugh, 1780 — 1814.
John Cawood, 1814 — 1852.
John Fortescue, 1852 — 1879.
William Owen Parker Ford, 1879,
1
THE BRIDGE.
1^
(The Bri^jc,
^
HE little round boats of wicker-work lined with
skins — called coracles — are still in use on the
Severn at Bewdley. Another means of crossing
the river here in bj^gone times would be afforded
by the Lax"" or Salmon ford.f
In 1313 the onl}^ bridge between Gloucester
and Bridgenorth was at Worcester.^
In 1447, as has been already stated, the Bishop of Worcester
was granting 40 days' indulgence to all contributors to a bridge
which had been lately built at Bewdley. William of Worcester,
whose collections were made about 1478, describes the bridge
in his time as '■'■ de Arhovihus;'' % but the following title of a
record in the Tower, cited by Nash (vol. 11., app. Ixxiv.), would
show that in 1460 it was not built entirely of timber : — " Wigorn
Civitas de omnibus lapidibus pontis de Bewdley et castr Wigorn' concess'
ad repavand' viuros. 38 Hy. VI." Bewdley being a Yorkist town,
the stones of the bridge may have been carried off during the
* Lax is the Norse word for a salmon. German Lacks.
+ Nash tells us (vol. i., page Ixxxv.) that " many persons in Worcestershire
when they bound their children apprentices thought it necessary to insert an
article that the master should not feed them with salmon more than twice a
week." All search for indentures containing this proviso has hitherto been
made in vain, but an entry in the account book of a Mr. Momas, of Stour-
bridge, shows that formerly this noble fish must have been very cheap and
plentiful here. It runs : " 24 Nov. 1703 Paid Fosbrooke's daughter
Bewdley for a salmon 151b. 25. 8d." (Prattinton.)
I Thomas's Bishops of Worcester, p. 160.
§ Nasmylh's edition, 1778, p. 263.
28 A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
Wars of the Roses to repair the walls of Worcester ; and we
know that just at this time Bewdley had been seized by the
Lancastrians (page 6 ante). If the bridge was demolished in
1460, it would have been replaced by the timber structure men-
tioned by WiUiam of Worcester a few years later.
The next notice concerning the bridge is contained in a man-
date issued by Richard III.- :— " To our trusty & well-beloved
Squier Ric. Croft, know that we have granted the sum of xx
marks towards the making of the Brigge of Beaudeley, & have
appointed you to pay the same to Walter Res, Wardeyn of the
said brigge, &c. Feb. 4 Anno primo (1483)." There is nothing
recorded of the building of a bridge here later than this till
1798, so that the bridge erected or repaired in the time of
Richard III. would be substantially the same as that which was
standing till the end of last century. Leland, whose liinerary
was begun about 1538, says : — " I entered into Beaudley in
Shropshire as some say, by a goodly fayre bridge over Severne
of [5] great Arches stone, being even then in new reparation."
The illustration of the bridge given in this book is taken from
a copy of one of the two sketches made by James Ross just
before its demolition. The original pictures are preserved in
the Council Chamber of the Town-hall.
On the middle pier stood a gate-house of timber, with strong
gates on the Wribbenhall side. The north end served as a
dwelling-house for the toll-gatherer ; and the other was used
for a Corporation prison, and was called the Bridge-house.
Two officers were appointed year by year to see that the
bridge was kept in proper repair : this office was in existence
as early as 1483. Latterly the charge of the chapel, which was
Corporation property, was also entrusted to them ; and we are
fortunate in having a complete set of their accounts extending
from 1569 to 1663. Extracts from these accounts are given in
the Appendix, and it will be seen that the Chapel-and- Bridge
Wardens did not take a very narroiv view of their functions.
Venison-eating, wine-drinking, stage-plays, pillories, whipping-
stocks, goomstools, weights and measures, trumpeters, bonfires,
bell-ringing, plagues, ship-money, subsidies, excommunications,
* liaii. MSS., No. 433, 1G87.
THE BRIDGE. 29
schools, proclamations, conduits, entertainment of distinguished
visitors — all these and more seem to have fallen within their
province, in addition to their primary functions.
>
In Nov., 1574, a heavy snowstorm carried away part of
Bewdley bridge, and destroyed a great store of salt at Droit-
wich.
During the Civil Wars Bewdley bridge was an important
strategic post. Immediately after the battle of Worcester
(Sept. 3, 1651) Major Mercer was sent with a strong party to
take possession of it, and on Sept. 4th Cromwell wrote to the
Parliament : — " I believe the forces that lay through providence
at Bewdley were in a condition to intercept the flying enemy."
Mr. William Stokes (now living in Bewdley) was when a boy
told by an old woman that her grandfather stood on Stagberry
Hill, and heard the hubbub of the battle of Worcester, and saw
the Royalists fleeing over Burlish Common. Richard Baxter
savs : — " Kiderminster being but 11 miles from Worcester the
flying army past some of them thro' the town & some by it. I
was newly gone to bed, when the noise of the flying horse
acquainted us of the overthrow : and a piece of one of Crom-
well's troops that guarded Bewdley bridge, having tidings of it,
came into our streets, & 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, & 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 & windows, and the sorrowful fugitives hasting by for
their lives, did tell me the calamitousness of war."
The bridge appears to have suffered considerably in these
rough times, and at a meeting of the Corporation, June 6, 1662,
it was determined that " Whereas an Arch of y'^ bridge is
broken down in y time of y'= late warrs, the repaire whereof is
likely to require a great charge much beyond what this borough
is of itself able to beare, petition is to be made at sessions for
assistance from the hoi\y of y^ County."
30
A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
The old patch-work bridge managed to hold together till the
spring of 1795, when, after a long-continued fall of snow, a
sudden thaw raised a heavy flood in the Severn, and the pile
that had withstood the floods of more than 300 winters at last
gave way. The distinguished Telford was called upon to
supply the design for a new structure. In place of five arches
he made three — one of 60 feet span and two of 52 feet. He
also placed his bridge a little higher up the river, so as to be in
a line with Load Street, and this necessitated the pulling down
of some houses then standing at the bottom of that street. The
work was rapidly completed in 1798, and Telford wrote thus to
a friend in December of that year : — " The drought of the
summer was unfavourable to our canal working : but it has
enabled us to raise Bewdley bridge as if by enchantment. We
have thus built a magnificent bridge over the Severn in one
season, which is no contemptible work for John Simpson* and
your humble servant, amidst so many other great under-
takings."
The bridge, which cost altogether ^11,000, was opened
Sept. 28, 1 801. Miles Peter Andrews, then Member for the
Borough, gave ;^3000 towards its erection, and the following
gentlemen came forward to advance money on loan
Sam. Baker
Joseph Crane
J. H. Crane
Wm. Slaney
Robt. Pardoe
Jon. Skey
Joseph Child
W. A. Roberts
Thos. Crane
Lord Lyttelton
Hon. E. Foley
Sir E. Winnington
Wm. Bancks
Elizabeth Clarke
Total . .
;^IOO
100
100
100
250
100
250
250
250
250
250
250
250
100
H. B. Childe ..
£250
Samuel Kendrick
150
John Brookholding
50
Joseph Seager . .
50
Thos. Compton . .
250
J. and W. Cartwright .
250
John Phillips
250
Thos. Hayley . .
250
Wm. Lygon
250
Rev. E. Baugh ..
50
John Simpson . .
250
Thomas Telford
250
Sir E. Winnington
250
t
/5 ISO-
Tolls Avere charged for passing over the bridge, and the right
to collect these was let by the Corporation for ;^300 per annum.
In 1834 the bridge was free from debt, and the tolls were
abolished.
* His foreman of masons : buried in St. Chad's church, Shrewsbury,
t Nicholls' Lecture on Bewdley.
TIC KNELL S- THE MARCHES' COURT. 31
^icUnell ait^ the Court of tbc
flDarcbccn
N the summit of a hill overlooking Bewdley is
Ticknell House. It was formerly a Royal Palace,
and many historical associations are connected
Avith it. The name is evidently derived from the
Saxon tican-hill or Goats' hill ; and this name has
clung to it for many ages, though the goats have
long since departed. An old poet describes the hill as
" With Mercian Tow'rs adorn'd ;"
but there is no historical evidence to give in support of this
statement.
From early times Ticknell formed a manor of itself, distinct
from Bewdley, and belonged to the Mortimers.* The manor
would imply a manor-house, and we ma}' hazard a conjecture
that the Mortimer whose coffin lid is now to be seen in Ribbes-
ford church was the builder, or an earty inhabitant, of Ticknell.
This would perhaps be the man who about 1290, looking down
upon the lovely Severn valley, with the hamlet of Wrbehale
nestling at his feet, called it in his own tongue Beau-lieu.
Leland gives us this description of Ticknell as it was in his
time : —
"There is a fayre Mannour place by West of the Towne standing in a
goodly Parke well wooded, on the very Knappe of an hill that the Towne
standeth on. This place is called Tickenhill. Whether there was an ancient
house in tymes past or noe I am not assured ; but this that now is there is
* 3 Hy. VI. Cal. Inq. iv., 93. " Tykenhull maner' extenta ampla ; Beau-
lieu villa; Sabrin' passag' ultra aqua: Wyre fforest' custod' ejusdem
concess' Jo' de la More et hered. Salop. — Edmund de Mortimer, Earl
of March."
32
A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
somewhat new, and as I heard, was in a manner totally erected by K. H. 7th.
for Prince Arthcr. It was repaired for the Lady Marye. Since I heard
that Rich. E. of Marche & D. of Yorke builded there. It was Mortimer
E. of Marches land."
Ticknell Palace was built largely of timber, and had a great
court and garden with several out-buildings, the site altogether
occupying two acres. There was a fine park belonging to it
containing all the grounds of Ticknell, Kateshill, and Winter-
dyne within one enclosure. According to a survey made in
161 2 there were 3500 large oak trees growing in the park, and
180 head of deer feeding in it. The stable belonging to the
house, called the " King's Stable," was situated near Tinker's
Gate.* It was a large timber building, often used as a shelter
for the homeless (see Registers, 1599, &c.), but burnt down
about 1 73 1.
From Rymer's Fcedeva, vol. xii., 756-762, we get the following
description of the marriage of Prince Arthur to Catherine of
Aragon : —
" On 19th. May 1499 at 9 o'clock in the morning, after first mass (it being
Whitsunday) in the Chapel within the manor of Prince Arthur situated and
being near the town of Bewedelay in the diocese of Hereford. The Prince,
Roderic Gundesalvi de Puebla, the Spanish orator and proctor to the Lady
Catherine, the Rt. Rev. William [Smyth] Bishop of Lincoln, President of
the Prince's Council, & John [Arundel] Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry
the Prince's Chancellor were assembled by appointment. The proceedings
were opened by the Chancellor who (having stated that Dr. Richard Nic had
the day before brought a letter from the king, expressing his Majesty's
wishes for the marriage, & that Dr. de Puebla was then present with his
proctor's commission from the Princess, & that the Pope had given his
Dispensation) desired the Prince publickly to declare his mind upon the
subject : to whom the Prince replied that he rejoiced at the wishes of his
Parents & the Pope, & consented to the marriage taking place, for which he
declared himself ' paratissimus.' Dr. de Puebla then declared himself
equally ' most ready' to perform the ceremony on behalf of the Princess.
The Chancellor then inquired of the Orator if he had sufficient authority,
who immediately produced a Proctor's license signed by the Princess
herself, with her seal enclosed in a wooden box attached to it by a green
silk cord. This license was then read by Dr. Rd. Nic & was to this effect.
' That she was betrothed to the Prince at Woodstock on the 15th. Aug. 1497,
that the Pope's dispensation was signed Id. Feb. 1497, & that she appointed
Roderic Gundisalvi de Puebla her Proctor generally and specially to perform
* Close to the Peacock Inn.
TICKNELL <^ THE MARCHES' COURT. 33
the ceremony in her name, promising faithfully to abide by anything he
should think right to do upon the occasion.' This deed was at Majoretum
12 March 1499 signed by the Princess of Wales and the Secretary Michael
Perez Dalmacon, Apostolic Notary, in the presence of Gutenius de Cardenas,
Head Master of the Order of St. Jacob de Spata, Accomptant General of
Castile, Anthonius de Fonseca Major Domo to the Princess Margaret, &
Johannes de Velasquez Accompt. General to the Prince. After reading this
the Prince put out his right hand, & took hold of the right hand of the
Proctor (Richard Poole the Prince's Chamberlain holding both their hands
conjoined) and declared that he received the Proctor in the name of the
Lady Catherine & the Lady Catherine in her own person, as his true lawful
& indubitable wife, promising from that hour so to treat & consider her.
Their hands being disjoined, the Proctor went through the same ceremony
& declared that he in the name of the Lady Catherine, took Prince Arthur
as the true lawful & indubitable husband of the Lady Catherine, & in her
name promised so to treat & consider him. The witnesses to this deed are
Sir Rd. Poole the Prince's Chamberlain, Henry Vernon the Prince's Trea-
surer, William Wodhall the Prince's Contra-rotulator, Thomas Poyntz, Dr.
Rd. Nic King's Counsellor, Revd Robert the Prince's Almoner, Henry Reyn-
ford Clerk of the Council, Bernard Andrew the Prince's Preceptor, Gundi-
salvus Ferdinandi Rector, Martin Guerrerus, Alphonso of St. John, & Edward
Halt. Signed John de Tamayo Apostolic Notary."
The marriage was ratified by King Henry VII. at Calais,
May 28th.
After the marriage Prince Arthur continued to reside chiefly
at Ticknell and Ludlow Castle ; and he was the last Prince of
Wales who really exercised any sovereignty over his Princi-
pality. Amongst other matters which he was called upon to
arrange was a long-standing feud between the towns of Bewdley
and Kidderminster. His decision is handed down to us in the
following terms : —
" Ordinac'o'es f'c'e inf ho'i'es & Ink'itantes ville de Bewdeley & Inh'itanfes ville de
Kiddermystey 31 Jan. 9 Henry VH. Mem. That it is divised, ordayned, &
determyned, 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 & amytie from hensforth to be had bytwene all th' inh'itants & resiants
of the Towne of Bewdeley on the one part & all th' inhitants & resiants of
the Towne of Kiddermyster on th' other ptie that they & every one of them
shall obey observe fulfill & kepe the Articles hereafter ensuing. In eschuyng
all maner gruggs, debats, variances or discords, that now been, or that here-
after might happen to be between them for any old or new matters — First &c. . .
item &c. ... It is by the said Counsell ordayned & determyned that if
4
34 A HISTORY OF BEVVDLEY.
hereafter shall happen anie new grugg or variaunce to be betweene the
inh'itantes 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 & resort unto the said
Prynce & his Counsell, ther to show the causes of the same variaunces, & to
abide obei & fulfill the direction & determinacioun at all seasons that shal be
therein taken by the said Prince & his Counsell. — In witness whereof & of
all 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 & put to their hands the dale &
yeare before rehearsed.
"Jo. Ely R. Powes R. Croft
" RoBT. Frost T. Poyntz Newton"*
The following extracts from Churton's Life of Bishop Smyth
are given as evidence that the Prince did really reside and hold
his Court at Bewdley : —
" 1500. When he [Bp. Smyth] had proceeded a day's journey on his way
to Lincoln he was overtaken at Litchfield by express from the King, which
obliged him to return to Bewdley, in order to direct certain arduous affairs
of the Prince of Wales, who was then at Bewdley, where he had for some
time kept his court." f
Again in 1501. " Prince Arthur wrote to the University of Oxford request-
ing that his servant John Stanley might be elected superior Bedel of the
University. Given under our signett at the manor of Beaudley the 12 day
of August."!
After little more than a year of happy wedded life this hope-
ful Prince died in Ludlow Castle, April 2, 1502.
" The Corps was boielled and well siesed, and conveniently dressed with
spices & other sweet stuff. It needed no lead : but was chested, which chest
was covered with a good black cloth with a white cross, & sufficient rings of
iron to the same.
" The Corpse was removed on St. Mark's day (Ap. 25) from Ludlow to
Beaudeley : it was the foulist could windy & rayney day, & the worst way.
Yea in some places fayne to take oxen to drawe the chare so ill was the way.
And as soon as he was in the Chapell of Beaudley there, and set in the
* Blakeway MSS.
t Page 113.
J Page 170.
TIC KNELL S- THE MARCHES' COURT. 35
Quire, therewith such lights as might be for that room the Dirige* began.
That don the Lords & others went to their Dyner, for it was a fasting day.
On the morning the Earl of Surry officiated at the Masse of requiem. A
Noble in manner as before [at Ludlow] at which Mass season there was a
general Dqle of Pens, of two Pens to every poor Man & Woman. From
Beaudley Sir Richard Croft & Sir William Overdale, Steward & Controller
of the Prince's Horse, rode before to Worcester." t
About twenty years after the death of Prince Arthur, Tick-
nell Palace was repaired by Henry VIII. as a residence for his
daughter, the Princess ]Mary. The weekly accounts of work-
men employed amounted in eighteen weeks to ^354 5s. 5^d.,
and this was at a time when a labourer's wages were about ^^d.
a day. Amongst the rooms mentioned in the palace are " My
Lady's Own Chamber," " My Lord President's Chamber," and
" The Prince's Chamber." There is also an account of a pay-
ment of 25. 3^. for the carriage of twenty- seven loads of bows
and arrows, gunpowder, guns, stones, and harness from the
manor of Ticknell to the town of Bewdley.
In the early part of the reign of Edward VI. Ticknell appears
to have been in possession of Lord Seymour, brother of the
Protector Somerset ; and it probably came to him on his
marriage with Queen Catherine Parr, widow of Henry VIII.
The State Papers (vol. vi.) contain a deposition made by Edward
Rouse concerning certain orders given by Seymour for keeping
his house at Bewdley, in Shropshire. When Seymour was
executed (March 20, 1549) the manor would revert to the
Crown.
After the death of Prince Arthur other eminent men were
appointed from time to time to administer justice within the
«' Marches" | or border-land between England and Wales. The
exact limit of their jurisdiction is not very clearly defined ; and
indeed disputes about it were of common occurrence in olden
times. Much curious information concerning the history and
• Dirge : from dirige gressus meos in Psalm cxvi. 9, which was used in the
Office of the Dead.
t From MS. of the time now in College of Arms.
J From " Mark," a boundary— a fief held by the tenure of defending it
against aggression ; whence we get Mayk graf, Margrave, Marquess, Marchess.
36 A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
extent of the " Marches of Wales " has been gathered by Sir
G. Duckett, Bart., and printed in vol. xii. of the Anhceologia
Camhrensis. We are indebted to him for the following
List of Lords President of Wales.
17 E. IV. — The King sent his son Prince Edward to reside there,
under the tuition of the Lord Rivers, his uncle; & Joseph
Alcock, Bishop of Worcester, was made President.
17 H. 7. — Dr William Smith, Bishop of Lincoln.
4 Hen. 8. — Jeffery Blyth, Bp. of Coventry & Lichfield.
7 Hen. 8. — Jo. Vosy fVoysey, Voiscie, or VeseyJ, Bp. of Exeter.
27 Hen. 8. — Roland Lee, Bp. of Coventry and Lichfield.
34 Hen. 8.— Richard Sampson, Bp. of Chester. berland).
2 E. 6. — John Dudley, E. of Warwick (afterwards D. of Northum-
4 E. 6. — William, E. of Pembroke.
1 Mary. — Nicholas Heath, Bp. of Worcester (afterwards Archbishop
of York, & Lord Chancellor of England).
3 Mary. — William E. of Pembroke.
6 Mary.— Gilbert Browne (or Bourne), Bp. of Bath & Wells.
1 Eliz. — Sir John Williams, Lord Williams of Thame.
2 Eliz.— Sir Henry Sidney, K.G., and Lord Lieut, of Ireland. He
was 24 years Lord President of Wales (during which time John
Whitgift, Bp. of Worcester & Abp. of Canterbury, & Henry Earl
of Pembroke, son-in-law to Sir H. Sidney, were Vice-
Presidents).
28 Eliz.— Henry Earl of Pembroke (1586— 1601).
I James I. — Edward Lord Zouche (1602 — 6).
4 James I. — Ralph, Lord Eure, Baron of Wilton (1607 — 16).
14 James I. — Baron Gerard of Gerard's Bromley, Staffs (1616 — 17).
15 James I. — Earl of Northampton (1617 — 25 — 30).
9 Charles I. — John Earl of Bridgewater (1633 — 39 — 49).
13 Charles II.— Richard Vaughan, Earl of Carbery (1661—66— 71).
24 Charles II. — Henry Somerset, Marquis of Worcester, created
Duke of Beaufort (1672 — 87).
I W. & M.— Charles Gerard, Earl of Macclesfield (i68g), last Lord
President.
A reference to this list will explain many of the entries in the
Chapel-and-Bridge Wardens' accounts. Ludlow was the town
specially fixed for the sitting of the Court in winter time ; but
the Palace of Ticknell was kept up for the use of the Lords
President, and from various sources we learn that the Court
must have been held here nearly every summer. One of the
reasons assigned for granting the charter of James L to Bewdley
is that it is the " frequent abode and residence of our Council
in the Marches of Wales."
TICKNELL & THE MARCHES' COURT. 37
On May 6, 1559, Sir Hugh Paulet . (father of Sir Amias Paulet, custodian
of Mary Queen of Scots) wrote to William Cecil, " I hope to be with the
Bishop of Bath at Bewdley before Whitsunday," — State Papers, vol ix.
On Jan. 25, 1563-, Sir Henry Sydney wrote from Bewdley to Sir Wm.
Cecil: — " Sometime since you granted me the wardship of Charles Walcot,
son and heir of John Walcot, of Walcot, co. Salop, which I promised to a
man of mine. He denied that he was the Queen's or any other person's
ward. After much search by myself, friends, & servants, however, I found
amongst the Bp of Hereford's records the evidence upon which the jury
declared him to be a ward, which I send herewith by my servant Ralph
Knight, & which I suppose is recorded in the Court of Wards. I beseech
^'ou that such order may now be taken for the possessing & enjoying of him
in my name as in like cases is accustomed, and also for some consideration
of my great charges in finding him, & of his small living, as the greatest part
thereof remains in his mother's hands during her life." — State Papers, add.
vol. xi.
On July I, 1586, Henry Townsend wrote to Lord Burghley that ".the
Council of Wales were agreeable to remove their sittings from Worcester to
Bewdley, where all things had been made ready for their reception." —
S.P., vol. cxci.
On March 23, 1587, the Earl of Pembroke wrote to Walsyngham from
Ticknell that he had sent up James Powell the seminary priest. On the 2Sth
he wrote to the Lord Treasurer Burghley desiring Her Majesty's resolution
for the augmentation of the Clerks in the Council of the Marches to the
number of 40. He also requested the establishment of the Remembrancer's
office, & asked for the reversion of the Examiner's office for Mr. Massinger,
Mr. Sherar being then sickly. — S.P., vol. cxcix.
In the State Papers, vol. ccxxxii., is a letter from the Queen, dated June 21,
to the Earl of Pembroke, announcing that she had directed Rd Shuttleworth,
Esq., Justice of Chester, to return to Bewdley to hold the sessions for Wales
in consequence of his lordship's indisposition.
" Apud Beaudley, x die Julii, 32 Eliz. Appointment of Piers Madoxe, in the
room of Roger GxnSa'ls Barber as Pursuivant to Lord President & Council."*
" Apitd Beaudley, 16 Aug., 40 Eliz. Arthur Messenger, gent., was appointed
Clerk Examiner in room of Thomas Sherer, gent. (Signed) Pembroke, Rich.
Shuttleworth, H. Townshende, Rich. Broughton."*
On April 26, 1606, a grant was made to Sir Robt. Stewart (first High
Steward of Bewdley) of the office of Keeper of Bewdley Park and of Ticknell
House for life. {S.P., vol. xx.) He retained this concession only till Sept. 20
of the same year, when, for having assigned over the keeping to certain
townsmen & thereby caused inconvenience, his patent was revoked. — S.P.,
vol. xxxviii.
■* From a large folio MS. book formerly belonging to the Lords Pres. — in
1832 in possession ofT.F.Dovaston, Esq., of West Felton, Salop. (Prattinton.)
38 A HIST ORY OF BEWDLEY.
" 1608. Aug. 6. Ludlow Castle. Ralph Lord Eure to the King. Refusal
of Ralph Clare keeper of the deer in Tickenhill Park to allow him and the
Council of Wales free occupancy of the Lodge for administration of justice
in Worcestershire. Requests instructions thereon, & on the patent for the
herbage of the park, which is injurious to the deer."— S. P., vol. xxxv.
" i6og. July 9. Ralph Lord Eure to Salisbury. Concerning decays of the
house & park of Tickenhill; necessity of coppicing the woods." — S.P.,
vol. xlvii
" 1609. Oct. 23. Ticknell. Lord Eure to do. Is prevented by a pesti-
lential fever from residing at Hereford this winter. Numerous recusants in
Monmouthshire. Ministers so scarce that Bp. of Llandaff is obliged to allow
laymen to officiate. Project for the support of 6 Ministers to be paid from
recusants' fines." — S.P., vol. xlviii.
" 1609. Nov. 13. Ticknell. Do. to do. Increase of recusants in diocese of
Hereford. Laxity of Justice Williams, who allows them to take the oath of
allegiance in modified form. Irregular election of Sir Sam. Sandys as
burgess of W'orcestershire in place of Sir Wm. Ligon deceased : Sandys
being a strong opposer of the jurisdiction of the Council of Wales." — S.P.,
vol. xlix.
In October, 1615, King James I. was in Bewdley, probably-
staying at Ticknell. While there he was informed that Sir
Thomas Overbury had been poisoned ; and though the infor-
mation pointed at his favourite the Earl of Somerset he ordered
a strict inquiry. {S.P., vol. Ixxxvi.)
1616, June 19. The King to the Keepers of Bewdley Park. " You are to
obey the accompanying instructions, on peril of our indignation and a penalty
of /500." [Parchment : Latin.] " Instructions for the preservation of the
King's woods drawn up 17 Feb., 1616, and enrolled in the Exchequer. No
wood to be taken except for fencing the coppices. The keepers to be limited
as to where they take their browse wood, and none to be more than an inch
bore, nor heavier than a deer may turn up with his horns. A restraint
against the erection of cottages, and the cottagers to enter bonds not to spoil
the woods. The keepers to give in their claims into the Exchequer within a
year. Swanmote Courts to be revived. Also the farmers of coppices no
more to be allowed to shred trees." — S.P., vol. xl.
The necessity of some restraint upon the ravages in the
woods is shown by the following : —
" 30 Aug. 1623. Complaint of Middlesex to the Pres. & Councill of the
waste and spoyle daily committed by the Inhabitants of Bewdley in his
Majesty's woods near that town, & particularly one Thomas Smith his wife &
daughter being of late taken in the Lords Yarde cutting and carrying away
black Poles, & being opposed by one William Fidoe who had charge to loke
to that wood, instead of decisting, they beat him very sore and carried away
TICKNELL &- THE MARCHES' COURT. 39
the poles in despight of him, and said they would never cease cutting whilst
there was any. — That many of the Magistrates of the town, that should help
to right the King against these apparent Wrongs, do trade much in Laths
and Clapboards* & such commodities wrought out of these black poles &
stolen Wood, & continue the Malefactors in their wrong doing, — urging the
President & Councell to take some present course that this insufferable
insolence, if proved true according to the information, might be severely
punished," &c.
The fees paid to the officers of the Court were as follows : —
President ;^I040, each Counsellor £^0, Secretary £17, 6s. 8d.,
King's Attorney £1^ 6s. 8d., Keeper of the House and Park of
Bewdley £2, os. 8d., Keeper of the Forest of Wyre £5.
Ticknell had been repaired and Bewdley supplied with water
by Sir Henry Sidney. In a letter dated Nov. 12, 1576, he says,
" I cawsed to be layd out for the making of the conduits of
water for Beawdley & Ludlowe & the repair of those two
houses, above a thousand pounds."
During the Civil Wars a Royalist garrison was stationed at
Bewdley, and strong gates and barriers were set up or strength-
ened there. f The town was thoroughly loyal, and the inhabi-
tants voluntarily contributed arms and ammunition for the royal
cause. A list of those who furnished arms is written on a fly
leaf of the accounts.
In Sept., 1642, some forces were sent to Bewdley and Kidder-
minster to join Lord Wharton's and Sir H. Chomley's regiments.
Shortly after this Lord Brookes' regiment was stationed in the
town.
Sir Thomas Lyttelton (ancestor of the present Lord Lyttelton)
was Governor of the town for the King in 1644, and had his
head-quarters at Ticknell. He was, however, surprised by
Colonel Fox, commonly called Fox the Tinker, who was
Governor of Edgbaston Hall. The tale is told best in Vicars's
God's Ark (1646, p. 217) : —
" 1644. About the 3rd. of this instant May 1644 the active & resolute
commander colonell Fox went forth from Tamworth accompanyed with not
above 64 men, and that night came to Budeley a very considerable garrison
town of the enemies. At his coming to the first court of the guard in the
• Boards cut ready for the making of casks.
t The gates were Bridge-gate, Tinker's-gate, Welch-gate, and Doglane-
gate. The two latter were pulled down about 60 years ago.
40
A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
town, he boldly commanded them, it being in the night, to make way for
some of the prince's regiment who desired to quarter in the towne that night,
which was immediately granted unto him, both by that and the second guard
at the chaines : and so being thus come to the entrance into the towne, his
men slew 5 or 6 of the sentinells, & thereby possessed themselves of the
towne, & set a guard at divers doors where the commanders, officers, & men
of quality lay, all which he tooke with most of their common souldiers, there
being about 120 in all. From thence he went to a great Mannour-house
not farre from the towne, where he surprised Sir Thos. Littleton a parliament
man, and some other gentlemen, took thence 4 brave Flanders mares, and
great store of provisions, all which with 40 most gallant horse of the king's
cormorants, and as many prisoners, together with Sir Thomas'* hee brought
into Coventry the very next morning : about which time all the neighbouring
cormorants and garrison-souldiers thereabout were raised up in armes with
an intent to have rescued their friends thus taken captive & carried away
from them, but blessed be God, they came a day after the fair."
On June nth in the same year Charles I. came to Bewdley
from Worcester, and took up his quarters at Ticknell for three
nights. His army was with him, and had been pursued from
Oxford by Sir WiUiam Waller, who was then hastening to
Shrewsbury to cut him off. The King called a Council of War
at Bewdley June 13th, and as the result of their debate they
by swift marches reached Oxford again June 20, and defeated
Waller at Copredy Bridge. While at Ticknell the King sent
orders to Prince Rupert to relieve York, and this led to the
disastrous battle of Marston Moor. He also sent a party of
3000 horse from Bewdley to relieve Dudley Castle, then
besieged by the Earl of Denbigh.
In 1645, June 14th, Charles sustained the crushing defeat at
Naseby, after which he hastened westwards, and spent the 17th
and 1 8th in Bewdley. Ticknell had suffered so much in the
wars that it was not now fit for his reception,! and he slept at
the Angel Inn in Load Street. He left a garrison in the town
when he went on next day to Hereford ; but in August the
Scotch cavalry fell upon it, and took 70 horse and divers
officers. The Ribbesford registers record the burial of several
"souldiers" about this time. Hartlebury Castle was now
being strongly fortified for the King, and Colonel Sandys
• Sir Thomas Lyttelton was afterwards confined in the Tower of London,
t Dr. Prattinton says that some of the doors of Ticknell, pierced with
bullets, were afterwards used as gates for Winterdyne garden.
V?
'a
\
« 1
•8 I
TICKNELL &. THE MARCHES' COURT. 41
impressed the neighbourhood to help in the work. The Bridge-
wardens' accounts show how the Bewdley magistrates enhsted
the sympathies of Mr. Turton by a drink of wine, and then
" got off our men from going to worke at the Castle."
After the execution of Charles I. the furniture from all the
King's Palaces was taken to London and sold. The survey
describes " Ticknell Howse with a green court, yard, garden,
& offices, & containing by estimation 2 acres, very much out of
repair, & valued for the materials at ^797 45. od." During the
Commonwealth the house was left to decay, but some old
customs connected with the site were still retained. When
Oliver Cromwell died, his son succeeded as quietly as any of
the Royal line had done. Bewdley Park was swept, and five
halberdiers and a trumpeter gave dignity to the proclamation of
the Lord Richard Protector. The stern old Puritans also did not
disdain afterwards to drink his Highness's health in wine and
beer to the value of ^3 165. od. The loyalty of Bewdley, how-
ever, was amply vindicated, for at the proclamation of the King
a few months later twice this quantity was consumed ; and
four quarts of sack were given to four ministers that preached.
A little idea of the drinking customs of the Puritan magistrates
of this time may also be gleaned from an entry in the accounts
for 1659, showing that 45. ^d. was spent in " Beare Wine &
fagotts when that bardgmen weare examined that travelled on
the Lord's Day."
After the Restoration Bewdley does not appear to have been
any longer a seat of the Court of the Marches, and in 1689
(i Wm. and Mary) the Court itself was abolished. When Dr.
Stukeley visited Bewdley in 171 2 part of old Ticknell House
was still standing, and we are indebted to him for the original
of the sketch here reproduced from the late Mr. Severn Walker's
Antiquities. Mr. Hayley remembered this portion of the house
standing : it formed part of the east side on the brow of the
hill, looking towards the town. It consisted of the gate-house,
with a dwelling on the south side of it, wherein lived Mr. Edw.
Best, and another on the north side which was inhabited by
Mr. T. Meysey. Mr. Ingram's house was at right angles to this
and on the north side, making the letter L. The first room you
5
42 A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
come into, or the hall, was said to have been the chapel. In
1624 Charles Compton, grandson of the Earl of Northampton,
was baptized in this chapel, and marriages were solemnized
there as recently as 1701.
About 1738 most of the old house was pulled down and re-
built by Mr. Ingram, who had married Anne Winnington,
daughter of Sir Francis Winnington. Some of the inner walls
now standing are probably part of the original palace, and
about 1880 a lady's shoe of the Tudor period was found in
repairing the wainscot.
In 1873 Ticknell House, with the adjoining grounds, was
purchased of the Crown by Mr. Joseph Tangye, of Birmingham.
THE CORPORATION. 43
(Ibc Corporation.
HE borough of Bewdley was first incorporated in
the 1 2th year of King Edward IV. The original
Latin charter is still kept here in an ancient box
ornamented with roses. Translated, the charter
runs thus : —
" EDWARD by the grace of God King of England and France and Lord
of Ireland to all to whom these presents shall come greeting. Know
ye that at the humble supplication of our dear lieges the Burgesses and
Inhabitants of our town of Bewdley, and on account of certain considerations
specially moving us, of our special favour, and certain knowledge, and mere
motion, we have conceded, and by these presents do concede, for us and
our heirs, as much as in us lies, that our town aforesaid with its precincts
may be a free Borough for ever .... And that the Burgesses of the said
town and their successors should be incorporated by the name of the Bur-
gesses of the Town of Beaudeley and the precincts thereof. And that they
should have perpetual succession and a common seal .... And that the
said Burgesses and their successors should be persons fit and capable in law,
And that they and their successors should be able to purchase lands and
tenements, rents, services, and reversions .... to be held by the said
Burgesses and their successors for ever. And of our further grace we have
conceded to the said Burgesses and their successors, that each of the afore-
said Burgesses for the time being should be quit through and within the
whole of our kingdom of England and our dominion, of toll, bridge-taxes,
ferry-payments, tenure between parceners, harbour tolls, tolls for weighing
wool, duties paid by ships on anchoring, payments for stalls, service with
carts, tolls for weighing goods, payments for feeding swine in a forest, land
taxes, payments to the owner of the soil for breaking ground to erect booths,
tolls paid for a road through a forest, tolls for repairing town-walls, contri-
butions for making ditches, tolls paid by travellers, tolls paid for unlading
goods at a wharf, and of all other customs of and for all their goods and
4i^ A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
merchandize in all places within our kingdom and dominion aforesaid, as
well by land as by sea and fresh water for ever .... In testimony whereof
we have caused these our letters patent to be made.
" Witnessed by me at Westminster on the 20th day of October in the 12th
year of our reign" (1472).
Additional privileges were granted to the borough in the
22d Henry VII., and confirmed by Henry VIII. in 1509
(Feb. 20th) and again in 1525 (Nov. 5th). The latter charter
is still in the Corporation chest.
The borough was incorporated anew by King James I, in the
third year of his reign (12th Sept., 1606). A translation of this
charter is given in Nash's History of Worcestershire, where it fills no
less than nine double-column folio pages. Except in so far as
it has been modified by the Municipal Reform Act, this is still
the governing charter of the borough. The right of returning a
Member to serve in Parliament was first conferred by this
charter ; and the ruling body was to consist of a Bailiff and 12
Capital Burgesses.
The Corporation Records contain many evidences of the
political struggles of the Stuart times. One of the most
unscrupulous devices of the Court party towards the end of the
reign of Charles II. was to annul the charters of the country
and to grant new ones.
" 1684. Agreed that the charter of James I. be surrendered to King
Charles II. and that the Bayliffe do attend our Recorder Sir Thos. Walcot
and deliver to him our charter and instrument of resignation, who is desired
humbly to present the same to his Matie
" Peter Branch, Bayliffe. " John Bury, Justice."
The baits held out as an inducement to this surrender were
(i) that by the new charter all boats going under the bridge
should pay toll to the Corporation ; and (2) that they should
have power to make themselves into companies, and to keep all
strange traders from coming into the town. In case of refusal
they were threatened with a quo warranto. Before a new charter
could be issued Charles II. died, and James II. granted one
dated May 4th, 1685.* That charter was held to be good, and
* The original is now in the possession of John Bury, Esq., of Kateshill.
THE CORPORATION. 45
municipal affairs had been entirely regulated by it for twenty
years, when it was discovered by some clever lawyer that it was
null and void from the beginning ; for when the Corporation of
Bewdley gave up the charter of James I. they were guilty
of an informality. The surrender was made by the *' Bailiff,
Recovdey, and Burgesses" instead of the "Bailiff" and Burgesses."
This being the case, the old charter of James I. was still in
force. But then it was found that only one old burgess, Samuel
Slade, was alive ; and he alone could do no legal act whatso-
ever by virtue of it, since by that charter the major part of the
Corporation was made necessary to such legal act. Queen
Anne consequently in 1708 granted a new charter, restoring and
confirming the charter of James I., and nominating persons to
fill its offices. The Herbert and Winnington families were then
contending keenly for supremacy in the borough, and many
lawsuits resulted. For two years, in consequence of the two
charters, Bewdley had two Corporations and two Bailiffs, who
fulminated against each other like rival Popes.
" 12 May 1708 Whereas Sam. Slade Tanner hath for ten dayes last past
presumed to take upon him the office of Bayliffe of this Borough, &c
and whereas, &c wc declare the proceedings of the said Sam. Slade
null & void."
Salwey Winnington was elected Member of Parliament under
one charter, and Blade's party elected Henry Herbert of Ribbes-
ford. On the case being brought before the House of Commons, it
was decided by 211 to 132 that Slade was the rightful bailiff, and
so Herbert was returned. Before the next election, two years
later, an immense change had come over the feeling of the
country, and a Tory majority was in Parliament. One of the
first uses made by it was to carry a motion " That the Charter
dated April 20th, 1708, attempted to be imposed on the Borough
of Bewdley, against the consent of the ancient Corporation, is
void, illegal, and destructive to the constitution of Parliament."
Steps were taken to repeal the charter, and it only escaped
annulling by the death of Queen Anne in 1714 ; and that day
was observed by members of the Corporation for many years
as a day of rejoicing for its preservation. This charter has not
since been disputed, and the original is still in the possession of
the Corporation.
46 A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
There are very clear indications in the Corporation books of
the means employed by Charles II. and James II. to pack
Parliament in the attempt to overthrow the Church of
England and the liberties of the country. In the new
charters the power had been reserved to the Crown of
dismissing magistrates at pleasure ; and a committee of seven
persons, including the infamous Judge Jeffreys, sat at Whitehall
to regulate municipal elections. Local committees all over the
country corresponded with this central board; and as Parlia-
mentary elections were then exclusively in the hands of the
Corporations, the influence exerted would be immense. Here
is a specimen of their work : —
" Sept. 12, 1688. 4 James II. In obedience to an order of his Maj'y's
Privy Council Tho; Watmore, Tho; Burlton & Sam. Sandys Esq. 3 Burg. &
Henry Townshend Esqre Chief Recorder were all of them voted & removed
out of their sd several places And in obedience to his Majty's Lrs of Recom-
mendation to us directed John Bury Humfry Yarranton & Higgins James
Esqre were elected & chosen Burg, instead of Watmore, &c., and John Soley
Esq. elected Recorder in stead of Townshend,"
The King's tyranny soon bore its natural fruits, and when
the expedition of William of Orange was on its way for the
defence of the English liberties and religion, James hastily
issued a proclamation promising to restore the ancient charters.
On the 27th of October, 1688, it was agreed at Bewdley "that
his Majesty's most gracious offer be thankfully accepted." But
James's offer was too late. Within a week William landed in
Torbay, and found the whole country on his side. On Jan. 6th
following, the Prince of Orange's letter to the Bayliff of Bewdley
summoning a free Parliament was delivered, and a verbatim
copy of it is entered in the Corporation Books. On the nth
Henry Herbert was elected to the "Convention" Parliament,
which placed William III. on the English throne.
In 1668 the Corporation started a small mint of their own,
and issued the " Warden's half-peny of Bewdley" to the value
of £'^0. It is an octagonal piece of brass stamped with the
borough arms. The Bridgewardens were required to exchange
these tokens, when called upon, for current silver.
THE CORPORATION. 47
A list of the Members for Bewdley is given in the Appendix.
Before the Reform Act of 1832, which enlarged the constituency
and added Stourport to the parliamentary borough, the Cor-
poration was almost always under the influence of some noble-
man or gentleman owning property in the neighbourhood. Such
were the Clares, Herberts, Foleys, Lytteltons, and Winningtons.
The Corporation, however, were not guided solely by their
agreement with the political views of their Members. For a
long period considerable sums of money were paid as the price
of the seat — usually ;^2ooo to ^3000 after each election. In
1819, when W. Aylesbury Roberts, Esq., who lived in the town
and spent a large fortune there, was returned, this practice was
discontinued. This old custom provided for many useful im-
provements being made in the town ; and the Corporation still
possess ;^30oo derived from this source.
There have been many keenly contested elections in Bewdley,
and much consequent litigation. One memorable instance was
in 1768, when the candidates were the Hon. Thomas Lyttelton
(afterwards the "wicked" Lord Lyttelton) and Sir E. Win-
nington. A quarrel had arisen between Adam and James
Prattinton and Sir E. Winnington about some meadows ; so
the Prattintons went over to the enemy and elected 10 new
Burgesses to turn the scale. Some Act, requiring Burgesses to
be elected at least 12 months before they could vote for a
Member, gave the victory then to Sir Edward ; but in five
succeeding Parliaments the Lyttelton interest prevailed.
The Municipal Reform Act of 1835 changed the title of the
chief magistrate from Bailiff to Mayor. Slade Baker, Esq., of
Sandbourne, was the last Bailiff and the first Mayor of Bewdley,
and he is the only survivor of the old close Corporation.
Lists of Bailiffs, Mayors, High Stewards, Recorders, and
Deputy Recorders of Bewdley are given in the Appendix.
?vt/<; ^t^
48 A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
IRonconformiet Cbapels an^
riDcctina Iboueee.
HE oldest Dissenting community in Bewdley is that
of the Baptists, and its origin is said to be unique.
In 1646 John Tombes, B.D., a man of great
abihty and a native of Bewdley, was appointed
Curate of St. Anne's. He entertained very strong
objections to infant baptism, and so, while still
retaining his office in the Church, he founded a separate Bap-
tist society, which numbered 20 persons. George Fox tells us
that " Tombes said he had a wife, and he had a concubine ;
and his wife was the baptized people (Baptists) and his concu-
bine was the world (Churchmen, Presbyterians, Quakers, and
all other non-Baptist parishioners)." In his Apology for the Two
Treatises on Infant Baptism, 1646, 4to, page 66, printed while he
was at Bewdley, Tombes says that he " must needs say the
Churches that have no other than Infant Baptism are no true
Churches nor their Members Church Members." He disputed
with Richard Baxter at Bewdley, Jan. i, 1649, and afterwards
held three other public disputes at Ross, Abergavenny, and
Hereford. In 1650 he removed to Leominster, when he was
succeeded at St. Anne's by Edward Bury, and in his Baptist
ministry by John Eccles. Mr. Eccles commenced preaching at
Bromsgrove also ; and formed the Baptist church there which
still exists.* Bewdley and Bromsgrove continued united down
to 1670. The following is an incomplete list of the various
• The Cannon Street chapel in Birmingham was in turn an off-shoot from
Bromsgrove (1737).
NONCONFORMIST CHAPELS. 49
ministers of Bewdley Baptist Chapel since the days of Mr.
Tombes : — John Eccles, — Clark, — Thompson (who declined
into Socinianism and was deprived 1718), James Kettilby (1718-
1767), John Blackshaw (1774-1779), John Pyne (1781-1788), —
Baylis, George Williams (1793-1799), George Brookes (1802-
1844) and Thomas Griffin (1802-1808) co-pastors*, W. E. White
(1843-1846), G. Cozens (1846-1854), J.Bailey (1855-1857), George
James (1857). The chapel was erected in 1764.
It is a curious coincidence that the Presbyterian following in
Bewdley, which in age ranks next to the Baptists, should also
have been founded by a minister of St. Anne's in the time of
the Commonwealth. Henry Oasland was appointed within a
few months of the departure of John Tombes, and held office
until the Act of Uniformity was passed in 1662, when for con-
scientious scruples which we cannot but respect he seceded
from the Church. From the Corporation books we find that
several of the burgesses of Bewdley refused to declare against
the " Solemn League and Covenant" in the time of Charles II.;
and these no doubt were of those who adhered to their old
teacher and welcomed his son Edward as their pastor. The
Presbyterian chapel here is said to have been built about 1680,
and for many years it had a large and influential congregation.
In common, with nearly all the Presbyterian meeting-houses —
400 in number — founded about that time, it has since lapsed
into Unitarianism, and has now very few adherents in the town.
Jabez Reynolds by will dated 27th Feb., 1710, left 105. each
yearly to the Rector of Ribbesford and the Preacher at the
Meeting-house to buy Bibles or religious books for poor chil-
dren. For his trouble each minister was to have a bottle of Sack.
James Clark by will dated 24th May, 1765, left ;^5oo to be
put out to interest — one-fifth to be paid to the minister of the
Presbyterian meeting-house, and four-fifths among poor people
residing in Bewdley. In addition he ordered that the rest of
his personal estate after payment of debts, &c., should be given
to the poor of Bewdley. The total Consols now is about £"1300,
and the charity is administered by special trustees.
* In 1808 Mr. Griffin went to Kidderminster, and Mr. Brookes remained
sole pastor till his death in 1844. He left /'2000 as an endowment for the
Bewdley minister, and also 700 volumes for his library.
6
50 A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
In the chapel is a marble monument with Latin inscription,
thus translated by Dr. Prattinton (probably the donor) : —
" To PERPETUATE THE REMEMBRANCE OF SaMUEL KeNRICK THIS TABLET
WAS ERECTED BY P. P. LITERATURE WAS HIS DELIGHT, OF MANNERS GENTLE,
OF THE Supreme Being a devout worshipper, In integrity of life a
BRIGHT EXAMPLE. He DIED OCT. 6, iSlI, AGED 83."
The site on which the Friends' meeting-house now stands
was purchased for the Society in 1691, and the building was
probably erected soon afterwards. The Registers are at
Somerset House (No. 666). Births 1683 to 1767; marriages
1679 to 1758; burials 1682 to 1838. In the small burial
ground attached to this quiet little chapel, Mary Darby
wife of the first Abraham Darby was buried in 1718. There
are also stones to the memory of the Cotterell, Zachary, and
Sturge families.
'O^
In March, 1779, the Rev. John Wesley preached at Bewdley,
in an open space in Load Street, to a very numerous and quiet
congregation. He was at Bewdley again in 1781, and preached
as before in the open air. At the commencement of the service
a man began beating a drum, but was soon silenced by a
gentleman of the town. Five years afterwards Wesley visited
Bewdley once more, and then recorded in his'journal, "Pre-
judice is now vanished away. The life of Mr. Clark turned the
tide, and much more his glorious death." From Bewdley he
went on to Stourport, " a small well-built village," where he
speaks of Mr. Heath, " a middle-aged clergyman and his wife
and two daughters, whose tempers and manners, so winning
soft, so amiably mild, will do him honour wherever they come."
In 1790 he was again at Stourport, " which was twice as large
as two 5'ears ago. They seemed to be serious and attentive
while I was speaking, but the moment I ceased, fourscore or a
hundred of them began talking all at once. I do not remember
ever to have been present at such a scene before. This must
be amended, otherwise (if I should live) I will see Stourport no
more." He died March, 1791, aged 88.
The Wesleyan chapel in Bewdley was opened for divine
service in 1795 by Dr. Cooke, a clergyman of the Church of
England. The head-quarters of the circuit are at Stourport,
GRAMMAR SCHOOL, CHARITIES, (^c.
51
Zbc Grammar Scbool, CbariticB, S.c
HE earliest school in Bewdley seems to have been
taught by the curate in some room adjoining the
chapel. In 1577 the sum of 25. 8d. was spent by
the Wardens " to put the scholemaster's cham-
bers in order." William Monnox, of Bewdle}^
tanner, by will dated 17th Feb., 1591, left £6 per
annum for a Grammar School, payable out of the Pentrenant
estate in ]\Iontgomer3-shire. Gregory, John, and Thomas
Ballard by deed in 1599 gave the land whereon the old Gram-
mar School was built. Humphrey Hill, of Silvington, also in
1599, left several houses and other property for the same pur-
pose ; and the present school and school-house are built on part
of it. King James I. in his charter of 1606 re-founded the
school " for the better education of j^oung children and youths,
in good arts, learning, virtue and instruction, always to be
brought up and informed, which shall be called the ' Free
Grammar School of King James in Bewdley,' wherein shall be
one master and one usher."
Other benefactors were Thomas Weaver, 1609 ; John Mill-
ward, 1610 ; Richard Clare, 1618 ; Mr. Barber, 1619 ; John
Clare, 1621 ; Hugh Pooler, 1621 ; William Keye, 1625 ; John
Tyler, 1626 ; Joan Tyler, John Wakeman, 1640 ; John Lowe,
1643 ; Richard Vickaris, 1661 ; Thomas Cooke, 1693 ; and John
Carruthers Crane. The Rev. Thomas Wigan (1819) gave to
the Rector of Ribbesford and the Master of the Grammar School
his library of about 1500 volumes in trust for the clergy and
"other respectable inhabitants of the town and neighbourhood.
52
A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
Several of the gifts have since been lost. About 1750 the
Corporation, who were then the Governors, let most of the
school property on lease for 500 years at low rentals. In
1835 the Court of Chancery intervened and annulled the
long leases ; but kept the school closed for 30 years. Mainly
by the exertions of Mr, R. H. Whitcombe, a fresh scheme was
obtained, and the new school-room in High Street was built in
1865. In 1882 a further scheme for the management of the
foundation was drawn up by the Endowed School Commis-
sioners, under which the government is vested in the High
Steward, the Mayor, five Representative Governors, and five
Co-optative Governors.
Many men who have attained eminence in Church and
State have been educated at this school. Among these were
Richard Willis, Bishop of Winchester ; Edward Feild, Bishop
of Newfoundland ; John Medley, Bishop of Fredericton ; John
Tombes, Master of the Temple and one of the " Triers ;" Canon
Hugh Stowell ; Rev. John Venn, of Hereford ; Dr. John
Beddoe, F.R.S., President of the Anthropological Society ;
Rev. J. G. Breay, of Birmingham, &c.
List of Head Masters of the Grammar School,
M^noah Sharrard
... 1625-
-1634
John Graile
• •- 1635
> • > • ■ r
George Lowe
1663
James Spilsbury
... 1664
Nathaniel Williams
1701
John Cupper
... 1701-
-1720
Butler Cowper
... 1720-
-1732
Thomas Howard
... 1732-
-1778
William Morgan
... 1778-
-1805
John Cawood
... 1805-
-1835
William Grist
... 1866-
-187I
John Richard Burton
... 1872
GRAMMAR SCHOOL, CHARITIES, S-c. 53
The Bewdley Charity Schools were founded in 1785, and the
National Schools in 1830. A Home Mission, conducted by
Miss Pountney, led to the erection in i86g of the school and
mission-room on the Wyre Hill.
The Bewdley Institute was opened in 1877. Mr, Edward
Pease bought the old " Wheat Sheaf" Inn and other property,
which he generously gave as the site, besides subscribing £^00
to the building fund. ;^iooo was also raised by voluntary con-
tributions in the town and neighbourhood. Lord Lyttelton
was elected its first president, and Mr. John Gabb the first
chairman. With this Institute are amalgamated the old
•* Literary Society" and the " Working Men's Institution."
The space at our disposal does not allow of a detailed account
of the many charities of Bewdley, but it is fitting that we should
record the names and mention the gifts of the
Benefactors.
Sir John Hibbots (1595). — Two mills for the poor.
John Millward (1610). — Rent-charge for poor.
Sir William Seabright (1620). — Loaves for poor.
Samuel Sayers (1625). — Six Almshouses in the Lower
Park.
Humphrey Burlton (1645). — Nine Almshouses in Park
Lane
Francis Gilding (about 1650). — Land for the poor.
Richard Vicaris (1661). — School, Chapel, and poor
women.
Sir Henry Herbert (1673). — Bread for poor.
Thomas Cooke (1693), — Eight Almshouses in High
Street.
John Hammonds (1714). — ^150 to poor.
Ralph Smith (1732). — ^50 to Charity School.
William Crump (1754). — /200 for poor widows.
54 A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
James Clark (1765).— ;^5oo to Presbyterian minister
and poor.
John Hurst (1808).— ;^io for bread.
Wilson Aylesbury Roberts (1813). — ^^200 for ten poor
widows.
Caroline Aylesbury Roberts (1827).— ;^2i6 135. ^d. for
ten poor women.
Ellen Vobe (1840). — ;^50o for twelve old maids.
Ellen Vobe (1840). — £"100 to Sayers' almsmen.
Mary Watkins (1842). — ;^ioo to Sayers' almsmen.
Mary Watkins (1842). — ^250 for Burlton's almspeople.
Rev. Joseph Crane (i860). — ;i<r2oo for repair of Cooke's
Almshouses.
James Tart (1875). — ^^100 for repair of Cooke's Alms-
houses.
James Fryer (1856). — ;^2ooo to Bewdley National
School.
Mary Blackford (1873). — ;,^2200 in Consols for coal,
blankets, and clothing.
WiUiam Essington Essington (1878). — £100 for poor.
John SherrifFe. — Land for apprenticing boys.
Mrs. Marlowe. — 65. iid. per annum to poor attending
Baptist Chapel.
ILLUSTRIOUS MEN. 55
3Uu6triou0 flDen»
EFORE this history is brought to a close some
mention must be made of the various public
characters who have in any way been connected
with the town. The Royal personages and the
Lords President of the Marches of Wales, who
so often resided at Bewdley, have already been
mentioned at some length.
'&*
Sir Charles Compton, son of Spencer Lord Compton* and
grandson of William Earl of Northampton, was probably born
at Ticknell, and was baptized in the old chapel there on Nov.
25th, 1624. He fought with distinction in the battles of Edge-
hill and Hopton Heath, and is said to have been eminent for
" sobriety, moderation, conduct, vigilance, and activity." His
chief exploit was the taking of Beeston Castle in Cheshire, when,
with only six men disguised as butchers and bakers, he surprised
the astonished garrison in their beds. After the Restoration he
was advanced by the King to a pcs:tion of trust, but a fall from
his horse at Northampton caused his death in the prime of
manhood.
John Tombes was born at Bewdley in 1603, and educated at
the Grammar School. At the early age of 15 he entered at
Magdalen Hall, Oxford, and after a brilliant college career was
chosen public catechetical lecturer, though being then only 21
• Ancestor of Lord Alwyne Compton, Dean of Worcester, and Prolocutor
of Convocation.
56 A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
years of age. He was afterwards presented to the Vicarage of
Leominster. When the Civil War broke out he fled to Bristol,
and General Fiennes, who had then the command of that city,
gave him the living of All Saints there. After the taking of
Bristol by the Royalists Tombes escaped to London, where he
was soon appointed minister of Fenchurch. Here he utterly
refused to allow the baptism of infants in his church, and in
consequence was deprived of his stipend. Promising not to
introduce this controversy into the pulpit, he was chosen
preacher of the Temple, and held this important olfice for four
years. He was dismissed from the Temple for publishing his
first treatise on Infant Baptism ; and he then returned to his
native place, and was chosen minister of St. Anne's, Bewdley.
His love of argument followed him here, and, as we have seen,
he formed a separate society of those of his own way of think-
ing. On New Year's-day, 1649, he had the famous dispute with
Richard Baxter in Bewdley chapel, when many members of the
Universities are said to have been present. He was next pre-
sented to the parsonage of Ross ; and this he resigned upon
having the Mastership of the Hospital at Ledbury. His
opinions about baptism alienated his people, and he removed
again to Leominster. In 1653 he was appointed to be one of
the " Triers" of ministers, which is a proof that his character
and learning were held in high esteem. After the Restoration
he married a rich widow, and went to reside at Salisbury, where
he conformed to the Church as a lay-communicant, but would
not again accept any benefice. He died at Salisbury May 25,
1676, aged 73.
Henry Oasland was born in the parish of Rock, and after
spending some years at the Bewdley Grammar School under
Mr. John Graile, he entered at Trinity College, Cambridge.
His religious experiences have come down to us in a quaint
MS. autobiography which has been printed in the Bewdley
Parish Magazine. Within a few months after the departure of
John Tombes from Bewdley, Mr. Oasland was chosen minister
of the chapel, where he preached zealously for twelve years.
His views on Infant Baptism were directly opposed to those of
Tombes, and he was a great friend and companion of Richard
Baxter, with whom he frequently went to preach the " double
ILLUSTRIOUS MEN. 57
lecture" in the country. Baxter describes him as having "a
strong body, a zealous spirit, and an earnest utterance." In
1660 he married Miss Maxwell of Bewdley. In 1661 he was
imprisoi:ted by Sir John Pakington on the evidence of a forged
letter, which seemed to imply that he was plotting against Sir
Ralph Clare. In 1662, on his refusal to comply with the Act
of Uniformity, he was deprived of his benefice. He died in
1703, aged 80 years, leaving two sons, of whom the elder,
Edward, was Presbyterian minister at Bewdley many years.
Henry Oasland's printed works were The Dead Pastor yet
Speaking and The Christian s Daily Walk.
John Boraston was Rector of Ribbesford from 1630 to 1688.
He was an ardent Royalist, and it is rather surprising that he
was permitted to retain his benefice throughout the Common-
wealth. An attempt was made to deprive him of it, and among
his offences enumerated were —
" That the said Boraston did officiate second servise at the alter, so called,
in the chapell of Bewdley, with his surplus and hood in June 1644, or there-
abouts,* notwithstandinge an ordinance of Parliament to the contrary."
" That the said Boraston gave warninge to his parishioners of Ribsford to
observe the 25th day of December 1648 commonly called Christmas Day.
And havinge assembled some of the parishioners preached unto them on the
said day, in the said churche, and exhorted them to the observance thereof,
notwithstandinge an ordinance of Parliament to the contrary."
" That the said Boraston did voluntarily lende severall sumes of money to
the King's Commissioners at Woster against the Parliament. That he went
to the King's Courte in Glostershire, and to the King's army lyeing before
Gloster, and held intelligence with the Lord Viscount Falkland, then Secre-
tary to his Majesty."
" That the said Boraston is of a very proud and contentious spiritt, and
doth lord it over his parishioners, callinge honest men knaves and honest
women witches."
In 1673 Mr. Boraston was made Prebendary of Moreton Magna
in Hereford Cathedral, and in 1688 he died at the ripe age of
85. One of his sons, George Boraston, M.A., of Wadham
College, Oxford, was the author of The Royal Law, or the Golden
Law of Justice and Charity, and of a Sermon preached at the anniver-
sary meeting of the gentlemen inhabitants of London, and others born
* This was probably on the occasion of King Charles' visit to Bewdley.
7
58 A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
within the County of Worcester — 29th Nov., 1683." Another son,
Thomas Boraston, M.A., was chaplain of St. Anne's, and suc-
ceeded his father as Prebendary of Moreton Magna.
George Hopkins, M.A., was born at Bewdley April 25, 1620,
and was son of William Hopkins, a man of importance in the
town, and a great friend of Richard Baxter (see Ribbesford
Registers i6og, Oct. 30, and 1647, July 21). He was educated
at the Grammar School, and after taking his degree at Oxford
was appointed minister of Evesham. " He was very judicious,
godly, moderate, peaceable, and upright," and wrote Salvation
from Sin. (Wood's A then. Oxon.) Dr. William Hopkins, the
learned Prebendary of Worcester, and friend of Dean Hickes
and Lord Somers, was a son of the above. (^iVas^, supplement,
page I.)
John Inett was born at Bewdley, and educated at University
College, Oxford (M.A. 1669). He was appointed " Chauntor of
Lincoln Cathedral and Residentiary thereof" 1681. He wrote
a valuable History of the English Church, 2 vols., 1704 and 17 10,
Richard Willis was the son of William Willis, a tanner in
Bewdley, and was born Jan. 17, 1G64. His mother's maiden
name was Susanna Inett, and it is very probable that she was
a sister of the above-mentioned Rev. John Inett. Richard was
educated at the Grammar School under Nathaniel Williams,
Rector of Dowles, and the Master was so proud of his scholar's
abilities that he persuaded the Rev. William Hayley (an
ancestor of Mr. Bury, of Kateshill) to send him to Oxford. Mr.
Hayley, who was afterwards Dean of Chichester, was then a
Fellow of All Souls, and so Willis entered at this college, of
which by and bye he himself became a Fellow. As Lecturer of
St. Clement's in the Strand he became remarkable for extempore
preaching, and was recommended to King William III. as a
proper person to accompany him to Holland : this led to his
appointment as Chaplain-General of the Army. In 1695 he
was made Prebendary of Westminster, and in July, 1698, was
appointed Sub-Preceptor to the young Duke of Gloucester,
heir to the throne. In 1700 Dr. Willis was made Dean of
Lincoln, and soon afterwards preached the first sermon deli-
vered on behalf of the Society for the Propagation of the
ILLUSTRIOUS MEN.
Gospel. In November, 1714, Dr. Willis was nominated Bishop
of Gloucester ; in 1721 he was translated to Salisbury; and in
1723 he was further promoted to Winchester, which latter pro-
motion he is said to have gained by his vigorous speech against
Atterbury. After holding the see of Winchester eleven years,
Bishop Willis died Aug. 10, 1734, ^^ Chelsea, aged 71 years,
and was buried in Winchester cathedral, where a magnificent
marble monument with recumbent effigy of him may be seen.
Alderman Best, who lived in part of Ticknell, was fond of
painting and had a museum. He published the Prospect of a
Poem on humane Life and Depraviiy (with an Episode on the Christian
Religion), Death, Judgment', Heaven, and Hell, in 2 parts, 1735 :
London.
Peter Prattinton was the only son of William Prattinton,
of Bewdley, and was born in 1776. He was educated at Christ
Church, Oxford, where he took the degree of M.B. Being
possessed of private means, he gave up the practice of medicine,
and devoted himself with indefatigable assiduity to antiquarian
pursuits. His researches were chiefly made to elucidate the
history of his native county, and his ISIS, collections for
Worcestershire, which fill many volumes, were bequeathed to the
Society of Antiquaries, by whom they are carefully preserved.
The roll of " Household Expenses" of Bishop Swinfield (1289)
was discovered by Dr. Prattinton among the muniments of Sir
T. Winnington at Stanford Court, and it was published in
1853. He died July 11, 1845, aged 6g, and was buried at
Ribbesford.
John Cawood was born at Matlock in 1775, and graduated
at Oxford in 1801. He was ordained in 1800 to the Curacy of
Ribbesford and Dowles, of which he had the sole charge. He
formed at Bewdley what was probably the first Sunday School
in the county, and also began a mission in the Far Forest,
which ultimately led to the erection of the new church there. In
1805 he was appointed Master of the Grammar School, and
was most successful in his scholastic work. Many of his pupils
afterwards attained positions of eminence and usefulness.
Among them were Bishop Field, Bishop Medle}^ and, Hu^di
Stowell. In 1814 he was appointed minister of St. Anne's, and
his earnest discourses there during a period of forty years
6o A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
exerted an immense influence in Bewdley. The local branch
of the Church Missionary Society, founded by him in 1816, has
contributed upwards of ^6000 to the good work. He died
Nov. 7, 1852, and was buried at Dowles. His published
iJissent and two volumes of Sermons.
. eminent physician and philanthropist
j: ^j-\\<.ucy. xi^ duJ Feb. 27, 1856, aged 87, and bequeathed
;iff20oo to the Bewdley National Schools, ;^40oo to the Worcester
Iniirmary, ;^900 for the Forest church, besides substantial sums
to the Worcester Museum and other useful objects.
George Jorden was an ardent lover of nature, and wnth the
very least external advantages gradually acquired such a
thorough acquaintance with the natural history of the neigh-
bourhood that his opinion was asked for and respected by some
of the most learned men in England. He was born on the Clee
Hills in the parish of Farlow, where his father was a labourer,
and his mother a herb-doctress. He came to Bewdley as an
errand boy, taught himself to read and write, and soon after-
wards went to live with Mr, Fryer (abovementioned), with whom
he remained for 50 years. Being favoured with a sympathetic
master he was able to follow his natural bent with unwearied
assiduity. Rising before daylight he spent some hours among
his flowers in the Forest, of which he is said to have known
" every inch," and came back loaded with specimens for his
herbarium, in time to begin his day's work at home. A monu-
ment of his diligence is left in his " Flora Bellus Locus," now
in the W^orcester Museum, and in his herbarium of beautifully
mounted specimens now in the possession of Mr. Gabb. He
collected, mounted, and named probably every plant which
grows wild within ten miles of Bewdley ; and he is specially
mentioned by Mr. W. A. Leighton in his Flora of Shropshire and by
Mr. Edwin Lees, F.L.S., in his Botany of Worcestershire as having
rendered them most effectual aid. He also accumulated a mass
of local antiquarian lore, including old ballads and electioneering
songs, which he bequeathed to the Worcester Museum. He
died in 1871, aged 88.
Edwa-?id TAVG.i, son of the Rev. E. Baugh, minister of St.
Anne's, was also a zealous Bewdley naturalist. He made a
large collection of specimens illustrating the geology of the
neighbourhood, and many of these are now in the British
ILLUSTRIOUS MEN. 6i
Museum. The remainder, with cases, have been presented to
the Bewd'ey Institute by Mrs, T. Baugh, and when arranged
they will form the nucleus of a good local museum.
John Tibbitts published a volume of Poems in iSii. The
greater part of the book is taken up with descriptions of
Bewdley and Spring Grove. The metre is somewhat peculiar,
but the sentiments are good and the narrative is interesting.
Samuel Skey was a native of Upton-on-Severn, and was
apprenticed to a grocer in Bewdley named Church. When he
bad finished his apprenticeship £|"iooo was left to him by a rela-
tion, and with this he began bvisiness as a grocer and drysalter
in Bewdley."-'' He afterwards erected large chemical works in
Dowles, chiefly for the manufacture of sulphuric and nitric acids.
His enterprises succeeded, and he became a very wealthy man.
He then determined to build himself a house on a spot called
Jacky-stone hill in Wribbenhall. When he sought to purchase
the land he found it was entailed ; but nothing daunted, he
obtained a special Act of Parliament " for vesting part of the
devised estates of Thomas Lord Foley in Samuel Skey in fee
simple in exchange for another estate of equal value." The
pools called the "Slashes" on Kidderminster Common, and
Warren Heath, were made over to Skey in exchange for farms
in Bromsgrove and Upton Warren (1775). The rough estate
thus acquired was tastefully laid out and planted ; and now
forms the beautiful grounds of Spring Grove. The house was
commenced in 1787, and first inhabited in 1790. Mr. Skey was
buried at Dowles, July 29, 1812. About 1850 the Spring Grove
estate was purchased by Mr. Walter C. Hemming.
George Griffith served his first clerkship in a corn-
merchant's office in Bewdley. He devoted his leisure to
self-culture ; and quite early in life became possessed 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, Going to Markets
and Grammar Schools, and Records in the Midland Cotmties. He
died in 1883, and was buried at Ribbesford.
* Nicholls' Lecture on Ben'dley.
62
A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
1Ribbc0forb»
HE oldest relic of human habitation in this parish
is a celt of greenish stone found in the bed of the
river while digging for gravel. It is of the Neoli-
thic period ; and one end has a maul, the other
an axe. It is delineated in Evans's Flint Imple-
ments and in Allies' Antiquities of Worcestershire.
The earliest written record of Ribbesford is contained in an
Anglo-Saxon charter belonging to Lord Somers, and printed at
the end of Heming's Chartal. Eccles. Wigorn. (page 598). It is
entitled " Contract of Wulfstan Archbishop of York & also Bishop
of Worcester to give Ribhcdforde [&c.] to his Sister for her life — ■
then to be married to Wulfric."
" Here is set forth in this writing, concerning those Agreements which
Widfric & the Archbishop made when he obtained the Archbishop's sister
[to] him to wife. That is, that he promised her that land at Ealretune and
at Ribbedforda [for] her day. And he promised her that land at Cnihte-wican
[Knightwick] ; that he would have her hold it three men's day at [of] that
family [Convent] in Wincelciimbe [Winchcombe] : & gave her that land of
Eanidfintiine to give & to grant to whom she chose in [her] day, and after
[her] day, there [where] her best liking was : & promised her 50 manes * of
gold & 30 men & 30 horses.
" Now was to these a witness Wulfstan Archbishop, & Leofwine Alderman,
& Athelstan Bishop, & Alfword Ahhot, and Bi'ihteh Monk, and many a good
man to increase them, both consecrated & lay, that these agreements were
thus made. Now are to these agreements two Writings, the one with the
Archbishop in Wigereceastre & the other with Aethelstane Bishop in Hereford."
* A mane was worth about 75. 6d.
RIBBESFORD. 63
The holy man, who thus portioned his sister with the goods
of the Church, held the sees of York and Worcester from 1002
to 1023. Wulfstan's nephew Brithlege was his next successor
but one in the see of Worcester ; and if he was this sister's son,
the transaction above-mentioned must have occurred soon after
his promotion, for Brithlege succeeded in 1033. Wulfstan was
surnamed " Reprobate." Nam nimis eryavit, dum rebus nos
spoliavit — " For he erred too much when he spoiled us of our
possessions," said the Monks. He was also surnamed Lupus
or " The Wolf," and a spirited address of his to the English,
when they were hard pressed by the Danes, is still extant. =■'=
Wulfric's enjoyment of Ribbesford would hardly have ceased
before the Danes came over. In 1002, Sept. 13, the Danes
throughout England were murdered by order of King Ethelred.
Sweyn, King of Denmark, came to exact vengeance, and within
a few years his son Canute gained the sovereignty of the land.
Earl Hacun, a Dane, took Clifton, Eastham, and Tenbury from
Worcester Monastery ; and other Danes seized Ribbesford.
With more settled times the Monks recovered Ribbesford ; and
the villagers were bound to provide them with fishing nets and
hunting tackle whenever required to do so. Again, however,
misfortune befel the monks, and after the Norman Conquest
Turstin, a Fleming, deprived them of their rights here.f
Though Turstin appears here as guilty of sacrilege, yet, as we
have already seen, he gave Wrubenhale (Bewdley) to the Priory
of Worcester. Turstin married Agnes daughter of Alured, a
great landowner in Herefordshire and Wiltshire. Agnes held
Cuure (Cowarne Magna) and a large manor unnamed at time of'
Domesday. I William FitzOsborn, Earl of Hereford, gave the
manors of Duntune (Downton Castle) in Herefordshire, and
Mawley and Cleobury in Shropshire, to Turstinus Flandrensis.
* It is printed in Sweet's Anglo-Saxon Reader, pp. 102-111.
t De Ribet/orde. —Simili modo villam quae Ribbetford dicitur, cujus villani
captatorias sepes piscium et alias venatorias instaurare debita lege debebant,
operaque nostra, ubicunque eis precipiebatur, exercebant, prius Dani, post
Turstanus Flandrensis monasterio vi abstulit, sicque ejus nunc dominatum
perdidimus, ipseque non multo post et ipsam et omnem terram suam perdidit,
exilioque multatus est. Sic qui parum Deo injuste abstulit, omnia sua juste
perdidit."— Heming's Chart, fol. 120, Hearne's Ed. Oxford, 1723, vol. i, p.
256 ; and Monasticon i., 594.
\ Ey ton's Shropshire, v., 74.
64 A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
In 1074 Roger Earl of Hereford (son of Earl William) rebelled
against the Conqueror, but was defeated, and condemned to
perpetual imprisonment and to forfeiture of all his property.
Turstin was probably concerned in this outbreak, and when it
failed he lost not only Ribbesford but all his other estates, and
was banished from the country. " And so," says the monkish
chronicler, " he who unjustly took away a little from God,
justly lost all his own property."
Agnes the widow of Turstin Flandrensis, and his son Eustace
a knight, lord of Witteney, gave land to the church of St. Peter
at Gloucester.
After the forfeiture of Roger Earl of Hereford his lands of
Wigmore, Cleobury, &c. were given to Ralph de Mortimer.
Ribbesford also came into the possession of the Mortimers, and
was held under them by a knightly family who resided there,
and who from it took their name of " de Ribbesford."
Walter de Ribesford was present at the inquisition taken
about Oswaldslow Hundred in the time of John de Pageham,
Bishop of Worcester (1151 — 1158)." Mr. Hayley thinks that he
was the same person mentioned by Camden (Brit., 733) under
the name of Gualterus de Ridensford who went with Richard
Strongbow, Earl of Pembroke, to assist Dermot Mac Morrough
in Ireland. Lord Lyttelton in his Life of Henry II. (vol. iii.,
p. 73) says, " John the furious after making a very brave defence
was honorably slain upon the field of battle by Walter de
Riddelsford, an English knight, & the horsemen of his troop."
It appears, however, very doubtful whether Ribbesford can
claim the honour of this exploit.
Maud, daughter of Sir John Ribbesford, Kt., was wife of
Henry de Temple, of Temple, Leicestershire, temp. Henry II. f
In 4th John (1203) " Simon de Ribbeford r. c. (fined) de x
marcis ne transfretet at Rogerum de Toni ad reddendum com-
potum quem ab eo exegit."]:
* Heming's Cart., 291.
t Collins' Peerage, 4th Edw., v. 6, p. 45.
\ Madox's Hist, of the Exchcq., i., 505.
■s—
^^
,X> a:
^'
RIBBESFORD. 65
In 1236 Henry de Ripeford, in the county of Worcester, paid
xxs. for three parts of a fief, held of Ralph de Mortimer, as an
aid at the marriage of Isabella, sister of Henry III., to the
Emperor of Germany.*
Simon de Ribefort was one of four knights appointed in 42
Henry III. to inquire into grievances, &c., in the county of
Worcester.! This was done in conformity with the " Provisions
of Oxford" enacted under the influePxCe of the famous Simon de
Montfort, and was the commencement of County Members.
From the Blakeway MS. we learn that this " Simon de Rybbe-
ford by deed conceded to his Lord Roger de Mortimer all the
right which he had to hunt in his wood of Rybbeford which is
called La Hoke ; nor would he pursue any sort of wild beasts in
the forest of Wyre without special leave from the aforesaid
Lord Roger or his heirs, under forfeiture of all he held under
the same Lord Roger, or that his heirs should hold, for ever.
Saving to himself during his life, that if he should be hunting in
any of his parks and woods besides La Hoke, and his dogs should
run any beast from his parks or woods into the forest of Wyre,
and follow it, contrary to his wishes — the transgression, if it can
be so called, should be settled by the arbitration of friends.
*' Witnesses. " W^illiam de Beauchamp
" Thomas, Rector of the Church of Rybbeford
" Nicholas, Rector ( ? ranger) of the forest
" Jacob his brother
" William son of Guarini
" William Corbett
" William Le Poer."
This transaction took place sometime between 1247 and 1269 ;
and the desire to secure additional hunting-grounds in the
neighbourhood confirms the opinion that about this time the
Mortimers built an occasional residence for the family at
Ticknell.
King Edward I. in 1306, for augmenting the glory of his
intended expedition into Scotland, did at W^hitsuntide begirt
Edward Earl of Carnarvon his eldest son, with the military
belt ; and thereupon the young prince immediately at the high
* Testa de Nevill, p. 40.
t App. to Bindy's Hist. Eng. 224 Pat., 42 Hen. III.
8
66 A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
altar in Westminster Abbey conferred the honour of knighthood
on 300 more, sons of Earls, Barons, and Knights, who attended
the King to Scotland. Amongst those so distinguished was
Henry de Rypsford. 'His arms Avere ermine, a chief gules fretty or.
In 1310, 1318, and 1328 Sir Henry presented to the Rectory of
Ribbesford. In the Calendariiim Rotulorum Chartarum, 2 Edw. III.
(1329), page 160, his possessions are enumerated as follows: —
" Rookes (Rock) maner' mercat' feria ; Snede ; La Clouse ;
Ribbeford ; Houke ; Waskerige ; Linden Coudray ; all having
free warren." A deed in the possession of S. Z. Lloyd, Esq.,
of Areley Hall — undated, but probably about the time of
Edward II. — sets forth that Godith, widow of Osbert de Wet-
acre, had conveyed to Simon de Ribbesford certain land, with
the precincts thereof, situated in Hultonestrete (Hylton Street),
in Worcester. In 1349 Robert de Ribbesford presented to the
rectory of the church.
In 1364 Constance, wife of Walter de Ribbesford, had the
manor of Ribbesford assigned for her dower.* The possessions
of Walter in 1371 are set down as Ribbesford manor ; La
Rooks — two small pieces of land (diie pecie terr ) ; and Wige-
more (secf ciiv )A
The Ribbesfords remained here certainly till 2 Henry VI. ;
but the presentation to the living, and probably the ownership
of the manor, had before that time passed into the hands of the
Beauchamps. In 1387 Thomas de Beauchamp, Earl of War-
wick, appears as patron of the church.
In 21 Rd. II (1398), Sir John de Montacute, Earl of Salis-
bury, obtained from the King a grant to himself of the manors
of Shrawley Roke and Ribbesford in Com. Wig., with the
advowsons of the churches of the said manors, then seized into
the King's hands by the attainder of Thos. Beauchamp, Earl
of Warwick.! On the deposition of Richard II. these lands
were probably restored to the Beauchamps, for Margaret,
widow of Earl Thomas, held it at her death in 1407. § In
1446 Henry Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick, owned both manor
* Inquis. post Mortem, vol. iv., p. 271.
t Inquis. post Mortem, vol. iv,, p. 305.
J Collins' Peerage, vol. ii., p. 68.
§ Inquis. post Mortem, vol. iii., p. 312.
RIBBESFORD. 67
\
and ad vow son.'''' His onl}- cliild i\.nne died three years after
her father, and the ownership then went to Anne Countess of
Warwick, wife of Richard Nevil, the famous Kingmaker. The
next heir was Margaret, wife of John Talbot, Earl of Shrews-
bury, the " Terror of France." From her it descended to the
\'iscounts Lisle. In the time of Henry VH. it came to Eliza-
beth, wife of Edmund Dudley, memorable in history as a '^
partner in the firm of " Empson and Dudle3^" Her son, the /•
last owner of Ribbesford by descent from the Beauchamps, was
the famous John Dudley, father-in-law of the Lady Jane Grey,
created Duke of Northumberland b}^ Edward VL After the
execution of Northumberland his estates were forfeited, and
Ribbesford was granted to^ Sir Robert^ Acton^jvL^ whose son
sold it to_the Churchills. It soon passed by purchase to Sir
Robert Cooke, then to Sir Henry Mildmay, and afterwards to
Sir Henry Herbert, in whose family it remained for exactly
160 years. Sir Henry Herbert, Kt., IMaster of the Revels,
made the purchase in 1627 ; and among the persons named in
the deed of conveyance was his brother George Herbert, the
saintly poet of the English Church. Sir Henry Herbert's name
appears often in the Appendix, and he was a generous bene-
factor to Ribbesford. In 1640 he was elected to the " Long
Parliament" as Member for Bewdley ; but on Aug. 20, 1642,
the House of Commons resolved that he should be disabled
from sitting on account of his having put into execution the
King's Commission of Array. At the Restoration he was again
returned for Bewdley, and held the seat until his death in 1673.
His son Henry was returned for Bewdley in 1676 ; and in 1694
he was created Baron Herbert of Cherbury, in consequence of
the failure of male issue in the elder branch of the family. His
son Henry succeeded as Lord Herbert of Cherbury in 1708,
and was Recorder of Bewdley. In 1738, however, he com-
mitted suicide by hanging in one of the turrets of Ribbesford
House.! Having no issue, the title became extinct, and the
manor passed to his cousin, Henry Morley, a descendant of Sir
Henry Herbert. In 1782 the estate was inherited by George
* Inquis. post Morton, vol. iv., p. 230.
t It is said that his valet came into the room while Lord Herbert was
still living, but not daring to thwart so great a man, he ran off to Bewdley
to ask the Bailiff what was to be done !
68 A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
Paulet, afterwards Marquis of Winchester, who in 1787 sold
the same to Francis Ingram, of Ticknell. Mr, Ingram died
Oct. 21, 1797, and by will gave the estate to Sir E. Winnington,
Bart,, of Stanford Court, for his life ; and after his decease to
Edward Winnington, the second son of the said Sir E. Win-
nington, and his first and other sons in succession, he and they
taking and using the name and arms of Ingram, The present
owner is the Rev. E. W^innington Ingram, Rector of Stanford-
on-Teme.
The house is of great antiquity, and doiibtless stands on the
spot occupied by the de Ribbesfords in the time of Henry IL
It was formerly turreted, with a moat round it, over wdiich by a
drawbridge a spacious court-yard was entered. The arms of
Herbert with motto " Pawb yn y arver "' are over a doorway.
About 1790 two sides of the quadrangle were pulled down, and
the moat filled up. In 1830 several thousand pounds were
spent in repairing and improving the house.
The church, dedicated to St. Leonard, is in parts very old,
and is especially remarkable for its wooden arcade separating
the nave from the south aisle.* The original church here was
of the Norman period, and was only a small chapel occupying
about two-thirds of the north aisle. Mr. Loftus Brock has
traced out the growth of the church. He says, " Probably the
first enlargement took place eastward, the north wall of the
nave being carried on in a straight line, and so assuming its
present length and position. The next enlargement was pro-
bably the present nave of the church, the south aisle being
evidently a still later addition. The extension of the church to
include the present nave was doubtless made sometime in the
first half of the 15th century, and might very possibly coincide
with the time when Henry VI. put the town of Bewdley into
the parish of Ribbesford,"
In the south aisle is a little door which leads by a winding
staircase to the entrance of what was formerly the roodloft.
Under the roodloft was the carved oak rood screen, of which
some interesting pieces are now preserved in the pulpit. In
one compartment is a fox, dressed like a monk, preaching to a
* There were formerly two wooden arcades, and the church would then
resemble the very interesting one at Lower Peover, near Northwich, Cheshire,
which has not undergone much change since the time of Henry VI.
KIBBESFORD.
6g
congregation of geese. Another represents a pig playing the
bagpipes, while the little pigs dance to the music. These are
probably caricatures of the begging friars, between whom and
the parish priests there was often much bitterness.
Here the greatest puzzle to antiquaries is a rude shallow
carving on the tympanum over the north door. It belongs to
the earliest part of the Norman period, and is in a good state of
preservation. The illustration of it is from a sketch by " Cuth-
bert Bede," who was the first to clear away the thick coats of
whitewash from some of the smaller carvings on this doorway.
The question is, What was in the mind of the sculptor w^hen he
made it ? Was it to commemorate an event in local history, or
was it an emblem of the Christian faith ? There are some curious
local legends connected with the figure of the Archer Knight ;
but the latter is the more probable view, especially as so many
unmistakably ecclesiastical carvings were made about the same
70 A HISTORY OF BE WD LEY.
time in other churches.'* The Gospel was to be preached to an
uneducated people " in churches indeed pre-eminently, but also
by churches subordinately," and purely secular subjects are rarely
if ever seen on sacred buildings of this date. On Ribbesford
porch we have a rude but clear emblem of our Redemption.
The human soul, personified by the deer or other animal, is
fleeing from the pursuit of a huge monster — typical of the evil
one — when the Saviour intervenes, and slays the enemy. In
Norman times the Archer would be the most real symbol of
strength. This, too, seems to be the teaching of the carving on
one of the capitals. A bird is swooping down on a fish. Coming
to the rescue, however, is a larger bird, which in turn swoops
down upon the robber and delivers the fish. The fact of the
final safety of the fish is shown by its re-appearing above. Now
the fish is the well-known emblem of the Christian. Tertullian
says : " For we after our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, our
ixt'i^s, are also fishes, and born in the water, nor are we other-
wise saved but by remaining in the water." On the font in
Castle Frome church, Herefordshire, is the ecclesiastical repre-
sentation of Christians under the form of little fishes, surround-
ing the figure of Christ in the waters of Baptism.
The church was thoroughly restored in 1878 at a cost of
nearly ;^4000, and on removing the coats of plaster it was found
that about 400 years ago the walls had been decorated with
fresco-painting. In the time of Edward VI. this was white-
washed over, and texts of Scripture were painted on the walls.
These texts in their turn were whitewashed ; and then again
came texts of the time of Elizabeth and James I.
During the restoration two monumental stones were also
brought to light which had covered the remains of those who
occupied a high position in the society of former days. The
Rev. Prebendary F. T. Havergal describes them thus : —
" No. I is a fine coped grey sandstone, nearly perfect, about
* On the Norman tympanum of Aston church, Herefordshire (see frontis-
piece Diocesan Calendar, 1883), is a representation of the Lamb with a cross,
the Ox and the Eagle — all well-known Christian emblems. " At Luton,
Beds, on the font is a lamb guarding a vine from the attacks of a dragon.
At Thorpe Arnold, Leicestershire, appears a Christian soldier, opposing a
shield bearing a cross to the attacks of fiery serpents who assault him in
vain, thus guarded." (Aylijfe Poole : Churches, p. 45.) Instances of this kind
might be rapidly multiplied.
RIBBESFORD. 71
six feet six inches long. The foHated cross is of the kind
commonly adopted at the period. The date may safely be
assigned to the latter part of century xiii., probably placed
over the body of an incumbent of this church. The hollow
chamfer down each side is an unusual feature, and the staff on
the top of the stone, being grasped by two hands, is a mode of
treatment I have never seen before. No. 11 is part of an incised
stone coffin lid of a layman in two pieces. [It had been built
into the east wall of the S. aisle.] In all respects this is a most
interesting fragment : all its details plainly indicate that it is
the work of the former part of century xiv. — circa 13 10 to 1320.
The inscriptions were usually in rhyme. The use of three
circular stops between each word is a distinct characteristic
of this period." [The inscription has been mentioned on
page 4.] Habingdon gives a description of monuments, &c., in
this church about 1630. The Mortimer and Beauchamp arms
are broken. In the N. window of the church the arms of
Ribbesford : Ermine a chief gu. fretted or. In the E. window
of the chancel and highest pane. Gules seven mascles or.
Quincy, Earl of Winchester ; quartering Azure, a mullet argent
pierced of the field. The second and third quarters of the
escutcheon defaced. The fourth as the first. In the dexter
pane below, Mortimer with an escutcheon arg. quartering or, a
cross gu. Ulster. In the sinister, Gu. a fesse between six cross
crossiets or. Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick. In the N. window of
the chancel the keeper of a forest praying : Fili Dei, miserere
MEi. Behind him his son ; next his wife praying, O mater
Dei memento mei ; after her four daughters : the subscription,
Orate pro animabus Roberti Borselepole et Margaret^e
uxoRis ejus. Over them a man praying, Fili Dei, miserere
mei ; and his wife in like sort praying, Mater Dei memento
mei : the subscription. Orate pro animabus Petri Gansor et
Margarets uxoris ejus. In the sinister pane of the south
window of the chancel, Gu. in chief or, a lion passant sable ;
Sir David Veryett or Howell or Dymotte (for these three carried
this coat) quartering Arg. three eaglets displayed sable : the
subscription. Orate pro animab^, the rest broken out. In the
E. window of N. aisle, France and England quarterly with a
file of three labels arg. ; in the second pane, Beauchamp quar-
tering Warwick ; under the first, Or a chevron gules and quarter
72 A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
ermine ; under the second, Arg. on a bend azure three cinque
foils or. In the second N. window a gentleman armed and
praying : on his coat armour, Gironne of twelve arg. and gules
(Peverell).* In the second pane a man with his wife and
daughter, all praying ; his name Hayles, his wife's Margeria. In
the highest S. window the grocers' arms ; under them the bene-
factors', of whom only Roger Wear and Ann, his wife, remain.
In the second S. window, France and England quarterly,* with
the names of the following benefactors : — Woddall, Southall,
Thomas Haylls, and Alice, his wife ; the rest broken. In the
W. window, Waldecote, a benefactor. In the chancel is a table
of the arms of Russel of Strensham. The crest, on a wreath
argent and sable, a demi lion argent, coloured sable, studded
or, holding a cross cruselee botonne fitchee sable. Another
crest argent a plume of feathers or and azure. On a wall in
the S. aisle the arms of Herbert quartering (i) Earl of Here-
ford, (2) Newmarch, (3) Semarche, (4) Newton), (5) Hylton,
(6) Morgan. In the N. aisle an ancient monument of a man
and his wife quite worn out. Some monuments in the S, aisle
with crosses. On one of them — " Charles Acton, son of Henry
Acton."
On the E. wall of chancel (now on wall of S. aisle) ; — John Tiler late
Bailiffe of Bewdley 28 Jan. 1626 ; Joan his wife died 1628.
Elizabeth wife of John Boraston died 13 Dec. 1662.
On an alabaster monument are the names of the following persons (among
others) whose bodies were interred near the middle of the chancel : — John
Soley gent. 4 June 1604. Margaret his wife 5 Jan. 1639. John Soley gent,
their son 17 Feb. 1652 aged 60. John Soley his son 20 April 1665 aged 63.
John Soley of Samborn in this county Esq. 17 Oct. 1730 aged 54.
On other stones are memorials of the following persons : —
John Boraston sometime prebendary of Hereford & Rector of this church
fifty-eight years with the chapel of Bewdley annexed 29 Dec. 1688 aged 85.
John Addenbroke gent. 3 Feb. 1663. Mrs Margaret Addenbroke, dr of
Mr Edward Addenbroke, late Rector of Lower Sapey, and brother to John
Addenbroke above-mentioned 4 April 1712 aged 29.
William Price, Rector of Ribbesford, 26 Sept. 1724 aged 60.
James Perkes senior freeman of Bewdley 23 April 1710.
Richard Clare 11 Jan. 1708 aged 53.
John Pooler rector of Ribbesford 11 Aug. 1706 aged 39.
• These arms are now in the south window of the west end.
v 31111111
Walter cZfc 3cdiLri. , U}>j}er J\rle<j
RIBBESFORD. 73
Richard Cheeke gent. & Mary his wife (only dr of Sam. Jones gent.) he
died 27 May, 1754 aged 39.
" Here lie interred the bodies of William Hopkins late of Bewdley gent,
who deceased July 19, 1647 And Helena his wife who deceased Nov. 16, 1656
both in a good old age.
Ask you in these what vertues were
Needlesse it is to write them here
Go ask the rich they know full well
Or ask the poor for they can tell.
G. H. posuit.
" Joh. Cupper Cler. Gram. Scholas Liberse de Bewdley Proto Magister
in expectatione diei supremi qualis erat dies iste indicabit Ob 27 Jan,
A.D. 1720 Aetat. Sua; 57-"
Mr Burnd Westlake d. 24 Jan. 1742 aged 42,
Benj. Beale merchant 29 May 1745.
Benj. Beale, merchant 20 Feb. 1786.
Susanna Beale married Paul Hughes of Kidderminster Esq. d. 14 Jan,
1868 aged 95.
Bonham Caldwell d. 13 Feb. 1797.
On the wall of S. aisle is a handsome brass, which was erected by the
officers of the Inniskillen Dragoons to the memory of Captain F. W. Ingram,
son of the Rev. E. W. Ingram, Rector of Ribbesford.
" Lt. Col. Thomas Onslow Winnington Ingram third son of Rev. E. W.
Ingram of Ribbesford House. He was killed at Lucknow in the East Indies
March 14th 1858 when in command of his regiment at the capture of the
Kaiserbagh in the 42nd year of his age."
Marianne Elizabeth wife of Rev. John Ryle Wood Canon of Worcester &
youngest daughter of Rev. E. W. Ingram. Born at Ribbesford June 8, 1824,
d. at Worcester Aug. 10, 1844.
Rev. E. W. Ingram Canon of Worcester Cathedral and for 32 years Rector
of this parish d. May 7 1851 aged 65. Jane his wife dr. of the Very Rev,
Arthur Onslow D.D. Dean of Worcester d. Dec. 10 1S50 aged 66.
Ml- John Hayley Alderman of Bewdley Oct. i 1779 ffitat 57.
Rev. John Hayley Jan. 16 1795 astat 36.
Margaret wife of Thomas Hayley 19th Sept. 1812 aged 41.
Thomas Hayley 28 March 1821 aged 61.
Frances his second wife 19 June 1832 aged 54.
James Fryer, Esq., of Bewdley, who died 27 Feb., 1856, aged 87 years. He
followed the medical profession with honor to himself and benefit to others,
and by his will bequeathed, amongst other charitable legacies, /2000 to the
Bewdley National School, /4000 to the Worcester Infirmary, and ;^900 for
the benefit of Bewdley Forest Church.
74 A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
Christopher Bancks 30 March 1788 aged 67.
Reader.
Let not the allurements of a corrupted world seduce thee from the path
that leads to Glory and immortality. The bed of death will not then be a
scene of Terror nor thy last Hour an Hour of Despair.
James Bancks son of the above 13 June 18 10.
Christopher son of William Bancks Feb. 10 1834 aged 79.
William son of Robert Bancks of Wigan June 7 1793 aged 70.
Margaret Bancks July 2, 1858 aged 86.
Peggy wife of the late William Bancks of Corbyng Hall Staffs. Aug. 14,
1810 aged 54.
There is still left a fine representation in old stained glass of
St. George and the dragon. The arms of France and England
quarterly with two falcons as supporters are also entire,
[Richard Duke of York or Edward IV.] A window repre-
senting the Ascension was erected in 1870 in memory of Adam
Prattinton and Ellen Brook his wife. There is also a beau-
tiful memorial window designed by Burne Jones " To the Glory
of God and in memory of Hannah Macdonald, Bewdley, widow,
who died March 7, 1875, aged 66." This window was erected
by Alfred Baldwin, Esq., of Wilden House.
There .are some curious specimens of churchyard poetry,
among which are the following relating to the Severn barge-
men : —
" My anchor's cast —
My rope's on shore —
And here I lie
Till time's no more."
John Oakes, Dec. 23, 1S21, aged 27,
" Boreas' blast and Neptune's waves
Have tossed me to and fro ;
I strove all I could my life to save ;
At last obliged to go.
Now at an anchor here I lay,
Wher's many of the fleet ;
But now once more must I set sail
My Saviour Christ to meet."
RIBBESFORD.
75
Mary, I could wait the wind night and day :
Through Severn's dangerous course I've made my way
Full forty years, in friendship's trusty bark,
Guided by Providence in light and dark,
With future hopes of being for ever blest :
So my friends adieu ;
Here I lie at rest."
List of Rectors and
Patrons.
Sir Henry de Ribbesford
Robert de Ribbesford
Thos. Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick.
Henry Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick
William Herbert, of Herbert and of
Pembroke, by grant of the King . .
Thomas Blount, by grant of John
Viscount Lisle
Robert Acton, Esq.
Patrons of Ribbesford.
Incumbents.
(With Date of Institution).
! Simon de Ribbesford, i Dec, 1310
William de Piryton, 15 Nov., 1318
Gilbert the Granger of Northlech,
12 April, 1328
John Bray, 5 May, 1349
Walter Elyot, i April, 1387
Richard Hyde, 31 July, 1444
[David Gibbes, 28 Oct., 1467
I Walter Blount, LL.B., 7 March, 1507
Sir Robert Acton, Kt
Robert Acton, Esq.
William Cooke, Esq. . .
King Charles I. (by lapse) ..
Henry Herbert, Esq
Henry, Lord Herbert of Cherbury.
Henry Arthur, Earl of Fowls
George Paulet, Esq
Thomas Ingram, Esq
Rev. Edward Winnington Ingram
Rev. E. W. Ingram . .
(David Couper, M.A., 24 May, 1531
'(Richard Shute, 25 Oct., 1538
Thomas Hopkins, 26 June, 1544
John Lewis, alias Duke, 18 Nov., 1556
George Sowthall, B.A., 17 Jan., i6oo*
John Haniond, B.A., 2 March, 1614
John Boraston, M.A., 4 March, 1630
Anthony Lucas, 7 March, 1688
John Pooler, M.A., 10 July, 1695
William Price, 18 Feb., 1706
"i John Bradley, B.A., 20 April, 1725
Thomas Knight, M.A., 10 March, 1730
Edward Baugh, M.A., 19 April, 1765
William Jesse, M.A., 27 Aug., 1795
(Edward Winnington Ingram, M.A.,
( 31 Jan., 1815
E. W. Ingram, M.A., 4 Dec, 1847
i]ohn Walcot, M.A., 14 July, 1854
•I E. H. W. Ingram, M.A., 13 March,
i 1876
(
• Date of induction ; date of institution not known.
76 A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
'S)OWlC0.
OWLES takes its name from the brook which here
enters the Severn : it is derived from the Celtic
dhu, black, which still appears in five rivers in
Wales called Dulas.'- For the early history of
Dowles we are indebted to the laborious investi-
gations made by the late Rev. R. \V. Eyton, the
historian of Shropshire. " Dowles," he says,f " is cut off from
Stottesden by eight miles of intervening territory, and by the
Forest of Wyre, a not insignificant barrier. But Dowles, isolated
and distant, was yet under another name a member of the
Domesday manor of Stottesden. Its ancient name was Achisey
or Hakieshey. Either one of the Palatine Earls or else Henry I.
granted it to Wydo son of Helgot at a ferm or rent of 2s. per
annum. Helgot was Domesday Lord of Stanton and the
Founder of Castle Holgate. Wydo, the second of three sons,
had three estates, at Quat, Achiseia, and in Worcestershire.
Previous to 1127 he granted them all to Great Malvern Priory.
Henry I. being at Hereford in 1126 or 1127 confirmed to Malvern
inter alia those two solidates of land, ' that is Acheseia, which
pertains to Stottesdun, for which Wido Fitz Helgot used to
render 25. per annum of ferm.' He also concedes it to them
• quit of those 25. and of all other services, for the health of his
soul.' In consequence of the King's quittance of his rent, the
Sheriffs of Shropshire for ages deducted from their annual ferms
a sum of 25. in alms to the Monks of Malvern : thus, ' In elemo-
synis constitutis Monachis de Malvern 25.' "
* Isaac Taylor's Words and Places, p. 143.
t Eyton's Slii-npshire, vol. iv., p. 160,
DOWLES. 77
Henr3-"s Winchester Charter of 1127 sliows that Achisey was
tlie present Dowlas. The King is reciting a grant he had made
of kind on the east of Severn, and perhaps a part of the royal
manor ©f Kidderminster. He uses these words : "I give them
also the land of Northw"'" to assart between Hauckesbroc and
Lindrugesithe from Heneduneia to the Severn, to hold quietly
and freely for ever." He then adds, " And on the other side of
the Severn I give them 2 solidatcs of land, that is Hakiesheia,
together with a certain part of the wood which pertained unto
^tottesd', according to those bounds whereof Fulco, the Sheriff,
has caused perambulation to be made, which Fulco hath seized
them (the Monks) thereof by m}^ command ; & this land I allow
to be free of the said 25. & of all other services."
" Of Dowles under its new name, and as a possession of
Malvern Priory," continues Eyton, " we hear nothing for 2
centuries. In Oct., 1292, the Prior of Great Malvern was sued
under quo warranto for his right of holding pleas of the Crown, of
seizing the chattels of his men when fugitive or convicted (of
felony), and of having t^'ayf in his manor of Doules. The Prior
appeared and cited Henry III.'s Charter to Westminster Abbey
and its Cells (of which Malvern was one). He said he held two
great Courts 5'early. The matter went to a jurj', which found
that the Prior had never held the said two Courts, nor tried any
pleas of the Crown till 3 3-ears back, when he obliged his men
of Doules to cross the Severn and attend his Court of Nortwode
in Wors^. The suit of Court thus lost to the Crown they valued
at 2s, per annum. So on this point the Prior was in misericordia :
he forfeited the said suits and their appurtenant franchises,
which remained to the King, and had to pay 65. damages for
the 3 years above-mentioned. Afterwards the Judges conceded
the disputed Courts to the Prior for an annual rent of 65. 8^. if
the King would accept it. As to chattels and wayf, two clauses
of the Charter warranted the Prior's claim."
The taxation of 1291 omits Malvern's interest in Dowles,
unless a carucate of land at Northwood and 205. of assized rent
there can include both estates.
* Northwood east of Severn exactly opposite Dowles Wood on the west
bank. Hawkeshay and Hawkesbrook arc perhaps connected in nomencla-
ture with Ilawkbatch.
78 A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
Richard le Wireman granted and confirmed to Edmund de
Mortimer a weir at Dowles with a fishery, which had been held
by him of the Prior and Convent of Great Malvern, he paying
to the Convent io5. in silver and to the chief lord of Kidder-
minster 25. Witnesses — Henry de Rybbeford, Ralph de Arrag.,
Hugo de fFrene, William de Foxcote.
In 1534 Dowles and Northwood are collectively valued as a
Shropshire estate of Malvern Priory. The assized rents and
rents of tenants-at-will were ^g 185. gi.; the fines, heriots, and
amercements of Court were 105.; the average profits from the
Wood, £1 ; the total of £11 85. gd. was lessened by 105., the
annual value of some structure (Kiddlus, a kiddle or kettle, a
contrivance for catching fish set in a weir) in the Severn which
had been destroyed by the King's order. The Ministevs' Accounts
of 1542-3 give a total of ;^i2 155. 6^d. as arising from similar
sources, but mention Dowles onl}^ as the estate thus valued.
(Mofiasticon in., p. 453.)
Eyton says it is difficult to conjecture how Dowles church
came to exist. If it had been built before the manor passed to
Malvern it would have been affiliated to Stottesden. The
monks did not willingly found churches, though they readily
appropriated them. This may be an exception. More singu-
larly, it was never appropriated by the monks, but remained a
Rectory ! It was formerly dedicated to St. Lawrence.* After
the Reformation it appears as St. Andrew's.! The Valor of
1534 gives Rectory of Dowlyz as in Deanery of Burford — £"4
per annum in glebe and tithes ; Thomas Blakwey, Incumbent.
The Priory of Great Malvern had a pension of 13s. 4^. there-
from. (Val. Eccl. III., 214, 240.)
At the suppression of the monasteries Dowles and Lilleshall
Abbey were given to James Leveson, " marchant of the Staple
of Caleys."! " By indenture 17 Aug. 35 Henry VIII. (1543)
James Leveson conveys to Thomas Grey of Whyttington Staffs.
the Manor & Lordship of Dowles with all the rights &c. to the
late Priorie of Moche Malverne late belonging and appertaining,
• 1514. A brief for St. Lawrence of Dowles.
t Ecton's Thesaurus, 1742. Bacon's Libey Regis, 1786.
DOWLES. 79
y* is to whytt : — Hollowfeld. The Were, Holly days. Drayford.
The HoUeyn. Cotes. The Grove lode. Milwardes. Crabbes,
Botts. Trynyte Ground. Corkerells. With the Advowson of the
Church-^all which were given by letters patent to James Levi-
son dated 14 July 35 Henry VHI." Consideration £'^'2.0. An
annuity of 265. 8i. was to be given to John and Thomas Greene,
Bailiffs of the Manor of Dowles. The seal is of red wax. Crest,
a goat's head.
About 1570 Francis Newport, Esq., appears to have been the
owner, and the manor remained in his family more than 100
years, for in 1661 and i66g Francis Lord Newport presented to
the Rectory. In 1677 Henry Herbert, Esq., of Ribbesford
House (afterwards Lord Herbert of Cherbury), married Anne
Ramsay and ;^5ooo of her dowry was settled upon her, and
Dowles was bought with the mone3% This explains why Lord
Herbert of Cherbury was called upon in 1695 to arbitrate about
the right to certain "kneelings" in Dowles church.* About
1790 the manor was purchased by Samuel Skey, Esq., the
builder of Spring Grove, who set up extensive chemical works
in the parish. A tramway and canal that he constructed are
still to be traced, leading to the spot where the present Gas-
works stand. There were also extensive brass and pewter
works, and gold refining was carried on. Dowles continued in
the hands of the Skey family till 1871, when it was purchased
by the late Edward Pease, Esq., of Darlington.
The old stone church, built soon after the time of Henry H.,
was pulled down about 1784 and a plain building of brick
erected in its place. The high square pews were replaced by
open seats in 1867 ; and in 1882 a new apsidal chancel was
built and the church thoroughly repaired at a cost of ;^68o.
New Sunday Schools are also about to be built on a site kindly
given by the Executors of the late Mr. E. Pease.
The monuments in the church bear the following inscrip-
tions : —
Samuel Skey, Esq., of Spring Grove, Worcestershire, Lord of the Manor
of Dowles, d. March 27, 1800, aged 74.
His whole life was one continued scene of Usefulness, Industry, and
Benevolence, and few men have died more generally or more deservedly
respected.
See Dowles Parish Registers.
So A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
Also Sarah his wife, d. Dec. 5, 1790. Whose amiableness of disposition
and goodness of heart endeared her to all who knew her.
Samuel Skey, of Spring Grove, only son of the above-named Samuel and
Sarah Skey, d. 26 March, 1806, aged 47.
And of Samuel the eldest son of the last-named Samuel Skey and Sarah-
Laurens his wife. He died 25th June, 1812, aged 10 years 9 months.
In the same vault are the remains of Sarah-Laurens, widow of the late
Samuel Skey, and wife of Joseph Fletcher, A.M., Rector of this parish. On
the nth of July, 1840, in the 65th year of her age, she fell asleep in Christ
Jesus.
Arthur the youngest and last surviving son of the above-named Samuel
and Sarah Laurens Skey. Born Jan. 3, 1806, and died March nth, 1S60,
aged 54.
Mary Burton, relict of William Burton, Esq., of Pollerton, Co. Carlow,
Ireland, d. at Leamington Nov. 22nd, 1S62, astat. 70. " To me to live is
Christ to die is gain."
Christopher Piggott Bancks, of the Heath, near Bewdley, born May 7,
17S6, d. Feb. 21, 1865. His maxim was " To do justly love mercy and to
walk humbly with his God."
Also of Christopher Whitcombe Bancks, the dearly loved only child of the
above, born Aug. 21, 1849, d. April 20, 1856.
William Parsons, late of Bewdley. Some time a Senior Merchant in the
service of the East India Company on their Establishment at IMadrass,
D. Aug. 18, 1816, aged 61.
Emma Prichard, d. 11 Nov., 1822, aged 73 years.
Edward Prichard, Esq., of Netherton, d. 22 Dec, 1851, aged 68.
Mary Prichard, wife of above, d. 14th July, i860, aged 64.
Rev. Mr John Hassall, d. April 16, 1739, aged 56.
Mary his wife, d. Feb. 22, 1755, aged 65.
John their son, d. Sept. 3, 1764, aged 47.
James Hassall, late of Netherton, d. Jan. 23, 1794, aged 75.
" A family esteemed for their Honesty, Piety, Prudence, and Mutual
Affection."
Elizabeth Howard, wife of the Rev. Thos. Howard, of Bewdley, and
eldest dr. of Rev. Martin Crane, many years Rector of this parish.
Ob. 12 July, 1757. 2E. 58.
Rev. Thomas Howard, 47 years Minister of Bewdley Chapel and 24 years
Vicar of Neen Savage, in this county. Ob. 24 Sept., 1778. M. 72.
Joseph Crane, Alderman of Bewdley. Ob. 11 July, 1782. M. 73.
John Crane, Alderman of Bewdley, son of Thos. Crane, of Low Habberley,
in the parish of Kidderminster, gent. Ob. 23 June, 17S0. IE. 42.
DOWLES. 8i
Thomas Howard Crane, of Bewdley, Esq., d. Nov. 4, 1852, aged 85. He
was the senior member of the late Corporation of Bewdley.
Rev. Joseph Crane, of Bewdley, d. Sept. 9, i860, aged 84.
Rev. John Cawood, M.A. Oxon, d. Nov. 7, 1852, aged 77.
James Cole, of Bewdley, Surgeon, d. Jan. 23, 1857, aged 70.
There is a memorial (1702) of several gifts for the poor of
Dowles : —
Thomas Grove : 1636 : 405.
Mr Walter Abbots Rector : 1683 : £2 los.
Humphrey Garmston : 16S4 : 105.
Mr Nathaniel Williams Rector : 1701 : /s for Bibles &c.
Francis Radnal : 1703 ; £2 10s,
William Guy ; 1706 : los.
" The Righteous shall be in everlasting Remembrance."
All the above charities have long been lost.
Miss Ellen Vobe in 1840 left ;^ioo to the poor, but it was not
invested, and has all been distributed. She also left Dowles an
interest in her gift of ;^5oo for 12 " old maids."
The Rev. Joseph Crane and his two sisters each left ^50 for
the poor. This now brings in £j\. ys. 6d. yearly,
Charles James Burton, Esq., of Richmond, by will dated
23rd of June, 1874, left ;^iooo for the poor not receiving alms or
parochial relief. This produces ;^28 105. yearly.
Mrs. Anne Prichard Smith, of Bridgnorth, in 1876 left ;^ioo
to the poor. This also is invested, and yields £2 18s. 6d. yearly.
In the churchyard is buried the body of William Pitt, an old
soldier, who thus tells his story from a tombstone ;^-
" At Dettingen and Fontenoy
Death stared me in the face.
But gave me furlough and convoy
To meet him in this place."
William Le Grosvenor, who claimed to be the head of the
family of the Grosvenors of Eaton Hall, is also buried in this
churchyard.
In 1848 the hamlet of Button Oak, in the parish of Stottes-
don, was transferred to Dowles for ecclesiastical purposes ; and
an iron church was erected there in 1873 by the Rev. E. V. W.
Davis, Rector.
The population of Dowles in 1881 was 127, and that of
Button Oak 97.
10
83
A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
Rectors of Dowles.'''
1334 Apr. 14
IJohn de Barnewell inst. to
the Church of St. Law-
rence of Dowles . .
Prior & Convent of Great
Malvern
1368
Oct.
16
Henry de Ripple
. . Bp. jiir. dev.
1385
Sept.
10
John Marsh . .
. . Prior & Conv.
1390
July
23
John Bulkere. .
do.
1390
Dec.
2
Sir Edward Dabene)
'6
1393
Aug.
20
Sir Philip de Hordeley . . do.
1435
Aug.
19
Sir William Warewj
ke . . do.
Sir Thomas Dyer, ob. 1522. . do.
(^ Humphrey Woddall grantee
1525
Mar.
18
Sir William Talbot .
. . \ hac vice of Prior &
( vent
Con-
1535
Mar.
23
(Sir John Gardiner,
i St. Andrew
Thomas Blackwey .
Dowles) r, p /-
^ Pr. & Conv.
1560
June
15
Henry Elston . .
. . Bp, by lapse
1561
June
I
Ralphe Smythe
. . Do. jure devol.
^571
Mar.
13
Thomas Warter
fSir Geo. Blount, Kt.,
' ' 1 Humph. Hill, gent.
and
William Rogers, sep
. Feb. 3,)
1629..
> >
Nathaniel Eston
• • >
1661
Jul.
10
William Dalby
. . Francs Lord Newport
1669
Dec.
16
Walter Abbots
.. .. do.
16S3
John Smeethes
. . Lord Herbert
1694
June
7
Nathaniel Williams
do.
1701
Jan.
27
William Price
do.
1707
Henry Baldwyn
do.
1710
Dec.
16
Martin Crane. .
do.
1728
Butler Cowper
do.
1779
William Jesse
. . Henry Morley Herbert,
Esq,
1814
Joseph Fletcher
■ ■ . .
1871
Edward Valentine
Davis
William '
1876
John Richard Burto
n . . Edward Pease, Esq.
* From the Blakeway MSS. in the Bodleian Library and from the
Parish Registers.
WRIBBENHALL. 83
MribbcnbalL
**.!*•>
HIS name seems originall}' to have been given to
a larger area than the present parish, and to
have included Bewdley. The derivation of the
word is uncertain, and it has been variously
written as Gurbehale, Wrbehale, Wurbenhal',
Wrobbenhale, Wurbenli, and Wrignall. The
Bewdley side of old Wribbenhall was given in the nth century
to Worcester Monaster}^, but the present Wribbenhall, as a
part of Kidderminster, seems to have remained in the hands of the
Crown]till Henry II. gave it to his Cupbearer, Manser de Biset.
It remained in the hands of the Bisets till the reign of Edward I.,
when this family was represented only by two co-heiresses.
One of them being afflicted with leprosy, gave her share to the
Hospital for leprous women at Maiden Bradley, in Wiltshire.
The other half, including Wribbenhall, belonged in 1337 to Sir
Nicholas Burnell, and his son Sir Edward Burnell, of Acton
Burnell, Salop, gave Eymore Wood in 8th King Edw. to the Priory
of Worcester. After the dissolution of monasteries the wood
was granted to the Dean and Chapter of Worcester ; and the
Ecclesiastical Commissioners, who now have the management
of it, have lately recognized their responsibility as landlords by
increasing the small endowment of the Vicarage. From the
Burnells Wribbenhall came to the Barons of Abergavenny, and
was purchased from them by Lord Foley, of Witley. In 1838
the hamlet passed into the hands of Lord Ward, now Earl of
Dudley, who is the present lord of the manor.
84 A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
Wribbenhall, from its excellent quays and vicinity to Bewd-
ley, had formerly much commerce ; and Brindley at first proposed
making the basin of the canal here instead of at Stourport. At
a spring tide as many as 400 pack horses have for several nights
together been quartered in the place/''
In 1701 the chapel of " Christchurch in Wribbenhall" was
built by subscription.! It was erected on a piece of garden
ground held on lease by John Cheltenham under Lord Aber-
gavenny, and a free sitting was to be allowed to Cheltenham.
Afterwards the inhabitants deprived him of his seat, so by
direction of Mr. Day, Lord Abergavenny's steward, the key
was taken from the clerk and given to Cheltenham, who kept
it, and let the clerk fetch it when he wished to toll the bell.
Lord Abergavenny sold the estate to the Foleys ; and in 1750
Lord Foley ordered Mr. Collins, the Curate, to deliver up the
keys. He refused to do this without the consent of the inhabi-
tants, so John Lewis (Lord Foley's steward) nailed up one door
and put a padlock to the other. Mr. Boraston, Lord Foley's
nominee, then attended and read prayers and homilies on
Sundays. Before the Bishop's Court it was alleged that Lord
Foley was sole proprietor of the room at Wribbenhall, and that
if he wished he could pull it down or use it for any purpose he
liked. The Attorney-General was, however, of opinion that
Collins was curate for life, and that the inhabitants had a right
in equity to the tise of the chapel. The Register of Baptisms
and Marriages begins April 8, 1723. The chapel was conse-
crated April 8, 1 84 1, and the ground surrounding the chapel
was at the same time consecrated as a burial-ground. In 1844
(June ig) a District Chapelry was assigned to the church,
which thereupon became a Perpetual Curacy ; and in 1856,
under 19 and 20 Vic, c. 104, Wribbenhall was constituted a
separate parish. The old church was well built, but completely
devoid of architectural beauty ; and in 1879 a new church was
built dedicated to All Saints. The site had been given some
years previously by the late Walter Chamberlain'^Hemming,
Esq , and his widow contributed very largely to the building of
* Nash, Appendix, p. 47.
t Consecration sentence. Prattinton, however, says the chapel was built
in 1719, and a new lease granted in 1728.
WRI BEEN HALL.
85
the new church. The old church was then pulled down, the
disused churchyard enclosed, and a stone cross erected on the
spot where the altar had stood.
There is a monumental brass in this church " In memory of
Col. Philip Wodehouse, late of the 15th hussars, second son of
the Rev. Philip Wodehouse, Prebendary of Norwich, born
Aug. 6, 1788, died at Wribbenhall Dec. nth, 1846. He was
actively engaged during the war of the Revolution until he
witnessed its termination on the field of Waterloo."
- The beautiful east window was erected " To the Glory of God
and in memory of W' alter Chamberlain Hemming: died July 7,
1873."
Below another painted window is the following inscription : —
" To the glory of God and in memory of an unselfish life.
Martha daughter of the Rev. Edward Baugh : born 7 May,
1803 ; died Oct. 23, 1865."'
In 1773 an advertisement in Berrows' Worcester Journal
announced that Netherton Hall in this village was to be let.
" There are Grates in the Fire-places, and the Rooms are
genteelly hung with Paper."
Some Incumbents
OF Wribben-hall.
1720
Walter Jones
• • . •
John Foley
1722
John Hassall
....
— Filewood
17^9
Bingham
....
George Wharton, B.D.
1742
Daniel Collins
1836
William Hallen
1749
Boraston
1850
Charles Warner
Thomas Wigan
1864
Augustus William Gurney
• • • •
Joseph Taylor
1878
James Lamb Cheshire
• • • ■
Miles
§1'-^
n.^^
86 A HISTORY OF BE WD LEY.
%o\\KV Baicv>.
OWER ARELEY or Areley Regis is about 3 miles
below Bewdley. The church of St, Bartholomew
is on a commanding situation overlooking the
Severn Valley. From time immemorial Areley
has been very closely connected with the larger
parish of Martley. The lord of the manor of
Martley was also lord of Areley ; and the Rector of Martley
still presents to the Rectory of Areley. In 3 Edw. I. John le
Despencer was lord of the manor. Later on it came into the
hands of the Mortimers, then of the barons Delaware, and from
them by sale to the Mucklowes, who continued for many genera-
tions owners of Martley and Areley. In i6g6 Thomas Zachary,
Esq., married Elizabeth Mucklowe, and in 1766 the manor
passed b}' descent to their grandson Thomas Zachary, and from
him to the present owner, Sampson Zachary Lloyd, Esq.
Areley Hall is an ancient manor house, and Prince Rupert is
said to have slept in it before the battle of Worcester. Mr.
Lloyd has an extensive collection of deeds from the time of
Henry III. downwards, and also an interesting MS. containing
the Household Expenses of Simon Mucklowe, who lived in the
reign of James I.
The chief object of curiosity in Areley churchyard is a wall
about 18 or 20 feet in length built up of eight large sandstone
blocks, each stone being more than 4 feet long and about i^ ft.
square. On it is the inscription —
" AtOoXoytj/ua Quaye
Reponitur Sir Harry."
LOWER ARELEY.
87
For a long time there was great speculation as to who " Sir
Harry " might be. The registers were lost and there was no
other record. But (as showing the value of internal evidence)
^^r}/i;
•-^-xa?^.;;;'^-^^ '''
3yjJ'^i -AnUyJ^,
W
-V//*^
in Astley church is a monument to the Rev. Thomas Bowater,
Rector of Astley.
" His soul Heaven has
Dirt dirt does cover
Our Saviour saw one such,
We one other ;
Of his successors shall be said hereafter-
As good or bad, as like, unlike Bowater."
Signed — " Henricus Coningsby, Eques auratus, 1696."
It was argued (and as it turned out justly) that in an illiterate
age there could not be two rhyming " Sir Harry's," and hence
the AifloXoy/xija was conjecturally assigned to be Sir Henry
Coningsby's tomb. This proved correct, for in 1842 a perfect
copy of the Areley Kings' burial registers was found in a
lumber room at Tewkesbury, and in it occurs the entry " the
8th day of December, 1701, Sir Harry Consby, Knight, was
buried in woUin, according to y'^ late act of ParP."
This Knight was an ancestor of the Earls of Essex, and lived
at Hampton Court, Herefordshire, where he dropped acciden-
88 A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
tally his only child into the moat, and was so afflicted by the
loss that he retired as a recluse to a small property called The
Sturt, Areley, whence he superintended the erection of his
monument as a permanent pane or portion of the churchyard
fence, while the other panes being formed of wood have long
since disappeared. Sir H.Coningsby also planted three walnut
trees near the slab covering his remains at the foot of the above
dwarf wall ; and made a bequest in his will that the boys of the
parish were to crack the nuts on the said slab on a certain day
in the year. But in the long Revolutionary War (1790 — 1815)
walnut wood was valuable for gunstocks, and the trees were
felled, and the boys deprived of their sports. The wall of
blocks is now much distorted, and the sandstone is so friable that
ere many years are past only a heap of sandy dust will be left.
Sir Harry Coningsby was a descendant of Thomas Coningsb}'^,
who died in 1498 and was buried in Rock church.
In the chancel is an inscription to the memory of Walter
Walsh, who died in 1702. It records that he was " ruinated by
three Quackers, two lawyers, and a fanatick to help them."
To many the chief interest in Areley Regis will arise from the
fact that it was the residence of Layamon, the author of the
" Brut," one of the earliest books written in the English tongue.
Mr. J. R.Green says, " Historically it is worthless, but as a monu-
ment of our language it is beyond all price. After Norman and
Angevin English remained unchanged. In more than thirty
thousand lines less than fifty Norman words are to be found."'''
There are two MSS. of Layamon's " Brut," the one written
early in the 13th century, the other about half a century later.
The earlier version is in the Southern dialect, while the later has
many Midland peculiarities. Both texts were edited by Sir
Frederick Madden in 1847, from the Cottonian MSS. for the
Society of Antiquaries.! It is much to be desired that some
memorial of Layamon should be placed in his church. Mrs.
Baldwyn Childe has designed and erected a beautiful window
to the memory of another great early English writer, William
Longland (Piers the Ploughman), in Cleobury church, Shrop-
shire ? Will no one in Worcestershire do the same for this
equally distinguished writer of his county ?
* Green's Short History of the English People, p. 117.
t Morris' Specimens of Early English Text, p. 64.
LOWER ARELEY.
89
Rectors of Areley Kings.
Patrons.
Johannes de Chausy, Rector da
Martley
David Maynard, Rector de Martley..
Johannes Savsy do.
Will'us de Hulle do.
W. Brugge, R
W. Reede, R
Thomas Pontesbury, R.
R. de Marteley.
John Grave, R.,
Will'us Paid, R
J oh. Paul, R
R. de Martley
Walt. Baker, R.
Rogerus Walker, R. . .
Fr. Jones, R. . .
Rob. Wylde of Worcester, by grant
of John Vernon
Rob. Vernon
R. of Martley . .
Thos. Dunne, R. of Martlay..
The Lord Chancellor (for this turn) .
H. J. Hastings, R. of Martley
J. P. Hastings, R. of Martley
Ditto
Incumbents.
Layamon son of Leovanath, c. 1200
Johannes de le Ryvere 1282
) Hanricus Everard, cap. 14 kal. Jul,,
I 1311
Ricardus Fillob, cap. 10 kal. Dec. 1323
Johannes le Clere, pbr. g Sept. ....
Wiii'us de Ideshale, 20 Sept., 1354
Will'us Flayting, 16 Jan., 1363
Will'us atte More, 11 Sept., 1369
Thomas Cross, 1401
J oh. Wybbe, 8 Dec, 1404
Richardus Cone, 23 Oct., 1405
Thomas Cross, 22 Oct., 1407
Ricardus Sodden, 4 Nov., 1416
Thomas Frensche, 19 Jan., 1419
Johannes Richard, 17 Jun., 1454
Johannes Maryten, 8 Oct., 1458
Ricardus Richards, Nov., 1464
Walterus John, 25 Jan., 1472
Ricardus Oldenale, 22 Oct., 1479
Johannes Wall, i Nov., 14S5
Ricardus Bogy, 11 Jan., 1509
Will'us Wartry, 23 Nov., 1520
Will'us Weston, 25 Oct., 1558
John James, 3 May, 1577
Humphrey Walker, 7 May, 1589
■ John Vernon, 8 Aug., 1682
Richard Vernon, 4 Oct., 1710
John Haughton, i Oct., 1733
Thomas Vernon, 29 May, 1738
George Hulme, 1794
Henry James Hastings, Oct., 1831
John Parsons Hastings, July, 1856
Edward Acton Davies, Oct., 1875
Daniel Vawdrey, Sept., 1S80
^
II
go
A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
inppcr Brlc^,
RLEY, anciently written Earnley, means " an open
place in a wood, the abode of the Eagle."* An
osprey or sea eagle was shot there in the present
century by Lord Valentia's keeper.} In 996
Arley was given by Wulfruna, widow of Aldhelm
Earl of Northampton, to a religious house at
Wolverhampton (Wulvrune's Hampton). In the time of
William II. Bishop Sampson diverted Arley to Worcester
Priory. Bishop Roger [temp. Henry I.) gave it to a Judge,
Henry de Port, who built and endowed the church. Adam de
Port, his son, placed the living in the hands of the Bishop of
Lichfield. Later on Plubert de Burgh sold to Robert de
Glovernia " certain lands in the Ville of Arley," which had
been the lands of Osbert de Hextan. In the church is a stone
figure in armour with crossed legs, and bearing a shield three
lavs dencetle gules. Bishop Lyttelton supposed that the knight
was a de Hextan. The Rev. E. Hardwicke surmised that he
was Sir Richard Delamare. The late Rev. Mackenzie Walcott
believed him to be Walter de Balun, who married Isolda,
daughter of Edmund de Mortimer and heiress of Upper Arley
{Nash, vol. II., app. iv.). A sketch of the tomb is given opposite
page 72, but the knight's identity is still uncertain.
Richard Duke of York sold this manor to Sir William Burley,
of Broncroft Castle. Burley had two daughters, one of whom,
Jo m, marrijd the famous Judge Sir Thomas Lyttelton ; and
* Aar is the German for eagle, and the<;r/« is the " bog-eagle" of Scotland.
t Analyst, No. ii., p. 84, Sept,, 18^4.
UPPER ARLEY.
91
thus the manor was carried to the Lytteltons, who enjoyed it
for 300 years. From 1660 Arley was the chief seat of this
distinguished family, and many of their monuments are still in
the church. When George the "good" Lord Lyttelton built
Hagley Hall, Arley fell into the background, Thomas the
*'bad" Lord Lyttelton left Arley to his sister's son, George
Viscount Valentia and and Earl of Mountnorris, The fine
castle at Arley was built b}' Lord Mountnorris on the site of the
old manor house ; and, together with the church, forms a
striking feature in the landscape. The castle grounds contain
many specimens of rare trees, one of especial interest being the
Sorb Tree,* the largest now in England. The Earl died in
1844 without issue ; and soon afterwards the estate was
purchased by Robert Woodward, Esq., whose eldest son
succeeded him as lord of the manor in 1882. The parish
registers commence in 1564. The following is an imperfect
list of
Rectors of Upper Arley,
Temp.
1632-
1684-
1707-
1758-
1794-
1800
1851-
1862
Henry
-1655
1662
1684
-1707
-1758
-1794
-i8oo
-1862
Incumbents.
Til. Philip de Bray
John Thomas . .
Orford
John Waldron. .
Thomas Parkes
Joseph Chellingworth
John Brooke . ,
Thomas Simon Butt..
Thomas Butt , .
Richard Hart Ingram
Charles James Wilding
Patrons.
Bp. of Lichfield
George, Lord Lyttelton
George, Viscount Valentia
Ditto
See Miscellanea.
92 A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
Zbc IRoch or UM.
HESE two names, seemingly so different, according-
to Bishop Percy, are identical. The village was
called Aca or " The Oak" in Latin, and the
English " The Rock," is only a corruption of the
old Anglo-Saxon Thser Ac, that is Ther Oak, or
The Oak. Dr. Percy believed firmly in the tradi-
tion that the original Oak, which thus gave its name to the
parish, was the same where St. Augustine had the famous
interview with the British Bishops, as narrated by the
Venerable Bede. " In the meantime, Augustine, with the
assistance of King Ethelbert, drew together to a conference the
bishops or doctors of the next province of the Britons, at a place
which is to this day called Augustine's Ac, that is Augustine's
Oak, on the borders of the Wiccii and the West Saxons."* In
an old atlas preserved at Shakenhurst, entitled " The large
English Atlas, By Emanuel Bowen, Printed by John Bowles at
the Black Horse in Cornhill" — presumably of the date a.d.
1670 — Rocke is mentioned as noted for Augustine's oak, where
he and the British clergy held a Conference.
Bishop Percy says, " When the new Turnpike Road was first
made [1753] the Gate being set up at the Apostle's Oak, the
Gatekeeper, till his House was built, took shelter in the old
hollow Trunk, in which he made a fire that caused it to be
• Veil. Ba^da Hist. Eccks., lib. 11. cap. ii.
THE ROCK OK AKA. 93
burnt down. I remember being told this by Mr.Meysey Rector
of the Rock about the year 1754 or 1755 when I was on a Visit
at his Parsonage house."*
In Saxon times Godric and Alward, thanes of Earl Algar,
held respective]}- the hamlets of Alton and Lindon. Ulmer
held Halac and Grim owned More. In the Conqueror's time it
was the land of Ralph de Tony, and was afterwards held under
him by the Abbot and Convent of St. Ebrulph at Utica in
Normandy. Later on Rock and Snede were owned by Henry
de Ribbesford, and afterwards came to Beauchamp Earl of
Warwick. By attainder 15th Hen. VII. the manor fell to the
Crown, and was granted 37 Hen. VIII. to Richard Andrews,
who alienated Roke and Sued to Robert Acton. Alton and
Roke were granted i Eliz. to George Blount by Bryan Carter
and Mary his wife. John Coningsby had lands in Roke and
Sued by lease from the king : these descended to Fitzwilliam
Coningsby of the Bower.
The church is dedicated to St. Peter, and part of it is of
Norman work, notably the fine chancel arch. The chancel
deviates slightly to the south — a symbol of the leaning of our
Saviour's head upon the Cross. The tower was erected in 15 10
by Judge Coningsb}-, who also built the chantry of St. Mary and
St. George, in which is his altar tomb. The incised efitigy of
Richard Smythe, Rector of the church (1529- — 1554), in his
vestments, is now let in the wall of the chantry. The church
was thoroughly restored about 20 years ago by the Rev.
Arthur Severne.
The chapel of St. Giles at Heightington in this parish is also
of great antiquity, and the interior was once adorned with fresco
paintings and stained glass.
Richard Baxter says that in his time there were two curates
of Rock : one got his living by tying faggots, the other by
making rope.
* From an autograph letter to Robert Bromley, Esq., of Abberley Lodge,
now in the possession of Miss Bromley, of Bewdley. The letter is headed
"Near Northampton, May 31, 1797."
94
A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
Rectors of Rock.
Patrons. Incumbents.
Pope John . . . . . . . . Peter de Hope, 5 kal. Oct., 1333
King .. ., .. .. .. Richard le Gierke, 9 Oct., 1338
Roger de Stanford, 11 Sept., 1340
Abbot and Convent of St. Ebrulph] tuj-c^-u r t^ ^
inNormandv .. .. ^ . John de Friseby, 16 Dec, 1361
in Normandy
King
•J-
Robert, Prior of Mountgrace
Bishop , . , , . . . .
King
Prior and Convent of Shene.
. . Richard Attewell, 16 May, 1381
William Kydermynster, 28 Oct., 1383
Richard Crateford, 4 Feb., 1385
. . Thomas Ewyer, 21 May, 1398
.. William Lamprey, 31 Aug., 1399
.. Roland Blund, 14 Apr., 1414
Robert Skinner, alias Montgomery,
13 Apr., 1415
.. William Coryngham, i June, 1416
John Thedilthorp, i Nov., 1426
John Wyllys, 12 June, 1439
John Spencer, 10 Decern., 1481
John Algar, 17 Nov., 1514
Richard Smyth, 3 March, 1529
Thomas Grene, by grant from the) t , r- ^uv, <. c a -i /=
Convent of Shene (?) . . . . | J°^" Cuthbert, 26 April, 1560
Thomas Hopkins, i Aug., 1565
William Coke (or Cooke), d. 1607
Benson, D.D., 1607
. . Sares Boyleston, 4 Nov., 1672
Edward Partington, 13 July, 1716
,. William Petwin, 24 Sept., 1731
John Meysey, g March, 1732
.. Ralph Lingen, 16 Oct., 1764
.. Richard Watkins, 11 Aug., 1770
Ralph Lingen
William Henry Hill, 1812
. . W^illiam Severne, 1840
.. Arthur Severne, 1853
. . Alfred James, 1862
. . Frederick Augustus Reiss, 1870
Edward Boyleston
John Meysey . ,
Francis Watkins
Charles Watkins Meysey
John Michael Severne
Anna Maria Severne . .
Alfred James
Caroline Reiss . .
The church of the Holy Trinity in the Far Forest was con-
secrated in 1844. The parish was taken out of Rock and
Ribbesford, and the patronage is alternately in the gift of the
Rectors of those parishes. The Registers date from 1848, and
appended is a
List of Incumbents of the Far Forest.
Robert Onebye Walker
James T. C. Saunders .
Josiah Turner Lea
1844— 1848
1848— 1853
1853 ....
Rector of Ribbesford
Rector of Rock
Rector of Ribbesford
LOWER MIT TON. 95
Xowcr riDittou.
OWER MITTON (Stourport) is mentioned in
Domesday as one of the hamlets of Kidder-
minster under the name of Metune. John Cofton,
of Cofton Racket, was anciently seized of lands
here, which descended to his heiress, Lucy wife
Alex, de Hodington, 20 Edw. III. (1245), and in
this line it continued till 7 Henry VI. John Lench, a Lancas-
■^rian, forfeited it by his attainder in 3 Edw. IV., but Henry VII.
restored his son, John Lench, to this his paternal estate. After-
wards Sir William Lygon held it, but sold to every tenant the
inheritance of the estate he occupied. Later on he sold the
manor to James Clent. In 1563 Mitton chapelry contained 23
families.
There has been a chapel at Mitton for centuries, but burials
used to be made at. Kidderminster. In 1625 (Nov. 13) the
ground lying round the chapel was consecrated for burials by
John, Bishop of Worcester. Mr. John Odell, Vicar of Kidder-
minster, John Yarranton and John Wilkes, chapelwardens of
Mitton, and John and Humphrey Grove, gentlemen there, were
the petitioners. The Vicar of Kidderminster and his successors
were to receive for the burial of every person in the churchyard
6d., for a burial in the chapel 6s. 8d., and in the chancel 105.*
The present plain brick church of St. Michael was erected on
the old site in 1791. In 1844 (June 19) the hamlet of Lower
Mitton was made a chapelry district, and the chaplain became
a perpetual curate. In 1866 (Aug. 7), by Lord Blandford's
Act, the curacy became a vicarage, and the present incumbent
is the first vicar. The earliest register is dated 1693 > '^"<J the
patron has always been the Vicar of Kidderminster.
The foundations of a new church from the designs of Sir
Gilbert Scott were begun on Sept, 8, 1881, and were completed
last year. About ;^40oo have been promised or paid to the new
church fund ; and it is believed that ;/r8ooo more would complete
the nave, so as to make it available for divine service.
• The deed is printed in Nash, vol. ii., p. 59.
96 A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
The hamlet of Upper Mitton (in Hartlebury) has been lately
attached to Lower Mitton ; and the new church of All Saints
there has been erected at the sole cost of Alfred Baldwin, Esq.,
of Wilden House.
The visits of John Wesley to Stourport have already been
mentioned (page 50).
"About 1766, where the river Stour empties itself into the
Severn below Mitton, stood a little alehouse called Stourmouth.
Near this Brindley has caused a town to be erected, made a port
and dockyards, built a new and elegant bridge, ''•' established
markets, and made it the wonder not only of this county but of
the nation at large. In the year 1795 it consisted of 250 houses
and about 1300 inhabitants. Thus was the sandy barren
common at Stourport converted, in the space of 30 years, into
a flourishing, healthy, and very populous village."!
Acts of Parliament for the construction of the Worcestershire
and Staffordshire Canal were passed in 1765 and 1770, and the
principal basin was made at Stourport. The canal is 46 miles
in length, and has 44 locks : the total cost of construction was
;^I05,000.
By the Reform Act, Stourport was joined to the Parliamentary
borough of Bewdley. The list of members is given in the
Appendix (page xL).
Stourport is still a thriving town, and carries on the manu-
facture of carpets, iron and tin wares, leather, screws, and
barges.
Appended is a list of some
Incumbents of Mitton Chapel.
1552
W. Spytull
1779
John Grubb
1663
Timothy Kirk
1781
Francis Baines
1669
Edward Thomas
1782
David Davies
I67I
John Brown
1829
Charles Wharton
1692
Nathaniel Williams
1850
Stephen Richard Waller
1694
Jonathan Cotton
1 861
Benjamin Gibbons
• The bridge erected in 1775 was destroyed by a flood in 1794, and an iron
bridge of one arch, 150 feet span, was set up in its place. This bridge was
rebuilt in 1870.
t Nash, appendix p. 47.
\.
APPENDIX
APPENDIX. iii.
lEytracti? from
1Ribbc^^for^ Cburcb IRcoistcrs.
In the year of our lord god 1598, + Fixs
This Regester Booke was copped owte by awarde made at
the Parlement houlden at Westmenster in the forteyeth year of
the Raigne of o"" Soverane Lady Ehzabethe By the Grace of
god Queene of England, ffraunce & Irelond Defender of the
faythe.
The entries from 1574 to 1598 were copied " from an oulde
booke" — part of which was missing — " b}' John Glover, Clk.
ofp'sh."
Georgius Sowthall Ariium Baccalaureus Concionator publicus inductus
fuit Rector de Ribbesford decimo septimo die Januarii Anno Dni. millesimo
sexcentesimo.
Baptisms.
1574 Dec. 12. John the Sonne of Ambros Hartley, Caper
Margret the daughter of a Litell taylor.
1575 Aprell I. Annes the Daughter of thomas warter,* Clarke
Ehzabethe the daughter of John Grove, hatter
John the sonn of Mr Anthony mucklow t
Robarte the sonn of John Vickres
Be mercifull unto lis God of thy godnes
1576 Sept. 9. John the sonn of wilHam holms, sherman
ffraunces the sonne of John Bolton, taner
William the sonn of Humffrey unckels
Call to Rememhyance thy sinus and offences.
1577 Nov. I. Joane the daughter of humffrey Brasher
* Chaplain of St. Andrew's, Bewdley, and Rector of Dowles.
t Son of Richard Mucklowc, Estj., of Plodon.
Dec.
12.
Feb.
3-
Aprell
I.
Nov.
27.
Jan.
26.
Feb.
20.
Sept.
9-
Sept.
21.
Nov.
27.
IV
A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
Delle with the thinge that Lawful and Righte for so shall hit pics god bctey then
sacrefesses of BuUockes and yonge shee asses
1577 Js-"- 4- Thomas the sonn of thomas warter minyster
1578 May 17. Richard the son of Richard Jones the curat of Ripsford
End dewer thou unto the end thowghe iliou suffer greate Trubles and Extremieties for
the trc'd'the sake
Katheren the daughter of John Glover* shewmaker
Thomas the son of thomas Bowlson f
Josnath the sonn of Humfrey Brasher
Robart the son of Robarte Acton Esquier J
moyses beinge fownd in a owt hows
John the sonn of ffraunces hill, taner
Philipe the sonn of Harry Grove goner
Richard the sonn of Rowland Longley p'son of Corle §
ftortune the daughter of Mr Robart Acton Esquier
John the sonn of Richard Brian flecher ||
Edward the sonne of Nickolas Crondall Clark
John the sonne of John Hayles tanner
John the sonne of Richard townesend a straynger
Arculus the daughter of Edward Bayles
George the sonne of Henry Hathweye Lp farryer
Elenor the daughter of olever thloj'd ^
Anne the daughter of Thomas morres a glover
Margret the daughter of a straynger came to the Councell
Henry the sonne of John Sowley tanner
ffraunces the sonne of Edward Robinson a Bower
Katheren the daughter of John Wilkes
Sibell the daughter of John Hayley
Edward the sonne of Edward Plevey
Isabel! the daughter of John Pardoe
Anne the daughter of thomas Dedicott of wrignall
Thomas the sonne of Thomas Goughe parchment maker
Peregrine the sonn of Richard franklen the usher
God save Elizahethe our Queene. Amen.
BURIALLS.
1575 Dec. 26. Ann the dawghter of Mr Henry Blonte Esquier from
horshill
Jan. 4. mistres Blonte the -wiffe of Mr Henry Blont Esquer
1580
15S0
Nov.
20,
I58I
Ap.
13-
Ap.
20.
Feb.
27.
I5S2
Aug.
28.
March
3-
1583
Oct.
10.
1584
Feb.
7-
Feb.
24-
1585
May
so-
I5S6
July
li.
Sept.
24.
1588
Aug.
II.
Sept.
22.
1589
Ap.
13-
1590
Ap.
I.
July
13-
1592
Alarch 26.
Aug.
9-
1593
Oct.
14.
Nov.
'15-
March 16.
1594
Sept.
17-
Oct.
30.
1595
Oct.
28.
1597
Jan.
13-
* The parish clerk who copied this Register, and inserted the religious and
moral maxims in the margin.
t First Bayliff of Bewdley, 1606. \ Owner of Ribbesford.
g Coreley (?) \\ Maker of arrows.
II The Welsh pronunciation of " Lloyd." Dr. Beddoe, F.R.S., of the
Anthropological Society, says that the people of Bewdley still have much
of the Celtic or Celtiberian physical type, their hair particularly being more
often dark than that of their neighbours east of the Severn.
APPENDIX. V.
1576
Feb. 24.
1577
March ig.
1580
Nov. 21.
March 8.
I5S2
Feb. 4.
I5S5
June 27.
1588
Ap.
21.
July
6.
1589
July
7-
1590
July
8.
1592
Jan.
13-
Margret the dawghter of David verrett *
A stranger ladd was buried
Elenor taylor a owld wenche
Anne Knyghte a prisnor owt of the Jayle of woster
William the sonne of Philipe Turstone Clarke
Owen Apprichard
ther was Buried in this year 15S7 of a straynge sicknes in this p'ishe
of Ripsford 84.
owlde mother Kidder widdow
william mathewes a Clarke of the Councell
Master John Drap Debetey of Bewdley
A welchwoman that came to the Councell
Sister a poor wench a straynger
1593 [Burials in June 4, in July 11, in Aug. 50, in Sept. 45, in Oct. 27, in
Nov. 18, in Dec. 11. Total for the year 202.]
Mr Thomas warter minester of Bewdley
Thomas the sonne of John ap Bowen
Robarte the sonne of John ap Bowen
John ap Bowen Capper
Annes Bowen his wiffe
Ales the dawghter of the sayd John ap Bowen
Richard the sonne of the sayd John ap Bowen
Ales the dawghter of Henry James
The Sonne of Henry James
The dawghter of Harye James
The dawghter of Harye James
Th'other dawghter of Henry James
Alles James
,, 15. Henry James
Geve no occasion of Evell But fear gods Anger
The Lord take ?.'s to his mercye amen.
[The total number of deaths in 1594 was only 44.]
Prayse God allivays.
1596 Dec. 22. Richard the father of John Vickreg of the age on 100
yeares and i yeare departed at myten
Feb. 25. John Myllard of glathermyll
■1598 July 24. ther was buryead the harte and Bowels of Mr Sherrcr t
Aug. I. George Leathe of wrignall was drownded as he was goinge
to wash himself in Severn in a storme of Littinge and
thunder on Lamas Even at nyghte
* Arms formerly in S. window of Ribbesford Church.
t Thos. Sherer, Esq., Clerk to the Council of the Marches : his body was
buried at Shrewsbury, of which town he was Bailiff in 15S9.
Aug.
I.
6.
16.
17-
17-
17-
17-
iS.
21.
21.
24.
24.
Sept.
14.
vi. A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
1609
Oct.
30.
I6I3
Apr.
21.
1615
Maye
24.
Oct.
12.
I6I8
June
I.
1640
Feb.
9-
1647
Dec.
27.
1652
Ap.
19.
Matrimony Anno D"' 1574
1597 July 10. Thomas Stiche and Indians his wiffe.
Dec. 30. George Sowthall Parson of Ribbesford and Bridgett
Stookes were married att Worcester.
1604 Oct. 8. Richard Whittcott and Margarett Sowley att dowlls in
licentia
William Hopkyns * and Hellen Vickaris
ffraunces Gildinge t and Issabel Beste
Thomas Hill & ffraunces Shelly at dowles
Arthyr Palmer & Elizabeth Shelly at dowles
Silvanus Sare & Joyce Tombes
Nicolas Kendricke and Ann Phillips
ThomasWright Rector of Hartlebury& Joyce Pountneyvid.
Walter Pallmer & Anne Clare
Benefactors to Ribsford and Bewdley.
Anno Dni 1633
In the yeare above written Sir Henry Herbert, Knight, Patron of the
Church and Lord of the mannor of Ribsford, bestowed upon the said Church
the great greene Cushion whereof the upper pt is velvet & the lower pt
Sattin, together with the case of greene shagg-bayes to keepe, carry, and
preserve it in, the cushion to be for the pulpitt when sermons are therein
delivered : which cushion was stollen, and one like it bought and p^i for
by the
Anno Dni 1634
In this yeare the same Sir Henry Herbert Knight bestowed also upon
the Church of Ribsford a carpett of greene broad-cloath with a greene silk
fringe about it to be put upon the Communion Table : and also did line and
studd the desk of the pulpit in the said Church.
Anno Dni 1636
In this yeare Mrs. Margarett Whitcott \ wid : gave (for a new yeare's
gift) unto the Church of Ribsford a Communion Cupp of Silver with a Cover
for the same, weighing seventeen ounces tearmeing it the widowes mite. The
same yeare the above-mentioned Sir Henry Herbert Knight gave unto the
Church of Ribsford also a large Communion Cupp of silver with a cover for
the same weighing . . . ounces, with case to preserve it in with this
inscription§
* " The most eminent wise and truly religious magistrate of Bewdley, at
last Member of the Long Parliament." — Richard Baxter. See Burials,
July, 1647.
t One of the donors of the Mill and Meadow Money.
J Nee Soley. See "Registers," Oct. S, 1604.
§ Inscription on silver cup : —
Soli Deo Gloria
Poculum benedictionis cui benedicimus nonne communio Sanguinis Christi
est Cap X Pauli ad Corinth. Donum Henrici Herberti Eq. Ecclesise de
Ribsford Anno Dom 1636 mens. mart. Ante Festum Paschse.
APPENDIX. vii.
Anno Dni 1637
In this yeare Richard Vickris merchant and then cheife Sheriffe of the
Citie of Bristol gave a greene Cushion of Plush to be used upon the pulpit in
the Chappell of Bewdley.
Anno Dni 1638
In this yeare against Easter the same most liberal! and worthy Bene-
factor Sir Henry Herbert gave to the Church of Ribsford a silver flagon for
the wine at times of administration of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper
weighing . . . with a case to preserve it in.
In the same yeare the said Sir Henry Herbert also was at the care &
cost of making that cupp which Mrs. Whitcott (aforenamed) gave, aad a
little old one which the Church had formerly belonging to it, into one,
proportionable and uniform with the great cupp of his gift abovementioned
with a cover cf silver thereunto ; for wh Cup and cover he gave also a case
for the safe keeping and preservation. All which he hath freely done, given
& bestowed to the glory of God, the ornament of the Church, and the
exemplarie encouragement of others.
Anno Dni 1639
In this yeare also against Easter the abovesaid worthy Knight Sir Henry
Herbert gave to the Church of Ribsford another silver flagon followeing the
first, for the same use as is abovementioned weighing . . with a case
to preserve it in.* The same Sir Hen. Herbert gave 4 pewter potts with
hanglesses to carry them by, to containe the wine at the communion.
Baptisms.
1604 March 10. Elizabethe the daughter of Richard Inett tanner on the
wyre hill
1615 May 29. Thomas the Sonn of Thomas Paramore Gente of Ripsford
was baptised the viijth Daye of June & was borne xxix
Daye of Maye.
A true Coppye of a Letter sent from the WorpH William Sebright to
the worpll the Bayliffe, the Parson, the Corporation of the Towne of
Bewdley, & the p'ishioners of the p'ish of Ribsford. [He gives
565. 4(f. yearly to provide " against every Sabaoth day for ever
hereafter, the quantity of thirteene pennyworth of good sweete and
holesome bread of wheate, the same to be set uppon the Com-
munion Table at the beginning of morning prayer."]
Copy of part of the last will of Mr Samuell Sayer of Needlestead in
the County of Sufifolke Esquier, 1623. [He provides Almshouses
for 6 poor men & endows them with £^ each.]
* The inscription on this flagon is : —
Implete & haurite nunc
Hoc est novum illud pactum
per meum Sanguinem
Donum etc. 1039.
viii. A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
Mem. that Sir Henry Herbert in 1633 bestowed the greate greene
Cushion wherof the upper part is Velvet & the lower part Sattin for
the use of Ribsford Church at any time of preaching in the said
church, or upon especiall occasion (now & then happening) for the
like use of the Chappell in Bewdley.
1624 Nov. 2. Thomas Sonne of Willm Madstard* & Alice
Nov. 25. Charles sonne of the Right Honourable Spencer Lord
Cumpton beinge baptized in the Chappell of ye
Mannour house called Ticknell, & borne on ye 24th
day of October f
1626 July 30. William the sonne of William Tither \ and Anne
1630 Aug. 15. Elizabeth ye daughter of Anne Lambert supposed to be
the daughter of a stranger whose name to ye said
Anne was unknown as she sayth upon examination
1634 Manoah the sonne of Manoah Sherrard High Schoole-
master & Elizabeth
1637 July 30. Richard ye Sonne of Robert Morton Minister
1639 Sept. 8. Sares§ the sonne of Thomas Boilston & Anne
BURI.\LS.
1599 Dec. 17. A poore boy out of the Queen's stable
1601 P'rancis Corbet of the Park myll
1603 Sept. 17. Susanna the daughter of John Morgan ^/i^jfiw^e
1604 Oct. 10. Sara Barnsley out of the cabbinU the peste.
[From Oct. 1604 to April 1605 there were 115 deaths from the peste or
plague, of whom 23 belonged to the family of Barnsley]
1607 Nov. 25. Mrs Elizabeth Churchill wife of Mr John Churchill Esquire
of Ribbesford dyed at London on St Stephen's day
Anno Dom. i6o5
1608 Ap. 25. Gabriell Brasier of Burford who was slaine on S* George's
day
1609 May 27. John weaver the Baker of the george over agaynst the
Chappell
1610 David Taylor alias Pint pott
161 1 Mr John Grove gent sometimes Deputy of Bewdley
May 7. Lewis Morris Minister of the Chappell being Curatt there
1613 Mr Andrewe Armstronge — a Scottish gentleman killed at
Kinlet and brought to Ribbesford and buried there.
He was killed on the 13th, and buried on the 15th, April
1614 March 23. Clemen Vaughan the wife of meredethe vaughan did
drowne herself in the parke pooll at the myll.
* Chaplain of Bewdley.
t Grandson of William Earl of Northampton.
X This is still the local pronunciation of " Tudor."
§ Afterwards minister of Bewdley and Rector of Rock.
II See Chapel Wardens' Accounts.
APPENDIX.
IX.
I6I6
1621 Oct.
17-
1623 May
24.
1636 Jan. 31.
1637
1641
1643
164=
Jan.
a crisom child * of Robert Slater
Thomas Boylson gent, the first Bayliffe of Bewdley
Richard Gardiner a stranger, servant to the Earl of
Northampton the then Lord President of Wales
William Arnold a stranger who was drowned in the well
in the upper Street
William Perrott (sonne of Mr Humphrey Perrott of Bel-
hall) who was slaine in Bewdley t
1626 Mr John Tyler one of ye capitall Burgesses
1632 Oct. 5. Francis the sonne of Thomas Allen of Great Hedgwicke
^ was buried at Ribsford beinge scalded to death &
searched by a Jury in Bewdley the Bayliffe being
Coroner
1635 June 20. Elizabeth ye wife of Robert Swath at Cleobury beinge
excommunicated in Ribsford her owne p'ish
Feb. 25. Alice ye wife of Edmound Bishopp of greate Hedgwicke
was buryed by night at Cleobury
Edmund Bishopp of greate hedgwick was buryed at Cleo-
bury Mortimer by Richard Osland then Deacon there
havinge stood excom. in the church of Ribsford for
many years
Thomas Corbett gente. the peste
Anne Steward who was killed with a fall into a well at ye
widow Greaves — hir house
Mr Thomas Hincksman of London was buryed there ; who
dyed the 8th day of Nov., and had a funerall sermon
preached at Bewdley in remembrance of him, and a
funerall dinner kept Decemb. 12
John Hams and John Hobs, soldiers
Andrew Coltis, a souldier
Thomas Gossage & Thomas Haszald, souldiers
Lieutenant Smelling, souldier
[In 1645-6 there were 21. burials of " souldiers."]
21. William Hopkins gent, a gracious & able Christian ; then
Burgesse elected for parliament for the Burrough of
Bewdley died 19
[In 1648 the " peste" carried off about 60 persons.]
1652 Feb. 21. Mr John Solie dyed at Dowles 17th
[In 1652 the entries give day of death as well as of burial. Many
were buried on the day of their death : very few later than the next
day. Only winding sheets were used — rarely coffins. See " Chapel
Wardens' Accounts" in Appendix.]
* See Shakspere's Henry V., Act ii. sc. 3.
t See Midland Antiquary, vol. i, p. 117, for an account of the Perrott family.
B
March 26.
.. 30-
Aug. 13.
14-
1647 July
A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
1657
Feb.
15
1663
1668
July
3
»)
3
»i
3
VOLUME II.
At the hundred house the 23rd Sept. 1633 before Edward Pytts, William
Jeffreys, & John Lathum Esqrs & Justices of the peace for the County of
Worcester
Whereas it appeareth unto us upon a Certificate delivered unto us from
the p'ishioners & Inhabitants of the p'ish of Ribsford that they have made
choice of Mr John Boraston to be Register for the sayd p'ish vi'ee the sayd
Justices do hereby approve & allow of the sayd John Boraston to have the
keeping of this Register book according to an Act of Parliamt passed the 24th
of Aug. 1653. And we have sworne him to execute the sayd Office dilligently
& faithfully according to the sayd Act.
[120 births in 1657 : 100 in 1658 : loi in 1659 : 120 in 1660.]
Baptisms.
Leonard son of Leonard Simpson Esq* & Elizabeth
Bap. Feb. 9 Richard, f son of William Willis & Susanna
borne January 17
Mabell, d. of Hughe Yarranton & Margery
Jonathan, s. of Hughe Yarranton & Margery
Penelope, d. of Hughe Yarranton & Margery
This last was borne June iS, the age of ye other two was of Mabell
about 4 yeares, & of Jonathan about 2 yeares
Hughe & Margery — (if not maryed) were presented for ffornication
before marriage (if yet maryed) & excommunicated, & kept the two
first so long unbaptized, but having a 3rd. were all three baptized
together.
1671 Feb. 9. Thomas son of Thomas ffarloe & Joane. borne in April!
1665. baptized before by a minister not ordain'd by a
Byshop, for wch his ffather was p'sented & ordered to
have this child baptized by one episcopally ordained
1671 Oct. 2. Susanna J d. of Obadiah Wowen & Susanna, borne Sept. II
(Partington) twin sons of Mr Sares Bolston & Anne,
March 12. J „, '' r , ^ ,
(Thomas ) borne fteb. 23
1718 Sept. 30. Elizabeth dr of Jonn Soley junr of Samburn in ye Parish
of Kidderminster gent. & Elizabeth. Baptised at Sam-
burn by Dr Stillingfleet
1719 Feb. 12. A daughter of John Bedford & Judith (Anabaptists) whom
they call Esther born Feb. 5
1720 March William Dugard of the parish of Aka alias Rock
* Deputy Recorder of Bewdley.
t Afterwards Bishop of Winchester.
\ See Miscellanea.
APPENDIX.
XI.
Matrimonie or Marriages with Publications,
in the Parish of Ribsford.
Such persons whose Publications are not mentioned were married by
the Justices of Bewdley*
William Willis & Susanna Inett f
Mr Nathanaell Williams high Schoolemaster and Mrs
Mary Boraston. Licence
Walter Pallmer & Ann Pooley. Licence
Israeli Wilks & Sarah Palmer. \ Licence
Pinson Wilmot of the parish of Kidderminster & Anne
Woods Spinster married by Mr Thomas Boraston
curate of Bewdley at Ticknell without my leave and
1660
Sept.
15-
1670
Jan.
14.
1680
Aug.
26.
1688
Aug.
23-
1700
Jan.
13-
1716 Jan. 16.
1660 April 7.
1661 Sept. 4.
Dec. 19
1663
1667
1669
1676 March 3.
March 16.
1677 March 3.
1709
1713
1714
1719 June 17.
1719 Oct. 4.
unknown to me till after the wedding was over
Wm Pountney widower aged above 70 and Margaret
Moorley widow aged (as some say 84, others 89 and
others 93) both of this parish. There were present as
'twas judged 500 spectators
Burials.
Charles son of John Crump killed by the fall of the bodie
of a dungway reared up to the wall of ye King's Stable
Mr Walter Pooler, Fellow of Trinity Coll. Oxon
John Johnson, stabbed into the shoulder by his wife,
wherof hee died, for which she was buried at Worcester
Mr George Lowe High Schoolmaster
Thomas More Gent born at More in Shropshire
Philip son of Philip Payne
A stranger found dead by a hay-rick
Anne daughter of Mrs Elizabeth Perot widdowe
John Allen, a walking man
James Durrham one of the serjeants of this corporation
Mary Bliss (who poisoned herself)
John Coley an Anabaptist. Buried at the Quaker's Meet-
ing House
Mr. John Amphlett an eminent Chirurgeon
William Cowper drowned in Roger Paine's draw-well
William Rogers Waterman [an excom. person not buried
with the Burial Office]
Robert Herriton, Maltster [murdered]
* During the Commonwealth persons could be married by Justices of the
Peace after the banns had been published at the Alarket Cross by the Town
Crier.
t Parents of Bishop Willis.
Grandparents of the notorious John Wilkes.
xu.
A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
BcwMe^ (Tbapel S, Biiboe Mar^cn0
Hccounts.
1569
1570
1571
1572
Pd to the Curat or Chapelyn in payment of his half yeres
stypend due at the feast of S* Michell the Archangell
in the loth yere of the sd sovereign lady the Queene
pd for the half yeres rent of his house
Item pd for white Incle* for the Bybull . . . . . .
Item pd for 2| yds of greene cotton to cover the Seate
where the Counsaill f sitteth
pd for an homyny \ book agst the Rebels . .
pd to Edw. Haward for my Lord Vicnt Harf.§ a drinking
pd in the Church to the Plaiers
pd to John Millard for wine wh. was given to Mr Justice
Throkmorton
pd for gathering oister shells to the bridge
Reed of Edw. Baker for his standing under the Stepell . .
Reed of Mr Hill and Mr Pooller for the Church Vest-
ments
pd unto Mr Drax for the Communion Cuppe
pd to Mr Recevr for postage money
pd for mending the paule
pd for a napkin to the Chaliis
pd to Thos Newey for 51b. of lead
pd unto the Alle Wife at Ovr Areley for our dinners when
we sett down the stonnes
pd unto Wm Smythe the laborer for ro dales work about
the bridge . .
pd unto Mr Sheriffe's men for the mearsement |
towne
iiji
of the
vl x9
iijs ivd
id
ivs vi<J
xiid
vs
xvid
xviii<3
iid
xx<i
vis viiid
ivl iv9
viiis
ivd
vid
vid
V3
li3
* Incle, an inferior kind of tape.
t The Council of the Marches of Wales.
\ A homily book against the Rebels in the North.
§ Viscount Hereford.
1 1 Amercement.
APPENDIX. xiif.
1572 Pd unto John Hayley for bandinge the church box . . ijs
PJ unto Rd Bonkenell for a new bucket to the towne well vd
pd for two horse load of lyme . . . . . . . . xvid
pd unto the queues plaiers in the church . . . . . . vis viijd
pd unto Mr Reward of the Crow^ne at my Lord Byshoppe
of Worcester's being here .. .. .. .. iijs iv<l
pd unto Edw. Haward for wine at my Lord of Leyster's
Commissioners being here . . . . . . . . xvid
pd unto Wm Griffin for Sir Thos Russell with the other
Commissoners for there dinners . . . . . . xis
pd unto John Hayley for the Bonniers drinking at the
Bonfyers accg to the old custom . . . . . , ivd
pd unto the Sheriffe for amersement about Stinkes . . xs
1573 pd for Wyne and Suger to make my Lorde Byshop drinke vis viijd
pd to my Lorde of Lester's pleyars* . . . . . . viijs
pd for the forfet of our Register Boke to the Queen's
Commysoners at Limster . . . . . . . . xijd
1574 'P<^ iotienxy Glashycr iov glasinge the cha,^^e\\\ . . .. xxvijs
pd for Wyne for my Lords kynsman that preched . . ixd
1575 For a hogsed of wyne given to Syr John Hubots J . . vl
1576 For paving at the Bolrynge§ . . . . . . . . . . iiid
1577 For wyne & sugar when the Justes was heare at the
monster . . . . . . , , . . . . . . iis xd
For a marked strycke . . . . . . . . . . . . xxd
To put the scholemaster's chambers in order . . . . iis viiid
1578 pd to William Lake for mending the gomestooIeU . . ivd
' These players visited Stratford-on-Avon the same year.
t A good instance of word-making, and of the origin of proper names.
I Sir John Huband or Hibbots, of Ipsley, Warwickshire, Steward to the
Earl of Leicester : one of the donors of the Mill and Meadow Money.
§ Bull Ring.
II Cucking stool to " duck" scolding women. The word is spelt Gronncyll,
Gounstole, Gomstole (1584), Gomeble Stoole (1588), Gombell Stoole (1618).
The Leominster ducking stool is still preserved, and was last used in 181 7.
The object of the ducking stool is thus described by Vincent Bourne : —
" Near many a stream was wont to meet us
A Stool, to broils a sure quietus.
It curb'd the tongue, the passions rein'd,
And Reason's empire firm maintained.
Astride it set up but a Xantliippe,
Then twice or thrice virago dip ye ;
And not a lambkin on the lea
Will leave the stream more meek than she.
A Lethe o'er her memory shed,
The very shades of anger fled.
Cool grows the fever of the breast,
And surging passions seek to rest.
The lesson ex cathedra taught
Here balance in the scale of thought ;
Then say if e'er Socratic school
Such lesson taught as Ducking Stool."
-r
XIV,
A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
1578 Pd to my lorde Smythe* to help the Rowcaster t •• vid
PJ for six quartes of wynne when my lord landed at
Syverne side . . . . . . • • • • • • ii'^
Payed for half a pound of suger , . . . . . . . x'^
^ 1579 Payed Wm. Lake for mending the pyllery iiii'*
pd for 2 dales work to whitlime the chappell . . . . xxd
pd to my lorde Smyth for helping ii dales . . . . . . xiid
15S0 pd for Rushes and franckynsence for my Lordes seate . . iid
1582 for 2 quarts of Claret for my Lord Sidney t • • • • ii^ vi*^
15S3 Reed half yeres rent for Setes in the chapel . . . . il iiis vid
[Seven at as. 6d. and three at 2s.]
pd to Wm Smith for Key to the Workehouse . . . . ivd
15S5 P'^ the Register for staying the afpirence at Tenbury in
byinge a Bibell xviiid
for fyve skins for mending of the Organ . . . . . . ii^ vid
for feching the crouner § and gave hym a quart of wyne . . xiiid
1587 pd unto Mr Drax for 15 Jibs, of suger yt was given to my
Lorde p'sydent 11 .. .. .. .. .. .. xxvs
For 20 queries II of new glass .. .. .. .. iiis
15S9 paide for ringinge when the Spanniardes shipes were
~~"' taken in Irelande** xvid
pd to the Bally for mirrimente . . . . . . . . vid
Paid in chardges when my yonge Lord was here . . xvis
1592 pd for carriage of 4000 tyle from Bristol . . . . . . xivs
Tiles for paving the chapel . . . . . . . . . . xxviiil viiis
pd for the drinking bestowed on the Cowtis of Lecester . . xiis ivd
^593 pd for a new Com'nion Boke. . .. .. .. .. ivs ivd
pd for a new dree for the bucket of the towne well . . ivd
pd to Edw. Gosnell for lyme att tymes when we could
gett no Clee lyme . . . . . . . . . . . . viis
pd to Richard Barnsley for wardinge a week . . . . iijs
pd unto the glasier for mendinge the glasse at the greate
winde in the chappell . . , . . . . . . . xxd
pd to my Lord President ft his players . . . . . . xxs
pd for a galland of beere given to the Beishopp of
Hereford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iiijd
pd for a pottell of wyne and suger and metheglinlJ given
to docter lewys . . . . . . . . . . . . lis ivd
* Deformed persons are said to have been called " my lord." (Prattinton).
t Roughcaster.
X Sir Henry Sidney, Lord President of the Marches.
§ Coroner.
II Henry Earl of Pembroke.
^ Diamond-shaped panes.
** Wreck of the Spanish Armada,
tt Henry Earl of Pembroke.
J I Drink made from honey.
APPENDIX. XV.
^593 P"^ for a new Com'nion booke . . . . . . . . ivs ivd
For a bottell of Clarett wine wh. Oswould Stookes gave
to Mr. Acton* to gett leave to have woodd and
licence to make a Cabbin in the parka for the sycke
people! •• .. .. .. .. .. .. xiiiid
1594 PJ to Mr Chambers of Worcester for g\ ells of fine clothe
for a Surplisse & for the making thereof . . . . xxxs ixd
Pd to William Millton to make upp the Booke for Strat-
forde . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xviiid
pd for a sheete and other things about the buryinge of
one that dyed in the king's stable I . . . . . . xvid
pd for making of the chamber in the Almeshouse for ould
Hatton's wyfe . . . . . . . . . . . . iiis viiid
pd for mendinge of a bauldricke and oyle for the clocke
and for liquor for the bells . . . . . . . , vid j
pd to John Glover for nayles & leather to binde downe
certayne mattes in the Deputyes seate and in the two
Chauncellsg and for Rushes and for washinge the
surplesse and table cloathe att another tyme. . . . xiiiid
1595 Reed att St. Andrewes fayre fr. pewterers . . .. ,. xiis
For smale standings . . . . . . . . . . . . viis
Rd at St. George his fayre . . . . . . . . . . iis
Rd at St. Annes fayre . . . . . . . . . . . . iis vid
pd for digginge of xxvii loades of stone to pave in the
parke lane and at tynker's gate and att the Bridge
and att Severne Bridge . . . . . . . . . . vis ixd
pd to John Draper for v ounces of fringe for the pulpitt
cloath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xiis vid
pd for two skeynes of sylke and for vi yards of greene
Inckle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vid
pd for settinge it and bindinge it aboute . . . . . . vid
pd to the Ringers on the queenes hoUyday & for a
pound of candells . . . . . . . . . . . . iis
pd for washing the table cloathe agaynst Easter . . . . iid
1596 for a Prayer Booke from the Ld Bp of Hervarte . . . . ivd
for a Planke to mend the hole out of the Chancell into
Mersour Tavarn 11.. . . xvid
[,
Reed of Rychard bryan the flecher H xxxvis viiid f r
• Owner of Ribbesford.
+ A plague in 1593 : the Ribbesford registers show 202 burials in that 1
year : usual number about 35. .
I The King's stable appears to have been used as a refuge for " casuals." j
§ There were three chantries in the chapel previous to the Reformation.
II There were houses under the chancel.
II Arrow maker. 1
XVI.
A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
1596 PJ to John Glover for the Ringers at the coming in of
my Lord President * . . . . . . • • • • i^d
Pd for things that were given to the Countesf by the
towneswomen . . . . . . . . • • • • x' is
P<i for Mr Justes Shuttleworthes dyet & horsmeate . . xxvs viiid
1597 P'^ the 3rd of Aprill Mr Sweeper's wages the first
payment . . . . . . . . ■ • • • £^
pd to the constable Thomas Hill that was geven for the
rausomyng of soulders . . . . . . . . . . iiis ivd
A Suger Lofe given to Sir John Pakenton the 30 of July
1597 waying x lbs iii oz at xxd the lb . . . . . . xviis
pd to Thomas Haiward the 4 ¥ioveniber for the dyett
and horsemeat for the Steward Mr Morgan and
others of my Lords gentlemen . . . . . . . . xliis xd
for xi fotte of bords to mend on the top of the stepell . . iiis ivd
pd at the coming in of my Lord to the Towne & for
ringing the first of May .. .. .. .. .. xviiid
159S pd for things geven to the Countes the 6 of June 1598 by
the towneswomen i suger lofe xvs vid iiii boxes of
marmalat ixs viiid ii boxes of comfets vs : som . . xxxs iid
Receyved in pt that the women pay'd towards their
som iis vid a pece being vii women amounting to
xviis vid rest to paye
pd John Glover for filling the holes at tycknill that the
plomer left undone . . ...... . . . . iiid
For iiij yards of grene ... to laye one the desk that the
Justes leans one in the Court House . . . . . . iiis viiid
pd the 28th October 1598 to a precher . . . . . . iiis
pd to Mr Millward that was geven to Mr Roper's man
for writing letter . . . . . . . . . . . . lis
pd to Henry Smyth for carreg of the same letter to
Willton \ . . . . . . xiis ivd
1599 pd to Mr Southall & Mr Knype the 5 of September 1599
to goe to Lichfield about the survaur of the schole
house . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xxs
pd for paynts (?) geven to the scolers . . . . . . viiid
For cor ten rings tenter hokes to hang the clothes in the
Court House . . . . . . . . . . . . iid
1600 pd to John Wilkes the 12 of May 1600 by Mr Cowpur
appoyntment for the hier of a horse to Lichfield
about the survaur of the schole house. .
■* Henry Earl of Pembroke.
t Countess of Pembroke.
J The Earl of Pembroke's seat in Wiltshire.
APPENDIX.
XVIU
1600 Reed for ii standyngs betwixt the Condet & the Well . . iis ivd
Reed of a sault woman at the poule. . , . . . . . xvid
To my ptner Clare the first of March 1600 when Mr
Coulson went to Ludlow about the sehole lands Mr
- Hill gave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xvs
Pd to Mr John Mylward in pte of his dett the 7 of
November 1600 the ehardges of Justes Luttner at his
house xxxvs iiid
pd the same tyme for Ringing for the Erie of Pembroke . lis
pd to John Monox for mending to stope out the boyes in
the lofte in the church, and nayles . . . . . . iiid
pd the 12 of March 1600 for cloth to shroud a pore child
dyed in the king's stabell xid. in money for the women
to bury him vid
pd 26 March 1601 for a payer of hooks and hinges for one
of the wast doors of the Condet in the parka. ... xd
1601 pd for plankes and bords & noggs * for the walls . . . . iii
pd to Mr Yardley for his quarter's wages . . . . . . xls
pd to Dolittle of Kethermoster for the queues rent . . iiijs
pd for the charges bestowed on Mr Justes as he eame
throu the town . . . . . . . . . . . . xs iid
pd for a days worke for on man at Higley for playnynge
ston . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xvid
pd for skowringe the sestorn at ticknell and mending the
pipes.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. iijd
pd for makinge the horse bridge in Dog lane and earege
of the timber & for the timber . . . . . . . . xiiiis viiid
Reed the Stipente money the fees beinge allowde owt of
the same .. .. .. .. .. .. .. viil vis viiid
Reed of the widdow Bell for the Bridge House . . . . xs
Reed of Eleanor ... for the Lower Rowme of the
Bridge House . . . . . . . . . . . . iis vid
1602 Reed of the Saltwoman for her standinge at the somer
poule for the half year . . . . . . . . . . viiid
The same year there was on Joane Moare gave for her
' eominge into the Almshous . . . . . . . . xs
the which was bestowed on the Reparynge of the sayd
Almshouse by Richard Clare
For Reparinge the Condet in the parke and in Harry
Woods garden and in Ticknell . . . . . . . . ijs ijd
pd to Wm. Smallman for two quartes of Claret wine and
suger at the eominge of Sir Thomas Lay ton. . . . xxd
pd for wine & suger & cakes at the comynge of my Lord t
* Noggs— filling up of the interstices of a building composed partly of
wood. — HalliweU.
t Lord Zouch.
C
XVlll.
A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
1602 to Ticknell . .
Pd to John Monox and his man for makinge the Brige
at Bark hill
P<i to Thomas Mylls for sawinge the timber & making
the sawpit & filling up the sawpit
pd unto Greenbanke of Worcester for mendinge the
nether Condet & the over Condet
pd for digginge of ston in Hitrell and layinge the same &
mendinge of a mattocke . .
pd for ringinge at the Lord cominge
for strawinge the Churche
1603 pd for a hondred of brike to amend on of the chimnes
upon the bridge & for stones & gravel to pave on the
bridge & for workmanshipe
pd toe the Clarke of the market for his good will . .
For Ringinge on Sainte James daye and for Ringinge on
the kinges hollyday For ringinge for my Lordes
coming to towne Item for mendinge the Balldrigges
of the bells . .
For mendinge the benche in the Chancell
pd to Dowles of Bromsgrove for vii Kaggesmentes *
pd for Bayes, tacks & Incle for my L. his sett
pd for the paynting of the Chauncell
pd to Richard Clare for the repereing of Stenfort Bridge t
pd for the amending of the Cook in the Bruhouse in
Tycknelle
pd for the takyng awaye of William Woosloyes child owtt
of this towne — and he did enter in to band that the
towne shoUd not be trobled noe more withe hit
pd owte of the Stipendary money to Alderman Kinges
offecers . . • • • • • • • • • •
pd for mendinge of the coke of the greate condeth in the
towne
1604 pd to them that playd on the waytes at the cominge in of
the Lord Zowche . . . .
pd to the Ringers at the same time
pd for on statewte booke conserning the poore people . .
the charges to answer the Justesses conserninge upton
brige
Payde for a newe booke of Com'on prayer Set owte by
Acte of parlemente of the greate VoUon +
xviis
iid
lis
xd
iijs
xd
xxxivs
xd
lis
iis
vid
vis vid
xs
iiijs iid
id
xviis vid
iiis iiid
xxd
xxxs
xviid
xs
xviis vid
iis vid
iis
xiid
iis vid
iis xd
viis viiid
* Casements (?).
t Humphrey Pakington, of Over Sapey, built Stanford Bridge in 1548, and
it is still repaired by Dodingtre Hundred.
+ Hampton Court Conference this year.
APPENDIX.
XIX.
1605 Pd for a new booke of Iniuncions . . . . . . . . xvid
for a stock to sett the kinges boord on . . . . . . viid
for on sewger lofe to geve the Lorde Zowche . . . . xxs
for the charges bestowed on Sir Richard Lewkner & his
company . . . . . . . . iiil xs iid
for a flagon pot of tine for the Church . . . . . . vis iyd
pd to Mr Morres for his wages beinge three quarters . . vil
pd for pa}mtinge the Chapell . . . . . . . . . . xlixs
For shingle to the Scoole howse beinge. two thousand
wantinge halfe a hondered . . . . . . . . xlvs
For the kepinge of a child to the widow nickols . . . . il iiis vid
For shingle more to the Scool howse of the newe build-
inge being 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . xlvs
Bestowed on the Lord Bishop at his going to Ludlow . . iiis ivd
Bestowed on Mr hussey the kinges Commissioner . . ijs
Item for on hoggshed of beer . . . . . » . . . , xviis
1606 pd to Thomas Webe for a timber pece to make the
whiping stokes . . . . . . . . . . . . viiid
pd to Mr Milward to goe to Sur Edward Bluntes to
Kitherminster
pd to Omfry Hamons for lending a payer of boutes
1607 for mending the cunstables stafe
for mendinge the brige at wimbrucke
for the beare at my Lordes cum'ing
pd for the kinges holiday last beinge the v November 1607*
pd for wine when the Judges whent throw the towne
Reed of Jeffri Pardo for pichin pence for the faier
The charge of Sir Edward Blunt's suit concerning the
court leete & Towne howse amounteth to /lo 4s. 8^.
as appeareth by a pticular
To Mr Haward for the leather seale . . . . . . viijs
for rushes & flowers . , . . , . . . . . . . vd
for fringe for my Lords seate. . .. .. .. .. vid
Mr Whitcot hath laide out to the muster-master for
» keepinge of the sicke people, & for wardinge wh. is
to be levied by the Towne . . . . . , . . 37s 8d
161 1 to John Glover for rossin, tallow, pipe, lead and salte with
other necessary things . . . . . . . . . . xxd
for mending the stayer dore in the Chappell . . . . ijd
To Hugh Lowe for money wch he layd out for mendinge
of the prison house at the bridge . . . . . . vs
To Thomas the cutler for scouring of holbeards at St
Andrewes tide . . . . . . . . . . . . xxd
To Hugh Clare on Christmas day for mending one of the
mases . . . , . . . . . . . . . . xviiid
* Gunpowder plot 1605.
iiis ivd
iiijd
vd
vid
iiiis vid
iiis vid
ivs ivd
xxivs
XX. A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
1611 for a debenter for the townes buisnes for the Curat of the
Chappell of Bewdley . . . . . . . . . . iiis ivd
for the change of the Curat's name , . . . . . . . xiid
To Hugh Lowe for riding to London on the townes
buisness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xxs
To Wm Glover for his horse . . . . . . . . . . xis
Pd to Mr Moris & Mr Underhill for one whole yeare . . viiil
Pd to Will. Keye for the use of xx' wch was due at April
last 161 1 * . . . . . . . . . . .. . . iil
To Boult for drawinge Interogatories agynst the Bishops .
at Easter tearme . . . . . . . . . . . . vs
To a boye for clearinge claye out of dog lane . . . . iid
To John Glover for mendinge the Conduit the viiith of
ffebruary beinge broken in four places after the great
frost 1610 . . . . . . . . • . . . . . xvis
For three fathom of belrope . . . . . . . . . . vid
To John Glover for ringing the schollers bell this two
yeares ended at St Mary day last 1612! . . . . xxs
Payd to Hugh Lowe for wine & cakes at my Lord riding
through the Towne . . . . . . . . . . iiis ivd
To Mr Brasier the same tyme for beare . . . . . . iiis ivd
To Mr Chelmicke for enroulinge the Cope [copy] of the
surveie + . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vs
Reed of Richard Gardner for a fraye & bloudshed wch
he made xs whereof Mr Brasier had iis , . . . viiis
pd to Mr Simons for a coppy of the enditement wch.
Heyward pfered agaynst us for the market bushell
and for takinge toule on the bridge . . . , . . xiis
pd for the charges of the Com'ssion betwixt Sir Edward
Blunt & the Towne for the Commissioners dinners &
the witnesses . . . . . . . . . . . . vs iiiid
pd for dinner for vi persons . . . . . . . . . . iiis
pd the same tyme for wine . . , . . . . . . . iiid
pd to Mr Bayliffe to send up to Mr Bromley at Hillari
Tearme for suites in law betwixt Sir Edward Blount
& the Towne . . . . . . . . . . . . xls
1613 for haye to laye under the gutter .. .. .. .. id
To Mr Doctor Gryffithes for fees to answere the excom-
munication for Mr Tombes & John Hardwicke . . is xd
* Interest 10 per cent.
t This bell was rung at five o'clock in the morning to call the scholars of
the Grammar School to their studies. It was continued till iSoi, when it
was considered a nuisance, and called forth the following epigram by W. P. :
'' Ye rascally ringers, ye merciless foes,
"Who persecute every friend to repose :
I wish for the quiet and peace of the land.
You had round your necks what you hold in your hand."
\ Prince Henry's Survey. See Chapter i.
APPENDIX. xxi.
20S
viiis
lis
iiiis vid
vis
is vid
1613 for a payre of skales and a leaden waight to waie butter is xd
For the certiffying in the writte for the burgisse of the
parlamt and the carriage
To Mr Draper for cloth to make the bellmans cote
1614 For two shrowdes for two poore folke at the apointment
of Mr Bayhff Smith
For two postes & two plankes to make the stockes
To fyve wardens at St Andrewes fayer
To Willm Newie for skouring harnis
To the turner of the wyer hill for turning 3 dozen of
pyllers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iiis iiid
To Mr Chelmicke at his going to London for to sue for
the towle of the markett by the consent of the Bay-
leiff and Burgesses . . . . . . . . . . iiil xs
To Rich. Wowen for a horse to carrie Sowthall to bro-
migium * for a witnesse about the towle of the
markett
To Mr Prince for an atturneys fee . .
To Mr Heath for his quarters wages at midsomber 1G15 .
In expenses at Ludlow when I rode thyther to follow the
sute betwixt the towne & Cooke, mie selfef & mie
horse three dayes . .
For the turninge of the pillers of the Church \
161 5 To Hugh Low for wine that was bestowed upon mie
Lord psedent at his last being in Bewdley . .
To Mr Cliffe when he sate on the Commission betwixt the
Towne & Sir Fran. Lacon . .
To Mr Ralph Smith for diet & horsmeate for the Com-
missioners & the witnesses
for the skouring of eight houlbeards and one . . . byll
against the assizes 1616 ..
Rd Dallow for wine bestowed on Sir Francis Evers
Given to mie lordes chamberline Mr Baylis when the
lease was sealed betwene Sr Edward Blount & the
towne
' To the yeoman of the wardrobe
Given to mie lordes players . .
Pd for the carriage of one loade of the councells stuffe . .
Pd for a Chamber for Mr ffowler when the sises § were
held in Bewdley
pd to Mr Corbitt the muster-master
Given to Thomas Dovie & to Thomas Boylsonne to presse
them for traine souldiers, .
• Old pronunciation of Birmingham. Cf. Dowles Registers, 1674.
t Robert Vicaris.
\ A new gallery in the chapel. § Assizes.
lis
iis
iil
vs
iiis
xis viii'J
xis
iii'
1
lis
iiis
ivd
00
vs
00
is
00
xs
ii
iiis
iid
00
xs
00
00
xs
00
00
iis
xxu.
A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
i6i
1616
1617
1620
Pd to Stephen Grove wch. he recovered by an order from
the Councell against the toune . .
Imprimis pd to Richard Dallowe for Entertaininge the
Cheife Justice Three severall times
For entertayninge Sir ffrauncis Eure cheife recorder
pd to Mr Wright for one quarter's service
pd to Mr Wright for the hire of twentie pounds wch was
given to the free schoole . .
pd at Mr Baylif's comand to the Kings Trumpeters
pd for the timber & iron worke for the pillory and gom-
bell stowle . .
for makinge the pillory & gombell stowle . .
pd Mr Smith for my Lordes diette & horse meat
For a pottell of bornt sacke to make the Justis drinke . .
to make the whipinge poste . .
for mending the plompe in the over street *
Reed of John Soley for a seate for his wife being the third
seate on the north side of the chappell
pd for the sweeping of the streetes . .
for a linke & staples for the bridghouse . .
to Goodman Mansfeild for business he did for the towne
for timber hinges and a board for the Court house at the
Stags head . .
For nine yards and a haulfe of wainescott, to Wm Paine
for seates in the Church, & for setting oup of dores
in the woomens seates & for boards to make seates
and for three niatts and nailes . .
A note of money reed & disbursed by us Will. Hopkins and
John Soley by appoint. & consent of the bayleif and Burgisses
as followeth
Imp. Reed of Mr John Hamonds pson of Ribbesfourd wch was
lefte by Mr Barber Mr of the late Lotterie in
Bewdley to be imployed to such charitable uses in
the said Towne as should be thought fitt by the said
bayleife and burgisses at the oversight of the said Mr
Hamonds the sum of .. .. .. .. ..xxiv
Rec. of John Clare late Bridgwarden as by his accompts
will appear the sum of . . . . . . . . . . vi
viiil
xxiiis
xxxxs
xxxxs
xs
xis
il
iiis vid
xvs xd
xii
iiis ivd
iis viiid
is viiid
xid
00
02 06
00
01 00
00
00 09
00
00 04
00 02 07
01 02 00
It
00s OOd
1 00 00
A note how the said monney was disbursed.
Imps Paid to Mr Edmond Boylsonne by the appointment of
the said Bayleife & burgisses the dale and yeare
abovesaid to discharge Mr Edward Tombes from an
Now called Fligh Street.
APPENDIX. xxiii.
order wch. the said Mr Boylsonne had against him
for money that the Towne had received . . . . xx' oo oo
It. paid to the said Mr Tombes to redeeme the Toule of the
marketts & fayers out of his hands by the consent of
the said bayleif and burgisses the sum of . . . . xxl oo oo
ffor the wch. said xxiiijl it was agreed by the said Companie
that the sum of fowertie shillings p annum should for ever * be
paide to the schoolemaster of the free gramer schoole of the
said Towne and unto the poore of the same viz. : — twentie
shillings p ann. to either of them at the feast of the nativitie of
St John baptist and the nativitie of our Lord God by eaven &
-equall portions ; & that out of the Towle of the said markett &
faire. Whereupon the said money was disbursed as aforesaid
James Nash gent — Bayliff Mr Will. Hopkins
Richard Whitcott gent Mr Silvanus Sares
William Milton gt Mr Edmond Boylsonne
William Hayles gent John Clare gent
Will. Harris
Walter Pooller
John Hales
Vicesimo septimo die Decembris : Jacobi decimo nono. 162 1.
It. the dale & yeare abovsaid the said Bayleife and bur-
gisses did consente & agree, that whereas there was
the sum of twentie pounds given by one Hugh
Pooller gent deceased to be imployed to the use and
towards the mainetenance of the said free gram'er
schoole wch said sum of xxl was in like sorte laid
out in the behaulf of the said Towne ; that the sum
of fowertie shillings should in like manner be paide
to the schoolemaster of the saide schoole yearly for
ever ; & that out of the pfitts of the said Towle of
the marketts & fayers, at the said feast of St John
the baptist & the nativity by eaven & equall portions
as aforsd. t
» Received for womens seates in the chappell 1619 Mr John
Tiler beinge Bayliffe Mr Edward Tombes & John
Clare beinge bridgewardens
[24 names at prices varying from 35. ^d. to 2S.]
William Spilsbury iis iid
ffrancis Gilding J iis vid
John Wowen . . . . . . iis vid
John Soley iis vid
* The payment was discontinued in 1749 without any reason given.
t This payment was also discontinued in 1749.
J One of the donors of the Mill and Meadow Money.
xxiv. A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
1622 Reed of John Nashe the glover for his rent ,. .. 00 10 00
,, Richard Cooke glover „ .. .. 00 03 04
of John Grove for his haulfe yeares rent for his house
and for the hornas chamber . . . . . . .. 00 04 00
Reed of the woman that selleth salte at the sumer
poule . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 00 00 08
Reed of Goodman Cooke for the harbours shop . . .. 00 10 00
1623 Mr Hopkins reed of Barnaby Davis to be free to sett up
his trade of a chandler . . . . . . . . .. 01 01 04
Pd for a pottell of Burnte sacke weh the Companie
bestowed upon the Lord Psedent at his coming
through Beawdley the 15th of November 1621 . . 00 02 08
for a flagon of Beare weh the Companie dranke at the
George staying for the Wine . . . . . . .. 00 00 02
pd to Mr Madstard for his wages . . . . . . .. 00 15 00
For the fee due to our Cheif Recorder Sir James Whitt-
loeke weh we paid him upon the 14th of January 1621 01 02 00
for a suger loffe at the same time weh by the consent of
the Company we did bestowe upon mie Ladie Whitt-
locke .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 00 12 06
pd to Thomas Pallmer of Hyggley for fiveteene tonus of
stonne and for the drawinge of them to the water syde 01 10 00
pd to Jefferis for helping to roule stones out of Seaverne 00 00 02
pd for lynks & shakols for the use of the Bayleif for time
being . , , , . . . . . . . . .. 00 02 06
It was agreed with John Little the 7th of Julie 1622 to take
down the piles that were not taken downe, & to repaier the
Bridge from end to end so farr as the freeston work goeth : and
to maintaine & keepe the same for three yeares next ensuinge
the date heareof, and at the end of the said tearme to leave it
sufficientlie repayred in every respect for all weh he finding all
manner of stuffe he is to have £2^ wherof ;^05 must remaine
till the third yeare.
1623 pd to Captaine Dallowe for wine and oringes bestowed
upon the Lord Psedent * at severall times .. .. 00 19 04
For Irons to seale bushels & other measures . . .. 00 02 06
pd to Thomas Paine for setting a raile upon mie Ladies
seate . . ; . . . . . . . . . . .. 00 00 03
It. pd by appointment of the bayleife and burgesses for
the charges when the venison was eaten at Captaine
Dallows, the weh Sir James Whiteloeke bestowed
upon the towne . . . . . . . . . . .. 03 06 08
It. More pd to Captaine Dallow for one hoggshed of claret
wine the wch was bestowed upon the Lord p'sident • 05 i2'^o5
* The Earl of Northampton.
APPENDIX. XXV,
1623 It. paid by the appointmt of the bayleif and burgesses
for pouder and matches for the souldiers when the
Lord Comton * came out of Spaine . . . , . . 00 07 04
It. Pd to Mrs Dallow the nth of October for wood to
make a bonfier .. .. .. .. .. .. 00 01 oo
For pouder & matches the same daie 00 08 00
It. distributed to the poore when the mill monney was
dealt in december 1622 : out of the pfitts of the
money that Mr Seabright & Mr Barber gave. . .. 01 00 00
1624 Reed of Thomas Richards mercer for his Coppie of
freedom . . . . . . . . . , . . . . 03 o5 oS
of Edward Wheeler for the haulf yeares rent of the
little house under the stayers . . . . . . .. 00 02 00
Pd for a planke to mend ovr the dungion where the
prisoners broke out . . . . . . . . . . 00 00 lo
It. pd for one Ale quarte and one wine pinte sysed and
sealed by the standart accordinge to the Statute the
1 8th of December to sise the measures withall • . 00 02 10
pd to Mr Owen of Ketherminster for makinge a memoriall
of the bread & money that Mr Seabright t gave to
the poore of this towne ; to be kept in the Chappell . 00 06 08
It. more paid to Mr Blunt for the Imblasoninge of the
arms of Mr Seabright . . . . . . . . .. 00 02 04
For a pottell of Clarett wine bestowed upon Mr Steward
of the Councell . . . . . . . . . . .. 00 01 04
pd to John Clark glasier for a glasse to sett out Mr
Seabright his memoriall . • . . . . . . .. 00 00 10
pd for a new statute book of the Largest Volume to
remaine to the bayleif for the time beinge for ever . . 01 15 09
pd to Mr Ralph Clare J his servt for his paynes in
bringing the Bucke wch. he bestowed upon the
Bayleif & Burgesses 1624 . . . . . . .. 00 05 00
pd to Samuell Oakes for making five pasties thereof, &
for other meat pvided when it was eaten & for wine . 03 13 04
pd to make the Cheif Justis drink in wine. . . . . . 00 02 oS
pd for a quart of sack and a quart of Clarett to make
mie Lord drinke at the Bridge . . . . . . .. 00 01 08
* Lord Compton, eldest son of the Earl of Northampton.
t Sir William Seabright, founder of Wolverley School : Cf. Ribbesford
Registers, 1615.
J Sir Ralph Clare, of Kidderminster, Lessee of the Manor of Bewdley,
and Member 1623 — 16.10.
D
XXVI.
A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
1624 Reed for the Toule of the markett for two yeares.
20 00 00
of Will Woofe of Ombersley for his rent due for on
house & close situate upon the Wier hill over against
John Johnson's, sometimes called the little almshouse 00 15 00
Pd to Samuel Oakes for Sir Thomas Chamberline his
servts charges and horsmeat when he came down to
goe to the Councell upon the removall of Sir James
Whitelocke. . .. .. .. .. .. .. 02 12 02
It. Laid out in the dressinge of the venison that mie
Lord p'sedent bestowed upon the town September
1624
to the pties that brought it down
for five leggs of mutton
for five neats tongues . .
for a brisket of beife . .
for apples peares and nutts
for six pecks of wheaten flowe:
for on pound of pepper
for fower quarts of Butter
For three dossen of bread
For two couple of rabbits
for two couple of Chickens
for beare . .
for spices carrotts & salt
for wine the same time
. . 00
02
00
. . 00
04
02
. . 00
02
10
. . 00
02
10
. . 00
00
08
. . 00
o5
00
. . 00
02
02
. . 00
05
04
. . 00
03
00
. . 00
01
00
.. 00
01
02
. . 00
10
02
. . 00
00
10
. . 00
17
00
for a pottell of Clarett & suger bestowed on mie Lords
gent that came downe after dinner
for a hoggshed of Clarett wine bestowed upon mie Lord
psedent at the ffeast of the nativity 1624
PJ to mie brother Boylson when he went to London to
paie Sir James Whitelocke his fee & to answer the
said sute
pd to Wtn Paine for wainescott and dores to the seates
next unto the little Chancell on the north side of the
Chappell
It. We agreed with the goodwife browning to make
cleane round about the Courthouse and to carrie
awaie the muck every saterday night at ijs by the
yeare wb. she is to have paid hir by vid the qr.
whereof we paid hir vid beforehand and she begann
hir time a week after male day . .
pd to Mr Samuell Baker for the dressinge of a Bucke that
M' Ralph Clare sent 1625
00 02 00
06 03 04
04 00 00
01 12 00
00 00 06
02 07 00
APPENDIX. xxvii.
1625 Pd to Mr Lowe the usher of the Scheie . • . . .. 01 10 00
Pd to Mr Sharard & Mr Lowe the Scholemarsters . . 01 10 00
PJ for making a paire of Butts* for my lord . . .. 00 05 8
Pd 2nd of Aprill at the pclayming of the King by Mr
Bayliffs appoJntmt for 2 dromes and a fiffe . . . . 00 02 6
1626 pd to John Clark for keeping the Conduits to bring the
water from Ticknell & to mend the leads & keep them
for a whole yeare . . . . . . . . . . . , 00 1 2 o
pd to Mr Edw. Littleton Recorder his fee. . .. . . 01 02 o
pd at the appointmt of the Company when the Lo. Presi-
dent came about the Ryall subsidye for sack & clarett 00 03 8
pd for bolts & links at the appoint, of Mr Bayliffe Soley
for the Bridgehouse . . . . . . . . .. 00 02 04
pd for a quart of wine & suger for Mr. William Littleton
when Kitherminster men came over with their
Charter 00 01 O
pd to John Gough for 3 dayes work for setting up of the
Clock and to make a scaffold to put up the dyall . . 00 03 8
pd for mending at the Bridgehouse when the prisoners
came from Ludlow . . . . . . . . . . 00 07 2
pd for a pottell of white wine & another of claret for the
intertaynment of the lord president & the Lo. Comp-
ton by the Companies appointmt
pd for a Coate for the Beadle
pd to the Bellfounder for the casting of the Bell . .
For a lock to put upon the Schole house dore in the
Chappell
pd for the Copie of Mr Sares will t
1630 to John Monnox Laborer for 23 dales worke about the
recastinge of the Chappell [About /"i 8 spent] .. 00 15 04
pd for the newe Bible for the Chappell and caridge of
him from London . . .. .. .. .. .. 02 15 o
pd to Thomas Nashe for a large cagement to be set in the
window over the Lorde Presidents pue . . . . 00 05 o
For paintinge of the Chappell and washing of the plais-
teringe .. .. .. .. 02 13 4
pd to Mr Thos Chamberlaine Undersheriffe to forbeare
to levy £25 upon the Towne in his charge . . . . 02 00 o
• The old archery-ground is still called the " Butt-town" meadow.
t In 1826 the Churchwardens of Bewdley contributed £10 towards the
repair of his monument in Nettlestead church, Suffolk. The inscription on
it runs: — "In memorie of Samuel Sayer Esq. sometime of London, who
built a faire almeshouse at Bewdley in Wostershire, for six poorc men, and
gave thirty pounds a yeare for ever to maintaine them ; He departed the
first of September Anno Dom. 1625."
00
03
4
00
05
07
04
00
00
6
00
oq
oo
03
00
oo
02
06
00
02
06
02
17
06
00
02
04
00
04
00
00
01
06
xxviii. A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
1630 Receipts for Seates in the chappell
Of John Wilkes mercer .. .. .. .. ..00
of John Willis
Of Robert Pardoe
&c. &c.
Pd for two gallons of wine bestowed upon Serient Liegh
■when we moved him aboute gettinge of our ordi-
nances to be confirmed by the Lo. Keeper . . .. 00 04 00
Pd Mr ffrauncis Walker for the exemplificacion of the
Verdict against Jo: Barker Viccar of Cleobury .. 00 12 00
P^ to Mr John Hailes far his travile and charges in
ridinge to London about the quo waryanto . . .. 03 00 00
More due to me* when I had the Royaltie of the mannor
for V yeares and a halfe from the Towne, for Rent
for the Towne Land at xis per ann.
1 63 1 PJ for ale for them wch removed the butter crosse
Pd to Mr Milton for timber to make a dorment in the
butter crosse
Pd for haire for the Chappell 00
Pd for mendinge of the Bridge . . . . . . ., 06 10 00
Pd to John of Barkhill for one yeares wages for sweepinge
the streets . . . . , , , . . . . . .. 00 08 00
pd for a shovle to make them cleane . . , . .. 00 01 00
pd for beere bestowed upon the Ringers at the birth of
Prince Charles . ■ . , . . . . . . .. 00 00 06
pd for passinge of a Snrrendor for the land whereon the
hospitall stands . . . . . , ,. . , .. 00 02 00
1632 pd to Mr Blayne the preacher 06 00 00
pd for a Curbe for the buckett for the well on the sandy
banke .. .. .. .. .. ,. .. 00 17 10
Pd for a sir loyne of beef and a briskett, a quarter of
lambe, a quarter of veale and a quarter of mutton by
Mr Bayliffs and his bretherens appointment to psent
Sir Henrye Herbert .. .. .. .. .. 00 15 00
pd for two gallons of wine when the Townsmen went to
Sir Hen ; herbert to Ribbesford . . . . .. 00 04 00
pd Edward Walker for an houre glasse for the Chappell . 00 00 08
pd for 3 pottles of wine, whereof one was sack, and half a
pound of suger, wch was bestowed upon the Lo :
Willoughby as he came through the Towne . . .. 00 04 10
pd for a booke to be used upon the gunpowder Treason
daye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00 00 8
* Edward Boylsonne.
APPENDIX. xxix.
1632 P<i Mr Sharard for the new butter crosse, being Mr
Whittcoats gift . . . . . . , . . . . . 00 08 oo
Pd to Oldberry in earnest of the bargaine to cast the bell. 00 01 00
1633 Pd for taking downe of the great bell, for drawing him to
the water & carriadge up & downe and for the over-
plus mettell. . .. .. .. .. .. .. 13 02 03
pd Mr Milton for a plank to mend the bridge at Tuckers
gate & for shingles & lathes . . . . , . ,. 00 09 02
[The pew rents for this year amounted to /'14 iis. zd,]
pd to Mr Sharrard Curate of the Chappell for these 2
yeares 1600
pd to Mr Sharrard being High Scholemaister . . • . 00 16 o
•
1634 In the Chappell for inlardging the galerye making the
new dorment the staires the pulpit & reading place
and the seats through the Chappell
Imp. for 4 hun & 3 quarters of square Timber at xviiis
viiid per hun
for 600 fote of inch boards at gs. 6d. the hundred . .
for 291 foote of half inch boards at iis. viiiif. the hundred
for 8 yards of duble rayle and a plank for inlardging of
the pulpit and reading place
for red lead & .... to colour the pulpit . ,
pd the chardges of Mr Grayle & Mr Holland for them-
selves & their horses at the George when Mr Grayle
came from Gloucestr & was elected Chief Schole
maister . . . . . . . , . . . . .. 00 10 00
Given to Mr Needham when he came to preach for a
tryall for the Curats place of the Chappell . . . . 00 06 8
Itm pd Mr Edwards chardges for his horsemeat when he
came to preach for a tryall for the Curat's place of
the Chappell . , . . . . . . . . . . 00 05 4
Itm pd Mr Moreton's chardges for his horsemeat & his
ffrends at the Swan when he came to preach for a
tryall and was elected by the bayliffe & Burgesses to
be Curate for the Chappell . . . . . . . . 00 07 4
1636 Reed of Thomas Gower for his freedome . . . . . . 02 6 8
For wine sent to Sir Walter Denny when the soldiers
were trayned .. .. .. .. .. .. o 3 4
pd to Mr Nash towards his chardges with others that
went with him to Worcester at the quarter sessions
about the Ship money .. .. ., .. .. o 3 4
04
09
6
02
17
01
02
4
04
03
7
XXX.
A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
1636
o
o
4
2
Itm there is to be receaved from Mr Grayle all the
entrances for forraine Schollers that he receaved into
the Schole from Jan. i, 1635, to June 24, 1637.
Pd to Wm Paine for cutting the Towne armes
For beere for the workmen & others that holp them
Those whose names are subscribed weare at the charge of
makinge the new lofte in the Chappell 1642. And were appointed
to sitt there by ffrancis Bromwich and William Unckles then
Chappell wardens
Nicholas ffalkner Jon" Broadhurst Jon Hill butcher John Dawbery
Tho:ffalkner Thomas Wootton John Budd Roger Wainwright
William Hill Robert Barrett John Lewis Roger Elfes
Thomas Dovie Jon. Glasserd William Collins Jo" Hill the
seriant's sonne
1637 pd in going to the high Shiriffe concerning the Towne
about Ship money
high
Shiriffe
16
Laid out at the Assizes attending upon the
about ship money
pd for wrighting the peticion. .
pd Mr Hungerford wch was disbursed by him at London
about Ship money . .
pd for a sugar loaf for Sir Hen : Harbert
pd the undersheriffe for his paynes . .
For wine for the lo : Bishop at the Angel
for beare at the same time
pd Sr Hen : Harbt wch he disbursed at london for the
Towne
pd Thos. Wood for going for schole rent to wales
pd for tile to use at the King's board & carriadge up the
water
Laid out at Whitborne about the Schole . .
1638 Money disbursed in repairing at the Conduit
pd to Wm Shawe for soder and lead & worke over thi
South Chauncell . .
1639 Received of 13 butchers for standings in the walk on th
South side . .
Received of 19 butchers for standings in the walk on thi
North side . .
Received for rent of 16 houses and shops . .
„ for seats in the Chappell (13 names)
Total for the half year
II
01
01
15
19
5
01
3
2
7
3
8
4
6
2
4
9
3
4
3
12
I
15 10
2
12
7
8
6
10
3
16
15
3
APPENDIX.
XXXI.
1639 Pd Edw. Osland towards cleansing the Towne well
Pd Jo: Gough for fitting the poules to waye Coles
Received at St Andurewes faire 1638 of the Brasiers &
standings in the walk & butter Crosse. .
pd to Tho. Stephens for chaines for the comon ballance .
pd for a bushel of peeble stones used at the bridge
pd Wm Bennet for sweeping the streets another quarter . .
1639-41 pd Jo. Lane for the Sergeants seate
pd Sam : Gosnell for mending a holbard . .
For mending the weomens seates in the Chappell
pd for a carpet for the Court house table . .
pd for removing the gunpowder out of the Chappell into
the Court house
pd Nick: Falkner for making a paire of stayers & 2 new
seates in the loft . .
pd the Cleark at lady-day half years wages
pd Peter Rea to boat up & downe to see the defects at
the Bridge . .
Pd for a pottle of sack & a pottle of claret sent to Sr Hen :
Herbert
pd Mr Blount for wrighting two copies of a Record con-
cerning the Chappell — the one to goe to the plint &
the other to remayne among the towne wrightings
Pd for 2 bushell of Clee Lime
pd Geo. Monnox for wine bestowed on Ministers
several times
1642 pd for Candells when ye soldiers did watch
pd for a drum by Mr Bayliff' s appointment
pd for wine & suger for Sr Tho : Littleton
pd Mr Sares by the companyes appointmt
pd Ml' Vernons man ye fee farme rent
1643 pd to Wm Hill for ye soldiers
pd for scouring 3 holbarts
pd for a paire of hartshornes & setting on
pd Walter Tay for hanging the gattes
pd beere at ye setting of ye gates
pd for mending ye gunpowder barrell
pd for 12 lb & halfe of powder
pd for a hing to the bridge house gate
pd for a chainc for the bridge house dore
3
8
3
6
3
6
2
8
I
8
17
10
4
8
I
2
004
2 10 O
o 10 O
004
4
I
at
6
6
II
6
3
8
4
I
2
9
3
I
2
6
3
16
8
6
9
xxxu.
A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
1643 Pd Mr Kenrick ..
[Chapel warden : Mr John WilkesJ
'^V for a hoggeshead of Claret wine for Prince Rupert
for a pottle of sack & pottle of Claret for the lord herbert
for a quart of sack & quart of Claret for Coll. Sandes * . .
for a'pottle of sack for Sr Wm Russell
for a pottle of sack for Sr Gilbt. Gerard . .
for a pottle of sack for Maior Savage
for going to Shrewsburye
for wine for Coll. Washington
for wine for Mr Towneshend . .
for squaring & cutting the Somer pole
1643-1645 Reed of straingers for standings in the walke for
their cheese
Reed at St Andrewes faier for standings of cheese at the
Crosse
pd J. Vaughan for sweeping the pke lane . .
pd Geo. Monnox for 2 pottles of sacke and a pint sent to
Sr Tho: Littleton
pd for ringing at Prince Rupert's coming . .
pd for ringing at the kings coming to Towne & going forth
pd for pulling downe the Bayliffs seate and setting up
againe when the king was here . .
pd Edw. Teigh for beere when the schole way was set out
pd Dorothy lee for beere for Mr Grayle
pd Ringers for Prince Rupert
pd for paving wch the reformadoes broke up
pd Mr Gilding 2 suger loaves. .
1646-7 pd for an houre glasse pro Capella
pd for another debentr for rec. of viii' ..
pd for matts for the Bayliffs seate . .
pd Mr Recordr littleton his fee for 2 years. .
pd our chardges riding to Judge Wilde t to Worcsr
pd for beere to the Jurye that set out the schole land at
the Boars head
pd Mr Borraston for an ordr about Brecknock . .
10
4
10
3
4
2
8
2
2
2
4
6
2
4
7
4
I
10
2
3
10
3
6
I
6
2
6
4
4
I
6
10
2
4
4
00
00
09
00
12
08
CO
03
00
02
04
00
00
01
05
00
01
06
00
02
06
* Governor of Worcester for Charles I.
t Chief Baron of the Exchequer : drew up the impeachment against the
Bishops in 1641.
APPENDIX. xxxiii.
00
01
02
oo
02
08
05
19
o5
1646-7 Pd Vickris for arresting of Paine . . . . . . .. 00 00 06
Pd for sack bestowed on Maior Saunders . . . . . . 00 01 oQ
Pd Mr Hopkins his chardges in going to London to get
allowance for our Minister . . . . . . .. 02 00 00
Pd for wine to Mr Turton to get off our men from going
to worke at the Castle " .. .. .. .. .. 00 01 00 V''^
Pd to Bennet for making cleane the Courthouse in the
time of warr . . . . . . . . . . .. 00 01 00
Pd for a quart of sack for Mr Davies brother the
Minister
pd for wine bestowed upon Judge Wilde . .
pd to Jo. Hinton for tile & quarries for the Chappell
More laid out at Worcester the 21 of decem 1648 to
attend the Comfs when the Countrey mett to oppose
the order for chardging them . . . . . . . . o 9 i
pd for wine to make the townsmen drink wth Mr Need-
ham who did teach at the Chappell Oct. 25, 1648 . . 04 3
pd the ringers on a thanksgiving day o 2 o
1649- 165 1 pd for ringing the 5 gber & for Ireland . . . . o 4 o
pd Jo. Weaver for mending the seats & other worke
done in the Chappell at the dispute . . . . . . o 5 o
pd for cake cheese & beere at the delivering up of the
former Bridgewardens accompts . . . . . . o i 7
pd for drawing a peticon for augmentation . . . . o 2 6
pd for a quart of sack for Mr Tombes . . . . . . o i 4
pd a quart of sack given a Minister . . . . . . . . o i 4
pd for soulder to Wm Mountford to mend the leads of the
steeple i o a
pd for Beere & suger for Coll. Morgan, t Capt. Juel, Mr
Hussey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 017 2
for putting out the kings armes . . . . . . . , o 010
pd Jo : Weaver for the Communion table & other work
done in the Chappell .. ,. o 6 6
pd for a pass book for the Townes use . . . . . . o 2 6
pd for frankincense & brimston to burne in the Chappell. 010
pd for 2 pairs of hmges for 2 seat dores in the Chappell
& for mending a seat broke when the Soldiers were
there .. .. .. .. ., .. .. o i 6
* Hartlebury Castle was strengthened by Captain Sandys, but surrendered
in two days without firing a shot. — Nash, i., 568.
t The Parliamentary leader who took Hartlebury Castle May 16, 1646.
xxxiv. A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
60
00
00
00
03
08
00
00
08
00
03
06
00
05
00
1651-2 Pd my ptner Burlton as he paid for a prsent sent to my
lord Wile 01 05 o
1651-3 The second of September paid for ringing for the
rooting of the Scotts by Mr Bailiffs order * . . 00 05 o
1654-5 Reed ye Stipend for ye Chappell out of the Rectory of
Ombersley by the hands of Mr Greene at Michaelmas
1655 8 o o
To the wid. Monox when ye scollers broke up her wine. .028
To John Weaver for a frame Joyned to the pue to hold
a Bason to baptise Infants . . . . . . . . 00 01 2
pd Mr Oasland by the Townes order for Mich 1658
I yeare
Pd for wyne sent to Mr Lyttleton at Mr Bayliffs house . ,
1657-8 Sept. II pd sweepinge the prke against the pclamur of
Lord Richard protector . .
pd 5 men that carryed the halberts at pclamacn . .
pd the Trumpeter by the Tounes order
pd Will Brodhurst making pulpit cushyn, plush for the
Cushin i8s. fronge & tasles & skins &c. . . .. or 14 08
1658-9 pd ye widdow Monox for wine & beare when ye Lord
ptector was pclamed . . . . . . . . . . 03 16 o
For Beare Wine cS: fagotts when yt bardgmen weare
examined yt travelled on ye Lords Day
pd Setting up Kinges Arms for the Chappell
1660 12 May 1660 paid for wine & beare at the pclayminge
the king
for 4 qrts of sack for 4 ministers that preched
31 July for meate at Mr ffolys venson eating
1661-2 pd to Peter Rea for fetching the laxe lane bridge at
Redstone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . o i 10
1663 Given to the ringers when the Lord Windsor came
thorough the Toune
pd at the eating of Sr Henry Herberts venison in wine . .
pd for 6 gallons of wt wine wch was sent to the Lord
Windsor
Spent treatinge with the Curryer . .
Reed of Thomas Hinks & Josh Knight for their freedome 08 00
[In a fly-leaf at the end of the book are the names of those that furnished
arms. The arms furnished were 38 muskets, 3 halberds, 2 calivers, 3 corslets,
3 fowling pieces, 2 pistols, a pike, and a lance.]
* Dunbar.
4
4
2
10
06
03
00
00
06
08
05
02
07
2
6
00
19
4
01
00
00
00
7
08
00
APPENDIX. XXXV.
From other Corporation Account Books of later
date are gathered the following : —
1709 Paid for playing ye engines & taking them in ye Church
again .. .. .. .. ,. .. .. o 3 o
Reed of Mr Sam. Slade for a seate in ye Chancel for the
Lives of Mrs Jone Baker his daughter & Mrs Susanna
Nash his grand daughter . . . . . . • • £^ o o
1753 Sir George Lyttelton gave £100 to the town which was to be spent in
applying for an Act of Parliament for the New Road to Cleobury
& Kinlet.
X780 A list of tolls to be taken at Bewdley Hop Market.
£25 is to be allowed the Bailiff towards the expence of the Bailiffs
Feast.
1799 Whereas the price of Liquor &c. is increased the Bailiff is to be
allowed £s2 105. per ann.
1807 Miles Peter Andrewes ^LP. gives £1000 to the Town.
1808 Miles Peter Andrewes AI.P. gives /'2000 to the Town.
1808 The Guildhall [standing on the S.W. side of the chapel] and the
buildings round the church are to be taken down.
1817 Mr William Turton of Wribbenhall is going to take legal steps to
reduce the number of Inns in conformity with the Charter.
1822 The rooms over the gateway in Welch gate, and a house adjoining,
are to be purchased for ;^i6o — then to be pulled down & thrown
into the road.
1831 Doglane Gateway is to be removed.
[Slade Baker, Esq., of Sandbourne, signed the order for its removal,
and John Clarke helped to take it down. Both are still living]
1830-1-2 Paid for clothing the bellman /50 17 o
.^^^^^
XXXVl.
A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
Bailitf0 of BewMe^.
1660
Thomas Wootton
1691
I66I
Thomas Dedicott
1692
1662
John Grove
1693
1663
William Longmore
1694
1664
Thomas Burlton
1695
1665
Peter Walter
i6g6
1666
William Watmore
1697
1667
Edd Longmore (dd. in office)
1698
William Dedicott
1699
1668
John Clare
1700
1669
Timothy Wright
1701
1670
Henry Sandals
1702
I67I
John Bury
1703
1672
Peter Branch
1704
1673
Samuel Aloore
1705
1674
Joseph Pooler
1706
3675
Thomas Poole
1707
1676
Thomas Watmore
1677
John Soley
1678
Thomas Burlton
1679
Peter Walter
1708
1680
William Dedicott
1681
John Clare
1682
John Bury
1683
Peter Branch
1709
1684
Joseph Pooler
1710
1685
Thomas Watmore
1711
1686
Adam Littleton
1712
1687
Francis Hale
1713
1688
Edward Best
1714
1689
Francis Vicaris
1715
1690
Humphrey Yarranton
1716
Thomas Burltoa
Samuel Slade
Thomas Burlton, grocer
Thomas Walter
James Compson
Richard Clare
Nicholas Ward
Simon Wood
Bonham Caldwall
Samuel Hackluit
Joseph Tyndall, mercer
Samuel Slade
Edward Best
Thomas Burlton, grocer
Thomas Walter
Bonham Caldwall
Thomas Smith (under the
old charter)
Samuel Slade (under the
new charter)
John Rock (under the old
charter)
James Compson (under the
new charter)
Nicholas Ward
Joseph Tyndall
Samuel Slade
Nicholas Ward
James Compson
Nicholas Ward
William Wood
Thomas Penn
APPhNj
DIX.
XXXVll.
lyr?
William Wood
1763
Joseph Radnall
1718
Nicholas Ward
1764
Joseph Crane
1719
Thomas Cheeke
1765
John Patten
1720
Joseph Pardee
1766
Adam Prattinton
1721
William Dix
1767
John Crane
1722
John Hayley
1768
Wilson Aylesbury Roberts
1723
Thomas Meysey
1769
James Fryer
1724
James Compson
1770
Nathaniel Adey
1725
Richard Jones
1771
William Prattinton
1726
Adam Prattinton
1772
Wilson Aylesbury Roberts
1727
Robert Yarranton
1773
John Crane
1728
Richard Hincksman
1774
Joseph Sheward
1729
Nicholas Ward
1775
James Prattinton
1730
John Prattinton
1776
Nathaniel Adey
1731
Thomas Cheeke
1777
John Crane
1732
Robert Yarranton
1778
Samuel Kenrick
1733
John Hayley
1779
Samuel Skey
1734
Richard Jones
1780
Nathaniel Adey
1735
Adam Prattinton
1781
James Fryer
1736
Robert Yarranton
1782
William Prattinton
1737
William Crump
1783
Nathaniel Adey
1738
Robert Yarranton
1784
Thomas Sheward
1739
Richard Jones
17S5
John Glover
1740
Nehemiah Jeavens
1786
Joseph Crane
1741
Robert Yarranton
1787
Thomas Baker
1742
Thomas Cheeke
1788
Joseph Crane
1743
John Hayley (died in office)
1789
John Glover
Robert Yarranton
1790
Jonathan Skey
1744
Richard Jones
1791
Samuel Baker
1745
Adam Prattinton
1792
James Fryer
1746
Richard Hincksman
1793
Thomas Howard Crane
1747
Joseph Crane
1794
Thomas Baker
1748
Benjamin Best
1795
Jonathan Skey
1749
Adam Prattinton
1796
Joseph Crane
1750
Richard Jones
1797
Samuel Baker
1751
Adam Prattinton
1798
Jonathan Skey
1752
Thomas Brookholding
1799
Samuel Baker
1753
Joseph Radnall
1800
James Fryer
1754
Joseph Sheward
1801
Thomas Howard Crane
1755
The Rev. Butler Covvper
1802
Thomas Baker
1756
The Rev. Thomas Howard
1803
Jonathan Skey
1757
John Hayley
1804
Joseph Crane
1758
John Ingram, sen.
1805
Samuel Baker
1759
Adam Prattinton
1806
Jonathan Skey
1760
John Ingram
1807
Rev. Edward Baugh
1761
Thomas Prattinton
j8o8
James Fryer
17^2
Thomas Cheeke
xxxvni.
A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
1809
Wilson Aylesbury Roberts,
1845
jun.
1846
I8I0
Thomas Howard Crane
1847
I8II
Joseph Crane
1848
I8I2
Wilson Aylesbury Roberts
1849
I8I3
George Baker
1850
I8I4
Joseph Seager
1851
I8I5
Wilson Aylesbury Roberts
1852
I8I6
James Fryer
1853
I8I7
Thomas Howard Crane
1854
I8I8
Joseph Crane
1855
I8I9
John Brookholding
1856
1820
Robert Pardoe
1857
I82I
Thomas Cartwright
1858
1822
Thomas Pilkington
1859
1823
Rev. Joseph Crane
i860
1824
Thomas Shaw
1861
1825
George Baker
1862
1826
John Brookholding
1863
1827
Thomas Pilkington
1864
1828
John Williams
1865
1829
Thomas Howard Crane
1866
1830
James Fryer
1867
I83I
Thomas Sheward Cart-
1868
wright
1869
1832
Thomas Sheward Cart-
1870
w^right
1871
1833
Thomas Cartwright
1872
1834
Slade Baker
1873
Mayors.
1874
1835
Slade Baker
1875
1836
John Bury
1876
1837
John Nichols
1877
1838
John Beddoe
1839
James Cole
1878
1840
William Bucklee
I84I
Thomas Sheward Cart-
1879
wright
1880
1842
George Baker
1881
1843
James Holder
18S2
1844
Joseph Farmer
George Masefield
Thomas Townley Lancaster
James Banks
Adam Prattinton
John Baker
John Bury
Slade Baker
John Beddoe
Christopher Piggott Bancks
Christopher Piggott Bancks
James Cole
John Wildman Thomas Lea
Thomas Owens
John Nicholls
James Tart
John Nicholls
John Reeve
John Reeve
John Gabb
Thomas Owens
Alfred Maurice Clinch
Robert Williams
William Hawkes Ryland
Whittington Landon
Whittington Landon
John Nicholls
Thomas Owens
Benjamin Gardner
William Nichols Marcy
William Nichols Marcy
W'hittington Landon
Charles Pountney
Robert Acton Pardoe
Robert Acton Pardoe (to
May 5, 1879)
William Nichols Marcy
Samuel Jefferies
Samuel Jefferies
William Nichols Marcy
W^hittington Landon
^S^!S^!S^2:^^i2;^
APPENDIX.
XXXIX.
flRembera of parliament for BewMc?.
?#
12 James I. Thomas Edmunds
1700
Salwey Winnington
i8
,, Thomas Edmunds
1702
Ditto
(Treasurer of the
1705
Ditto
Household)
1708
Hon. Henry Herbert J
21
Ralph Clare
1709
Charles Cornwall
1625
Ralph Clare
1710
Anthony Lechmere (un-
1626
Ralph Clare
seated)
1628
Sir Ralph Clare, Knight of
1710
Salwey Winnington
the Bath
1713
Grey James Grove
1640
Sir Henry Herbert, Kt.
1714
Grey James Grove
1640
Sir Henry Herbert, Kt.
1717
Crewe OfSey
1647
William Hopkins (died
1720
Ditto
before taking his seat)
1722
Ditto
i658-(
J Edward Pitts of Kyre
1725
Ditto
1660
Thomas Foley the elder
1727
Ditto
1661
Sir Henry Herbert (d. 1673)
1734
William Bowles
1673
Thomas Foley the elder "
1734
Phineas Bowles
1676
Henry Herbert
1741
William Bowles
1679
Philip Foley
1747
William Bowles (d. 1748)
1680
Philip Foley
1748
William Lyttelton
1685
Sir Charles Lyttelton
1754
William Lyttelton §
1689 (Convention) Henry Herbert
1755
Right Hon. William Finch
1690
Henry Herbert t
1761
Sir Edward Winnington
1694
Salwey Winnington
1762
Sir Edward Winnington ||
1695
Ditto
1768
The Hon. Thomas Lyttelton
1698
Ditto
(unseated)
• Unseated in 1676.
t Created Lord Herbert, April, 1694 ;
; d. 1709
I Second Lord Herbert ; succ. 1709 ;
d. 1738
Made Governor of South Carolina.
Re-elected on being made Storekeeper of the Ordnance.
xl.
A HISTORY 01
~ BE\
VDLEY.
1769
Sir Edward Winnington
1835
Sir T. E. Winnington
1774
William Henry Lyttelton*
1837
Ditto
1777
Lord Westcote (re-elected
1841
Ditto
as Lord of the Treasury)
1847
Thomas James Ireland
1780
Lord Westcote (of Ireland)
1848
William Drogo Montagu,
1784
Lord Westcote
Viscount Mandeville
1790
Hon. George ffulke Lyttelton
1852
Sir Thomas Edward Win-
1796
Miles Peter Andrewes
nington
1802
Ditto
1857
Ditto
1806
Ditto
1859
Ditto
1807
Ditto
1865
Ditto
I8I2
Ditto
1868
Sir Richard Attwood Glass
(died 1814, setat. 72)
(unseated)
1814
Charles Edward Wilson
1869
John Cunliffe Pickersgill
I8I9
Wilson Aylesbury Roberts
Cunliffe (unseated)
1820
Ditto
1869
Major the Hon. Augustus
1826
Ditto
H. A. Anson
1830
Ditto
1874
Charles Harrison
I83I
Ditto
1880
Charles Harrison (unseated)
1832
Sir Thomas Edward Win-
18S0
Enoch Baldwin
nington
*^ ^^^^^^'S^^fi.
Ibigb Stewar^0 of BewMe^.
1606
1708
1738
1753
1773
Sir Robert Steward, Knt.
Hon. Henry Herbert, after-
wards Lord Herbert of
Cherbury
William Bowles, Esq.
Sir George Lyttelton, after-
wards created Lord Lyt-
telton
Thomas 2nd Lord Lyttelton
1779 Wm. Henry Lord Westcote,
created Lord Lyttelton
1808 George Fulke 2nd Lord
Lyttelton
1828 William Henry 3rd Lord
Lyttelton
1837 George William 4th Lord
Lyttelton
1876 Charles George 5th Lord
Lyttelton
Afterwards Lord Westcote : his portrait hangs in Bewdley Town-hall.
APPENDIX.
xli.
1Recor^cr0 of JSewble^.
[i6i5] Sir Francis Eure
1710
John Hoo, Serjeant-at-Law
[1621] Sir James Whitlocke
1716
John Soley
[1625-58] Edward Littleton
1720
Henry Lord Herbert
[1670] Sir Timothy Lyttelton, Kt.
1738
William Bowles
1670 Thomas Powys, Serjeant-
1745
John Soley
at-Law
1775
Charles Baldwyn
1671 Sir Thomas Walcot, Kt.,
1780
William Henry Lord West.
M.P., of Bitterley Court
cote
1685 Henry Tovvnsend
1808
John Knight of Wolverley
1688 John Soley
Deputy IRccorbciu
1633
— Hayles
1752
William Crump
Car.
H. Leonard Sympson
1756
John Cowper
1683
John Soley
1775
Wilson Aylesbury Roberts
1686
Henry Toye
1809
Samuel Baker
1708
Samuel Hunt
1816
Slade Baker
1727
Thomas Manning
1833
William Nichols Marcy
1833 William Nichols Marcy 1873 Richard Hemingway
:©orouob ZTveasurcre,
1835 Robert Acton Pardoe 1876 Robert Henry Whitcombe
xlii. A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
Cop^ of tbc Charter of lEbwarb tbe f ourtb
Constituting Bewdley a Free Borough
A.D. 1472.
Edwardus Dei gr'a Rex Anglie Francie et Dominus Hibernie Om'ibus ad
quos presentes I're p'venerint salutem. Sciatis qd ad humilem supplicaco'em
Dilecor' ligeor' n'ror' Burgensium et Inh'itancium Villa n're de Beaudeley
ac ob cartas considaraco'as nos spacialiter moventes da gr'a nostra speciali
ac ex certa sciancia et mero motu n'ris concessimus et p' presentes conca-
dimus pro nobis et heredib' n'ris quantum in nobis est qd villa n'ra predc'a
cum precinctu eiusdem liber burgus sit in p'pet'm et de Burgensib' eiusdem
ville et precinctus eiusdem in p'pet'm sit corporata et qd iidem Burgenses at
successores sui Burgenses ville illius et precinctus eiusdem sic corporati sint
una Co'itas p'petua corporal' in re et in no'i'e per nomen Burgensium ville
de Beaudeley et precinct' eiusdem h'eantq' successionem p'petuam ac co'e
sigillum p' negociis suis d'cam villam et precinctum eiusdem concernent'
desernitur' in p'petu'm Et qd iidem Burgenses et successores sui p' idem
nomen sint p'sone habiles et capaces in lege et qd ip'i et successores sui
terras et tenementa redditus servitia et reversiones quecumq' a quacumq'
persona sive quibuscumq' personis ea eis dare concedere legare vel assignare
volente seu volentib' perquirere possint habend' et tenend' eisdem Burgensib'
et successorib' suis in p'petu'm. Et ulterius in relevamen eor'dem Burgen-
sium et successor' suor' de ulteriori gratia nostra concessimus et p' presentes
concedimus eisdem Burgensib' et successorib' suis qd quilibet Burgensium
predictor' pro tempore existen' sit quietus per totum et infra regnum nostrum
Anglie et potestatem n'ram de thelonio pontagio passagio paiagio lestagio
tronagio ancoragio stallagio caragio pesagio panagio terragio picagio
chiminagio muragio fossagio pedagio kaiagio et de om'ibus aliis consuetu-
dinib' de et pro om'ibus bonis et mercandisis suis in om'ibus locis infra
regnum et potestatem n'ra predicta tarn per terram q'm per mare et aquam
dulcem in p'petu'm. Eo qd expressa mencio de vero valore annuo premissor'
vel alicuius eor' in presentibus minime facta existat Aut aliquo statute actu
sive ordinatione incontrarium facto edito sive ordinate Aut aliqua re causa
vel materia quacumque non obstante In cuius rei testimonium has I'ras
nostras fieri fecimus patentes.
Teste me ip'o apud Westm' vicesimo die Octobris Anno ragni nostri
duodecimo p' I're de private sigillo et de data prela auctoritate parliamenti.
APPENDIX. xliii.
lEytracts from H)o\vlc5 parieb
Registrum parochiale de Dowles.
\yo\. I. parchment 1572 to 1641.]
Johannes filius Will'mi Grove et Joannae uxoris ejus baptizatus fuit
xxiiit-o Novembris 1572.
1596 The vith day of Januarye was buried Joice Angels a stranger travel-
inge to Bottrells Aston vvheare shee was borne.
The xxth day of May was maried Jhon Trowe and Mary Hariots by
vertue of a lycence.
1608 Jocosa filia Humfredi Garmeston et JocosEe uxoris ejus baptizata fuit
decimo die Julii anno supradicto.
1610 This year Mr Thomas Haward bestowed a Beere upon this Church
being made at his only cost and Chardge 14 April!;
Morgan Lewis peregrinus sepultus fuit xxmo die ffebr. et dedit per
Voluntatem suam pauperibus huius parochiae — xs.
1610 Thomas Weaver de la Boate Loade obiit xxiiitio die ffebr.
1612 Thomas Haward generosus obiit decimo quarto die Julii et sepultus
fuit decimo quinto die Julii ; qui dum vixit multa bona et praeclara
huic parochiae fecit.
1617 XX Jan. Robert of the green load* was buried.
1619 Eliseus licenced by John L Byshop of Norwich preached at
Dowlls the xxvth feb.
Mr Hamondst the i of May.
Mr Wright J the xviitli of August.
Mr Stanway the 4 of January.
1631 The 27th of Novemb. was baptised Francis the son of Griffin ap Owen
& Elizabeth his wife.
* The Green Load was close to the " Folly Ford," where Dowles borders
on Upper Arley.
t Rector of Ribbesford.
X Minister of Bewdlcy chapel.
xliv. A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
1659 At this meeting it is resolved by ye Parishioners yt evy Com'unicant
Parish, shall pay for bread & wine pence a peece.
[The above item is extracted from entries in a paper memorandum book.]
(Book No. 3.)
This Register Book was bought in ye yeare 1656.
In 1657 there were 5 marriages ; in 1658, 35.
1659 „ „ 36 ,, ; 1660, 31.
1661 ,, ,, I ,, ; 1662, o.
1669 ffrancis Ap owen was buried Jan. 17th.
1674 Thomas Billingsley of Bromigham married Aug. 4th.
1683 Job Walker Esq. of Wotton and Rebecca the second daughter of Tho :
Ld ffolliot of Mitton in the parish of Kederminster were married
August the 23rd.
Oct. 7 1695
Memorand. that whereas Mary ye wife of Tho: Hale of ye Boat Load
claimed ye upper kneeling in ye Seat belonging yt, the Hill House & some
others : the parties grieved consenting to refer ye contraversie to ye Right
Honourable Henry Lord Herbert, his Lordship was pleased upon ye hearing
of ye evidence to determine yt ye upper kneeling belonged to ye Hill House,
& ordered this his determination should be here entered by me.
Nath. Williams, Rector.
Some Collections in Dowles Church.
Collected ffeb. 28: 1685 toward the Repayre of houses
burnt at Hereford two shillings & twopence.
June 15, 1686 toward ye Releif of ye ffrench Protestants
yt fled to England iis 6d (By 35 subscribers.)
A Collection in the pish of Dowles towards ye rebuilding
of St Pauls Church in the citty of London Anno
1678 : — IIS 2d
The names of the Contributors towards the Redemption
of those taken by the Turk 1680 — 9s 2d
June 168 1 towards the repayre of St Albans steeple .. o 02 7
Nov. 6, 1681 for lesser poland 2s 2d
1687 Towards the releif of the Irish protestants — 14s lo^d
Collected in April 5, 1699 towards the Relife of the
french prodistons 01 14 09
1703 March 5 for ye Inhabitants of ye Principality of Orange
forced to quit their native country for ye sake of s d
Religion to ye number of three thousand . . . . o g 8
1704 June 18 for ye Reliefe of ye distressed Widows & Orphans
of those Seamen & Mariners who lost their lives in
ye dreadful Storm & Tempest which happened on ye
26th — 27th. days of gber last past 14s 3d
APPENDIX. xlv.
1708 May 30 for Bewdley in the County of Worcester .. 4s gjd
Jan. 30 ye Head of the Cannon Gate at Edinburgh in
North Britain 3s 2d
1709 Ju 19 for S' Mary Redcliffe Church in Bristol .. .. 3s 8<i
1706 xbr 22 for Darlington Church in ye County Palatine of
Durham 5^7^^
1709 Nov. 22 for ye Poor Palatines iis iid
ijll Jan. 16 Collected the Cow Breif from House to House . . 4s id
17}! March 11 for ye Reformed Episcopall Churches in
Poland & Polish Prussia is 4d
1723 for ye Brief of Brighthelmston in Com. Sussex occasioned
by ye overflowing of ye Sea. May ye 6th . . • . 2S 4d
1729 March 24 for ye Protestants of Copenhagen . . . . is id
1739 Aug. 6 for ye Brief of Bobi & Villar in ye Valley of
Luzerne in Peidmont . . . . . . . . . . os gjd
1742 May 17 for ye Oyster Dredgers in Com. of Kent. . . . os 2d
1744 June 10 for ye Brief of Bewdley Chapel in Com. of
Worcester . . . . . . . . . . . . . . os od
1756 7ber 13 for Clunn Church in Com. of Salop .. .. 2s od
1757 yber 5 for Brighthelmstone Fortifications in Com. Essex is i^d
1762 July 28 for Saarbruck Ch. and School in Germany . . 7s 2d
1763 June 30 for ye Colleges in America . . .. .. .. 14s od
1765 March 17 for ye Philippen Colony in Turkish Moldavia. 2S 3d
1768 Aug. 15 for ye Voudois Protestants 2S 7jd
1770 May 14 for ye Brief of Dowles Church in Com. of Salop 5s od
1772 April 7 for Inundations in Com. Salop .. .. .. os 2d
[In all about one thousand collections by Brief are registered, filling 70
folio pages.]
In Dowles Overseers' and Churchwardens' Accounts.
Spent at ye Boat load when company met about ye foxes. 00 00 1}
Mr Nath. Williams late Rector of Dowles (who died Aug. 12, 1701) left
five pounds unto ye Poor of ye said Parish the interest thereof to be laid
out in buying some of ye Books hereafter named, viz., Bibles, Common
Prayer with ye New Testam*, Expositions upon ye Church Catechism, &
Helps to Com'unicants, Christian Monitor, Wake upon death, or such like —
to be distributed every 2nd year by Rector.
1701 Spent at ye Bull (at Mr Price's Induction) o 04 o
Paid for Ringing on Novemb. ye 5th is 2d &. for drink at
ye Bonfire 28 6d o 03 8
1704 for Ringing when ye joyful News was brought of yc
glorious Victory obtain'd by ye Duke of Marlborough
over ye ffrench at Hochstet o o 6
xlvi.
A HISTORY OF BE WD LEY.
1706 To Will. Grove for a journey to Bridgnorth to pay in the
money for windows
to John Lucas Collector of Money for Births & Burials,
to pay in ye Money
A journey to Bridgenorth about pressing Soldiers
An Account of Gommer Perks's Goods which were
apprised by Thomas Weaver churchwarden & John
Lucas Sept. 2, 1706 as follows
One Wheel . .
o
o
2
02
6
6
One high crown hat &
&c
hat case 6d
&c. &c.
1707
ffor Urchins
ffor Vagabonds . .
ftbr a Hue & Cry
1710 ffor 30 Urchins ..
ffor mending the Dyall
1716 ftbr goeing with two vaggabons to Areley
ffor goeing to Button Bridge to pay Bridge money
1735 For three foxes . .
01
6
00
6
£■
s. d.
?■
00 8
02 8
00 6
5s
od
IIS
Od
IS
od
IS lod
3
(Book No. 4)
This Booke was bought in May 1698 By Francis Radnall. Price los.
1701
1702
This Register is surveyed till March 25, 1698 by Joh. Yapp survf.
Nath: Williams, Rector.
Nathaniel Williams Rector of this parish dyed August ye 12.
Sept. 24. Edward Bury of Stanford in Com. Wigorn Bachelour
& Anne Postunne of Upper Areley in Com. Staftordiae Spinster
were married. License.
At foot of page " Exd by Tho: Davies, Surveyr."
1716 Bap. Apr. 15th. Joseph son of John Tunkes Pattinringmaker.
1720 Jan. 3 Samuel Hassal Physician & Apothecary of Bewdley.
1724 The Reverend Mr Martin Crane junier Buried October ye 28th.
1760 Aug. 31 Mary daughter of Joseph Morris a viper came into bed to
her & bit her, which caused her death.
1795 May 30 Pd Mr Hide of Stottesdon for Dowles share of the Man to
serve in his Majesty's Navy £z z o
1803 23 Aug. Taking Account of all the Live Stock Waggons Carts & Draft
Horses in the Parish.
Puting down all the Peopil in the Parish in thair Different Classes
Liable to surve in the Armey in case of Invasion.
APPENDIX. xlvii.
Pedigree of Mortimer of W^igmore.
Lords of Bewdley.
Ralph de Mortimer (i.) = Milicent
Hugh de Mortimer (i) Lord of=Maud d. of WiUiam Longespee, Duke of
Wigmore d. Feb. 26, 1181 | Normandy
(i) Milicent d. of . . .=Roger de Mortimer (i) = (2) Isabel sister and heir of
Ferrers, Earl of
Derby
d. June 24, 1214
Hugh de Ferrers of Oakham
and Lechlade, d. circa 1252
Hugh de Mortimer (ii)=Annora d. of Ralph de Mortimer (ii)=Gladuse d. of
d. 1227. s.p. William de 5th Lord of Wigmore, Llewellyn
Braose d. Aug. 6, 1246 Pr. of Wales
Roger de Mortimer (ii) = Maud dr. & co-heir of Wm. de Hugh de Mortimer of
d. Oct. 27, 12S2 I Braoseof Brecknock, d. 1301 Chelmarsh, d. 1273
Edmund de Mortimer (i),=Margaret d. of Sir Wm. de Fendles (a Spaniard)
b. on or before 1255 ; a
Clerk in 1263 ; d. 1304
Roo-er Mortimer (iii),=Toan d. and heir of Isolda=(i) Walter de Balun ;
-?.,.-, 11 -^ <--_■. T^„i ]_ ,-- /u„; /,\ T_r.,„u Ar, \,,A
Earl of March, born
April 25, 1287; exe-
cuted Nov. 29, 1328
Sir Peter de Gene- (heiress (2) Hugh de Aud-
ville, born Feb. 2, of Upper ley
1286; died 1356 ArleyJ
Edmund Mortimer (ii)=Elizabeth d. of Bartholomew Lord Badlesmere
d. Dec, 1331 I
Roger Mortimer (iv) Earl of March=Philippa d. of William de Montacute,
b. 1328 ; d. Feb. 26, 1360 I Earl of Salisbury, d. Jan. 3, 1382
Edmund Mortimer (iii) Earl of March and Ulster=Philippa d. and heir of
d 1281 1 Lionel Duke of Clarence
Roger Mortimer (v) Earl of March=Alianor d. of Thomas Holland, Duke of
slain in Ireland 1398 I Kent
Anned.of Edmund=Edmund Mortimer (iv) AnneMortimer=Richard E.of
Earl of Stafford, Earl of March, d.
d. 1433 M25- s.p.
Cambridge,
behead. 14 15
Richard, Duke of York^Cecilie d. of Ralph Nevill, Earl of Westmoreland,
slain at Wakefield 1460 | d. 1495
Edward Earl of March, who became King EDWARD IV.
MISCELLANEA. xlix.
fllM0cellanca»
N the forest near Button Oak about loo years ago
a gold coin of the Emperor Tiberius was found.
On one side was ti caeap divi avg f avgvstvs >
on reverse, a figure sitting with a spear holding a
branch of olive, pontif maximvs.
A tree of great interest to botanists was growing till lately in
Wyre Forest. It was a " Sorb Tree" {Pyrus domestica), and was
the only apparently wild tree of the species in Britain. It was
mentioned in the Philosophical Transactions for 1678 by
Alderman Pitts, of Worcester, and was considered an old tree
at that time. It was burnt down by some miscreant in 1862.
Illustrations of the tree are given in Nash (vol. i., page 10) and
in Lees' Botany of Worcestershire (pages xci. and 4). George
Jorden traced out what he thought to be the ruins of a
hermitage near the spot.
" A strange and true Relation of a Young Woman possest
with the Devill By name Joyce Dovey dwelling at Bewdley
neer Worcester. With a particular of her actions & how
the evill Spirit speakes within her giving feareful answers
unto those Ministers and others that come to discourse
with her. As it was certified in a letter from Mr. James Dalton
unto Mr, Th. Groom Ironmonger over against Sepulchres
Church in London. Imprinted at London 1647." This is the
title of a book of which only two printed copies are known to be
G
1. A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
now in existence. Dr. Prattinton's MSS. contain a written
copy of the whole ; but it is only of interest as showing the
superstition of the age. Dovie or Dovey was a common name
in Bewdley at the time mentioned ; and the Rev. John Boraston,
Rector of Ribbesford, was one of the ministers who visited her.
Susan Wowen, of Bewdley, had horns 3 inches long at the
back of her head, which were shed every three years. In all
she shed about 8 or 9. Mr. Soley, of Sandbourne, had one of
them tipped with silver ; and another was sent to Oxford.
Tradition relates that she was a very wicked woman. Dr.
Prattinton collected all the information he could obtain from
ancient and modern history about people similarly circum-
stanced, and the results fill many closely-written pages of
his MSS.
Winterdyne House was built by Sir Edward Winnington
about 1760. Richard Symonds, who accompanied Charles I.
in the civil wars (1644), says in his diary that there was then a
"grotto cut out of the quarry of stone within Ticknell parke
towards the Severne."
The Rev. Walter Sweeper (see page 22) was buried at Stroud
June g, 1636. He published a discourse on Prov. xii., 16, and
another on " Israel's Redemption by Xt, Wherein is confuted the
Arminian Vniversall Redemption." From the preface to this
book we learn that the famous Countess of Pembroke was a
native of Bewdley. He says, " I intended to dedicate this to
your truly noble sister the late deceased Countesse of Pembrock,
in token of my thankfulnesse for her continuall favours shewed
ever since she and my Lord her husband placed me in Bewdley
where she first drew her happie breath ; which place of her
birth is styled by an ancient Poet, Delituim revum belhis loctis."'-^'
(See page 4.)
The old sign-board of the " Cock and Pye" Inn is very in-
teresting to students of Shakspere, and has often been engraved,
* Gloucestershire Notes and Queries, part xii.
INDEX.
li.
3ubcr»
G'
Abbots Walter. 8i
Abergavenny, Barons of, S3
Acton Robert, purchaser of Rock
Manor, 93
Addenbrokc family, 72
Aka — see Rock
Algar Earl, 93
Alton hamlet, 93
Andrews Richard, lord of Rock
Manor, 93
Angel Inn, 40
Archaeologia, Turstin's charter in, 2
Areley Regis (see Lower Areley)
Arley Upper (see Upper Arley)
Arthur Prince, marriage of, 32 et
seq.; funeral of, 34 et seq.
Augustine St., his conference at
Rock, 92
Bailiffs, list of, xxxvi. et seq.
Baker Slade, 47, xxxv.
Balun Walter de, 90
Bancks family, 13, 74, 80
Baptists, 48 ; ministers, 49
Baugh Edward, 60
Baugh Mrs. T., 61
Baxter Richard, 23, 29, 48, 56, 93
Beale family, 73
Beauchamp Thomas, 66, 71, 93
Beaulieu, 3, 4, 5
Bede Venerable, 92
Bells, 25
Benefactors, list of, 53
Best Edward, 41, 59
Bewdley, survey of, 7 ; as a sanc-
tuary, 16 ; Bailiff and Burgesses
of, 10 ; arms of, 19 ; markets
and fairs, 6, 9, 14, xxxv.; popu-
lation of, 15 ; trades of, 12, 13, 14
BIset de, 83
Blount Sir E., 7 ; George, 93
Boraston family, 57, 72, 84
Branch Peter, 44
Bridge, 27 et seq.; grant of Richard
III. to, 28 ; gatehouse on, 28 ;
wardens appointed for, 28 ;
damaged, 29 ; fighting on, 29 ;
new, 30 •
Bridgewardens' accounts, 28, 41, xii.
et seq.
Brindley and the rise of Stourport,
96
Brookes George, 49
■' Brut," author of, 88
Burley Sir William, 90
Burnell Sir E., 83
Burton Mary, 80 ; Burton Charles
James, 81
Bury John, 44, 46
Button Oak, hamlet and church, 8r,
xlix.
Caldwell family, 73
Camden, 4
Hi.
A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
Canal, Worcester & Staffordshire, 96
Carter family, 93
Catherine of Braganza, 10
Cawood John, 50, 81
Chantries, 53 et seq.
Chaoel, 16 et seq.; houses under,
17 ; painted glass and inscrip-
tions in, 18; chantries in, 17,
20; vestments of, 21; incum-
bents of, 26; stage plays in, 21 ;
bells in, 25.
Chapelwardens' accounts, 20, 28,
xii. et seq.
Charles I. at Bewdley, 23, 40.
Charters, Edward IV., 6, 43, xlii.;
Henry VII., 44; Henry VIII.,
44; James I., 44 ; James II., 44;
Anne, 45
Cheeke Richard, 73
Church Mis,sionary Society, 60
Clare family, 25, 72
Clark James, 49
Clent James, 95
Cleobury, 5, 63
Cock and Pye signboard, 1.
Cofton John, 95
Coin, Roman, found near Button
Oak, xlix.
Cole James, Si
Compton Sir Charles, 42, 55
Coningsby Sir Harry, 87; John and
Fitzwilliam, 93 ; Judge Con-
ingsby, 93
Corporation, 19, 24, xxxv.; officers
of, xxxvi. et seq.
Crane family, 80, 81
Cromwell Richard, 41
Cupper John, 73
Davis Rev. E. V. W., Si
Delamare Sir Richard, go
Delaware Barons, 86
Despencer John le, 8G
Domesday book, i
Dovey Joyce, xlix.
Dowdes, 76 et seq.; ancient names of,
76 ; church, 78 ; owners of, 79 ;
registers of, xliii. et seq.; monu-
ments and epitaphs, 79 et seq.;
charities, 81 ; population, 81 ;
rectors and patrons, 82
Downton Castle, 63
Dudley Lord, 6, 10, S3
Eccles John, 48 et seq.
Far Forest, incumbents of, 94
Feild Bishop, 59
Foley Lord, 83, 84
Fortescue Rev. John, 25
Fortescue Mrs., 25
Fox Col., takes Bewdley, 39
Fox George, 48
Friends' meeting-house, 50
Fryer James, 60, 73
Garmston Humphrey, 81
Gates 39, xxxv.
Grammar School, 51 ; benefactors
of, ibid.; head masters of, 52
Griffith George, 61
Grosvenor William le, 81
Grove Thomas, 81
Gurbehale, i
Guy William, Si
Hartlebury Castle, 6, 40
Hassall family. So
Havergal Rev.F.T., 70
Hayley family, 17, 41, 64, 73
Heightington — chapel of St. Giles, 93
Hemming family, 84, 85
Herberts of Ribbesford, 45, 4G, 67, 72
Hereford Bishops of, 21, 22
Hermitage in Wyre Forest, xlix.
Hextan de, 90
High Stewards of Bewdley, xl.
Hodington Lucy wife of Alex, de, 95
Hopkins family, 58, 73
Horned woman, 1.
Howard family. So
Illustrious Men, 55
Inett Rev. John, 58
INDEX.
Iin.
Ingrams of Ribbesford, 17, 41, 42,
68,73
Institute, 53
James I. at Bewdley, 38
Jordan George, 60
Kateshill, 32
Kenrick Samuel, 50
Kidderminster, feud with Bewdley,
33
Knight Rev. Thomas, 24
Layamon, 88
Lechmere, 2, xxxix.
Leland, 4, 11, 16, 28, 31
Lench family, 95
Lichfield, Bishop of, 90
Lloyd S. Zachary, 66, 86
Loi ds President of Marches, list of,
36
Lower Arely, 86 et seq.; " Sir Harry"
and his tomb, 87; Layamon, a
resident of, 88 ; rectors an d
patrons, 89
Lower Mitton — see ]\Iitton.
Lyttelton family, 30, 39 et seq., 47,
xxxi., XXXV., xxxix et seq., 90, gi
Macdonald Hannah, memorial of, 74
Malvern Priory, 76 et seq.
Marches, Court of, 35 et seq.
Mary Princess, at Ticknell, 35
Mawley, 63
Members of Parliament, list of, xxxix
et seq.
Mitton, I ; Lower Mitton, 95, 96 ;
incumbents of chapel, 96 ;
Upper Mitton, 96
Mountnorris 2d Earl of, 91
Mortimer, family of, i et seq., 65 ;
arms of, 4, 71 ; pedigree of,
xlvii., 86, go
Mucklowe family, 86
Netherton Hall, 85
Northumberland Duke of, 67
Oasland Henry, 24, 49, 56
Orange Prince of, letter from, 46
Pack horses, 84
Pakington Sir John, 57, xvi.
Parliamentary Borough, 15, 47, 96 ;
members of Parliament, xxxix.
Paulet Sir Hugh, 37
Pembroke the Earl and Countess of,
22, 37, xvi., 1.
Percy Bishop and Augustine's oak, 92
Pew rents, 22, xxxv.
Plays in the chapel, 21
Poor curates, 93
Port Henry de, 90
Prattinton Dr., i5, 17, 50, 59
Presbyterianism, 49
Prichard family, 80
Radnal Francis, Si
Recorders of Bewdley xli. Deputy
do. xli.
Reynolds Jabez, 49
Ribbesford family of, 64 et seq ;
arms of, 66
Ribbesford church, 68 ; monuments
in, 4, 72 ; stained glass, 74 ;
registers iii. et seq.; porch 69
et seq ; c'lurchyard poetry 74
et seq ; Rectors and patrons
of, 75
Ribbesford House, 68
Roberts W. Aylesbury, 47
Rock, etymology of, 92 ; church, 88,
93 ; incumbents and patrons,
94 ; the Oak and St. Augustine,
92 ; manor of, 93 ; chapel of St.
Giles, 93
Rupert Prince, 23, xxxii., 85
Salweys of Moor Park, 17
Sandys Colonel, 40
Schools in Bewdley, 53
Severne Rev. A., 93
Seymour Lord, 35
Signboard — Shakspearian, 1.
Skey family of, 13, 61, 79, So
liv.
A HISTORY OF BEWDLEY.
Slade Samuel, 45
Smith Anne Prichard, 81
Smythe Richard, effigy of, 93
Snede manor, 93
Soleys of Sandbourne, 72
Sorb tree, xlix.
Spring Grove, 61
Stour mouth, 96
Stourport, 96
Stowell Hugh, 59
Stukeley Dr., 5, 41
Superstition, xlix.
Sweeper Walter, 22, 1.
Sydney Sir Henry, 36, 37, 39, xiv.
Telford, builds now bridge, 30
Tibbitts John, 61
Ticknell, 12, 31 et seq., 65
Tiler John, 72
Tombes John, 23, 48, 49, 55, 56
Town-hall, old, 10, xxxv.
Town Clerks, list of, xli.
Treasurers, list of, xli.
Turstin, 2, 3, 5, 63, 64
Upper Arley, 90, 91 ; rectors and
patrons, 91
Upper Mitton — see Mitton
Vobe Ellen, 81
Walcot Sir Thomas, 44
Walcot Charles, 37
Wales Princes of, 6, 7
Walsh Walter, 88
Warden's halfpence, 46
Wars, 23, 29, 39, 56
Watermen, 14, 74
Wesley Rev. John, 50, 96
Wesleyan chapel, 50
Wilkes John, 13, 95
Willis Bishop, 52, 58
Williams Nathaniel, 58, 81
Winningtons of Stanford, 10, 17, 24,
42, 45, 47, 59, 68, xxxix., xl., 1.
Winterdyne, 32, 40, 1.
Wodehouse family, 85
Woodward family, 91
Worcester, Bishops of, 3, 6, 21, 22,
27, 62
Worcester, Priory of, i, 2, 3, 5, S3, go
Wowen Susan, 1.
Wribbenhall, i, 2, 6, 83 ; church, 84
et seq. ; incumbents, 85
Wyre, Forest of, 5, 65, xlix.
York Richard Duke of, 90
Stamford : Printed at the Old Lincolnshire Press.
"^HEN Wales was without ,. i^rince
in Tudor times Mary was recog-
nised as Princess of Wales, and for lack
of a male Prince was sent down to the
Welsh borders to hold court at Ludlow.
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