for the founding ef a OUtgt in this Colon)' Bought with the Income of the ALFRED E. PERKINS FUND ! The Parishes of the Diocese of Worcester. I MAP OF THE COUNTS OF WORCESTER. The Parishes of the Diocese of Worcester. By Rev. GEORGE MILLER, VICAR OF RADWAY AND RURAL DEAN; AUTHOR OF " HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE ENGLISH CHURCH FOR THE PEOPLE OF ENGLAND," &C. IN TWO VOLUMES. WITH MAP. VOL. II. THE PARISHES OF WORCESTERSHIRE. BIRMINGHAM : HALL & ENGLISH, No. 71, HIGH STREET. 1890. | The Bights of Translation and of Reproduction are reserved.'] PREFACE. TN bringing this work to a close I must thank my numerous friends for their kindness and hospitality, whereby I have been enabled to visit the different parishes of the County of Worcester. I have submitted to the Incumbents of the several parishes the accounts of the parish churches for their, correction, and I must tender to them my thanks for the valuable assistance they have afforded to me. Some few, however, have neither answered my letters nor returned my manuscripts; this has caused extra trouble and has prevented due accuracy being obtained, and has also delayed the pub lication of this volume. GEORGE MILLER. Badway Vicarage, December, 1890. CONTENTS. INTRODUCTION. ©art i. PAGE The Hundreds of the County ix The Forests in Worcestershire xi The Rivers .... . ... xiii ©art ii. The Church Plate of the Diocese . . xvi Population xxii Value of Land and Labour xxv ©art m. Value of Church Property xxix Religious Houses in the County of Worcester . . xxxiii Sheriffs of Worcestershire from 1066 to the present time xxxv Succession of the Bishops of Worcester . . . xli The Succession of the Deans of the Cathedral . xlvi Names of the Deans xlvii Tee Account of the Parishes 1 INTRODUCTION. $art I. THE HUNDREDS OF THE COUNTY. rFHB division of the county into Tythings, Toothings, Tenmantale-ty-manna-tae ; and Hundreds or Hyn- dens, is of early date. Very probably Alfred, after the ravages of the Danish wars, made a new muster or regu lation of the tythings and hundreds. There is, however, no contemporary account of this ; but that they arose in his days is now seen to be untrue. The meaning of these terms is seen in their derivation, and corroborative evidence is given in the Judicia Londinensis of the 1 Oth century — "Resolved that we count every ten men together, and the chief one to direct the nine, in each of those duties which we have all ordained ; and afterwards the hyndens of them together, and one hynden man who shall admonish the ten for our common benefit, and let the eleven hold the money of the hynden and decide what they shall disburse, when aught is to pay, and what they shall receive, should money accrue to us at our common suit." The lands belonging to the tythings and hundreds were most probably extensive, for the population was not great, even when the number of villeins, bondmen, &c. &c, were taken into consideration. There was too plenty of elbow room between the different tithings. Possibly each member of the tything was the head of what was afterwards the township, or in modern language X INTRODUCTION. the village ; as in the Doomsday record, each village was in most cases held by one Lord of the Manor. The chief argument against this is that scarcely any hundred at the Norman Conquest contained anything like a hundred villages. This division I believe, while at first sight it was one of numbers of them, was in reahty territorial, the tithing man representing the little community that lived on his land or manor. This will account for the fact that the territorial arrangement in connection with these divisions remains even now. If it had depended on numbers simply, it would never have continued, but as it was really an allocation of territory it stood the test of time. The old Hundreds of the county were, at the Doomsday survey, Caine or Chain, Clent, Creshan, Dodintret, Bsch, Fissberge, Oswaldeslaw, Chemesege, Wich, Fledeberie, Bresden, Rippel, Blockelei, Tredingtune, Norwiche. The county is now divided into five Hundreds : Blacken - hurst, Dodingtree, Halfshire, Oswaldeslow, and Pershore. Blackenhurst Hundred contains that portion of the county which belonged to the Abbey of Evesham. Prom whence the name was derived, or when it was given, it is difficult to decide. The name is mentioned 25 Hen. III. Henry I. in giving lands to Evesham Abbey, gave also a Charter to the Hundred of Blackenhurst. Doddingtree Hundred lies on the west side of the county; that portion of it beyond the Teme is not in the Diocese of Worcester. The derivation of this name is uncertain. Dodo we know had great possessions hereabouts, and we have still remaining the name of Doddenham hard by. The tre may be either the village or township, or the tree under which the public meetings or courts were held. THE HUNDREDS OF THE COUNTY. XI The Hundred of Halfshire is a new designation since the Norman Conquest ; it contains the old Hundreds of Chain, Clent, and Creshan. The name is mentioned as the Hundred de dimidio, the same as the Hundred of Wyche, in the time of King John. The hundred is extensive and may thus have obtained its name of Halfshire. The next Hundred is that of Oswaldeslow. This hundred was given by Edgar the King to Bishop Oswald, and the monks of St. Mary, and consisted of the lands belonging to them. According to Hemming's cartulary there were 300 hides in this hundred. The liberties and privileges belonging to the Bishop were confirmed by Hen. I. and II., and increased in the reign of Hen. III., because the monks of Worcester had cared for the body of King John, burying it in their Cathedral. The last Hundred is that of Pershore, which takes its name from the town of Pershore, and lies on the southern side of the county, being intersected by the river Severn. The Foeests in Wokcesteeshiee. The amount of land covered by forests was very great in the County of Worcester, and these forests were to be found in the different parts of the county. In this respect, this county is different from the County of Warwick. For in the latter county, one part is almost entirely an open champagne country, and the other part, north of the Avon, woodland. The names of the forests were, Feckenham, Ombersley, Horwell, and Malvern. The forest of Feckenham was carefully surveyed in the reign of Edw. I. In the report we find that the Xll INTRODUCTION. boundaries extended to the Foregate of Worcester on one side up to Evesham, on another, as far as Bordesley on the north east, and through Rushock up to the Stour. Henry II. had considerably enlarged this forest, having added to it a large tract of land to the great loss of the different townships to be found thereon. These additions were disforested by this commission, and the forest was reduced to its former limits. The forest was entirely dis forested 1629. The forest of Ombersley or Ambresle, came up to the gates of the City of Worcester, and included a tract of land bounded by St. Mary, Wych, the village of Rushock down the Stour till its junction with the Severn, and then skirting the Severn to Worcester. This forest was disforested by Hen. III. The forest of Horewell also came up to Worcester, and its boundaries lay by Spetchley, Aston, following the Piddle stream, and from thence by Throgmorton to the Evesham and Worcester road and up to the Avon. From that point it went in a direct line to the Severn and so to Worcester. Henry III. destroyed this forest. The forest of Malvern, once extended from the Teme in the north to Cors forest in the south, and from the Severn by the top of the Malvern Hills to the boundary of the county. It went by the name of Malvern Chase. The chase was disforested 1631 . One-third, which belonged to the King, was still allowed to be enclosed, the rest was to be left for ever open and free for the commoners to take their commons of pasture. The bounds of the old forests can still be traced by the different characteristics of the parishes and townships. In the old forests a village rightly so called is seldom THE EOEBSTS IN WOECESTEESHIEE. Xlll seen. The houses are scattered over the whole parish. Even around the church there are but few cottages to be seen nesthng under its sacred shadow. In the old clearings of the forests a few houses cluster together, here and there, a real village is not to be found. The scenery is beautifully undulated, the trees are still there, the rich red of the sandstone formation gives warmth to the appearance ; and the growth of the trees shows that they are indigenous to the soil. The name of Woodward, too — derived from the old wode warden — so often found in those parts, speaks of the time when their ancestors were the wardens of the forests. ' Another feature is seen in the old timbered houses, surrounded almost always in old times with the moat ; for as the forests were the retreat of the marauder of old, and the houses in the forests were so distant from each other, it was necessary to secure the safety of the inmates of the manor houses by surrounding them with a moat. The Rivees. The chief river of Worcestershire is the Severn. The Romans called it Sabrina; the Saxon name was Sseferne. It rises in Plinlymmon Hill in Montgomeryshire, and enters the county at Bewdley, and, flowing past Worcester and Upton-on-Severn, it leaves the county near Tewkes bury. Its chief tributaries are the Stour, which flows into it by Newport ; the Teme, which joins it at Worcester; and the Avon, which flows into it at Tewkesbury. The fish of the Severn have from time, immemorial held a high reputation. The salmon were so plentiful that in former times a clause was often inserted into the inden- XIV INTRODUCTION. tures for apprenticeship that the apprentices should not be fed on salmon more than twice a week. In the reigns of Elizabeth and Charles II. Acts were passed for the preservation of the fish in this river, and regulations were made with regard to using nets at different seasons of the year. The lampreys of the Severn were highly esteemed. Henry III. ordered his bailiff to purchase for his use 30 lampreys and 60 salmon (best Calewas salmon) to be sent with 200 shad to Westminster on Christmas Eve. The free navigation of the river was secured by Act of Parliament; for, 9 Henry VI., the Severn was declared a free river for all the King's subjects to carry within the stream of the said river ; and by the Act 23 Henry VIII. a towing path on either side, a foot and a half wide, was preserved for drawing by lines the boats on the river. The Avon, after running through a large portion of the county of Warwick, enters this county at Cleeve Prior, and, flowing by Evesham and Pershore, joins the Severn at Tewkesbury. Its chief tributary is the Arrow, which joins it close to Cleeve Prior. It is a curious fact that the salmon as they ascend the Severn do not enter the Avon at Tewkesbury, notwithstanding that the state of the water of both rivers is at their junction very similar. The Teme joins the Severn below Worcester. The orchards of Worcestershire have long been noted for the abundance of their crops, and the quality of their apples. The hedgerows, thickly studded with apple and pear trees, and the numerous and extensive orchards, give an appearance to the landscape which is not to be found elsewhere. In the spring time, when these trees are in bloom, the aspect of the country is lovely ; almost equalled THE RIVEES. XV in the fruit bearing season of autumn, when the trees are covered with their rosy and mellow looking fruit. About Evesham and Pershore, the market gardens, the cherry and the plum orchards, are conspicuous. The fer tility of the soil, and the wonderful gardening of the in habitants produce crops, rather successions of crops, that must be seengand noticed to be realised. There are no people to be found in England |to surpass the natives of these districts in the power of handling the spade and the fork, the hoe or the rake. , The fertility of the soil is thought by some to be the out come of the splendid agriculture in the middle ages, carried out by the monks of Evesham and Pershore ; while the deft use of the implements for gardening by the present generation is ascribed to the constant use for generations from the monastic days of those implements of good husbandry. XVI INTRODUCTION. $art II. THE OHUBOH PLATE OF THE DIOOESE. HPHE first record of the Church goods of the diocese was made in 1552 by order of the King, Edward VI., and his Council. Commissioners for taking a correct inventory were appointed, consisting of the county gen tlemen of each city, town, bishopric, and county. The ostensible object was to ensure the preservation of the Church plate. But when we get behind the scene we see that other causes were really predominant. In the Council book, March 3rd, we find the following entry : — " It was this day agreed that, forasmuch as the King's Majesty has need presently of a mass of money, therefore Commissioners should be addressed in all shires of England to take into the King's hands such plate as remaineth to be applied to the King's use." And Edward himself writes, on April 21st: "It was agreed that Commissioners should go out and take certificates of superfluous plate for mine use." The orders to the Commissioners were to leave one chalice in each church, with a small portion of the other Church goods, and at least one bell. The returns of the Commissioners are in the Record Office in Fetter Lane, and the substance of them is tran scribed in the accounts of the Church plate for each THE CHUECH PLATE OE THE DIOCESE. XVU parish. As a rule they seem to be very perfect, but they are almost entirely wanting in certain districts, as, for instance, in the neighbourhood of Evesham, on the banks of the Teme, and around Coventry. The amount of plate is small, especially when compared with the requirements enforced by many of the Arch bishops, as, for example, Archbishop Winchelsea in 1293 and 1313. One chalice and a cover to serve for a paten was as a general rule all that remained. This small amount of plate contrasts with the often large amount of vestments. Suits of vestments, copes, and single vestments were found in the different churches ; and as this inventory was taken at the end of Edward VI.'s reign, the use of vestments, together with censers and hghted candles — which things are mentioned in most of the inventories, — is seen to have continued throughout that reign. As such things would not fall into disuse in the time of Queen Mary, a light is thrown upon the Rubric in the JPrayer Book of Elizabeth's reign, where it says that such ornaments as were in use in the first year of the reign of Edward VI. shall be retained and be in use. In the present inventories of the church plate, it is very rare to find anything older than the reign of Elizabeth. The question therefore arises, What has become of the old chalices ? The answer is to be found in question No. 5 of the Articles of Visitation issued by Archbishop Parker in 1559, wherein it is asked, "Whether the curate or minister do minister it in any profane cups, bowls, dishes or chalices heretofore used at mass ; or else in a decent Communion cup kept for the purpose." In 1576, Arch bishop Grindal made the same enquiries. XV111 INTRODUCTION. The Communion cups or chahces introduced in the reign of Elizabeth are curiously alike. Those of 1571 are, as a rule, identical in pattern, there being a slight difference sometimes in those made by different silver smiths. And yet it is strange that we can find no record of any pattern being set forth by authority. The old councils ordered that all the Communion vessels should be of gold or silver, and our own reformers almost repeated their words . " If we cannot have gold, let us have silver." And to enable poor parishes to have proper Communion plate, a sum of five pounds was allowed for its purchase. The chalices of this date were made with a cover, which Archbishop Grindal told his clergy should be used as a paten. In the inventories of 1552, patens are occasionally mentioned. As a rule, there was only a chalice, the cover being used for a paten. In the Archdeaconry of Worcester, the Elizabethan chahces are much more frequently found than they are in the Archdeaconry of Coventry. The reason for this I have not been able to trace out. A little later on we find that the shape of the chalice was altered. The cup was larger, wider, and less elegant. The ornamental work, the floral and dotted bands which make the earher pattern, disappear. From the beginning of the 17th century the pattern of the chahces lost their uniformity, and since then they have been diversified in shape. With the advent of the 17th century we find that the use of flagons became frequent. Very probably this introduction arose from the Puritan manner of celebrating the Holy Communion, which made it partake somewhat of THE CHURCH PLATE OP THE DIOCESE. XIX the nature of a meal, and which culminated at the time of the Commonwealth when the communicants sat round the Lord's Board instead of kneeling before it. As a rule, and in the County of Warwick particularly, there is not much silver plate of the times preceding the Civil War which has come down to us. Most likely a considerable portion was lost in those troublesome times, some being melted down and turned into money, whilst some was abstracted from the Church, as was the case in the time of Edw. VI. With the advent of quieter times after the Restoration of 1660, the Churches were refurnished with communion plate. A good deal, unless I am mistaken, was made of pewter. So much expense was needed to put the Churches into repair, as may be seen for instance in Evelyn's Diary, Sept. 10, 1677, that it was impossible to use silver in all cases. Still large gifts of plate were given to the Church, much of which was good of its kind. About this period Alicia Lady Dudley, relict of Sir Robert Dudley, gave to those parishes where she had property most of her magnificent offerings of Church plate. In one or two cases the offerings were made earlier. The parishes in the diocese which benefited by this munificence were Kenilworth, Stoneleigh, Leek Wootton, Monks Kirby, Ashow, and Ladbroke. Plate was also given to the parish of St. Giles, Middlesex. The plate at Stoneleigh disappeared, and was replaced by the Leighs in 1719. The hall mark is of the date of 1638, and consists of a flagon, richly embossed, fifteen inches high, with an angel thumb piece ; a chalice, with cover to be used as a paten, very handsome ; and a bread bowl with cover. XX INTE0DUCTI0N. It was not however till the Church had regained her former position, in the reign of Queen Anne, that we find numerous costly Communion services of plate bestowed on its churches. At that period we notice that gifts were many and costly ; and such gifts continued to be made till the middle of the eighteenth century. This was the time when there appears to have been more frequent celebration of the Holy Communion than at any other period from the early days of the Reformation till the revival of the present century. Then weekly celebrations were frequent in London and the large towns, and in some cases the Holy Eucharist was celebrated daily, as we see in the " Pietas Londinensis " and other books of a like nature, published in the earlier years of the eighteenth century. At this period were given those beautiful specimens of large silver gilt chalices, patens, and flagons which are to be seen at Cubbington, Baginton, Hartlebury, and other churches in the diocese. Numerous were the gifts of plate presented at this period of handsome articles of silver and silver gilt. From the middle of the eighteenth century till after the Peace of 1 815 small were the gifts of Church plate. Since then, and more especially since the Church move ment of 1835, numerous and beautiful additions have been made to our Church goods. There is now a desire to return to the beautifully shaped chalice of the pre-Reformation date, so much more elegant in their design, and more convenient too for their administration of that holy rite. Many of the designs for these chalices have been taken from the beautiful paint ings of chalices in the east window of the south aisle of THE CHUECH PLATE OP THE DIOCESE. XXI Brinklow Church, once the Chapel of the Blessed Sacra ment, one of the most interesting of the old painted windows in the. diocese. Besides those specimens of Church plate which have been mentioned, allusion must also be made to the churches at Inkberrow, 1592; Newbold Pacey, 1600; and Wellan, 1613 ; as their shape or workmanship are different to any others. Also the chalice at Ipsley, 1682 ; which has two handles similar to those found in the loving cup. There is also a chalice at Wasperton after the mediaeval pattern. At Copton Hacket there is a paten of the pre-Reforma tion date, in some respects similar to that in the stone coffin of Walter de Cantelupe, Bishop of Worcester, 1236. But perhaps the most interesting specimens of Church plate to be found in the whole diocese, is that which belongs to the Parish Church of Leamington, which, though given in our own days, is said to belong to the time of Henry VIII. It is stated that this chalice was given by Henry VIII. to the Church at Calais, and that it was taken away by the Emperor Napoleon, and after wards came into the hands of the goldsmiths. Around the lower part of the cup are designs taken from the life of our Blessed Lord. On the central knob we see figures representing faith, hope, charity, and justice. Around the foot we see Eve in the temptation, Melchisedek, Abraham, Moses striking the rock, and the Israelites gathering the manna. There is a second chalice which is very handsome, but of much more modern date, on the foot are the emblems of the four evangelists, and the central knob is ornamented with cherubs. I must in conclusion, bear testimony to the great work the late Archdeacon Lea did in framing an inventory of XXU INTRODUCTION. the Church Plate in his Archdeaconry. A work, which has been of the greatest use to me, both in its introduc tion and in - its details. My regret is great, that his valuable life passed away before the completion of my work, as I was looking forward to his valuable help in drawing up this account of the Church Plate belonging to the parishes in the Diocese. POPULATION. There are not many trustworthy accounts of the popula tion of England from the time of the survey made by William I. till the census of 1801. The accounts of population given in the returns made to Bishop Sandys, 1564; hearth rolls of 1663; and the returns made to Bishop North, 1776, while they are not so accurate as the census, still give us a very fair insight into the growth of population between those dates. The first point that strikes one, in studying these records, is the small increase of the parishes generally in the five centuries between 1036 and 1564. In some cases there was a decided decrease in the population. It was only in those places that were growing into impor tance, or were, in the general acceptation of the term, towns, that there was any material increase. This is accounted for by the frequent inroads of plague and other epidemics, as well as by the Civil Wars, that were of no infrequent occurrence in the Middle Ages. Of these causes the plague of the Black Death, 1349, and the Wars of the Roses no doubt exerted the greatest influence on the returns of 1564. POPULATION. XX111 From 1564 to 1665 the increase is greater, but still the progress is not large. Here, again, allowance must be made for the increased death-rate during the wars between Charles I. and the Parliament. During the eighteenth century and the latter part of the seventeenth century the increase of population went on at a faster rate, particularly in the towns, so that we may calculate that in that period the population about doubled itself. Still when we come to the sure and certain data of the census of 1801 we cannot but be struck with the smallness of the increase during the seven centuries from the time of the Doomsday Survey. It does not appear in country districts to have been much more than 150 per cent., and for the whole kingdom about 220 per cent. It is well to notice how small the population of our villages were in the early part of this century. For that was a time when there was great agricultural activity in the rural districts ; corn was at famine prices, and every available acre was put under cultivation. There was then no machinery to supplement labour; threshing was done by the hand. The village industries flourished. Each village provided the hands for feeding and clothing its population. The village weavers and lace-makers plied their shuttles and their bobbins. There were no shops to provide ready made boots and clothes'. The village tailors and shoemakers had their hands full ; and all their work was done with a population some 40 per cent, less than the average village population now. At the present time we find the demand for English corn diminished, machinery taking the place of much of the old hand-made produce. The towns, with their XXIV INTRODUCTION. factories and shops, have destroyed the village industries ; so, with an increased population, the villages are suffering in many cases from a plethora of labour during a large portion of the year. And yet there is a constant com plaint on the part of the towns that the villages are inundating them with the surplus of their population. What other result was hkely to follow when the towns destroyed the village industries ? The complaint is hard, it is unjust. During the first half of this century the population increased rapidly in town and country. After the forma tion of our railway system, and the vast increase of machinery and producing power in the manufacturing districts, the rural population began to shew signs of decline. The period from 1821 to 1841, marked that of the highest population in purely agricultural districts. In 1851 a marked decrease was seen, and has continued to the present time. In the same period, the population of almost every town has shewn a decided increase. The difficulties attendant on a large and increasing population, naturally give rise to grave apprehensions for the future. At present, the facilities for emigration prove a safety valve, for which we may be truly thankful. But if the statistics of Mr. Giffen and others are correct, the United States of America will in the course of not so many years be peopled with a population commensurate with their extended area. How will England fare then ? The difficulty will more likely be one that will press most heavily on the towns ; for if America ceases to export corn in the large quantities she is now sending across the ocean, then we shall see once again the valleys of England standing thick with corn. And with corn sold at a price POPULATION. XXV that it will remunerate the growers, agricultural labour will be again in demand. Till that time once again re appears the population of the villages must decrease, though it is doubtful whether it will decrease in the same way the population of the feldon of Warwickshire was diminished when the forest of Arden was cut down for smelting the coal in Birmingham neighbourhood; and when, in many parts of the district of the feldon, many villages ceased to exist. VALUE OF LAND AND LABOUR. , In the previous volume the account of these two important factors, Land and Labour, was brought down to the eighteenth century. The rise in value of land it was seen^had been gradual from the close of the Wars of the Roses up to that period. Thenceforth the rise in value went on at a much more accelerated pace. Between the years 1730 and 1784 the rateable value of some parishes increased threefold, and this took place even before the Enclosure Acts were passed. ; No doubt one of the chief causes of this rise in value was, as has been alluded to in Vol. I. 51, through the enclosure of the common fields and the better system of cultivation which was afterwards introduced. The rents were more than doubled. Another cause for this improvement in prices was the increase of population and the consequent rise in the price of corn, England becoming an importing instead of being an exporting nation of corn produce. A third cause was seen in the alteration of the size of XXvi INTRODUCTION. farms later on in the century. Through the instru mentality chiefly of Arthur Young — whose travels through the different parts of England and his notes on the tenure and cultivation of land are most valuable and interest ing — an improved system of farming was introduced with most beneficial results to the nation. He also advocated very strongly the enlargement of the farms, which, up to his time, had been of small extent. The system in this respect introduced by Arthur Young grew and extended long after his day. But the theory, we should remember, was started by him. No doubt, as far as improving the producing capability of the land, a great advance was made, and it is doubtful whether without this England would have been able to weather the storm during the days of Napoleon Bonaparte. For England then had not only to feed herself, but to provide also, during the last campaigns, food as well as money for the armies of her allies. And all honour must be accorded to Arthur Young for the work he did. But there is always another side to every question ; and while a benefit was done to the nation by increasing the produce, an evil was done thereby by increasing the labouring population. The formation of large farms caused the destruction of a multitude of small farmers. These, as a rule, fell from being farmers and ratepayers to the class of labourers, and helped to swell the poor rates. The increase of the poor rates between 1776 and 1803 in the county of Worcester was from £29,759 to £87,307. The Hearth Rolls — I am sorry to say those for Worcestershire are not to be found in' the muniment room at the County Hall at Worcester, and so these returns could not be incorporated in this volume, as those VALUE OP LAND AND LABOUR. XXVT1 in the Record Office are not complete — show us that in 1663 the number of ratepayers in the different parishes was about two to one of those who were not ratepayers. In little more than a century the relative proportion of these two classes was entirely reversed. The Enclosure Acts were the first great cause for producing this result, when many of the small holders of land were bought out, and the common rights of the smaller tenants of the manor were either commuted or done away with. The second cause was the introduction of large farms, whereby not only were the number of farmers decreased, but the difference between the farming and the labouring class was also much increased. Till then there had been a gradual descent from the large farmer through the smaller grades to the labourer. The power, too, of rising from the class of labourer to that of tenant farmer was almost entirely done away with. Formerly, when the thrifty labourer could save a little money he was able to lay it out in purchasing a small amount of stock, which he could keep at a small expense on the open common. As they yearly increased, he could add to the number of the stock he kept, as .his weekly wages went on regularly, the stock being attended to before his work was begun in the morning or after work was over in the evening. A small farm, after a while, he was able to take himself; the cream of the labourers became farmers, and a spirit of hope was introduced into the whole class. No doubt the nation reaped a benefit, and a great temporal one, by these two alterations in old tenures of land, but it was one-sided from the first, and it is doubt ful whether at the present time, and under present XXV111 INTRODUCTION. circumstances, the nation has benefited so greatly as people are inclined to believe. The increase in the value of land went on till the Peace of 1815. During the time of Napoleon's reign, England was thrown very much on its own resources for supplying food for her population. But when peace settled down over Europe, the English people could obtain supplies from beyond the sea, instead of having to find food for the Con tinental armies as well as for her own people ; prices both of land and produce fell rapidly. Between the years 1817 and 1833 the rateable value of country parishes fell about 30 per cent., and the poor rate sensibly increased, and this too occurred when the protective duties on corn was at the highest point. In some respects the crisis was as grave, if not more grave, than that which we are now passing through. There seems to be now a slight break of light in the horizon, and if the statistics formed by Mr. Griffin and others are trustworthy, the increase of population in America and in our own Colonies will, in the course of time, enable the English farmer to grow wheat at a remunerative price. XX1X Part HI. VALUE OF GHUROH PROPERTY. The first account that we possess of the value of Church property is that which was obtained by the order of Pope Nicolas in the year 1291 ; and this valuation formed the basis for the taxation of the clergy till the time of Henry VIII. By the order of that monarch a fresh valuation was made to obtain " the true and just yearly values of all the dignities, offices, cures, and other promo tions spiritual, to the intent that the tenth of the premisses may be taxed and set to be levied to the King's use." Since that time there has not been made any such-like official valuation . We have however two documents in the diocese of Worcester that are of great value in estimating the value of Church property at two other later periods. The first was made in 1669 by order of the Bishop; and in 1708 the Queen Ann's Bounty Office published an official list of the incomes of all the benefices which were of such a value as would enable them to claim exemption from the payment of First-fruits. The object of the Queen Ann's Bounty was to raise the stipends of small livings ; and we find that the constant decrease of the values of livings which had continued from the time of Henry VIII. was almost entirely stopped by the action of the Bounty Office, and that the extreme poverty which had up to this time existed in some of the livings was in a measure rectified. Those who have studied the history of the endowments of the Church of England see what a real benefit the XXX INTRODUCTION. Bounty Office has been to the Church of England, not only by the grants which they have made, but also by the spirit it has infused into the hearts of Church laymen to do something on their parts to provide sustenance for those who feed them in spiritual things. In Bacon's " Liber Regis " these returns are made up to the year 1784. When these returns are compared one with another, the value of Church property can be compared with that of the value of other property, and it is easy to ascertain the relative value of each to the other. In the first place we find that between 1291 and 1535 there was very little real increase in the annual income of hvings. This, no doubt, was caused in a measure by the religious houses taking the great tithes and leaving only the small tithes for the support of the resident vicars. Still at the same time it must be remembered that a large number of the rectories still remained untouched by the monastic institutions. There is therefore herein to be found distinct evidence that there is no ground for the assertion that the Church was in the Middle Ages enriched to any great amount by gifts extorted from the sick and afflicted through the influence of the confessors and priests. The Church was not relatively so rich in 1535 as it was in 1291 ; for while land and agricultural produce had more than doubled themselves, the income of the. Church, which was, in 1291, £218,802, had only risen to £320,280 {vide Canon Dixon's " History of the Reformation") in 1555. In 1669 the average value of livings, deducting some three or four which from exceptional circumstances were very large, was a little over £50 a year. This was about 28 per cent, lower than it ought to have been, and shows VALUE OP CHURCH PROPERTY. XXXI a relative decrease of about £50,000 per annum ; for with the corresponding rise in the value of land and its produce, the average value should have been about £70 per annum. In 1 708 the returns are only to be found for the small hvings. But here the results are most remarkable ; for notwithstanding the rise in value of land and its produce, there was a decided decrease in the value of most of these small benefices. The accompanying list of hvings, for which there are returns in 1669 and 1708, will show by naked facts the true state of the case. 1669 1708 Acton Beauchamp £40 £47 Hadsor 40 39 Martin Hussingtree ... 40 39 Bretforton 54 18 Broadway , 13 19 Pershore 20 40* S. Andrew, Worcester 12 9 S. Swithin 60 15 S. Nicholas 20 23 S.Michael 8 5 S. Clement 60 6 £367 £260 In these eleven hvings, partly town and partly country, there was a decrease of £107, i.e., over 30 per cent., in the forty years ; and this, be it remembered, when the national income, and all the sources from which tithe is taken together with the land itself, were rising with leaps and bounds. * A rising town. XXX11 INTRODUCTION. In pubhshing the "Liber Regis," in 1784, Mr. Bacon, who was then the receiver of the first-fruits at the Bounty Office, remarked " that it would take many ages before the income of all the small livings could be so advanced as to amount to no more than " sixty pounds per annum" of the then value of money." Can it then be a matter of surprise that the work of the Church languished during the last century ? The more this subject is studied, the more, I am certain, it will be seen that the lack of power possessed by the Church in the eighteenth century was due to the fact that the nation at large was depriving her, in different ways, of the means of supporting her clergy. In the first eighty years of this century a good deal was done to redress this evil. With the Enclosure Acts the livings in a great measure regained what they had lost; the old terrien of the glebes being carefully examined and, as a rule, a full amount of glebe land was apportioned and the tithes were fairly readjusted. The grants, too, of the Bounty Office and the Eccle siastical Commissioners not only increased the livings, but called forth the liberality of Churchmen, so that the aspirations of Mr. Bacon in 1784 seemed likely to be reahsed. During the last ten years these hopes have been dashed to the ground. Agricultural depression has decreased the country livings by 33 per cent. ; the hands of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners are now so tied that their grants are lessened in number and are diminished by one-half. The result is that the clergy are in danger of being, as far as their stipend is concerned, reduced to a level with their forefathers in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. VALUE OP CHURCH PROPERTY. XXX1U There is an outcry made in some quarters against the country clergy for their lack of earnestness and the want of success in their work. None but those who live in the country know the struggle for life that has fallen of late to the lot of many of them. They have seen their incomes gradually lessening, but as a rule they have not shirked their work or diminished its extent ; rather, it has been the case of shorter pay but no diminution of working hours. One of the crying evils to be redressed in the Church now is that of the inadequate stipends which so many of the clergy derive from their cures. It is an evil that requires immediate attention, or else the future of our branch of the one Holy Catholic Church will be in danger of falling from the high position it now occupies. The Religious Houses in the County op Worcester, with theie Value at the Time op their Dissolution. Bordesley Monastery Westwood Priory Evesham Monastery Parshoare Monastery Cokehill Abbey Great Malverne Monastery Little Malverne ... Alvecote Priory ... Worcester Monastery St. Wolstan Hospital S.Oswald's White Monks Priory Taken from the "Liber Regis." £ s. d. 388 9 10 75 18 11 1183 12 9 643 4 5 35 9 3 308 1 4 98 10 9 28 6 2 1299 12 8 63 18 10 13 14 4 53 3 7 XXXIV introduction. A great evil has been done to the vicarages of the English Church by allowing to fall into disuse the power that the Bishops possessed in Pre-Reformation times to compel the owners of the Great Tithes to enlarge, when necessary, the stipends of the vicars. This was done in the cases, for instance, of the vicarages of Kineton and Burton Dassett, to the great benefit of those small incum bencies. The Rectorial Tithes were always, in the days before the Reformation, considered to be liable not only for the repairs of the chancels, but also as a fund, to be drawn upon when necessary, for providing a proper income for the parish priest who performed the Church services and attended to the people from whom the tithes were taken. XXXV SHERIFFS OF WORCESTERSHIRE. Kinewardus. 1066 Crso de Abitot, and continued till Henry I. Will'ua de Bellecampo. HENRY II. 17 Ranulf de Lench 21 Robert de Lucy 22 Michael Belet 31 Bobert de Marmion 34 Henry de Clugensby RICHARD I. 2 William de Beauchamp I 10 Rad de Grafton 7 Henry de Longo ! JOHN. 3 Will de Cantelupe HENRY III. 1 Gault de Beauchamp I 53 William de Beauchamp 11 Gault de Beauchamp | EDWARD I. 27 Guido^de Warwick EDWARD II. 10 William de Beauchamp EDWARD III. i Thomas de Beauchamp RICHARD II. 21 Henry HaggeJI^ | 22 Robert Russell HENRY IV. 1 Thomas de Warwick j 4 Richard Beauchamp 2 William Beauchamp | HENRY VI. 18 Henry Beauchamp I 28 Richard Nevyle 26 Thomas Lyttelton | EDWARD IV. 12 Gualterus Skull | 20 James Radclyffe XXXVI INTEODUCTION. SHERIFFS— Continued. EDWARD V. and RICHARD III. 2 William Houghton HENRY VII Humphry Stafford HENRY VIII. 27 Galterus Walsh 34 George Throgmorton 29 Thomas Russell 35 Thomas Hunkes *30 Robert Acton 36 John Talbot 31 Gilbert Talbot 37 Bic Acton 32 John Packington 38 John Russel 33 John Russel EDWARD VI. W. Sheldon 1 3 Thomas Russel 2 Richard Lygon 1 * MARY. John Talbot Henry Dinelly 4 William Sheldon 2 John Talbot 5 John Lyttelton 3 Thomas Baskerville ELIZABETH. John Enottesford 23 Franc Walsh 2 Thomas Russel 24 Thomas Foliot 3 Thomas Packington 25 John Washbourn 4 Galf Markham 26 Rich. Lygon 5 Thomas Baskervyle 27 Gil. Lyttelton 6 Will. Jeffries and 28 Thomas Lucy 7 Will. Hunkes 29 Will, Child 8 Anthony Dalston 30 Egid. Rede 9 John Lyttelton 31 Geo. Wintour 10 Will. Sheldon 32 Will. Savage 11 Henry Dineley 33 Edw. Colles 12 Thomas Russell 34 Hen. Bromley 13 Francis Walsh 35 Will. Lygon 14 John Rouse 36 Thomas Bigge 15 John Lyttelton 37 John Packyngton 16 Rich. Lygon 38 Thomas Foliot 17 Edward Colles 39 Edw. Harewell 18 Edw. Harwell 40 Franc Dynely 19 Ralf Sheldon 41 Will. Walsh 20 John Russel 42 Will. Child 21 Henry Berkeley 43 John Washbourn 22 Walter Blount 44 Will. Savage * Up to this time the office of Sheriff was held by the same person for many years. SHEB IPPS OP w DECESTERSHIEE. XXXVII SHERIFFS— Continued. JAMES I. 1 Geo. Blount 12 Robert Berkeley 2 Thomas Russel 13 Sherington Talbot 3 Richard Walsh 14 Franc More 4 Will. Barneby 15 Will. Jefferys 5 Gualt. Savage 16 Will. Berkeley 6 John Packyngton 17 Sam. Sandys 7 Arnold Lygon 18 Walter Blount 8 Rich. Greaves 19 Will. Keyte 9 John Rouse 20 Edw. Sebright 10 Edward Pytts 21 John Woodward 11 John Savage 22 John Colepepper CHARLES I. 1 Egidius Savage 12 Will. Russell 2 Gualt. Devereux 13 John Rouse 3 Edw. Cookes 14 Edward Dyneley 4 Richard Skynner 15 Thomas Graves 5 Hen. Bromley 16 John Winford 6 Will. Jefferys 17 Davies Dobbins 7 Arthur Smithies 18 Edw. Vernon 8 Jac. Pytt 19 Will. Russell 9 Thomas Good 23 Will. Lygon 10 John Keyte 24 Thomas Rouse 11 John Savage COMMONWEALTH. 1 Thomas Cookes 5 Thomas Dannett 2 John Hanbury 6 John Barker 3 W. Cookes 7 Henry Lyttelton 4 W. Coombe 8 Thomas Foley CHARLES II. 1 John Winf ord 12 Humphry Lowe 2 William Hanwich 13 Will. Swyft 3 William Cookes 14 Will. Dowdeswell 4 John Turvey 15 Rich. Vernon 5 Thomas Cookes 16 Rich. Nicolett 6 Thomas Norris 17 Robert Berkeley 7 Thomas Symonds 18 Richard Nash 8 Edw. Dyneley 19 Thomas Savage 9 Robert Foley 20 Thomas Hazelwood 10 Thomas JollyfEe 21 Henry Jeffryes 11 Thomas Foley JAMES II. 1 Richard Lygon | 3 Thomas Lowe 2 Thomas Cookes 4 Gualt. Kirkham Blount XXXV111 INTRODUCTION. SHERIFFS— Continued. WILLIAM and MARY. 1 William Gower 8 Tim. Brigenshaw 2 Rich. Doudeswell 9 William Lea 3 Robert Berkeley 10 Johri Appletree 4 Will. Hancocke 11 Will. Vernon 5 Alan Cliffe 12 Giles Parsons 6 Sam. Swyft 13 Ben. Jolyffe 7 Edw. Patherich 14 Higgon James ANN. 1 Thomas Savage 8 George Gardiner 2 Humphry Soley 9 John Chetle 3 Phineas Jackson 10 Rowland Berkeley 4 Sam. Pytts 11 John Field 5 Thomas Batch 12 Will. Norton 6 Edw. Palmer 13 Henry Townsend 7 Thomas Perrot GEOR GE I 1 Richard Lane 8 John Worven 2 Thomas Smith 9 Sheldon (?) 3 Richard Lane 10 Charles Craven 4 William Amphlett 11 Thomas Hunt 5 John Dannett 12 Edmund Skynner 6 John Perrott 13 Will. Dowdeswell 7 William Amphlett GEOR( 2E I] [. 1 John Baker 18 John Ravenhill 2 Thomas BuBhell 19 William Amphlet 3 Will. Bromley 20 Richard Buckle 4 Rich. Bourne 21 Adam Hough 5 John Soley 22 Thomas Watson 6 Edmund Lechmere 23 Humphry Lowe 7 Thomas Rouse 24 George Holland 8 Edward Moor 25 Edw. Cope Hopton 9 Isaac Snow 26 Thomas Phillips 10 John Mathews 27 Franc Clare 11 John Perrott 28 Franc Highway 12 John Harte 29 Joseph Biddle 13 Richard Roberts 30 Thomas Byrche Savage 14 Nicholas Bennet 31 Charles Thrubstaw Withers 15 Gil. Wheeler 32 John Amphlett 16 Jacob Newnham 33 John Timbril 17 George Nash 34 Richard Case SHERIPPS OP WORCESTERSHIRE. XXXIX SHERIFFS— Continued. GEORGE III. 1 Sir Samuel Hellier 11 Charles Meysey 2 Benjamin Johnson 12 John Tristram 3 Rowland Berkeley 13 John Hurtle 4 William Winwood 14 Samuel West 5 Thomas Cookes 15 Josiah Dineley 6 Sir H. P. Packington 16 Samuel Netherton 7 Thomas Bury 17 Edward Whitcombe 8 Edward Knight 18 John Foster 9 John Martin 19 Richard Amphlett 10 Edmund Pytts From 1779 to 1890 inclusive. 1779 John Foster 1816 Joseph Lea 1780 Richard Amphlett 1817 John Taylor 1781 John Drake 1818 1782 Rowland Farmer 1819 John Jeffries 1783 Josiah Pytts 1820 Richard Griffiths 1784 T. Bund 1821 Elias Isacc 1785 Richard Bourne 1822 Samuel Ryland 1786 George Perrott 1823 J. Williams 1787 R. Harrison 1824 Sir Christopher Smith 1788 1825 Thomas Vernon 1789 J. Spooner 1826 T. Taylor 1790 H. Clay 1827 G. Farley 1791 Henry Wakeman , 1828 George Meredith 1792 Fleetwood Parkhurst 1829 Edward Rudge 1793 Samuel Steward 1830 John Scott 1794 Thomas Farley 1831 O. Ricardo 1795 William Waldron 1832 J. J. Marslot 1796 Thomas Hill 1833 John Brown 1797 Moses Harper 1834 Sir E. Blount 1798 John Addenbroke 1835 Sir Edward Blount 1799 Edward Dixon 1836 Sir O. P. Wakeman 1800 W. Smith 1837 Wilson A. Roberts 1801 Thomas Phillips 1838 Robert Berkeley, jun. 1802 Thomas Newnham 1839 William Congreve Russell 1803 John Phillips 1840 James Foster 1804 Edward Knight 1841 Thomas Charles Hornyold 1805 John Amphlett 1842 Edward Holland 1806 Sir Thomas Winnington 1843 William Robins 1807 Thomas Bland 1844 John Richards 1808 Sir John Packington 1845 Thomas Simcox Lea 1809 Henry Bromley 1846 William Hemming 1810 Thomas W. Bellasyse 1847 Edward Gresley Stone 1811 Thomas Hawkes 1848 JoBeph Frederick Ledsam 1812 J. Baker 1849 John Dene 1813 1850 John Gregory Watkins 1814 J. Knight 1851 Sir Thomas Edward Win 1815 Edward Dixon nington, Bart. xl INTRODUCTION. 1852 SHERIFFS- Sir Edmund Hungerford — Contm 1870 Lechmere,, Bart. 1871 1853 Charles Noel 1872 1854 Edward Bearcroft 1873 1855 William Dowdeswell 1874 1856 Francis Tongue Rufford 1875 1857 Edward Vincent Wheeler 1876 1858 Samuel Baker 1877 1859 Walter Chamberlain Hem 1878 ming 1879 1860 Ferdinando Dudley Lea 1880 Smith 1881 1861 James Moilliett 1882 1862 Sir Edmund Anthony Harley 1883 Lechmere, Bart. 1884 1863 Richard Hemming 1885 1864 Harman Grisewood 1886 1865 Albert Hudson Rozdo 1887 1866 Edward Charles Rudge 1888 1867 Richard William Johnson 1889 1868 Charles Michael Berington 1890 1869 John Vincent Hornyold Thomas Rowley Hill William Hanford Flood Henry Sales Scobell Henry Foley Vernon Joseph Jones Edward Waldron Haywood George Wallace Robert Martin Frederick Eckington Edward Bickerton Evans Robert Woodward Charles Castle George Edward Martin Henry Walker Henry Bramwell James Dyson Perrins Victor Milward William Edward Everitt John Henry Crane John Brinton William Jones N.B. — There is no complete list of the Sheriffs at the County Hall. It has been very difficult to make the list correct, and some omissions occur in the list. xli SUCCESSION OF THE BISHOPS OF WORCESTER. No. Tear ol Consecration 1 679 2 692 3 693 4 717 5 743 6 775 7 777 8 781 9 798 10 822 11 848 12 873 13 915 14 922 15 929 16 957 18 992 19 1003 20 1016 21 1033 22 1038 Names Bosel, resigned. Oftfor, or Ostfor. ' • St. Egmm founded the Monastery of Evesham, and resigning his Bishopric (according to the legend), became its first Abbot, and died 717. Wilfrid, who was Coadjutor of St. Egwin. Mildred, or Milred. Weremund. Tilhere, Abbot of Berkley. Heathored, or Hereferth. Denebert. Eadbert, or Heabert. Alhun, or JElhun, or Alkmin. Hartlebury was given to the See by Bwrhred, King of the Mercians, 850. Alhune, or Mthelhun, Abbot of Brakley. Wilfrith, or Wilfirth. Kinewold. S. Ihmstan, the famous Abbot of Glastonbury. In 959 he received in addition the See of London, which he held with this See till his translation to Canterbury. 17 960 S. Oswald, in 972, was raised to York, which he held with this See. Aldulf, succeeded his predecessor in both his Sees. Wulttan, likewise succeeded to both Sees. Leofsius, or Leofsin, or Leofric, Abbot of Thorney, died at Kempsey. Brihtegus, or Brihteag, or Brihteh, Abbot of Pershore. IAmngus, Bishop of Crediton, in Devonshire, succeeded his uncle, Brihtwald in the Bishopric of Cornwall, and appears to have held both Sees with that of Worcester. 23 1044 Ealdred, also Bishop of Hereford, 1056 ; translated to York, 1060, but retained Worcester until 1062. 24 1062 SEY. Old Spelling. — C iemese re. Derivation. — Ca m ese, sluggish water. Owners. — Saxon; the Bishop, value £16; 1086, the Bishop. Sheriff Urso held 3 berewicks of 7 hides, Mincenhill, Stolton, and Ufrinton, value £8- 116 THE HUNDRED OP HALFSHIRE. Area. — 24 hides, of which 5 were waste; arable, 18 ploughs, 2 in demesne ; meadow, 40 acres ; wood, 1 by 1 mile. Population. — Villeins, 5; labourers, 27; bondsmen, 4; bondswomen, 2 ; priest, 1 ; 49 families, 230. Owners since. — Bishop of Worcester, of whom the Earls of Warwick held Beane. These lands came afterwards to Lord Latimer, and were later on sold to the Sandys- At Woodhill Norton was the ancient seat of the Gowers. This property came afterwards to the Lord Dudley. Another estate was held by the Budes of Lastonache. In 1648 the value of the property of the Bishop was as follows : — Tithes of Kempsey, Brook End, and Bromhall, £40; Norton Hatfield, and Draycott, £32. 4s. 4d.; tithe, corn and hay, £52 . 10s. ; manor and land, £30 ; copyholds, £3. 10s.; rents of freeholders, lis. 2d.; fines, £1 ; im provements of copyholds £44. 6s. 8d. The property was then sold, but came back at the Restoration to the Bishopric. Population.— 1086, 230; 1564,373; 1776,467; 1821, 1129; 1881, 1472. Rateable Value.— 1086, £8; 1817, £2960; 1833,£2640; 1875, £9468; 1888, £9076. Poor Rate.— 1776, £140; 1785, £195; 1803, £563; 1888, £668. Area.— 1086, 1400 acres; 1888, 3132 acres. The Church op St. Mary's contains a chancel, nave, two aisles, two transepts, tower, 6 bells. The east window is of the 1 3th century, of which date also is the arcading. In the south chancel window are specimens of old painted glass. In the chancel there is a chestnut tree, which grows and flourishes. There are numerous monuments in the church, amongst which there is one to Sir Edward Wylde, 3 April, 1620. There are three monuments to the family of Sir Richard Temple. Church Goods. — 1889, chalice, paten, flagon, 1670, KEMPSEY. 117 another set, a copy of these in silver gilt. 1552, 2 chalices, 2 crosses, 4 candlesticks, pair of organs, 2 copes, 3 vestments, 3 altar cloths, 4 towels, 4 bells, 1 sanctus bell, 2 handbells. Register dates from 1688. Patron. — Dea,n and Chapter. Church schools. Value of Living.— 1291, £26. 13s. 2d.; 1536, £6. 18s. 9d.; 1669, £30*; 1784, £41; 1841, £258; 1875, £248; 1889, £270. Viears. Manricius de Tapenhall .. 1269 Johannes Crouch . 1445 John de Ebroices . 1284 Will'us Canynge 1472 Thomas de Stokes . 1295 Ricardus Harper 1475 Petrus de Colyngbourne .. 1302 Walterus Rosegrove 1479 Rogerus de Wyngefreld .. 1313 Joh. Gregory . 1504 Johannes de Hobi . 1315 Jacobus Barteram 1511 Johannes Perdon 1315 Ricardus Jefferson 1513 Ric de Chaddesle 1316 Simon Thompson 1523 Will'us Role 1346 Will'us Boyes 1528 Nicolaus Baconn 1348 Radulphus Wodefelde .. 1528 Will'us de Derset 1353 Ricardus Gillan 1557 Ricardus de Lecamstede .. 1354 Ricardus Whale 1560 Will'us Richepot 1361 Humfridus Harward 1573 Willus de Salewarp 1368 Richardus Harward 1607 Robertus de Repyngdon .. 1372 Stephanus Richardson .. 1662 Will'us Tysely 1375 Andreas Trebecke 1667 Joh. Bukke 1382 Johannes Badger 1674 Thomas Hullygg 1384 Daniel Kendricke 1677 Ricardus Draiton 1395 Johannes Dean 1707 Johannes Preston 1410 Lucas Henloft 1712 Walterus Loudon 1414 Cornelius Bird 1727 Johannes Bay sham' 1420 George Boulton 1768 Thomas Gildesfield 1422 Richard Kilvert 1798 Johannes Hoddy 1427 John Wingfield 1804 Will'us Hend 1428 Mathew Lunn 1816 Adam Moleyns 1433 G. L. Foxtou 1852 Henricus Sampson 1445 William H. R. Longhurst.. 1879 118 THE HUNDRED OP HALFSHIRE. KNIGHTWICK AND DODDENHAM. Old Spelling. — Knyghtewicke. Derivation. — Cnight a Knight, Wich a creek or a river. This village belonged to the Priory of Malvern, but was taken from it some time before 1314, when this Priory made complaint thereof and obtained the parsonage of Powick. Before this it was surrendered to the Bishop, he paying one pound of cummin. The Aldersfords held estates, which passed through the Washbournes and Clents. The Bishop and the Dean and Chapter held manor here. Mr. Greswold Williams is the chief landowner. Value of Manor. — Richard II., £5. 6s. 8d. ; Henry IV., £7. 3s. 4d. ; Henry VIII., £10. Population.— 1564, 47; 1776,112; 1821,155; 1881, 166. Rateable Value.— 1817, £1169; 1833, £700; 1875, £1248 ; 1888, £1377. Poor Rate. — 1776, £18; 1785, £43; 1803, £104; 1808, £91. Area.— 1888, 200 acres. Doddenham, 1086, belonged to Gilbert Fitz Turold, value, 42s. Area. — 1 hide; arable, 3 ploughs, 1 in demesne. Population. — Villeins, 3 ; labourers, 8 ; cottagers, 4 ; miller, 1; 16 families, 75. Wilham de la Mare held the manor, which was after wards^ granted to the Church of Worcester. Robert Washbourne by his wife obtained the estate from the Staples. Population.— 1086,75; 1564,94; 1776,—; 1821,—; 1881, — . Poor Rate.— 1776, £4; 1785, £17; 1802, £86; 1888,—. Area.— 1086, 200 acres; 1888, 916 acres. Ancredham, a hamlet, belonged to the Priory of Wor cester. Richard II., it was leased with the following stock : KNIGHTWICK AND DODDENHAM. 119 8 oxen worth 12 marks, 10 cows, 100s., 1 long wain ironed, 13s., 1 gander, 4 geese, 1 cock, 6 hens, 1 cart, 1 plough, 1 harrow, 1 horse, 3 loads of hay, for 18 years, rent £8. Stock to be returned at end of lease. The Church op St. Mary contains a chancel, nave, aisles, tower, 2 small bells. It was built 1855. A Mor tuary Chapel has been built on the site of the old church. It was completed 1879. Rectors. Johannes Bocer Joh. de Bosco Robertus de Alurestow ... Will'us de Clifford Philippns Ulingwyke Philippus Drym John de Charneux Johannes de Tyso Johannes de Bradewas ... Thomas de Wolferton Johannes Henley Johannes Dorlton Johannes ffrowecester ... Johannes atte Brugeende Walterus Mouselowe Lodovic Jones, ats. Banghaw Thomas Whytyng Robertus Spencer Nicolaus Stokesleye Nicolaus Smyth Richardus Sponer 1314 13341336 133813391346 13671379138113881389 139013921395 14481498150015101520 Johannes Tovye Will'us Tovy 1585 Henricus Mawle 1598 Thomas Taylor 1644 Matthew Bolton 1654 Thomas Taylor 1662 Andreas Trebecke ... Stephanus Richardson ... 1674 Jeremia Oakeley 1684 Gulielmus Ley 1686 Johannes Medens. 1702 Samuel Pritchett 1734 John Arnold 1771 Gregory Parry 1772 James Stillingfieet ... 1778 Richard Kilvert 1786 James Stillingfieet (veinst.) 1793 John Bell 1813 Octavus Fox ]852 Joseph Bowstead Wilson... 1881 LITTLE MALVERN. This was also a religious house, founded in the same manner as Great Malvern, about the year 1171, by Jocelyn and Edred, who wished to live a secluded and rehgious life. At the destruction of religious houses the 120 THE HUNDRED OP HALFSHIRE. lands and advowson of this church were granted to John Pursell. Last century this property passed, by marriage, to Thomas Wilhams. Population. — 1564, 170; 1776, 28 (the decrease caused by the disforesting of the chase) ; 1821, 67 ; 1881, 113. The Church of St. Giles was rebuilt 1486, ten years being occupied with the work. This old church was in ruins. The chancel of the old monastic church was put into repair, 1864, and is used as the church. Vicar. — F. Peel. Patron. — Lady Henry Somerset. Value.— £44. NORTON-BY-KEMSEY. This was a portion of Kemsey Manor ; and, in 1556, in the deed allowing burials to take place at the Chapelry of Norton, it is expressly stated to belong to the Parish of Kemsey. The Ecclesiastical Commissioners now hold the manor. Population.— 1821, 517; 1881, 606. Rateable Value.— 1816, £2472; 1833, £1850; 1888, £7222. Poor Rate.— 1776, £81; 1785, £102; 1803, £274; 1888, £614. Area.— 1888, . The Church op St. James has a chancel, nave, south aisle, vestry, tower, 3 bells. It was almost entirely rebuilt in 1874. A Norman doorway has been preserved; and there is a small window, deeply splayed, which may be pre-Norman. The font is probably of the 13th century. The south aisle was added at the Restoration. There are monuments to the Hookes', who for many years held Norton Hall and Grange. The reredos was erected in memory of Mr. G. B. Walker. NORTON-BY-KEMSEY. 121 This living was a chapelry in the parish of Kemsey, as seen in the Taxatio and Liber Regis. Value of Living. — 1889, £278. Patron. — Dean and Chapter. Register dates from 1538. Church School. Church Goods. — 1889, chalice and cover, 1677; paten, gift of Fleetwood, Bishop of Worcester, 1677 ; chalice, paten, flagon, alms dish, gift of Mrs. Adams, 1875. — 1552, chahce and paten ; pix, brass, with little box of silver within; cross; censer; tynnacle; 2 candlesticks of brass, 1 pair lead ; 2 cruets ; 3 pairs of vestments ; cope sur plice ; 3 corporas and case ; cross cloth, canopy of sarsnett ; 3 altar cloths, 2 towels, 3 bells, lych bell, sacristy bell. The barracks of the 29th Regimental District are in the parish. The Vicar is chaplain. OMBERSLEY. Old Spelling. — Ambresley, Ambreslege. Derivation. — Aurehus Ombrosius, a prince, and lega, a ley. Owners. — Saxon ; Ethelward, King of the Wiccians, gave 12 carncates of land here to Bishop Egwin for the Church of St. Mary, Cromichum free of tribute, except when acorns are plentiful, then 1 herd of the King's swine shall be fed here, value £18. 1086, Abbey of Evesham, value £16. Area. — 15 hides; arable, 25 ploughs, 5 in demesne; meadow, 4 acres ; woods 2 miles, 2 mills, 8s. ; a fishery and a half, yielding 2000 eels ; a salt pan at Wych. Population. — Villeins, 30; labourers, 12; herdmen, 16; radmen, 2 ; priests 2 ; 56 families, 260. Owners since. — The Abbey of Evesham, of whom a 122 THE HUNDRED OF HALFSHIRE. family of De Ambresley were tenants, Henry II. to John. At the Dissolution of Rehgious Houses the manor con tinued some time in the hands of the Crown ; the rents were £163. 10s. 2id., £151. 9s. 6|d. being paid to the Crown. Sir Samuel Sandys, eldest son of the Archbishop of York, afterwards purchased it. Edward III. granted a fair and market. The Actons hved at Acton, the town of the Ac or Oak, near Hartlebury. Mr. Abington believes that this family was resident here before the Conquest. The property afterwards went by marriage to the Barnabys, and by sale to the Bournes, of Ombersley. Ombersley Court, built by the first Lord Sandys, stands in a well-wooded park. There are some good paintings in the house. In 1807 the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex visited there the Marchioness of Devonshire. Population.— 1086, 260; 1564, 409; 1776, 1624; 1821, 1814; 1881, 2124. Rateable Value.— 1086, £16; 1816, £10146; 1833, £10000; 1875, £18641 ; 1888, £15933. Poor Rate.— 1776, £345; 1785, £491; 1803, £1046; 1888, £632. Area.— 1086, 3000 acres; 1888, 6962 acres. The Abbey of Evesham lost 28 manors and 3 rectories, through the action of William I. and the nobles ; but in 1326 it obtained the rectory of Ombersley, the vicarage being instituted the next year. The Church op St. Andrew was rebuilt in 1829 under the supervision of Mr. Rickman. It consists of a chancel, nave, north and south aisles, tower, 6 bells, and a small bell. The church has aU the characteristics of Mr. Rickman's style, is weU proportioned, lofty, and rich in good details. The font was given by Lord Sandys in memory of his mother, Lady Sandys. There is a brass in memory of the Rev. J. Atkyns. The chancel of the old church is preserved, being used as a mausoleum for the Sandys' family. OMBERSLEY. 123 Church Goods. — 1889 : Chalice and cover, 1571 ; chalice, 1630 ; 2 flagons and alms dish, 1685 ; paten, 1704 ; 1552, no entry. The register dates from 1552. Patron. — Lord Sandys. Church school, established 1723. Value of Living.— 1291, — ; 1536, £15. 7s. 3£d.; 1669, £20; 1784, £39; 1841, £417; 1875, £400; 1889, £400. Vicars. Tedicius — Thomas Tarte 1558 Will'us de Chinton ..' 1285 Walterus Taylor ... 15— Thomas le Buttiler .. 1299 Galfridus Smith 1587 Hugo de Sapey ... .. 1319 Johannes Cooke 1617 Johannes Rogers ... .. 1349 Edwardus Pilkington 1644 Henricus de Etyngdon . .. 1359 Edwardus Casson 1688 Will'us Fevere ... .. 1374 Robertus Bradley 1691 Galfridus Brune ... .. 1377 Nathaniel Barnes] 1721 Thomas Sibyle .. 1381 James Nash 1771 Will'us Ambresley .. 1389 Thomas Socket 1791 Philippus Tewe ... .. 1475 Honble. William Talbot .. 1838 Ludovicus Glyn ... .. 1504 John Atkyns 1855 Robertus Morton ... .. 15— John Garland 1875 PEN] DOCK. Old Spelling. — Pendoke, Peondoke. Derivation. — Pen, a hill ; or Penda, King of Mercia ; an ac, an oak. Owners. — Saxon; Edgar's Charter states that it belonged, 964, to the Church of Worcester. It was after wards taken from the Monastery and was held by a Norman, from whom it came again to the Church of Worcester, either by her free gift, or by being obhged to give it up, after the verdict against Bishop Odo of Penenden Heath, where Odo was obliged to disgorge the plunder he had taken from the Church ; value 30s. 1086, Urso D' Abitot held 2 hides, value 26s. 124 THE HUNDRED OF HALFSHIRE. Area. — 2 hides ; arable, 2 ploughs ; a wood | mile square. Population. — Labourers, 3; bondmen, 3; bondwoman, 1; 17 families, 33. Owners since. — The D'Abitot, of which family Galfridus held the manor of William Beauchamp, whose over lord was the Church of Worcester, Edw. I. The Pendocs, who took their name from the village, of which family Sir Wilham, with the consent of Wilham Beauchamp, gave the manor to the Priory of Little Malvern. At the Dissolution of Rehgious Houses the manor came to the Throgmortons, and passed through the Barthelets, Nanfans, the Earl of Bellemont to the Martins of Ham Court. Population.— 1086, 33; 1564, 93; 1776, 187; 1821, 276; 1881,236. Rateable Value.— 1086, 26s.; 1816, £1605; 1833, £1160; 1875, £1922; 1888, £1548. Poor Rate.— 1876, £36; 1785, £55 ; 1803, £158. Area.— 1086, — ; 1888, 1163 acres. The Church of St. has a chancel, nave, tower, 5 bells. The chancel arch has Norman pillars and 1 3th century arch; it probably assumed its present form Edward IV. There is a piscina and north and west Norman doorways. The entrance to the rood loft remains. The font is probably Norman. The tower is of the 14th century. The seats were made of oak, given Henry VIII's. reign, carved with the linen pattern. The Laudian altar rails are preserved. Value of Living.— 1291, £L 19s. 8d.; 1536, £11. 2s. 6d.; 1669, £40; 1841, £280; 1875, £320; 1889, £228. Church Goods. — 1889: Chahce, 1727; paten, flagon, 1748; bread knife, silver handle, 1750. 1552, chahce and paten, cross, brass bucket, 5 vestments, 1 cope, cope and vestment turned into an altar cloth, 4 bells, endow ment for lights from a cottage and meadow. PENDOCK. 125 Register dates from 1558. Patron. — Rev. W. S. Symonds. Church school, built 1873. Rectors. Henricus de Nategrave ... 1290 Thomas Merrye ... .. 1583 Henricus de Aston 1328 Thomas Nansan . . . .. 1638 Ricardus de Westmancote 1330 Samuel Broad .. Thomas Berde 1357 Nicolaus Ballard ... .. 1663 Thomas Spycer 1369 Johannes Arnold ... .. 1668 John Berslot 1419 Willielmus Hall ... . 1710 Will'us Alcock 14— John Oakley .. 1734 John Rewnton 1452 William Wadley ... .. 1735 Hugo Hunt 1461 Joseph Marton .. 1785 William West 1465 Edward Herbert ... .. 1791 Ricardus King 14— Robert Jackson ... .. 1806 Thomas Leyburn 1501 Richard Davis .. 1813 Thomas Stock 1513 William Samuel Symonds 1845 Johannes Bromsgrove ... 1544 William Arthur Strong .. 1888 Hennan Daux 1545 1690, the Bishop gave to John Prior of Little Malvern, care of Richarus, Rector of Pendoke impotentem. RIPPLE. Old Spelling. — Rippel. Derivation. — Hrceof, raging or rough ; and Pile, Pyl, an inlet of a river. Owners. — Saxon; The Bishop, value £10. 1086, the Bishop, value £10. Area. — 25 hides; arable, 42 ploughs, 4 in demesne; meadow, 30 acres ; wood, \ mile by 3 furlongs in Malfern, from whence the Bishop had honey, game, and other profits ; a mill. Population. — Villeins, 40; labourers, 16; bondmen, 8; bondwoman, 1; priest, 1; 66 famihes, 318. Of this manor were held the three Crumbes, Holefast, and Bursley. In early times there was a vineyard. 126 THE hundred of halfshire. Owners since. — Adam de Crumbe held lands here ; but the manor continued with the Bishop. In 1648 the manor was sold by Parliament for £895. 17s. 8d. The living was then worth £45, with 4 acres arable, meadow 8, pasture 7. At the Restoration it returned to the bishopric. Value of manor 1299, £68. 5s. 8d. ; 9th Henry IV., £62. 8s. 10d.; 20th Henry VIIL, £65. ls.4d. Population.— 1086, 318 ; 1564,348; 1776,560; 1821, 780; 1881, 722. Rateable Value. — 1086, £10; 1816, £5849; 1833, £4000; 1875, £5909; 1888, £5337. Poor Rate.— 1776, £162; 1785, £248; 1803, £486; 1888, £382. Area.— 1086, 5000 acres; 1888,2760. The Church of St. Mart contains a chancel, nave, two aisles, central tower, six bells. The church is handsome, and fine in proportions. The doorway in the porch is late Norman. The arcading in the nave 13th century, with clerestory windows of the same date. The east window is 13th century, whilst other windows show the sign of good work done for God's glory in the 14th century. The chancel stalls came from Worcester Cathedral. The font is modern. There are specimens of old painted glass in the windows. Amongst the numerous monuments are those of John Holte, Archdeacon of Salop, Vicar of Bp. Itchington, 1734; John Woodward, 1596; William Woodward, 1668 ; and the late rector, Rev. G. H. Chfton. There is a churchyard cross of Bredon stone, some of which stone was used in building the church. There are two other crosses in the village. Value of Living.— 1291, £36.13s.4d.; 1536,£42.6s.4d.; 1669, £200; 1821, £1186; 1875, £1500; 1888, £712. ¦ Church Goods. — 1889, chalice, 1571 ; chahce, alms dish, flagon, 1793. 1552, 2 chalices and patens, 2 pyxes, 2 cruets, censers, 2 suits- of vestments, 2 vestments, banner, 4 altar cloths, 2 altar frontals for high altar, 3 copes, RIPPLE. 127 corporas, and 2 cases, 4 bells, 2 lych bells, saunce bell. Register dates from 1 550. Patron. — The Bishop. Church school built 1844. Rectors. Ricardus de Bradewelle 1278 Anthonius Peragulphus .. 1505 Johannes de Farlege 1283 Silvester Darius 1536 Joh. de Stanewey Walterus de Wotton 12891303 Thomas Baggard Ricardus Ewer 1543 Hugo de Babynton Walterus de Bedewynd .. 1305 1310 Leonardus Lyngham Thomas Bastard 1557 1571 Johannes de Hereford .. 1328 Griffinus Lewys 1584 Thomas de Trilleke 1331 Christopherus Webb 1584 Robertus de Burton 1336 Griffinus Lewys 1584 Johannes de Ryvers Will'us de Tegnghull 13431353 Gulielmus Hodges Johannes Fleetwood 16431676 Robertus de Prees Willielmus Lloyd 1705 Johannes Chewe 1392 Michael Biddulph 1719 Walterus London 1420 Johannes Holte 1727 Hamundus Haydok Thomas Graunt 14411450 Thomas Taylor John Warren 1734 1764 Thomas Rotheram 1461 Robert Lucas 1787 Thomas Byrchold Thomas Joliff 1465 Job Baugh George Hill Clifton 1812 1838 Robertus Enkbarowe 1479 R. Holmes 1880 QUEEN HILL. This was once a hamlet of Ripple, now a separate parish, it belonged to the king 1086, this manor was 1 hide, the tenant was Kerdif. Part of this manor belonged to the Abbey of Tewksbury and came to the Sheldons at the Reformation. The manor now belongs to the Dowdeswells of Pull Court. 128 THE HUNDRED OF HALFSHIRE. Pull Court, stands in a well- wooded park. Roger Dowdeswell, who died 1633, obtained the manor of Pull. His son, a cavalier, was M.P. for Tewksbury after the Restoration. Holdfast, a chapelry. Urso D' Abitot held it 1086, there were 7 labourers, and 1 hide of land. Two priests held land of the Bishop. The Bracys and Lygons held the manor in former years, after them the Fields of Wetheroak, the Whorwoods, Gowers, and Lechmeres. There was once a chapel at Holdfast. The Church op St. Nicholas was till lately a Chapelry of Ripple. It contains a chancel, nave, tower, four beUs. There is a Norman doorway, but the moulding is new. The tower is of the 14th century with a top storey of later date. There is some old painted glass. The screen is old and handsome. There are monuments to the Barnes, who held the manor in the 16th century, and to the Knottsfords. The basement of the font is old, the rest of it new. Value of Living. — Formerly a chapelry. 1889, £311. The Register dates from 1733. Church Goods. — 1889, chalice, small without stem, the cup rising from the foot ; paten enclosing the cover of an old chahce, lately purchased ; pewter plate with hall mark 1663; flagon, pewter. The plate is unique of its kind, being stamped with the hall mark. Vicar. — E. H. M. Stone. Patron.'— The Bishop. The chapels of St. Nicholas, Queenshill, and St. Laurence, Holdfast, are mentioned in a deed for the consecration of a burial ground at Queenshill, made when Thomas Baggard was Rector of Ripple, about 1540. The walls of the chapel of Holdfast were said to have been decorated with the painting of a young king riding a lion. 129 REDMARLEY D' ABITOT. Old Spelling. — Redmarlega, Ridmarlege, Rydmarly. Derivation. — Rhydd, a ford ; mere, a marsh ; lega, a ley. Owners. — Saxon; Bishop of Worcester, of whom Godwin and Azor held it ; 1086, Bishop of Worcester, of whom Urso held it ; value — . It was in the Manor of Bredon. Area. — 7 hides; arable, 14 ploughs, 4 in demesne; wood, 1 by \ mile ; mills, 5s. 8d. Population. — Villeins, 23 ; labourers, 9 ; bondsmen, 6 ; bondswomen, 2 ; 40 families, 187. Owners since. — Bishop of Worcester, and afterwards the Bishop of London. It was sold to Gorge Shypside, who sold it to J. Wolsgrove, from which family it passed to the Lechmeres. The manor is now held by the Earl of Beauchamp. The value of the manor 1776 was £200 per annum. An important skirmish between Royalists and Roundheads took place in this parish 1644. Population.— 1086, 187; 1564, 336; 1778, 420; 1821, 955 ; 1881, 1000. Rateable Value.— 1086, — ; 1817, £1963; 1839, £1430; 1875, £6514; 1888, £5528. Poor Rate.— 1776, £162; 1785, £248; 1803, £612; 1888, — . Area.— 1086, 1400; 1888, 3778 acres. The Church op S. Bartholomew contains a chancel, nave, north and south aisles, tower, 6 bells. The church was rebuilt, excepting the tower, 1855. There is a monu ment to George Shipside, Bishop Ridley's brother-in-law. The tower is of the 18th century, the font is modern. Value of Living.— 1291, £8; 1536, £16. 10s.; 1669, £100; 1841, £900; 1875, £1025 ; 1889, £774. Church Goods. — 1889 ; chahce, large 1571, with cover; cross; vaser; candlestick. 1552; chalice; 2 crosses; 130 THE HUNDRED OP HALFSHIRE. pyx ; 2 censers ; 2 copes ; 3 pairs of vestments, a vest ment each for deacon and sub-deacon ; 4 bells. Register dates from 1539. Patron. Church schools built 1846. 1860 Rectors. Ade de Hernwynton . 1305 Ricardus Stone .. 1579 Henricus de Herwynton.. . 1306 Thomas Baldwin ... .. 1608 Petrus de Barton . 1319 Decimus Jackson ... .. 1662 Thomas de Hemptone .. . 1320 Johannes Bullocke .. 1674 Walterus de Rosse . 1358 Samuel Birchett ... .. 1686 Robertus Amyas . 1361 Thomas Rodd .. 1719 Thomas SibyBe . 1379 Johannes Rodd .. 1730 Galfridus Bunne . 1381 John Treherne .. 1745 Will'us Hoke . 1411 John Morton .. 1750 Johannes Kyng ... . 1446 James Commeline... .. 1800 Michael Trewynard . 1456 James Commeline... .. 1836 Thomas Denham ... . 1466 Edward Henry Niblett .. 1853 Robertus Saunder . 1485 William Lewis Mills .. 1878 Johannes Mey . 1556 Henry Morton Niblett .. 1882 STOU LTON. This village appears to have been a hamlet of Kemsey and a chapelry of that church. In the Taxatio of Pope Nicolas Kemsey is mentioned with its chapels, and in the Liber Regis this is mentioned as being in the parish of Kemsey. It appears to have had the independent appoint ment of its own curates, together with the election of churchwardens, for a length of time. Lord Somers' family has held estates herein for several generations. Population.— 1564, 162; 1776, — ; 1821,380; 1881, 370. Rateable Value.— 1816, £2764; 1833, £2100; 1875, £2925; 1888, £3051. Poor Rate.— 1776, £162; 1785, £168; 1803, £239; 1888, £ . Area.— 1888, 1952 acres. ST0ULT0N. 131 The Church op St. Edmund contains a chancel, nave, tower, 5 bells (the 3 bells being, in 1799, re-cast into a peal of 5 by Rudhall, of Gloucester). There is a good deal of Norman work in the church, including the two doorways, the chancel arch, and a window in the chancel. The font is also Norman. The church was apparently cared for by loving hands in the 13th and 14th centuries, as specimens of the work of those ages still remain. The tower has a basement of stone with a brick upper story, very probably built when the bells were re-cast, 1799. The altar rails are probably the original ones that were put up after the Restoration, and the same may be said of the Holy Table. There are several monuments to the Actons, who have held lands in the parish for many years. A helmet and sword belonging to one of that family still hangs in the church. Value of Living.— 1889, £230. Church Goods. — 1889, chalice and cover, Elizabethan; paten, 1732; flagon, plated; vases, cross. The old cope of brown velvet is preserved. For many years it was used as an altar cloth 1552, no entry. Register dates from 1542. Patron. — Lady Henry Somerset. Church school. WELLAND. Old Spelling. — Wenland, Wonlond. Derivation. — Von ding. This manor belonged formerly to the king's manor of Bredon, though separated by the rivers Avon and Severn. It is part of the disforested chace of Malvern. The Bishop held 1 plough of land, let to about 30 tenants who held messuages, and the new land (land lately brought into cultivation from the forest), together with a mill and 132 THE HUNDRED OP HALFSHIRE. meadow. 1299: The value was £7. 11.; mill £1. In 1648, Nicholas Lechmere paid £6 a year for the manor. The rents of the copyholders were £6. 9s. ; other pay ments, 13s. 4d. The improvement at end of lease was £400 ; the demesne, £7. The Parliament sold the manor for £110. 13s. 6d. to Mr. Lechmere. At the Restoration it came back to the Bishop. Population.— 1821, 453 ; 1881, 868. Rateable Value.— 1817, £1953; 1833, £1430; 1875, £4721 ; 1888, £4259. Poor Rate.— 1776, £67; 1785, £87; 1803, £225; 1888, . Area.— 1888, 2027 acres. The Church of St. James was rebuilt 1672, and a tower added 1 738. It was again rebuilt, in a more central posi tion for the parish, 1875. It now consists of a chancel, nave, two aisles, tower, spire, 6 bells. The site is pic turesque, being about a mile from the Malvern Hills, which rise from the plain in great grandeur. Value of Living.— 1291, ; 1536, £8. 2s. lid. ; 1669, £20; 1708, £49; 1784, £60; 1841, £378; 1875, £378; 1889, . Church Goods. — 1889, chalice, 1571 ; chahce, repoussee work, silver gilt, 1721 and 1751, chalice, paten, flagon, plated cross, vases, candlestick. 1552, chalice, culpe of tin, cross, cope, 2 pairs of vestments, with albe, amys, stole, fanell, and girdle; 4 bells (big bell broken). Register dates from 1670. Patron. — Rev. B. Hall. Board school. Vicars. Johannes Clyve ... .. JohnOter ... 1401 Will'us de Rysyngdon . .. 1320 Will'us Lilye ... 1401 Thomas Neel .. 1349 Philippus Tylere .. ... 1406 Adam Atte HuU ... .. 1361 Thomas Forster ... ... 1410 Thomas Neel .. 1361 Edmundus Benne ... 1473 Johannes Petesign .. 1380 Johannes Bloke ... ... 1488 Johannes Theyker . 1378 Will'us Bishop ... ... 14— WELLAND. 133 Vicars. Johannes Faute 1509 Georgius Jeffreys .. ... 1686 Antonius Morton 1520 Johannes Ballard.. ... 1730 Georgius Moses 1548 George Boulton .. ... 1762 Will'us Fownes 1656 John Boulton ... 1795 Joh. Salman 1613 Henry Boulton .. ... 1797 Thomas Evans 1636 A. B. Lechmere .. ... 1828 Anselmus Harford 1671 E. D. Browne ... 1877 Robertus Jennings 1675 J. M. Donne ... 1882 ASTON WHITE LADIES. Old Spelling. — Eston. Derivation. — Est, east; thun, a town. Owners. — Saxon; value £1. 1086, Bishop of Wor cester, of whom Ordericus held it, value £2. Area. — 3 hides 1 bovale; arable, 7 ploughs, 3 in demesne. Population. — Villeins, 5; labourers, 5; 10 families, 47. Owners since. — Bishopric of Worcester. Godfrey Giffard gave the manor, Henry III. or Edward I., to the White Ladies of Whiston. At the dissolution of Religious Houses the manor came, through R. Andrews and R. Howe, to Thomas Hill. His descendant Francis settled the manor on his daughter, wife of R. Andrews. From the Andrews it passed by purchase to Rowland Berkeley. Lands in the parish have always belonged to the Bishopric. Before the Battle of Worcester Cromwell is stated to have stayed here. Population.— 1086, 47; 1564, 102; 1821, 342; 1881, 349. Rateable Value.— 1086, £2; 1817, £1202; 1833, £1100; 1875, £2161 ; 1888, £1811. Poor Rate.— 1776, £35; 1785, £56; 1803, £88; 1888, £178. Area.— 1086, 700 acres; 1888, 1230 acres. 134 THE HUNDRED OP HALFSHIRE. The Church op St. John the Baptist consists of chancel, nave, north aisle, wooden tower, with boarded spire. There are examples of Norman work in the doorway and some of the windows. That care too was bestowed upon the church in the next century is evident by the remains of the 13th century work that are still to be seen. The font is circular, with ribs, and is either of the 12th or 13th century. The church was restored and enlarged in 1 861. In the church yard there are 2 stone coffins. Value of Living.— 1291, £3. 6s. 8d. ; 1536, £6. 13s. 3d.; 1669, £50; 1841, £226; 1875, £250; 1889, . Church Goods. — 1889, chahce with cover, 1571 ; paten, plated : paten, pewter. 1552 ; chahce and paten, cross, pyx, cross of saten, cope, 2 vestments with albs, 2 surplices, 6 altar cloths, 3 towels, cross cloth, 4 bells. Register dates from 1558. Patron. — R. Berkeley, sen. Church school. Vicars. D'ns Will'us de Segge- Johannes Rawlynson .. 1573 berewe ... 1304 Johannes Tandye ... .. 1611 Hugo de Bardesley ... 1305 Theophilus Cooke... .. 1660 Johannes films Ade Mauricii Rowlandus Hayward .. 1661 de Bristhampton ... 1311 Robertus Mason ... .. 1678 Hugo Absolon ... 1334 Samuel Asteley ... .. 1687 Osbertos Priour-de Claines 1349 Henricus Archer ... .. 1719 Johannes Taillour... ... 1369 Franciscus Wells ... .. 1723 Johannes Bracy ... ... 1400 Richard Hurdman .. 1759 Ricardus Walle ... ... 1419 Henry G. Vernon ... .. 1744 Johannes Mercer ... ... 1440 Charles Neve .. 1808 Johannes Cosnet ... ... 1456 Joseph B. Chester... .. 1828 Hugo Bergewenny 1472 Henry W. Beauchamp . .. 1829 Will'us Ball ... 1545 Henry M. Sherwood . 1839 Randulphus Rawlynson ... 1557 135 WARNDON AND SPETCHLEY. Old Spelling. — Wermedune. Derivation. — Werman, to fortify ; Dhun, a hill. Owners. — Saxon; the Bishop. 1086, the Bishop, of whom Urso held it, and Robert of him, being part of the Bishop's manor of Northwyke. Value 16s. Area. — 1 hide 3 poles; arable, 2 ploughs; meadow, 16 acres; wood, 2 furlongs, in the forest. Population. — Bondmen, 2 ; villeins, not given. Owners since. — The Bishop, of whom the Beauchamps held it, and the Bracies under them. This latter family held the manor for generations, living in after years at Madresfield. From the Bracies the manor came by mar riage with Joane Bracy, 7th Henry V., to the Lygons, by which family it was sold to Rowland Berkeley. Population.— -1504, 69; 1776, 47; 1821, 177; 1881, 164. Rateable Value.— 1086, 16s.; 1817, £2445 ; 1833, £1600; 1875, £1774; 1888, £1251. Poor Rate.— 1776, £40; 1785, £46; 1803, £184; 1888, . Area.— 1086, 300 acres; 1888, 988 acres. The Church of St. Michael was rebuilt 1542. It consists of a chancel and nave, with a tower of wood. It is a very plain, unpretending building. Value of Living.— 1291, £4.13s.4d.; 1536, £10.0s.2£d.; 1669, £60.; 1784, £ ; 1841, £151; 1875, £151; 1889, £ . Church Goods. — 1889, small chahce, gift of Thomas Wilde, rector, 1642 to 1688; paten and flagon, pewter. The flagon was the gift of Thomas Wilde, 1680. 1552, chalice, paten, pix, 2 candlesticks, cross, cope, 2 vest ments, with albs, surphce, 2 altar cloths, 4 small bells. Register dates from — — . Patron. — W. Odell, Esq. Vicarage held with Spetchley. 136 THE HUNDRED OP HALFSHIRE. SPETCHLEY. Old Spelling. — Speclea. Derivation. — In the Doomsday Survey Roger de Lacy is stated to hold 3£ hides in Himbleton and Speclea. In the Bishop's Red Book he is stated to hold them of the Bishop. In another book, John Parker is said to hold lands here under the Bishop. John de Eversley was Lord of Spech ley (Edward I.), and Richard de Spechley was a man of account. This family became Lords of Spechley, and (1419) presented Sir W. Porter to the rectory. Sir Thomas Lyttleton bought the manor (Edward IV.) The manor was leased (30 Henry VIII.) for 99 years, at £4 rent, to Catherine Sheldon, sister of John Lyttleton. The Sheldons held the manor till it was sold to Rowland Berkeley, who settled it on his second son. Population.— 1564, 66; 1776, 94; 1821, 121; 1881, 140. Rateable Value.— 1817, £1995; 1833, £1200; 1875, £1345 ; 1888, £1722. Poor Rate. — 1776, £49; 1785, £92; 1803, £121; 1888, £165. Area. — 1888, 779 acres. The Church of All Saints consists of a chancel, nave, tower, south chancel, aisles. The nave is of the 14th century, and so appears to be the chancel with the excep tion of the east window which is a century later. There is a Norman doorway, and the circular font is probably of the same date. The south doorway is 13th century. There are numerous monuments to the Berkeley family. Value of Living— 1291, £5. 6s. 8d.; 1536, £6. lis. 3d.; 1669, £60; 1784, £39; 1841, ; 1875, £179; 1889, £109. This living is now held with Warndon. Church Goods. — 1889, chahce, without hall mark; flagon, by same maker; 2 patens, probably 1688. 1552, chalice and paten, censer, 3 crosses, 3 wooden crosses, SPETCHLEY. 137 pix, cope, pall, 1 pair of vestments, 1 vestment and alb, 2 sacring bells. Register dates from 1539. Patron. — W. Odell, Esq. Vicars. Rid de Beverborne 1298 Hugo Talour .. 1458 John de Newynton 1325 Joh. Rawlyns .. 1471 Joh. de Clone 1338 Ricardus Wykkes ... .. 1479 Will Atte Hull 1345 Willus Hodgetayns .. 1488 Johannes Spechley e 1349 Johannes Lyttelton .. 1522 Will'us de Bothwelle 1356 Petrus Gorry .. 1528 Gilbertus de Hunderton ... 1356 Will'us Cantorcelli .. 1558 Johannes de Jatton 1357 Robertus Wilcockson .. 1581 Nicolaus de Clyston 1360 Ricardus Forde ... .. 1598 Joh. Richeys 1379 Georgius Stinton ... .. 1627 Will'us Brey 1380 Adam Reeves .. 16— Joh. Wylde 1401 Thomas Gilbert ... .. 1661 Joh. Cooke 1403 Thomas Wild .. 1673 Johannes Lampart 1416 Paulus Whitefort ... .. 1677 Will'us Porter 1419 Franciscus Wells ... .. 1714 Dominus More 1420 Edward Sandys ... .. 1756 Petrus Wylleree 1420 Thomas James .. 1777 Johannes Pershore 1433 George Dineley ... .. 1811 Johannes Poye 1448 George Dineley ... .. 1845 Hugo ap Jevan 1450 R. Sergeant .. 1847 Johannes Glover 1451 F. J. Eld .. 1865 Thomas Cooke 1454 Wari