Astley
Aestlaeh, Eslei, Heseleia (xi cent.); Astlega (xii
cent.); Estle, Astleye, Astele (xiii cent.).
The road from the Hundred House to Stourport
forms part of the northern boundary of this
picturesque parish, and a road from Stourport to
Worcester passes from north to south through it.
Its eastern boundary is the Severn, the Dick Brook,
which waters the rest of the parish, forming the
southern boundary for some distance before it falls
into the Severn. This brook is spanned by two
bridges, Dick Bridge where the Stourport and
Hundred House road crosses it, and Glasshampton
Bridge where it is crossed by the Worcester road.
The ground is highest in the west, where it
reaches a height of 600 ft. on Abberley Hill, and
slopes east to the Severn, where it is liable to
floods. The parish has an area of 3,031 acres, of
which, in 1905, rather more than half was arable
land, more than a third was permanent grass, and
there were 266 acres of woods and plantations. (fn. 1) The
soil is loam and clay, on a subsoil of Keuper Sandstone and Bunter Pebble beds. The chief crops,
grown are wheat, barley, beans and green crops,
the land being specially adapted for barley and
turnips.
The parish of Astley, which is large and scattered,
is situated about 2¼ miles south-west of Stourport.
The church, with the rectory and Church Farm,
stands about half a mile to the east of the main road
from Stourport to the Hundred House.
The Prior's Well, near the entrance of the churchyard, and a fragment of walling at the east end of
the churchyard, are the only remains of the alien
priory of Astley. To the west of the church, which
stands on an eminence commanding very beautiful
views, a road leads downhill to a picturesque cornmill on Dick Brook, long known as Prior's Mill,
the road here being called the Toot. (fn. 2) The Church
Bank, south of Astley Church, across the road,
according to local tradition was terraced for the
cultivation of vines in the days of the priory. (fn. 3) About
half a mile east is Astley Hall, the residence of
Mr. Stanley Baldwin, J.P., M.P., its grounds skirted
on the east by the Worcester road. A little northwest of Astley Hall is Astley Town, a good but
somewhat modernized half-timber house, with Little
Astley Town to the east of it, an early 17th-century
house of the same material, L-shaped on plan, and
two stories in height with an attic. A little distance
to the northward, upon the west side of the road, is
the Pool House, (fn. 4) a small square building of sandstone
dating from the first half of the 17th century, but much
altered in the 18th century, when the front was
remodelled in the Strawberry Hill Gothic manner.
The house is two stories in height with an attic, and
there are cellars under the western half. The upper
flight of the stairs is of the late 17th century, and
has good twisted balusters. The original windows,
which have survived the 18th-century reconstruction,
have stone mullions and transoms. To the north of
Pool House is Syntley Farm. (fn. 5) About a mile north
of the church, upon the Stourport and Hundred House
road, is the hamlet of Dunley (fn. 6) ; here is Oakhampton,
the residence of Mr. John Henry Crane, a large
plain stuccoed house, entirely rebuilt in the last half
of the 19th century. About half a mile to the west
of the church, standing upon high ground near the
main road, some distance to the south of Dunley,
are the hamlets of Yarhampton and Yarhampton
Cross. Here is Yarhampton Farm, a fine half-timber
house of two stories with an attic, bearing upon the
south front the date 1610. The plan is of the
central entrance-hall type, with projecting wings on
the east and west. On the first floor the wings are
lighted from the south by windows with ovolo-moulded
mullions and projecting sills supported by carved
consoles. The west wing has been added to and
partly cased with brick on the north side in the
18th century, when a court, with brick walls and an
entrance gate having tall brick piers with stone
cappings and ball finials, was inclosed on this side of
the house. On the east side of the Worcester and
Stourport road, about 1 mile to the east of the church,
is Woodhampton, lately the residence of ViceAdmiral Robert Stevenson Dalton Cumming, a fine
brick house of c. 1600, two stories in height with
an attic, refronted and added to on the north front
in the early years of the 19th century. On the
garden front the curvilinear gables combine with
the tiled roofs and the fine original chimney stack on
the east to give the house a remarkably picturesque
appearance. The principal stairs, with square newels
and twisted balusters, rising the whole height of the
house, form an exceptionally fine example of late
17th-century joinery. Bull Hill Farm, a little distance
to the south of Woodhampton, and upon the same
side of the road, is a good half-timber house of the
early 17th century, considerably modernized, but
retaining externally much of its original appearance.
The school is between Astley Hall and St. Peter's
Church. A school-house, always known as the Church
House, is referred to in the 17th century. (fn. 7) North
of the school is Pound Farm.
In the north-eastern angle of the parish are
Larford (Lorvord, (fn. 8) xiv cent.; Larvor, Larvord, (fn. 9)
xvii cent.) and Little Larford farms. The Yarranton
family held land here (fn. 10) and in Astley in the 17th
century. (fn. 11) The engineer and agriculturist, Andrew
Yarranton, who held a captain's commission in the
Parliamentary army, was born at Larford in 1616, (fn. 12)
and lived there in 1675. (fn. 13) Near the northern
boundary is Astley Cross. Here St. Luke's mission
church was erected in 1900. At Glasshampton, on
the southern boundary, a fine house was for many
generations the home of the lords of the manor of
Astley, but it was completely destroyed by fire after
being greatly enlarged and beautified by the Rev.
Denham James Joseph Cookes, the lord of the
manor. (fn. 14)
The hamlet of the Burf is about 1½ miles east of
the village, on the Severn. It is connected with the
parishes of Hartlebury and Ombersley by Hampstall
Ferry. The well-known Redstone Rock and Hermitage
are on the bank of the Severen on the northern
boundary of the parish. Here also was a ferry over
the Severn. Deeds dating from the 14th century
dealing with Redstone Ferry are to be found
in the Prattinton collection for Astley and Rock, (fn. 15)
and a picturesque description of the curious
Hermitage in the Redstone Rock by the Ferry as it
appeared in his day is given by Habington in his
account of Astley. (fn. 16) Simon the clerk of 'Reddestan'
is mentioned in 1182. (fn. 17) Protection was granted for
the brethren of the House of Redstone (Radestone)
in 1260. (fn. 18) Bishop Latimer wrote of it to Cromwell
in 1538 as 'an hermitage in a rock by Severn able
to lodge 500 men, and as ready for thieves and traitors
as true men. I would not have hermits masters of
such dens.' (fn. 19) On 6 February 1563 the hermitage
was granted to Cicely Pickerell and her heirs, (fn. 20) and a
piece of greensward called Arnell's Plecke belonging
to the Hermitage was granted to Edward Grimston
and others in 1576–7. (fn. 21) Noake wrote of it (1868)
as recently occupied by poor folk, one portion an
alehouse, one a school, and characterized it with 'its
chapel, refectory, dormitories, arched ways,' &c., as
the most interesting hermitage we have. (fn. 22)
This interesting series of mediaeval cave dwellings
is cut out of the sandstone rock which forms here a
vertical cliff facing north. An entry at the east
opens to a passage, cut parallel to the face of the
cliff, which leads westward and has a series of cells on
the right. At the west end of the passage a flight of
rough steps leads to a gallery, some 8 ft. above the
present ground level, which connects a numbers of
large apartments provided with side chambers,
recesses and fireplaces. Some of the recesses are
large enough to contain a bed, and the circular
chimneys from the fireplaces ascend to the top of the
cliff above. One of the largest of these apartments
opens on to a kind of platform on the rock face.
Some of the dwellings are strengthened with brickwork, and were inhabited until the middle of the
19th century.
A ford on the Severn at this point used to be the
chief road across the river. Tradition says it was
across this ford that Prince Arthur's body was brought
on the way from Ludlow to Worcester. (fn. 23)
An Inclosure Act was passed in May 1811, (fn. 24) the
award being dated 28 March 1814. (fn. 25)
The Rev. William Henry Havergal was rector of
Astley from 1829 to 1845, his daughter Frances
Ridley Havergal being born here in 1836. (fn. 26)
Among place-names have been found Brokhampton (fn. 27) (xiii cent.); Coldwalle, Mormedwe, Michel
and Little Romesok (fn. 28) ; (xiv cent.); Peny Parke (fn. 29)
(xvi-xvii cent.); Osden, Stermieslands, (fn. 30) Gilbeit
Meadow, Le Hempleck, Great and Little Lamsett,
the Hopyard, Stocking Furlong, Bacon Yard, Cratford Close, Ludleche, (fn. 31) Prior's Furlong, (fn. 32) Priest
Heales (fn. 33) (xvii cent.).
MANORS
ASTLEY is said to have originally
belonged to the church of Worcester,
under whom it was held by Ocea, a
Dane, from whom Ralph de Barnack (Beornaco), sheriff
of William Fitz Osbern, Earl of Hereford, wrested it,
so that the church of Worcester lost possession of it. (fn. 34)
At the date of the Domesday Survey it was held by
Ralph de Toeni, who had possessed himself of other
lands belonging to Ralph de Barnack, (fn. 35) and it had
previously been held by Ernesi. Six hides paid geld,
and there were appurtenant to the manor two burgesses at Worcester and one salt-pan at Droitwich. (fn. 36)
Towards the end of the 12th century Roger de
Toeni was still recognized as overlord of Astley, (fn. 37) but
after that time the connexion of this family with the
manor is not mentioned. (fn. 38) The tenure of the manor
was not known in 1436. (fn. 39)
The church of St. Taurin at Evreux held Astley
in 1086 under Ralph de Toeni and of his gift, the
church holding 4 hides 'quit and freed from all dues
belonging to the king, as was granted by King
William himself when Ralf gave it to the saint.' (fn. 40)
The history of the manor is the same as that of the
priory until the Dissolution. (fn. 41) In June 1544 Astley
Manor was granted in fee to Sir Ralph Sadleir and
Ellen his wife. (fn. 42) It seems to have been purchased
from him in the same year by Robert Blount, (fn. 43) who
died at Astley, seised of the manor, on 25 May
1573. (fn. 44) He bequeathed certain rents to his second
son Walter, and was succeeded by his eldest son
Thomas. (fn. 45) Two parts of the manor, then in the
queen's hands by reason of the recusancy of Thomas
Blount, were leased for twenty-one years to John
Harris in 1600. (fn. 46) In 1620 Thomas Blount sold the
manor to John Winford. (fn. 47) On the marriage of his son
John with Anne daughter of Sir John Bridgeman,
serjeant-at-law, chief justice of Chester, in 1635
John Winford settled the manor upon himself, with
remainder at his death to his son John and his heirs
male by Anne. (fn. 48) Anne died about 1636, (fn. 49) leaving
an infant son John, and her
father-in-law, John Winford,
died on 22 May 1637. (fn. 50) His
son John succeeded him, and
married as his second wife
Elizabeth daughter of Sir
Henry Williams, on whom
he settled the manor in
1641. (fn. 51) John Winford took
the Royalist side in the Civil
War, and was knighted in
1643. (fn. 52) He was on the commission to raise money to pay
the king's forces, but when,
on 12 February 1649, he
begged to compound for delinquency, he protested
that he had never been in arms. (fn. 53) His fine was
£703 13s. 8d. (fn. 54) He subsequently fought at the
battle of Worcester in 1651, being taken prisoner
after its surrender. (fn. 55) He settled Astley in 1673 on
his second son Henry at the marriage of the latter
with Mercy Cookes, daughter and heir of Sir William
Cookes of Norgrove. (fn. 56) He died on 2 July 1682,
and was succeeded by Henry, who died in 1685. (fn. 57)
Henry Winford was followed by his son Thomas
Cookes Winford, who succeeded in 1702 to the
baronetcy which was bestowed in that year on his
father's brother Thomas, second prothonotary of the
Court of Common Pleas, under special remainder, in
case of failure of heirs male, to the heirs male of
Henry. (fn. 58) Sir Thomas was holding the manor in
1725, (fn. 59) but gave it in his lifetime (c. 1731) (fn. 60) to his
nephew Thomas Geers of Bridge Sollers, co. Hereford, son of his sister Mary and of her husband
Timothy Geers, (fn. 61) and died without issue 19 January
1743, (fn. 62) when the baronetcy became extinct. Thomas
Geers took the name of Winford, and by his wife
Sarah, daughter of Thomas Lutwyche, left as his coheirs two daughters, (fn. 63) who were holding the manor in
1760 and 1764. (fn. 64) Sarah, the elder, had then married
Sambroke Freeman of Fawley Court, Buckinghamshire,
but Harriet, the younger, was unmarried when Nash
wrote his history about 1781. (fn. 65) Mrs. Freeman died
in 1805, her heir-at-law being Sir John Geers Cottrell,
bart., (fn. 66) son of Sir John Cottrell, kt., Sheriff of Herefordshire in 1761, and of Anne, only daughter and
heir of John Geers of Garnons, co. Hereford. (fn. 67) Before
1809 the manor had passed to the Rev. Denham James
Joseph Cookes and Maria Henrietta his-wife. (fn. 68) The
trustees of the Rev. D. J. J. Cookes were holding the
manor in 1884, but it had been sold before 1888 to
John Joseph Jones of Abberley Hall. He was succeeded
by his cousin William Jones, and the manor afterwards passed to the Rev. Cecil J. Jones, the present
owner.
Winford. Argent a cheveron between three quatrefoils sable.
The fee-farm rent of 52s. 1½d., reserved on the
grant of the manor to Sir Ralph Sadleir, (fn. 69) was granted
in 1670–1 to Francis Lord Hawley and others,
trustees appointed by Parliament for the sale of feefarm rents, (fn. 70) and was sold by them in 1672–3 to Sir
John Banks of Aylesford (co. Kent), bart. (fn. 71)
GLASSHAMPTON (Glese, xi cent.; Glassanton,
xvi cent.) has been identified with the Domesday
'Glese,' where Drew Fitz Ponz held a hide in 1086
as successor to Wulfmar. (fn. 72) The manor was held in
the 17th century of the Crown as of the hundred of
Doddingtree, in socage, but by what service was not
known. (fn. 73)
An estate here seems to have been held in the 13th
century by the Actons, a 'family equalling for continewance any in England,' (fn. 74) for in 1290 Mary
Acton received licence to alienate a rent of 42s. in
Glasshampton to the nunnery of Westwood, (fn. 75) which
in 1535 was receiving a rent of 6s. 8d. from lands in
Astley. (fn. 76) In 1538 a grant in fee was made to Robert
Acton and Charles Acton his
son of all lands in Glasshampton formerly belonging to the
nunnery of Westwood. (fn. 77) This
estate, afterwards called a
manor, may have passed to
the Blounts in the same way
as Acton in Ombersley, (fn. 78)
though nothing has been found
connecting Walter Acton with
it. Thomas Blount settled it
in 1590 on himself and his
seconde wife Bridget, one of
the daughters of Sir Christopher Broome of Holton, co.
Oxon., and their heirs male, with remainder to his
own right heirs. (fn. 79) With Astley it was leased by the
commissioners in 1600 to John Harris on account of
the recusancy of Thomas Blount, (fn. 80) who died not sell
it with Astley to John Winford, but died seised of it
on 30 November 1624, Francis Blount, his son by
his second wife Bridget, succeeding him in the
manor. (fn. 81) Before 1641 it had been sold to John
Winford, lord of Astley, who settled it on his second
wife Elizabeth Williams. (fn. 82) It has since been held
with Astley, (fn. 83) and was long the seat of the lord of
the manor of Astley.
Action. Gules a fesse in a border engrailed ermine.
In 1086 BERROW (La Bergha, La Berewe,
xiii cent.; Berwe, Berughe, xiv cent.; La Barrowe,
Burroughe, xvii cent.) was apparently included in the
lands of Ralph de Toeni at Astley, being probably
represented by the hide held of Ralph by the sheriff
Urse. (fn. 84) It was held by Ralph de Toeni in 1210–12. (fn. 85)
It seems by the 14th century to have been considered
a parcel of the manor of Abberley (which passed to
the Beauchamps), John de Berrow contributing to
the subsidy in Abberley in 1327 (fn. 86) and 1332–3. (fn. 87)
In 1614 its tenure was unknown. (fn. 88)
The family of Berrow were probably early undertenants in this manor. The half fee at Beche,
returned in a survey of the early 13th century as
held by John de la Beche of Ralph de Toeni, (fn. 89)
is probably the same as the half fee at Berrow
which John de Berrow held of the honour of
Clifford. (fn. 90) Parnel, late the wife of John de Berrow,
was dealing with a messuage and a quarter of a virgate
of land in Abberley in 1327, (fn. 91) and in the same year
claimed dower there from Thomas Bulfynch, (fn. 92) and
contributed to the subsidy at Abberley, in company
with a John de Berrow, who was perhaps her son. (fn. 93)
John de Berrow contributed again in 1332–3. (fn. 94)
It appears possible that the Berrow interest in the
manor may have passed through female heirs to the
Bulfynches (a connexion suggested by the previous
claim of dower), as Habington states that it was by
marrying a daughter and heir of the Bulfynches of
the Berrow of Astley that the family of Winford
removed into Astley. (fn. 95) The Bulfynches were holding in Berrow in 1379, (fn. 96) and appear in Astley in
the 15th century. (fn. 97) Walter Winford and Joan his
wife and John his son were holding the manor in
1609, when it was settled on Walter and his wife
with remainder to Katherine wife of his son John. (fn. 98)
Walter died at Astley on 29 October 1614., his wife
surviving him, and was succeeded by this son John, (fn. 99)
after whose purchase of the manor of Astley both
manors were held together as late as 1809. (fn. 100)
The site of the manor of Berrow is not now to be
identified, but it probably lay in the neighbourhood
of the Burf, for woods called le Barrave or Burrough
were also known as Bearffe or Berffe. A manor-house
called Berrington dating from 1614 was burnt down
in 1908. (fn. 101)
In 1086 WORDLEY (Wermeslai, xi cent.; Wernesleg, xiii cent.; Wormesley, xiv cent.; Warvysley,
Wardesley, xvi cent.; Warsley or Wardesley, xvii
cent.) was included among the lands held by Ralph de
Toeni, 2 hides paying geld. It had been previously
held by Eadwig and Æthelnoth as two manors. (fn. 102)
The overlordship passed with Abberley Manor to the
Beauchamps. (fn. 103) In 1619 the manor was said to be
held of the king, by what service was not known, (fn. 104) but
in 1624 it was not held of the king. (fn. 105)
From John de Wordley, who was holding the
manor early in the 13th century, (fn. 106) it passed to Robert
de Wordley, whose heirs were in possession about
1315. (fn. 107) Parnel de Wordley paid 40d to the subsidy in 1327 (fn. 108) and 3s. in 1332–3. (fn. 109) In 1378 John
de Clare and Laura his wife were holding the manor. (fn. 110)
In 1507 Richard Shitford sold it to Edward Greville
of Milcote, co. Warwick, (fn. 111) of whom it was purchased in
the following year by William Mucklow. (fn. 112) In 1527
William sold the manor to John Pakington of Hampton Lovett, Richard Mucklow, son and heir-apparent
of William, being a party to the conveyance. (fn. 113) On
15 August 1550 John Palistanton settled in on his wife
Anne with remainder to his daughter Ursula and her
husband William Scudamore and their heirs. (fn. 114) The
manor then followed the descent of Church Lench (fn. 115)
until it was granted by Sir John Scudamore, bart.,
and Elizabeth his wife to Thomas Bell in 1627. (fn. 116)
By Thomas Bell it was conveyed in 1655 to Christopher Lowe. (fn. 117) For more than a century its history
remains obscure, but in 1771 it was held with
Ribbesford by Henry Morley Herbert. (fn. 118) In 1809
it was held by Denham James Joseph Cookes and
Maria Henrietta his wife, (fn. 119) and it passed with Astley
Manor to the Jones family of Abberley.
In deeds relating to this manor it is described as
being in Wordley, Rock, Abberley and Dunley.
Its site is probably marked by Wordley Farm, now in
Astley, a wood known as Wordley Dingle lying on
the boundary between the parishes of Abberley, Rock
and Astley.
Two mills worth 10s. belonged to the manor of
Astley in 1086, (fn. 120) and one mill belonged to Glasshampton at the same date. (fn. 121) The mill of the demesne
of Astley was held by John Wotton, rector of Iwerne
Courtney (co. Dorset) in 1404. (fn. 122) A water-mill called
Prior Allen's Mill, apparently in Glasshampton, was
held by the Blounts in 1627. (fn. 123) A mill descended with
the manor of Astley until 1725. (fn. 124) Three fullingmills under one roof, on Glasshampton Brook, were
leased in 1720 by Bromwich Pope and Mercy his
wife to Richard Pinches, and in 1739 (at which date
they were paper-mills) by Nehemiah Jeavens to
Arnold Boughton. (fn. 125) There is now a corn-mill on
Dick Brook at the western end of the village.
CHURCH
The priory church of ST. PETER
consists of a chancel measuring internally
27 ft. 3 in. by 16 ft., north chapel 21 ft.
by 11 ft. 6 in., nave 40 ft. 9 in. by 21 ft. 9 in., north
aisle 43 ft. 3 in. by 20 ft., south porch, and west
tower 13 ft. by 14 ft. 3 in.
The chancel and nave were built towards the end
of the first half of the 12th century, a north aisle, since
rebuilt, was added c. 1180, while the tower and north
chapel date from the 15th century, when the chancel
was probably lengthened eastwards to the extent of
some 5 ft. In the early part of the 19th century the
east wall was again brought back and the north aisle
widened and rebuilt; a long wide window was also
inserted between the 12th-century lights in the south
wall of the nave, and other repairs effected. Recently
the fabric, having fallen into a state of considerable
disrepair, has been thoroughly restored, the east wall
rebuilt on the 15th-century foundation, and the wide
window above mentioned removed from the south
wall of the nave and replaced by a new window
corresponding to the 12th-century lights on either
side of it. New windows were also inserted in
the north aisle and buttresses added, while the tower
responds were restored, the walls generally strengthened
and repaired, and a timber south porch erected. The
walling generally is of red sandstone ashlar, faced on
both sides, with the exception of the north aisle,
which is plastered internally. The roofs are tiled.
In the modern east wall of the chancel is a traceried
window of three trefoiled lights, and in the north
wall is an original 12th-century light with a semicircular head and stepped sill, and a contemporary
string-course at the sill level. To the west of this
is an arch opening to the chapel, probably a reconstruction of the latter part of the 16th century.
The arch is of two plain slightly pointed orders, and
rests at the responds upon moulded capitals, which
were evidently not made for the purpose, but have
been roughly cut on both sides to fit their present
positions. At the south-east is a modern window of
two trefoiled lights, with some re-used 15th-century
jamb stones. Below its sill is a modern piscina and
credence. West of this is a
12th-century light similar to
that in the north wall; a contemporary double-chamfered
string-course at the sill level,
beginning at the point where
the later willing joins that of
the 12th century, is continued
westward to the chancel arch.
Near the chancel arch is a
recess, probably an old blocked
doorway, the stonework of
which has been repaired. Externally there is a 15th-century
buttress near the centre of the
south wall and a rebuilt diagonal buttress of the same
period at the south-east angle.
The chancel arch, which occupies the full width of the
chancel, is of the original
12th-century date, and has
recently been rebuilt and repaired. The semicircular arch
is of two plain orders, with a
double-chamfered label enriched with checker-like
indents, and is supported on each respond by four
large detached shafts with scalloped capitals, chamfered abaci, and moulded bases.
The north chapel has an east window of two
trefoiled lights with modern tracery under a twocentred head, and in the north wall is a window of
three trefoiled lights, also with modern tracery, but
having a four-centred head. The jambs of both are of
the original 15th-century date, but the head of the
latter is modern. The arch between the chapel and
aisle is two-centred and of two plain orders. The east
gable has been rebuilt.
Plan Of Astley Church
The late 12th-century arcade of the nave is of
three bays with semicircular arches of two plain orders,
having a chamfered label on the nave side; the pillars
are circular and have moulded bases standing on
square plinths and octagonal scalloped capitals. On
the first pillar from the east there is a carved head just
below the capital, looking south-west. The west
respond was until the recent restoration concealed by
the north-east buttress of the tower, part of which
has now been removed, and the respond exposed. In
the eastern half of the south wall are three roundheaded single-light windows, two of which are of the
12th century, while the middle one is a modern copy.
To the west of these is an original Norman doorway
of two elaborately moulded orders; the tympanum is
plain, and the jambs have detached shifts with capitals
and bases, the outer order being enriched with cheveron
ornament. This doorway, having through long exposure become much weather-worn, has been considerably
repaired. The shaft; with their capitals and bases
are modern. To the west of it is a repaired late
15th-century window of two trefoiled lights under a
four-centred head. Externally the south wall presents an imposing appearnace; there is a flat pilaster
buttress at the east end and the three east bays are
divided by two narrow buttresses, designed in the
form of engaged shafts, and have a double-chamfered
string at the level of the window sills about 10 ft.
from the ground. The lower part of each of these
two buttresses has the section of two engaged shafts
divided by an angle fillet and stands with a base on
a plinth; above the string the section changes to a
simple semicircular engaged shaft, which is crowned
by a capital below the corbel table. The corbel
table, which runs the whole length of the wall, has a
billeted edge moulding, and is supported at intervals
of about 2 ft. by grotesque heads, some of which are
modern. The south-east corner of the nave has been
rebuilt, the old facing being re-used.
In the south-east corner of the north aisle there is
a circular central newel rood-loft staircase, with a
four-centred lower doorway, probably of the late
15th century.
The finely proportioned west tower, which is
80 ft. high, is divided by string-courses into three
stages and has deep diagonal buttresses, rising to an
embattled parapet, and surmounted by modern
crocketed pinnacles. The tower arch is of three
chamfered orders and is acutely pointed; the south
respond, which had been cut away for a west gallery,
has been recently restored. In the west wall is a
four-centred doorway with modern external stonework and old internal jambs, and above it is an
original window of three cinquefoiled lights under a
two-centred head with modern tracery. The second
stage contains a clock with faces on the east and west,
and in each face of the belfry is a window of two
trefoiled lights with a quatrefoil under a two-centred
head. On the east face of the tower a projecting
stone course shows the lines of an earlier and higher
pitched nave roof.
The chancel has a modern match-boarded trussed,
roof, but the nave has an open timber trussed roof of
the 15th century with original principals, collars and
spandrel pieces, and modern rafters and purlins,
which divide the ceiling into square panels. The
trussed roof of the chapel is mostly modern, but has
some original timbers re-used.
The sandstone font dates from the 12th century;
its bowl, which has a cauldron-like outline, is octagonal, and has two round-headed panels on each side
divided by large beads, those at the angles being continued down the stem, which is also octagonal and
has plain panels. The upper edge of the bowl is
moulded. The base, which has a plain chamfered
upper edge, is probably of later date. The octagonal
oak pulpit is of the early 17th century. In the south
doorway of the nave is a mediaeval studded oak door.
There is a small shield of mediaeval painted glass in
the north window of the chancel, now mounted with
a piece of glass on each side; the charge is indistinct,
but appears to be Argent a fesse between three
roundels gules. There are some panels of 19thcentury heraldic glass in the north window of the
chapel.
On the south wall of the chancel are a marble tablet
to Higons James, who died in 1709, and a modern
framed plate with a black letter inscription and
epitaph in Latin verse to Ursula James, wife of Hugo
James, and daughter of Baldwin Sheldon, who died
2 May 1604. There are also mural tablets to Samuel
Bowater, who died in 1695–6, and Anne Bowater,
who died in 1687. In the north chapel there are two
late 16th-century table tombs with recumbent effigies,
marginal inscriptions, and some confused heraldry.
That near the north window is to Robert Blount,
who died 24 May 1573, (fn. 126) and Anne (Davies) his
wife, who was still living at the time of the erection
of the tomb. Their recumbent effigies are on the
tomb, the esquire in armour, and his dame in the dress
of the period, both having their hands in the attitude
of prayer. Round the sides of the tomb are the
figures of their children in low relief, with labels
bearing their names: on the north side are Walter
and Thomas, and between them a shield of Acton
charged with a cheveron between three cinqfoils, on
the east Elizabeth, and on the west Margaret, while
on the south side are three panels enriched with roses
within circular wreaths and divided by pilasters. On
the west side there is also a tablet inscribed 'Jhon
Gildon of Hereforde made this towmes anno Domini
1577.' The marginal inscription reads: 'Here lieth
the bodi of Robert Blonte Esquier who decesed the
XXIIII daie of maie An° 1573 and Anne his wife
being as yet living desiring God to continew her life.'
The other tomb, which is of similar character, is
placed under the arch between the chancel and chapel,
and is to Walter Blount, who died in 1561, and to
Isabel (Acton) his wife, who died in 1562–3. The
effigies are similar in style to the last, but the esquire
holds a book. On the north side are the figures of
their children, Joyce, Elizabeth, and Anne, on the
west Isabel, on the east Margery, and on the south
Richard and Francis. Between the latter are two
panels, one of which contains a badge within a wreath
and the other a shield of Blount impaling the cheveron
and cinqfoils of Acton. Above the tomb, on the
respond of the arch, is a tablet inscribed 'Robert
Blount Esquier was the foundor of thies towmbes and
the overseers of the same were they whos names arr
subscribid Frauncis Blount esquier and Justice of
Peax and James Young.' (fn. 127) On the north wall of the
chapel is a marble monument to Thomas Winford,
bart., who died in 1702. At the west end of the
south wall of the nave are two small brass plates, one
to Mr. William Amphlett, who died in 1727, and
Anne his wife, who died in the same year; and
the other to John Amphlett, M.A., vicar of Halesowen,
who died in 1731. At the north-east corner of the
nave is a floor slab to Bridget Featherstone, who died
in 1667.
In the churchyard, to the south of the nave, there
is the base of a churchyard cross, probably dating
from the 14th century. The upper part is octagonal
and the lower square, the sides of the upper part
which fall upon the corners of the square having
moulded stops. On the upper face is a square socket
for the shaft of the cross, which has long since
disappeared.
The tower contains a ring of six bells: the treble
is inscribed 'Prosperity to this parish 1728'; the
second, 'John Rudhall, Gloucester fecit 1806'; the
third was recast by Thomas Mears of London in
1838; the fourth, inscribed 'Fear God honour the
King A. R. 1728,' is by Abraham Rudhall; the
fifth is inscribed 'The gift of Sr Thomas Cooks
Winford bart 1728'; and the tenor, also cast in
1728, was recast by Charles Carr, Smethwick, in
1897.
The communion plate consists of a large paten
with feet, inscribed 'The gift of Sr Thomas Cookes
Winford to the church of Astley 1728,' and bearing
the hall mark of 1711; a cup of 1828; and a flagon
presented in 1889.
The registers before 1812 are as follows: (i) all
entries 1539 to 1630; (ii) 1670 to 1764; (iii)
baptisms and burials 1765 to 1783; (iv) marriages
1754 to 1812 (duplicated 1754 to 1764); (v)
baptisms 1784 to 1812; (vi) burials 1783 to 1812.
ADVOWSON
A church and a priest at Astley
are mentioned in the Domesday
Survey. (fn. 128) The church was appropriated to the priory of Astley by Bishop Walter
Cantilupe. (fn. 129) In 1295 the presentation was made by
the Prior of Astley, (fn. 130) and again in 1300. (fn. 131) In 1305
it was made by the bishop (fn. 132) ; on other occasions,
except when the priory was in the king's hands by
reason of war with France, the Prior of St. Taurin
presented (fn. 133) until the suppression of Astley Priory
in 1414. The advowson has always been held with
the manor, (fn. 134) except for a short interval after the sale
to John Winford in 1620, when it was retained
by Thomas Blount. His son James had livery of it
in 1627, (fn. 135) but with his brother Francis conveyed it
to John Winford in 1629. (fn. 136)
In 1313 the Abbot and convent of St. Taurin
were summoned to appear before the bishop for not
having provided sufficient maintenance for the vicar. (fn. 137)
A portion was appointed in 1316, (fn. 138) but the prior was
again warned about twelve years later that he had
neglected to supply what was directed. (fn. 139) Astley was
still a vicarage in 1379–80, (fn. 140) but must afterwards
have been re-endowed as a rectory, for it was returned
in 1535 as a rectory, (fn. 141) and so remains at the present
day.
The portion appointed for the vicar in 1316 had
included a house and gardens on the south side of
the church, of which Nash wrote that they still
belonged to the incumbent, who was not, however,
bound to keep the house in repair, a much better one
with a garden and orchard having been given by the
Cookes family (fn. 142) ; the vicar had liberty to fetch water
from a certain well in the prior's garden, presumably
Prior's Well.
CHARITIES
The Free School was endowed by
the will of Mercy Pope, proved in
the P.C.C. 4 July 1729, (fn. 143) with an
annuity of £20 issuing out of land in Astley Wood.
The school was rebuilt in 1893 at a cost of £1,500,
towards which legacies by the wills of William Green,
proved in the P.C.C. 1832, Matilda Jane Glover,
proved in the P.C.C. 1862, and John Lowe, proved
at London 1871, amounting together to £499 2s. 1d.
consols, were applied, and also a sum of £444 1s. 8d.
consols belonging to John Staverton's charity. The
official trustees hold a sum of £743 5s. 7d. consols
towards the replacement of these amounts, under an
order of the Charity Commissioners of 1894, during
a period of thirty years.
John Staverton's charity is regulated by a scheme
of the Charity Commissioners of 6 November 1866,
whereby the income, subject to the payment of
£2 12s. for bread, was made applicable for educational purposes (see Free School above). The rents
of 2 a. 3 r. of land in Hanbury, amounting to
£2 2s. a year, are applied in grocery tickets to poor
widows.
The charity of William Green for the poor is
endowed with a sum of £260 17s. 4d. consols,
with the official trustees, the annual dividends,
amounting to £6 10s. 4d., being applicable for the
benefit of ten poor families.
This parish is also entitled to an annual sum of
10s. under the gift of Hugh Marshall alias Miller,
which, about the year 1593, was charged upon an
estate at Hillhampton, formerly paid by Lord Foley's
steward.
The charity of the Rev. W. H. Havergal, a former
rector, consists of a sum of £172 8s. 2d. consols,
standing in the corporate name of the trustees of the
Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge.
The annual dividends, amounting to £4 6s., are
applicable under a scheme of 22 March 1898 in the
purchase of Bibles, Books of Common Prayer and
hymn books for the parish church, also in the publications of the society either for a lending library
or in rewards to children attending the Church of
England Sunday school.