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Hamstall • Mavesyn • Pipe

This page is the introduction to the Parish of Hamstall. You can switch to another parish by clicking on the names above. The information on Hamstall is divided into several pages. You can read them in sequence by clicking on the "next" button at the end of each page, or you can jump to any page by clicking in the list of topics to the right

 

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Hamstall Hall
St Michael and All Angels
Rectors of Hamstall Ridware
Blythfield Cross
Hamstall Parish Enclosures
Population
Public Houses
Nethertown

 
 
 
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The Parish of Hamstall Ridware

The name Hamstall in Anglo-Saxon means homestead and indicates an early settlement. The combination of Anglo-Saxon elements with the Celtic rid- makes a fascinating puzzle for students of place names and suggests a time when Anglo-Saxon settlers and the native Celtic population lived side by side.

 There are three entries pertaining to Hamstall Ridware in the Domesday Book:

  1.  Land of St Remy’s (Church)  in Offlow Hundred
    The Church holds 1 virgate of land itself in Hamstall Ridware. Land for 1 plough. Godric holds it from the Church. He has half a plough. 2 villagers have half a plough. A mill at 2s; meadow 2 acres. Value 5s. Earl Algar gave these two lands to St. Remy’s.

  2. Land of Earl Roger in Offlow Hundred. Hamstall Ridware. Walter holds from him. 1 virgate of land. Land for one and a half ploughs. 2 slaves; 4  villagers. Meadow, 4 acres; woodland 1 league long and a half wide. Value 5s. Edmund held it; he was a free man.

  3. Robert of Stafford also holds 3 virgates of land in Hamstall Ridware. Herman holds from him. 3 thanes held it; they were free men. Land for 4 ploughs. In lordship 1, with 1 slave. A free man holds 1 virgate of this land; he has 2 villagers with half a plough. A mill at 2s; meadow, 8 acres; woodland 1 and a half leagues long and in width 1 league. Value 15s.’

At the time of the Norman Conquest, the family of Asser Geun, the Saxon thane controlling Hamstall Ridware, became the lords of the manor, taking the name de Ridware. It is possible that the field called The Moats, which contains a moated site where 12th century pottery has been found, may have been the site of the first manor house. Or it may be that two manors existed side by side for a time. In the early Norman period the church of St. Michael and All Angels was built on its beautiful spot overlooking the River Blithe, perhaps replacing an older house of worship. Remains of this early period of the village’s history can also be seen in the ridge and furrow patterns which remain on Cowley Hill, once part of the open field system.

The de Ridwares held the manor until the 1370s when, there being no male heir, the land passed to the Cottons. The brick watchtower at the Hall was built at this time and symbolises the aspirations of the Cotton family. The large altar tomb in the church also attests to their powerful presence.

Maud, or Matilda, Cotton married Sir Anthony Fitzherbert and the manor passed to the Fitzherberts of Norbury in 1517. During his life Hamstall Ridware would have glimpsed the larger world beyond its borders, for Sir Anthony Fitzherbert was a celebrated judge during the reign of Henry VIII. He was involved in the trials of Ann Boleyn and Sir Thomas Moore, amongst others, and was the author of several books on the law. He and his wife are buried in the church at Norbury (Derbyshire), the home of the Fitzherbert family.

It is said that, on his death bed, Sir Anthony made his son and heir Sir Thomas Fitzherbert, swear that he would remain true to his Catholic faith. The promise was kept, but he paid dearly for it, dying in the Tower of London after thirty years of imprisonment. During the last years of the Fitzherbert ownership the gatehouses and porch, buildings of great beauty and prestige, were built.

In 1601 the ownership of Hamstall Hall passed to Sir Thomas Leigh of Stoneleigh Abbey, Warwickshire. For a period of time it kept its prestige as the principal residence of the Leigh heir. Well into the 18th century the east wing was retained as a suite of rooms for the Leighs when they were in residence. Eventually the hall was leased to a series of tenant farmers, the east wing fell into ruin and was eventually pulled down, and Hamstall Hall took on the appearance of a working farm. The estate was sold in 1920.
 

   

Hamstall Hall

 
 
 
Latest news

Meetings

1st February:  The Society was privileged to have Ian Wykes, Cultural Environment Group Leader for Staffs Co Council speaking about the Staffordshire Hoard (a change from the advertised subject)
1st March:  Randle Knight gave a very interesting talk on William Salt and his Library
17th April:  Members enjoyed a tour of Hamstall Ridware village and church, led by Sarah Elsom and David Rudge
15th May:  David Wilkinson led members on a very interesting walking tour of Alrewas
12th June:  Members enjoyed a visit to Blithfield Hall and Church, which was a great success.
3rd July:  Members marked the 20th Anniversary of the Society with a celebration at the Gatehouse, Mavesyn Ridware, by permission of Sunny and Mark Eades.  A champagne buffet was held on a lovely sunny day and many old members travelled some distance to be present. Entertain was provided by the Early Music Man, Terry Carter.
4th October:  The winter season commenced with a very interesting talk on the Wartime Camps on Cannock Chase given by Ian Wykes.
1st November:  Dr John Hunt talked to members on 'Knights in Local Society'.
5th December:  Dr Pam Sambrook gave an intersting talk on 'The History of Oatcakes' which was followed by a Christmas Buffet
10th January:  AGM of Society, followed by a fascinating talk by Alan Harvey, who was a member of the diving team on the Mary Rose.
7th February:  Professor Timothy Peters gave an interesting talk about the Nature of the Madness of King George III.
7th March:  David Budden spoke eloquently about the history of St Matthew's Hospital, Burntwood, where he was a Pharmacist.

Click on any Programme link for details of these and other meetings.

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