GREAT WITLEY
Wyteleye (xiv cent.).
This parish lies in the north-west of the county, at
the foot of a range of well-watered hills, the greatest
height 900 ft., being reached at Woodbury Hill.
Wallsgrove Hill, to the north-west of it, is over
800 ft., and 900 ft. is again reached on the northern
boundary. In the east the land falls to 300 ft.
Beautiful views of the Teme are to be obtained from
Woodbury Hill.
The parish has an area of 2,672 acre;, (fn. 1) of which
the greater part is permanent grass. (fn. 2) The principal
crops grown are wheat, barley, hops and fruit. An
abundance of water is supplied from the neighbouring
hills. The soil is sandstone and clay, the subsoil
Keuper Sandstone and Marl. There are several
quarries. Pure limestone is burnt for purposes of
building and agriculture, and inferior limestone is
quarried for the repair of roads.
The parish is intersected by roads from Droitwich,
Cleobury Mortimer, Stourport, Bromyard and Tenbury, and the road from Martley runs through it
from south to north. The village lies along the
Stourport road. St. Michael's Church is in the east
of the parish, in Witley Park. A corridor connects it
with Witley Court, an 18th-century mansion, enlarged and altered at great expense by the first Earl
of Dudley. The principal elevations are imposing
examples of the Victorian Italian manner, with Ionic
porticoes on the north and south fronts. The gardens
and fountains which surround the house on the south
and east were laid out from the designs of Nesfield.
The park, which is 500 acres in extent, is well stocked
with deer and contains beautiful fish pools and weirs
and some very fine oaks. (fn. 3) It was occupied by the
Dowager Queen Adelaide in 1843–6, and is now the
residence of the lord of the manor, the Earl of
Dudley. The site of the earlier manor-house was a
mile away to the west, where the Home Farm now
stands. This is partly surrounded by a circular moat.
The rectory at Redmarley is more than a mile
north-west of the church. Springs rising in its
grounds never vary in driest or wettest weather. The
village contains little of interest, most of the cottages
having been rebuilt. There are some half-timber
cottages on the Martley road. A little distance to
the east of the rectory is a corn-mill, (fn. 4) and to the west is
the Hundred House Hotel, a famous old inn, of great
importance in coaching days. It lies at the junction
of the principal roads, and is said to mark the spot
where the ancient hundred courts for Doddingtree
were held. Stock sales are held there in April,
August and October. The present building is
modern.
In the south-west of the parish is Woodbury Hill,
crowned by a group of pine trees, which mark the
site of an ancient camp covering 26 acres, with a
road running through from north to south. It is
called Owen Glendower's Camp, but is probably of a
much more remote antiquity. (fn. 5) Local tradition says
that Henry IV encamped on Abberley Hill and
Owen Glendower on Woodbury Hill, but no action
took place beyond a few skirmishes.
MANORS
GREAT WITLEY is not mentioned
in the Domesday Survey, and its history
is obscure until the 13th century. From
the 14th to the 17th century it was held of the
honour of Elmley. (fn. 6)
According to a manuscript in the Harleian Collection, Walter Beauchamp gave the manor of Witley
to Hugh Poer. (fn. 7) Hugh, or a descendant of the same
name, gave it in frank-marriage to Hugh Cooksey
with his daughter Juliana in the time of Henry III. (fn. 8)
It was probably she who, as Juliana wife of William
Furches, dealt with land in Witley in 1238–9. (fn. 9)
William de Furches presented to the church in
1277, (fn. 10) and headed the list of contributors to the
subsidy in Witley about 1280. (fn. 11) Before 1287 he had
been succeeded by Walter Cooksey, Juliana's son by
her first husband. (fn. 12) He probably died before 1300, (fn. 13)
when his son Walter succeeded, and the manor
followed the same descent as Upton Warren (fn. 14) (q.v.)
until the death of Thomas Cooksey in 1498–9.
Roger Winter and Robert Russell of Strensham were
his co-heirs, (fn. 15) and Witley was assigned to the latter.
It was held by the Russells of Strensham (fn. 16) (q.v.)
until 1654, when Sir William Russell gave it to his
son Thomas on his marriage with Mary daughter of
Sir John Viscount Scudamore. (fn. 17) Thomas Russell
sold it in 1655 to Thomas Foley. (fn. 18)
Thomas Foley was the son of Richard Foley of
Stourbridge by his second wife, Alice daughter of
William Brindley of Willenhall. Richard Foley, from
humble beginnings, amassed a considerable fortune
during the Civil War as an ironmaster, though it is
considered by Mr. H. Sydney Grazebrook that the
lowliness of his origin has been much exaggerated,
and that the discovery of the secret of nail slitting,
which he is said to have made in continental workshops frequented by him for the purpose under the
guise of a harmless idiot, was made by a Brindley. (fn. 19)
His son Thomas added to the fortune he inherited
from his father by his marriage with Anne daughter
and heir of John Browne of Spelmonden in Kent. (fn. 20)
He died on 1 October 1677 (fn. 21) and was succeeded by
his son Thomas, (fn. 22) who was Sheriff of Worcestershire
in 1673, (fn. 23) and married Elizabeth daughter of Edward
Ashe of Heytesbury. 'The fair new built house, the
chief seat of the Foleys,' at Witley, described by
Camden, (fn. 24) was the work of his son Thomas, who
succeeded him after 1683. (fn. 25) This Thomas Foley
represented Stafford in Parliament from 1695 to
1712, and was raised to the peerage in January 1712
(as Lord Foley of Kidderminster) with eleven other
commoners to secure a majority in the House of
Lords. (fn. 26) He married Mary daughter and heir of
Thomas Strcde, serjeant-at-law, and died on 22
January 1733. (fn. 27) His son Thomas succeeded him
as second Lord Foley. He made many additions
and alterations to Witley Court and grounds, and
assisted his father's widow in completing the church,
begun by her husband. (fn. 28) He died unmarried on
8 January 1766, when the barony became extinct. (fn. 29)
Witley passed under his will with his other estates to
his kinsman, another Thomas Foley, great-grandson
of Paul Foley, a younger brother of Thomas Foley,
father of the first lord. (fn. 30) He was created Lord
Foley of Kidderminster on 20 May 1776, and in his
will, dated 19 June 1777, referred to his predecessor
as his 'most worthy relation, friend, and benefactor.' (fn. 31)
He married Grace, third daughter and co-heir of
George Granville Lord Lansdowne of Bideford, and
died on 18 November 1777. (fn. 32) His son Thomas, who
succeeded him, had been M.P. for Herefordshire
1767–74 and for Droitwich 1774–7. (fn. 33) He was joint
Postmaster-General in 1783. He married Harriet,
fourth daughter of William Stanhope, second Earl of
Harrington, and died in 1793. His third but only
surviving son, Thomas, succeeded him. (fn. 34) He was a
Privy Councillor and Lord-lieutenant of Worcestershire, and married Cecilia Olivia Geraldine, fifth
daughter of Robert Fitzgerald, second Duke of
Leinster. He died on 16 April
1833, and was succeeded by
his son Thomas Henry, who
had been M.P. for Worcestershire 1830–2. (fn. 35) He sold
the manor about 1836–7 to
William eleventh Lord Ward, (fn. 36)
elevated to the earldom of
Dudley on 17 February 1860.
The earl enlarged Witley
Court, still, when he bought
it, the chief seat of the Foleys,
into an almost palatial residence, and died on 7 May
1885. (fn. 37) He was succeeded
by his son, William Humble, the second earl, the
present owner of the manor.
Russell. Argent a cheveron between three crosslets fitchy sable.
Foley. Argent a fesse engrailed between three cinqfoils within a border sable.
Ward, Earl of Dudley. Chechy or and azure a bend ermine.
The manor of REDMARLRY OLIVER (Redmerlege, xi cent.; Rudmarleg Olifar, Rudmarle Oleferd,
Little Rudmarel, xii cent.; Rudmereleg, xiii cent.;
Rydmerley Oliver, xvi cent.) is probably to be
identified with the 1½ hides in Redmarley held in
1086 by Ralph de Toeni, and previously held as two
manors by Wulfmar and Ulfcytel. (fn. 38) The overlordship of this estate followed that of Elmley Lovett to
the Beauchamps, (fn. 39) Redmarley Oliver being held of
the honour of Elmley Castle as late as 1698. (fn. 40)
In 1086 Ralph the knight was tenant under Ralph
de Toeni. (fn. 41) He may have been the ancestor of
Robert Oliver (Olifard), who was holding in the time
of Henry II. (fn. 42) Robert's eldest son Robert dying
without issue was succeeded by his brother Walter,
whose three sons Hugh, Robert (fn. 43) and Walter all
died without issue, when the property came to his
youngest son, John de Redmarley Oliver, who in
1274–5 sued John Marshal for land in Redmarley
Oliver. (fn. 44) John Oliver (Olistard) headed contributors to the subsidy about 1280 in Redmarley Oliver. (fn. 45)
About 1316 Redmarley Oliver is returned as belonging to the heir of Richard Oliver, (fn. 46) and Parnel
Oliver paid a subsidy there in 1327 (fn. 47) ; but it seems
possible that the manor of Redmarley was that land
in Redmarley bought by Walter de Shakenhurst about
1304 on behalf of Thomas Folliott. (fn. 48) The purchase
displeasing Thomas, Walter agreed to give him other
land in exchange, (fn. 49) and Redmarley then probably
passed to Shakenhurst, who was holding land in Redmarley in 1345. (fn. 50) It evidently followed the descent
of Shakenhurst until 1619, (fn. 51) when Thomas Meysey
and Susannah his wife and Matthias Meysey granted
it to Walleston Betham and Robert Gower. (fn. 52) Its
further descent has not been traced, but it was
apparently finally acquired by the Foleys. (fn. 53)
A manor of REDMARLEY OLIVER (Nether
Ridmerley), whose origin is not known, was held in
1570 with Shrawley by William Gower. (fn. 54) William
Gower in 1573 settled his estates on his four
daughters, the manor of Redmarley Oliver being
assigned to Margaret wife of John Russell of Great
Witley. (fn. 55) William Gower died at Redmarley Oliver
on 22 April 1595, and John Russell was holding the
manor with Thomas Russell in 1602. (fn. 56) In 1615–16
it was conveyed by Thomas Russell and Catherine
his wife to Thomas Cooke, (fn. 57) of whom Habington
wrote, 'and now last the greatest man of estate in
this place (Redmarley) was Mr. Thomas Cooke.' (fn. 58)
It seems finally to have been held with Witley by
the Foleys. (fn. 59)
The manor of REDMARLEY ADAM (Rudmerley,
Rydmarleye Adam, xiv cent.; Ridmerley Adam,
Upper Rydmerley, xvii cent.) is probably to be
identified with the 1½ hides at Redmarley held in
1086 by Gilbert Fitz Turold as successor to Saward. (fn. 60)
This estate was held in the 13th century of the
earldom of Gloucester. (fn. 61) It was held under the earl
by William Delamare, of William Delamare by
William Beauchamp, of William Beauchamp by John
Fitz Geoffrey, and of John Fitz Geoffrey by Adam de
Redmarley. (fn. 62) Nothing more is known of the overlordship of the Earls of Gloucester and of the Delamares.
The mesne lordship of John Fitz Geoffrey became
merged in that of the Beauchamps in 1299 on the
death of Richard son of John Fitz Geoffrey, when the
fee at Redmarley was given to his sister and co-heir
Maud, widow of William Beauchamp Earl of
Warwick. (fn. 63) From that time Redmarley Adam was
held of the honour of Elmley Castle, the overlordship being mentioned for the last time in 1520. (fn. 64)
In 1542 it was said to be held of Walter Walshe as
of his manor of Abberley. (fn. 65)
The manor was held under Gilbert Fitz Turold
in 1086 by a certain Ralph. (fn. 66) About the middle
of the 13th century Adam de Redmarley held it, (fn. 67)
but had been succeeded before 1276 by John de
Redmarley. (fn. 68) John was still holding half a fee in
Redmarley in 1299, (fn. 69) and it was probably he who
as John de Redmarley Adam settled the manor of
Redmarley Adam in 1305–6 on himself with remainder to his daughter Constance, wife of William
son of Hugh Fitz Aer. (fn. 70) In 1316 John de Redmarley
was still holding the manor, (fn. 71) which in 1339 was
granted by Henry Fitz Aer to William Fitz Aer and
Margery his wife. (fn. 72) The family of Fitz Aer continued
to hold the manor until the 16th century, Walter
Fitz Aer being the owner in 1431, (fn. 73) and Roger Fitz
Aer (Fysurs) dying seised of Redmarley in 1520.
He was succeeded by his son John, (fn. 74) who conveyed it
in 1528 to Thomas, Walter and Anthony Walshe. (fn. 75)
Thomas Walshe of Stockton died seised of it on 8 May
1542. (fn. 76) The manor descended with Stockton to the
co-heirs of Thomas Walshe of London, and was sold
by them between 1616 and 1625 to members of the
James family. (fn. 77) Henry James was holding the whole
manor in 1656, (fn. 78) and in 1676 conveyed it to Thomas
Foley, (fn. 79) since which date it has been held with
Great Witley Manor. (fn. 80)
A quarter of the manor of REDMARLEY ADAM,
said in 1594 to be held of Thomas Cornwall as of his
manor of Burford, (fn. 81) was settled in 1335–6 on Richard
Brace and Margery his wife, with half the manor of
Doverdale (fn. 82) (q.v.). The origin of this manor is
unknown, as the whole of the manor of Redmarley
Adam belonging to John de Redmarley seems to have
passed to the Fitz Aer family. This quarter of the
manor followed the descent of the Braces' moiety of
Doverdale (fn. 83) until 1570, when Francis Brace sold it to
Sir Thomas Russell. (fn. 84) It followed the descent of
Strensham and Great Witley Manors until 1594, (fn. 85)
and probably passed with Great Witley to the Foleys.
An estate afterwards known as the manor of
THRUXTON, held of the manor of Great Witley, (fn. 86)
was held by the family of Thruxton, a member of
which, Henry 'de Trockeston,' contributed to the
subsidy there in 1332–3. (fn. 87) Thomas Thruxton settled
a capital messuage and land on his son William at
his marriage with Maud Bearcroft. (fn. 88) William was
succeeded by his son John, who in 1516 settled it on
his wife Elizabeth. Their two sons John and William
died childless, and in 1570 and 1571 it was claimed
by their third son, Thomas, merchant tailor of
London, against Robert Gower, who stated in defence
that it had been sold to him by William in 1547. (fn. 89)
Thomas must have proved his claim, as in 1578 he,
with his wife Catherine, conveyed the manor of
Thruxton to Edward Thruxton. (fn. 90) Edward, who
was the brother of Thomas, (fn. 91) and also a citizen and
merchant tailor of London, settled the manor in 1579
on himself for life, with remainder of part thereof
to his wife Blandena. In 1597 he, with his sons
Edward, George and Arthur, conveyed the manor to
Humphrey Corbett of Stoke Newington. (fn. 92) From
Humphrey Corbett it had passed before 1611 to
Rowland Berkeley of Spetchley, who then died seised
of it. (fn. 93) His son William conveyed it in 1623 to
John Cocks. (fn. 94) John died about 1640, (fn. 95) and his
widow Anne and son Gilbert were dealing with the
manor in 1662 and 1669, (fn. 96) and it was sold in 1689
by this Gilbert Cocks to Thomas Foley. (fn. 97) It descended
with Great Witley until 1830, (fn. 98) but the name seems
now to have disappeared.
CHURCH
The church of ST. MICHAEL AND
ALL ANGLES consists of an eastern
transept 14 ft. 10 in. by 49 ft. 3 in.,
which, with an east recess 4 ft. 3 in. deep, includes
the chancel, an aisleless nave 50 ft. 8 in. by 32 ft. 8 in.,
and a west tower 9 ft. 5 in. by 8 ft. 9 in., the lower
stage of which forms the vestibule, and is flanked by
vestries on the north and south. The space above
these forms part of the main building and is used for
a west gallery. All these dimensions are internal.
The church, which was erected about 1735 in
the Renaissance style of the period, was thoroughly
restored about 1850. It is built of brick encased
with sandstone, and has wide semicircular-headed
windows and balustraded stone parapets with vase
finials at the angles. The west facade is square and
of two stories with large gallery windows above those
of the vestries, and a central Doric porch with a
pediment. The tower rises in two stages above the
parapet, the first square, and the second octagonal.
The whole is surmounted by a cupola, and the
triangular spaces at the angles between the stages are
occupied by vases. The interior is elaborately decorated
with painted plaster-work, and in the ceiling are three
early 18th-century paintings, probably the work of
Verrio's pupil, Laguerre, representing the Nativity,
the Descent from the Cross, and the Ascension. The
font and pulpit are modern; the former is a wellexecuted design in marble, the bowl being supported
by the figures of three angels in the attitude of prayer.
The stalls and pews are good examples of mid-19th-century woodwork. The ten large windows are filled
with painted glass signed and dated by Joshua Price,
1719–21; they represent scenes from the life of
our Lord and other Biblical subjects, and originally
belonged to the chapel at Canons, the seat of the
Duke of Chandos at Edgware.
In the north transept are mural monuments to
Thomas Foley, the founder of Old Swinford Hospital,
who died in 1677, and to William Cliffe, son of
Humphrey Cliffe of Great Witley, who died in 1695.
In the south transept is a large and very elaborate
monument, with marble figures by Rysbrach, to
Thomas Lord Foley, who died in 1733, his wife
Mary (Strode) and their children Mary, Strode
Talbot, Edward, Richard, and Anne, all of whom
died in their parents' lifetime, Thomas and Elizabeth
surviving. A mural tablet, now placed in the vestry,
commemorates Thomas Wright, a former rector, who
died in 1701.
In the tower are two bells, the treble by Richard
Saunders, 1738, and the tenor by Abraham Rudhall,
1734.
The plate consists of a small silver paten of the
early 16th century, with a central sexfoil depression
containing a representation of the head of our Lord
within a nimbus; an Elizabethan chalice; a cup and
cover paten of 1676; a flagon of 1713; and a large
pewter paten or almsdish.
The first three volumes of registers before 1812
are bound in one book and contain all entries:
(i) 1538 to 1556; (ii) 1553 to 1630; (iii) 1634
to 1687–8; some of the later entries are almost
illegible. The remaining volumes are as follows:
(iv) baptisms and burials 1688 to 1812, marriages
1688 to 1753; (v) marriages 1754 to 1812.
ADVOWSON
The first reference to the church
occurs in 1277, when the presentation was made by William de
Furches. (fn. 99) The advowson has always been held with
the manor. (fn. 100)
CHARITIES
In or about 1593 Hugh Marshall
alias Miller, as stated on the church
table, gave to the poor 10s. yearly
for ever, chargeable on an estate at Hillhampton then
belonging to Lord Foley, by whose family the annuity
was formerly paid. It was further mentioned on the
same table that John Gould, about the year 1671,
bequeathed the sum of £10 for the poor, that Sarah
Gould about 1679 left the like sum of £10, and that
the Rev. Lucy Berkeley in 1774 gave £20 for the
poor. These sums were augmented in 1820 by
Mrs. Jane Pratt, who gave a sufficient sum to purchase
£50 stock.
The several gifts, with accumulations, are now
represented by £200 4s. 6d. consols with the official
trustees, the annual dividends of which, amounting
to £5, are duly applied for the benefit of the poor.