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A selection of my web sites and publications on aspects of Stourbridge's history:

 

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Windsor, windofer and Iverley: Illustrating the place-name element *ofer in the Anglo-Saxon road network

 

A paper published in volume 51 of the Journal of the English Place-Name Society in 2020. It outlines a new interpretation of the Old English place-name element ofer which, for more than eighty years, has been thought to mean a hill or bank. This research began as an investigation of the place-names and landscape to the south and west of Stourbridge, and developed into a hypothesis applying across the whole of midland and northern England.

 

   

The Swinford Charter (s579): A more complex origin for Oldswinford?

 

A paper published in volume 24 of the Transactions of the Worcestershire Archaeological Society in 2014. This is a more concise version of the following article written for the Worcestershire Archaeological Society.

 

This article contains a large, two-page map and is presented as a series of double-page spreads. If you wish to print it, you might find it more convenient to download the article in single-page format instead.

 

   

The Norman Forest of Kinver: An analysis of the forest's extent and place-names recorded in the Great Perambulation of 1300

 

A paper published in volume LIV of the Transactions of the Staffordshire Archaeological and Historical Society in 2023. The article traces the main part of the forest, which extended from Chaddesley Corbett and Kidderminster northwards to Rudge and Lower Penn, as well as the king's domain lands around Tettenhall. A number of findings related to park-land and forest hays as well as several other discoveries are discussed.

 

   

Ismere, Cyneberht's Lost Monastery, and the Province of Husmerae

 

A new look at the Ismere Diploma, the monastery aet Sture in Usmere, and the extent of the province of Husmerae. This article identifies new topographical and place-name evidence which might help to locate the woodland estate of Brochyl and, from this, 'the wood of Moerheb' and the site of the monastery itself. The extent of the Husmerae province is discussed along with the province's geographical relationship to the territory of the Pencersaete, a nearby folk group mentioned in a charter of 849 CE.

 

   

The Real Monarch's Way

 

A re-analysis of the route taken near Kidderminster, Kinver, Stourbridge and Wordsley by Charles II during his flight from Cromwell's forces after his defeat the Battle of Worcester in 1651.

   

An analysis of the 1733 perambulation of Oldswinford parish, which straddled the Worcestershire-Staffordshire county boundary.

 

The article traces the perambulation around the whole of the parish, including both the manor of Amblecote and Oldswinford itself, identifying most of the landmarks named, and discusses the wider history of many of the locations referenced.

 

   

The Swinford Charter of AD 951-959

 

An article detailing an analysis of the boundary perambulation of this Anglo-Saxon charter. This ancient document describes an estate granted ostensibly by King Eadred and which covered the area that was later to include Stourbridge Town, Wollaston, Lye, Wollescote and Foxcote.

   

Pepper Hill, Yearnebarrowe and Catherwell: Clues to an ancient burial near Hanbury Hill...

 

A short article hypothesizing an elite seventh-century pagan burial mound on Pepper Hill (adjacent to Hanbury Hill) in Stourbridge, and that monument's subsequent re-use as a Christian place of worship.

   

Halfcot, 'Halford' and Oldeforde juxta Stapenhull: Implications for the chronology of Bells Mill and an early Kinver-to-Wordsley route

 

An examination of the place-names Halfcot, 'Halford' and Oldeforde juxta Stapenhull. The latter is now disused but refers to a ford on an ancient route from Kinver to Wordsley. This seems to have been superseded by a newer river crossing associated with water-management structures at Bells Mill in the parish of Kigswinford.

   

Stapenhill, Bells Mill and Oldeforde - Historical context of two potential development sites near Wollaston, Stourbridge

 

A cartographical, historical and archaeological review of the area around Stapenhill and Bells Mill near Wollaston, Stourbridge. The article discusses the evidence for prehistoric, Romano-British, medieval and post-medieval occupation of these sites as well as a nearby ancient route-way and associated fording point on the river Stour.

   

The Place Names of Stourbridge, the Black Country and their Environs: Origins, meaning and interpretation

 

An extended version of a three part article first published in the June, September and December 2016 editions of The Blackcountryman, the magazine of The Black Country Society. Contains 43 A4 pages, 5 figures and almost 300 examples elucidating the origins of local place names.

 

   

Worcestershire windofers

 

An article about a unique pair of landmarks, named windofer in tenth-century charters, that are located upon an ancient path which links two local historic sites: the Iron Age hill fort on Wychbury hill and Ismere, the moot site of the ancient Husmerae province which occupied much of north Worcesterhire's Stour valley and surrounding regions.

   

From Hwiccan Borderland to English Manor - Part I

 

Part I of an article on early territorial boundaries in the vicinity of Stourbridge. Originally published in volume 46 (Issue 4) of The Blackcountryman, the magazine of The Black Country Society.

   

From Hwiccan Borderland to English Manor - Part II

 

Part II of an article on early territorial boundaries in the vicinity of Stourbridge. Originally published in volume 47 (Issue 1) of The Blackcountryman, the magazine of The Black Country Society.

   

Before Stourbridge

 

An article on the early history of the area around Stourbridge, covering the local landscape, settlement pattern and administrative boundaries as well as the development of the town and the manor of Bedcote after the Norman conquest.

   

The Kowback: Stourbridge's misplaced brook

 

A short article discussing the naming of local watercourses and the misidentifcation of the Kowback brook named in a boundary perambulation of 1622.

   

Black Country Parish Boundaries - Echoes of Ancient Territory - Parts I and II

 

An article on the origin of the local parish boundary pattern discussing the evolution of post-Roman land units, Anglo-Saxon multiple estates and minster parochiae leading up to the formation of our familiar parish boundary pattern. Originally published in volume 50 (Issues 3 and 4) of The Blackcountryman, the magazine of The Black Country Society.

   

Stourbridge's Western Boundary

 

An article on the historic western boundary of Stourbridge and Pedmore, which has served as a county, borough, estate, manor, parish, hundred and diocese boundary as well as, perhaps, marking the edge of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of the Hwicce and earlier tribal regions.

   

The History in our Green Belt

 

This article discusses the forthcoming review, by local councils, of The Black Country's Green Belt. Very many Green Belt sites have been submitted for potential building which would not only destroy flora and fauna here but would also obliterate historical and archaeological remains. It first appeared in the September 2019 issue (volume 52, No. 4) of The Blackcountryman, the magazine of the Black Country Society.

   

The Historical Landscape of Stourbridge's Green Belt

 

This detailed report summarises the archaeological monuments and finds within local Green Belt sites that have been submitted for potential future development. The document is intended to inform residents' responses to public consultations and planning applications.

   

The Historical Landscape of Stourbridge's Green Belt - Addendum 1

 

An addendum to The Historical Landscape of Stourbridge's Green Belt (revision 01c). This includes updated Call for Sites information and additional archaeological detail relating to the Racecourse Lane and Wychbury sites. The document is intended to inform residents' responses to public consultations and planning applications.

   

Comments on the 2019 Black Country Historic Landscape Characterisation Study

 

This document reviews the Black Country Historic Landscape Characterisation Study produced by Oxford Archaeology for the Black Country local authorities. The HLC Study is part of the evidence base to be used by Dudley MBC in its current review of the local plan and green belt. The document is intended to inform residents' responses to public consultations and planning applications.

   

The Three Fields

 

This article discusses the archaeology of the county boundary region near The Three Fields off Dunsley Road, Stourbridge, and considers evidence that the ancient boundary dykes on Wollaston Ridge might have originally extended south onto the northern end of The Three Fields. The document is intended to inform residents' responses to public consultations and planning applications.

   

Kingswinford Ridge

 

A brief discussion of the ancient history of Kingswinford Ridge (the area upon which Ridgehill Wood now stands). The article considers the relationship of an ancient boundary dyke here to the dykes upon Wollaston Ridge to the south. The document is intended to inform residents' responses to public consultations and planning applications.

   

Stourbridge's Ancient Heathland

 

An overview of the vast area of ancient heathland around Stourbridge which has been lost to development over the last two centuries. The prospect of heathland regeneration in current Green Belt land near Clent View Road and Racecourse Lane is considered in light of recent reports of the survival of small remnants of heathland soils and flora on Stourbridge Golf Course. The document is intended to inform residents' responses to public consultations and planning applications.

   

Beating the Bounds - Walks through Stourbridge's Green Belt (Leaflet)

 

This leaflet describes two local walks around parts of the ancient parish boundaries of Oldswinford and Pedmore, describing numerous historic and archaeological sites en-route. Both 10km walks start and finish at Mary Stevens Park, and can be combined into a single longer walk if desired. The leaflet should be printed double-sided onto a single A4 sheet, then folded into three.

   

Old Stourbridge Maps

 

A collection of images of 17th to 20th century maps of Stourbridge and the wider area. Includes enclosure and tithe maps and covers Oldswinford, Amblecote and Pedmore as well as the ancient county of Worcestershire.

   

Longlands and Brook Street School - A web site for ex-pupils and staff

I maintain this site on behalf of its owner and Data Controller, Paul Gardner. The site includes many hundreds of old photographs and historical articles covering the period since opening in 1912 until closure (as a secondary school)  in 1990. It also includes a Contact Directory and Forum to help old classmates keep in touch.

 

 

Dr K James t/a K James Software Development

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e: info@kjwebs.co.uk