Differing Responses to an Industrialising Economy - eTheses ...

Feckenham - a very large parish of 6929 acres including the hamlets of Astwood Bank,
Norgrove, Shurnock, Callow Hill, Hunt End, Walkwood, Berrow Hill and part of Crabbs
Cross, Headless Cross and Bradley Green; Pershore deanery; Worcester diocese; upper
division of Halfshire Hundred, Worcestershire; Alcester Union. Alcester (post) 7,
Bromsgrove 7, Droitwich 8.The town of Redditch grew up on the northern boundary of
Feckenham parish, some 4 miles from Feckenham parish church. In 1850 the northern part
of the parish was assigned to the new ecclesiastical parish of Headless Cross. Originally a
market centre for Feckenham Forest which was disafforested in 1629. Soil: strong clay,
marl, sand and gravel. The ancient Ridgeway on Feckenham’s eastern boundary forms the
border with Warwickshire. Another important route is the Saltway from Droitwich to
Alcester. From 1632 the lords of the manor of Feckenham were the Earls of Coventry.
From 1637 the manor of Norgrove descended with Bentley manor in neighbouring
Tardebigge parish. The manor of Shurnock belonged to the Dean and Chapter of
Worcester until the end of the eighteenth century when it passed to the Bearcroft family of
Hanbury. Some earlier enclosure, but parliamentary enclosure for Beanhall Fields 1771
and further parliamentary enclosure in 1812 and 1832.
Ipsley - a parish of 2677 acres on the River Arrow, including parts of Crabbs Cross,
Headless Cross and Redditch; Warwick deanery, Worcester diocese; Alcester Division of
Barlichway Hundred, Warwickshire, (transferred to Worcestershire in 1931) and Alcester
Union. Increasing population as the town of Redditch grew up on Ipsley’s western
boundary. Ipsley now forms part of that town. Alcester 6, Henley (post) 6, Bromsgrove 8,
Birmingham 12. The manor was held by the Huband family until 1740 and then by the
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