Plague, Fire, and Civil War

The town of Birmingham, still without Borough status despite its size, increased its population 5-fold during the C17th. In 1714 there were 15,000 people in a built-up area little larger than that of Tudor times. Woollen manufacturing declined in the period, but the production of leather, saddlery, blades and cutlery increased. Later copper and brass working developed.

Administration. Manorial Court controlled markets, food and drink. Vestry or Civil Parish from 1597: Churchwardens, Overseers of Poor and Highways. Bench of J.P.s. Magistrate for Birmingham in 1640s, Sir Thos. Holte of Duddeston and Aston. Deritend had its own Vestry and officials.

Plague outbreaks in 1626,-31,-37,-54,-65. Bubonic Plague, no cure then known. Fairs and markets stopped, wayfarers restricted. Churchyard overfull with victims, pits dug at Pest Ground, Ladywood. Trade much affected.

Bridges. Rea bridge 'utterly demolished' by 1651, due to complete neglect since Gild abolition. Then rebuilt by county, four arches, refuges, tollbooths, chains.

CIVIL WAR. Birmingham and Warwickshire for Parliament, Worcestershire for King. August 1642, first skirmish of war at Curdworth Field. October '42, Charles I reviewed levies at Kingstanding: his baggage train captured in Birmingham: Prince Rupert surprised and routed on Kings Norton Green.

15,000 sword blades supplied to Parliamentary forces by town mills, none to Royalists. April 1643, Rupert's advance with 2,000 men to Lichfield through B. held up briefly by townsfolk, barricade in Deritend below Bordesley holloway.
Defences outflanked by dragoons fording Rea, bursting into Digbeth from side lanes. Battle soon lost; Parliamentary troop pursued along Dudley Road, routed Denbigh's command in sudden charge down Cape Hill. Denbigh killed.
Night of looting. Fires started next day before Rupert moved on. 80 houses and Porter's blade mill destroyed. December 1643, townsfolk besieged Aston Hall (built 1618-31) with cannon. Sir Thos. Holte surrendered after three days, Hall pillaged. 1644, Rupert again in Birmingham. Edgbaston Old Hall and Church fortified by Col. Thos. 'Tinker' Fox, at junction of roads from Royalist west. Bewdley captured in surprise raid. Hawkesley Hall fortified by Fox, later burnt by Charles. Frankley Hall burnt by Rupert. Edgbaston Hall never attacked. Battle of Worcester ended war, 1651.

Recovery. Demand for blades throughout war, town and Edgbaston mills kept busy. Skilled men, especially Dissenters, flocked to town: after 1662, Nonconformist ministers came, Meeting Houses opened in 1689, 1692. Masshouse burnt, 1688. Development of button and 'toy' trades.

11.1. Map 11a

Appearance of town. More than 200 smithies, on all streets and in former gardens. 17 named streets, few new ones or outward spread, due to surrounding estates: Dudley, Bell, Lee's, Edgbaston, Park, Moor, Bull, Spiceal, High, and New Streets, Deritend, Digbeth, High Street Bordesley, Moat or Court Lane, Corn Market, Mill Lane, Shambles. St. Martin's Church much decayed, soft sandstone fabric: 1690, encased in brick except for tower, so remained until 1872 demolition. Mansion and later factory buildings erected, on manor house site, still moated. R.C. Church of St. Marie Magdelene in Masshouse Lane burnt in 'Glorious Revolution' year, Catholics moved to Masshouse Farm in Edgbaston (Pritchatts Road). Old Middlemore mansion, Edgbaston Hall, also destroyed by townsfolk.

Environs of town. Kemp Hill, later Camp Hill: Old 'Ship' Inn, Rupert's H.Q. during 'Battle of Birmingham', Ravenhurst - Lowe family, Stratford House - Ambrose and Bridget Rotton, 1601. Byngas House, Easy Hill. Colmore mansion, New Hall, c.1620. Castle Bromwich Hall, c.1620, porch 1685. Moseley Hall, Sheldon Hall wings, Park Hall near Water Orton. Saltley Hall.