Aston Manor

Aston covers 960 acres only, but at Domesday it was a perish of 11,161 acres. The 8 hides of ploughland were distributed in unknown proportion among Aston, Duddeston, Nechells, Bordesley, Saltley, Little Bromwich, and Water Orton. Aston Manor is defined by watercourses, Tame, Hockley Brook, Handsworth Brook. The sandstone ridge between these was cleared to make Crosse Field, Church, Park, and Farther Fields. The waste, Lozells Wood, was at the west end. The small village with its church of Sts. Peter and Paul, lay on a gravel terrace site above the Tame floods and marshes. In 1203 Aston was a sub-manor belonging to the lord of Erdington. By 1318 there was one villein left. Henry de Erdington built the south aisle of the church in 1340. The manor house, site uncertain, was disused by 1367. Bordesley became the chief manor of the parish, and was the property of the Ardens until 1583, when Darcys succeeded.

Soon afterwards Thos. Holte acquired Aston by marriage. Family recorded from C14th to 18th - 14 generations. Duddeston (Dodestone 1204, Dudda's Farm), 926 acres with Nechells (Echells 1180, Separate Estate). Bounded by Rea, Tame, Hockley Brooks. Simon Holte bought Nechells, with mansion and chapel, from Ardens in 1331. Aston and Duddeston added by marriage, late C16th. Thos Holte bought Chantry lands about Birmingham in time of Henry VIII. Sir Thos. Holte (baronetcy, James I) built present Aston Hall, begun 1618, completed 1635. Duddeston and Nechells (boundary - Rocky Lane?) absorbed into Aston: Nechells manor house gone by C17th, site now uncertain, estate depopulated by 1656. Old moated Duddeston Hall and grounds became Georgian pleasure garden, Vauxhall - site of hall Dollman/Alma Sts. New Hall built north of Duddeston Mill 1758, demolished 1974. Both estates fully enclosed by 1758. Thimble Mill on leat east side of Hockley Brook at lane. Park Mill (Wharton/Argyle Sts. corner - Nechells manor house once nearby?) Coleshill Turnpike tollgate Parkway/Saltley Road at Bloomsbury St. Dn. manor house demolished c.1855. Ashted, Bloomsbury, developed by mid-C19th. Aston still rural.

13.1. Map 12a

13.2. Map 13a

Aston Hall Park bounded by Birchfield Road, (line of) Victoria Road, Lichfield Road, Church Road, Witton Lane, Handsworth Brook: large pool and Burton Wood at west end. Hall besieged and pillaged 1643. Manor fully enclosed by 1758, severalties on short leases. Lozells Wood was Lozells Heath by C19th. 'Aston Villa' at west end of Lozells Lane. Very small village near church. On Hockley (Aston) Brook were Aston Furnace at foot of Furnace Lane (Summer Lane/ Porchester St.), Aston Brook Mill (Pool St. Thomas St.), Aston Mill at west end Salford Reservoir. Tollgate, Lichfield Road at Park Ln.