A Look Back at Dordon's History
Introduction
Welcome to our new history section. Over the next few months, we are hoping to develop an archive that tells the story of our fascinating village. Recently several archaeological surveys and research projects have taken place giving us a clearer understanding of our village’s past.
At the bottom of this page are some slide shows, showing how the village has changed since the 1800s, including some important events which affected Dordon.
Welcome to our new history section. Over the next few months, we are hoping to develop an archive that tells the story of our fascinating village. Recently several archaeological surveys and research projects have taken place giving us a clearer understanding of our village’s past.
At the bottom of this page are some slide shows, showing how the village has changed since the 1800s, including some important events which affected Dordon.
Contents:
- Dordon's name and earliest inhabitants
- Bronze Age Dordon
- Iron Age Dordon
- Roman Dordon
- Freasley - an Anglo-Saxon clearing
- The early Mediaeval settlements of Dordon
- Tudor Dordon
- Dordon Brick and Tile works
- Remembrance
- The Duke of York's visit in 1924
- The Dordon Blitz
- Chairs of Dordon Parish Council
- Dordon's Photo Album
- Dordon in the newspapers
- Slide shows
- Walking in Historic Dordon
- The lost settlement of Streetway
- Dordon Hayes in the 18th century
Part of the ruined brickyard south of the church, where claypits are still clearly visible. The silver birch trees are by far the most prominent species growing here, this was also the case hundreds of years ago when this this area was called Birch Coppice.
Dordon’s unique name
There is only one Dordon in the whole of the United Kingdom! Although there are several Grendons, no other village has our name. The origin of the name is still a bit of a mystery; however, “don” is Celtic (pre-Roman) for hill and “dor” is Old English for passage or gateway - which may refer to the original village of Dordon (which was near the site of the present Manor Farm on the west side of Dordon Hall Lane) being the “gateway” between the hills of Baddesley Ensor and the hill where Dordon Hall now stands.
Other interpretations are that it means “hill of the dawn” referring to how the sun rises over the hill near Dordon Hall or “hill of the deer” as the area was part of the Forest of Arden and certainly the woodland would have been used for hunting. It is unlikely that we will ever know for sure, but what we can say for sure is that the name, or part of it, is older than Roman!
Did you know that Dordon has a history which stretches back at least 5000 years?
Flint implements have been found just north of junction 10 of the M42, dating from the Neolithic (“New Stone Age”) period. This suggests that early farmers were settling in this area. During work on the Birch Coppice Business Park site other remains of Neolithic occupation were discovered. Fragments of a Bronze Age pottery “beaker” were discovered in the Lower House Farm area. This means that long before the Romans built the Watling Street people were living within our parish and farming the land.
There is only one Dordon in the whole of the United Kingdom! Although there are several Grendons, no other village has our name. The origin of the name is still a bit of a mystery; however, “don” is Celtic (pre-Roman) for hill and “dor” is Old English for passage or gateway - which may refer to the original village of Dordon (which was near the site of the present Manor Farm on the west side of Dordon Hall Lane) being the “gateway” between the hills of Baddesley Ensor and the hill where Dordon Hall now stands.
Other interpretations are that it means “hill of the dawn” referring to how the sun rises over the hill near Dordon Hall or “hill of the deer” as the area was part of the Forest of Arden and certainly the woodland would have been used for hunting. It is unlikely that we will ever know for sure, but what we can say for sure is that the name, or part of it, is older than Roman!
Did you know that Dordon has a history which stretches back at least 5000 years?
Flint implements have been found just north of junction 10 of the M42, dating from the Neolithic (“New Stone Age”) period. This suggests that early farmers were settling in this area. During work on the Birch Coppice Business Park site other remains of Neolithic occupation were discovered. Fragments of a Bronze Age pottery “beaker” were discovered in the Lower House Farm area. This means that long before the Romans built the Watling Street people were living within our parish and farming the land.
The “straight fields” were probably farmed over 4000 years ago!
Our Bronze Age Ancestors at Lower House Farm
In 2011 Oxford Archaeology undertook an Archaeological Survey of the area just off Boulters Lane before work started on a new development.
What they found was really exciting. They had uncovered the remains of five cremated people, in shallow pits. From the bone fragments of three of them, the experts could tell that there was one man, one woman and an adolescent; it was not possible to tell the age or sex of the other two, as the fragments were too small. The bones date from 1495–1319 BCE. The bodies had been burnt on a funeral pyre, then the fragments of bone were buried with the ashes and charred wood from the pyre in shallow pits.
In 2011 Oxford Archaeology undertook an Archaeological Survey of the area just off Boulters Lane before work started on a new development.
What they found was really exciting. They had uncovered the remains of five cremated people, in shallow pits. From the bone fragments of three of them, the experts could tell that there was one man, one woman and an adolescent; it was not possible to tell the age or sex of the other two, as the fragments were too small. The bones date from 1495–1319 BCE. The bodies had been burnt on a funeral pyre, then the fragments of bone were buried with the ashes and charred wood from the pyre in shallow pits.
The cremation pits were found near the eastern edge of the site.
Reconstruction of a Bronze Age pyre: the body would be placed on top.
From looking at the charred wood fragments, the archaeologists could tell that one pyre was of oak, and others of hazel and alder; this tells us what type of trees grew nearby.
One of the pits showing the charred remains of the funeral pyre. (Photo by Oxford Archaeology).
The same pit after excavation. Originally the pits may have been deeper but farming on the site over hundreds of years may have taken the top layer off. (Photo by Oxford Archaeology).
To date, these 5 individuals are the oldest known residents of our parish!
Thanks to Oxford Archaeology for letting us use their report
To date, these 5 individuals are the oldest known residents of our parish!
Thanks to Oxford Archaeology for letting us use their report
Dordon Parish expands as a farming community.
Iron Age (800 BC or BCE to 42 AD or CE) *
After the Bronze Age and before the Romans had built the Watling Street,
people continued to farm and settle in our parish. Aerial photographs of the
area just south of Hall End Farm before Birch Coppice Business Park was built
show an enclosed area which archaeologists think was an Iron Age enclosure
possibly for keeping animals in.
Iron Age (800 BC or BCE to 42 AD or CE) *
After the Bronze Age and before the Romans had built the Watling Street,
people continued to farm and settle in our parish. Aerial photographs of the
area just south of Hall End Farm before Birch Coppice Business Park was built
show an enclosed area which archaeologists think was an Iron Age enclosure
possibly for keeping animals in.
You can see the Iron Age enclosure on the bottom of the photograph making a D shape. Note you can see Hall End Cottages to the left of the picture and Hall End Farm to the north of the enclosure. The photo was taken in 1985.
Just East of Junction 10 of the M42, archaeologists found more remains of Iron Age farming including two rectangular enclosures or paddocks, a gully and a ditch. This shows that farming had become well established in the area now south of the A5.
When the roundabout onto Junction 10 of the M42 was being built a gold slater (coin) from the first century BC (or BCE) was found. It was very worn, but the design of a wreath could be made out.
When the roundabout onto Junction 10 of the M42 was being built a gold slater (coin) from the first century BC (or BCE) was found. It was very worn, but the design of a wreath could be made out.
The gold slater found in 1985 would look something like this.
*BC stands for “Before Christ”.
BCE stands for “Before Common Era”.
AD stands for “Anno Domini” which is Latin for “the year of our Lord”
CE stands for “Common Era”.
BCE stands for “Before Common Era”.
AD stands for “Anno Domini” which is Latin for “the year of our Lord”
CE stands for “Common Era”.
Roman Dordon
When the Romans arrived, Dordon Parish was already a thriving farming area. The Iron Age farmsteads found during archaeological investigations continued to be inhabited into the Roman Period. The settlement to the north west of junction 10 of the M42 revealed three roman post holes as well as pottery.
The most obvious change to the area was the construction of Watling Street.
Watling Street began at Richborough in Kent and continued to Wroxeter near the Welsh border (later it was extended all the way to Anglesey). We do not know what the Romans would have called the road as the name Watling Street comes from the Old English Wæcelinga Stræt, referring to a tribe near St. Albans.
It is most likely that there was already a trackway here, but the Romans made it into a proper roadway for travelling from one place to another and transporting goods.
Early Mining Community
It is very likely that Romans extracted coal from the Orchard site, as it is close to Watling Street and they had learned that coal burned better than wood. They used it in the pottery and glassmaking processes where coal was available. Both industries were carried out at Mancetter (Roman name Manduessedum). During the excavation of the glassworks at Mancetter, fragments of coal were found to support this theory. The Orchard site, according to Laurence Fretwell in his unpublished book “The Warwickshire Coalfield” (available in Atherstone and Polesworth libraries), would have been ideal as not only is it close to Watling Street, but also the coal is close to the surface.
When the Romans arrived, Dordon Parish was already a thriving farming area. The Iron Age farmsteads found during archaeological investigations continued to be inhabited into the Roman Period. The settlement to the north west of junction 10 of the M42 revealed three roman post holes as well as pottery.
The most obvious change to the area was the construction of Watling Street.
Watling Street began at Richborough in Kent and continued to Wroxeter near the Welsh border (later it was extended all the way to Anglesey). We do not know what the Romans would have called the road as the name Watling Street comes from the Old English Wæcelinga Stræt, referring to a tribe near St. Albans.
It is most likely that there was already a trackway here, but the Romans made it into a proper roadway for travelling from one place to another and transporting goods.
Early Mining Community
It is very likely that Romans extracted coal from the Orchard site, as it is close to Watling Street and they had learned that coal burned better than wood. They used it in the pottery and glassmaking processes where coal was available. Both industries were carried out at Mancetter (Roman name Manduessedum). During the excavation of the glassworks at Mancetter, fragments of coal were found to support this theory. The Orchard site, according to Laurence Fretwell in his unpublished book “The Warwickshire Coalfield” (available in Atherstone and Polesworth libraries), would have been ideal as not only is it close to Watling Street, but also the coal is close to the surface.
The Orchard Site was later used for open cast mining. If you walk over the site debris from coal extraction can still be seen.
Roman Coin Hoard
In 1848 a large hoard of coins was found somewhere within the straight fields area. These coins or denarii were of emperors Vespasian, Hadrian, Pius the Younger and Faustina dating from 69AD to 176AD. Roman artifacts were also found to the west of Long Street giving Roman Way its name.
Roman Coin Hoard
In 1848 a large hoard of coins was found somewhere within the straight fields area. These coins or denarii were of emperors Vespasian, Hadrian, Pius the Younger and Faustina dating from 69AD to 176AD. Roman artifacts were also found to the west of Long Street giving Roman Way its name.
Denarius of Vespasian like the ones found at Dordon
Denarius of Hadrian
An Anglo-Saxon Woodland Clearing
The Parish of Dordon includes the small Hamlet of Freasley. This area was in the ancient Forest of Arden, a huge area of woodland which stretched from Stratford on Avon to Tamworth. If a place has a name ending with -ley, -lea or -leigh, this tells us it is Anglo-Saxon and means “Woodland clearing” suggesting that sometime during this period (roughly 410 AD/CE to 1066 AD/CE*) people began living here. The “Kettle Brook” supplied water for any inhabitants.
The Freas- part of the name is more of a mystery: it could be named after the Saxon Goddess Frea or it could be named after a man called Fresa - so Freasley would mean “Frea’s” or “Fresa’s clearing”. Another suggestion was that it meant “Clearing of the Frisians”. The Frisians were a tribe from Northern Germany who came to England as part of the Anglo-Saxon invasion once the Romans had left.
Placenames ending in -Ley are very common in the forest of Arden eg. Fillongley, Henley in Arden and Arley.
* AD or Anno Domini means “In the year of our Lord”, CE means “Common Era”
The Freas- part of the name is more of a mystery: it could be named after the Saxon Goddess Frea or it could be named after a man called Fresa - so Freasley would mean “Frea’s” or “Fresa’s clearing”. Another suggestion was that it meant “Clearing of the Frisians”. The Frisians were a tribe from Northern Germany who came to England as part of the Anglo-Saxon invasion once the Romans had left.
Placenames ending in -Ley are very common in the forest of Arden eg. Fillongley, Henley in Arden and Arley.
* AD or Anno Domini means “In the year of our Lord”, CE means “Common Era”
The early medieval settlements of the Parish of Dordon
In 1656, Sir William Dugdale published his Antiquities of Warwickshire. Sir William was a keen Medieval historian. He lived at Blyth Hall near Shustoke and fathered 19 children! In his book he provides us with a list of all the settlements and hamlets then within the Parish of Polesworth. Reading Sir William’s book and looking at archaeological investigations of the area from the early 1980’s until recently we can piece together a picture of what this area looked like in the 12th to the 14th centuries (1100-1300s).
William Dugdale
When we think of Dordon today we think of one large village together with the hamlet of Freasley - but 1,000 years ago there were 5 small settlements! These have been recorded and partially discovered during archaeological works.
Here is a map showing where we think the settlements were
Settlement 1: Freasley
We know from the name that there was a settlement here from Saxon times. This area has not been excavated but is well documented and fortunately the Common dating back to this distant period still exists!
According to William Dugdale the Marmion family who owned Tamworth Castle originally owned the land and gave it to the de Kaily family as part of a Knight’s fee. Robert de Kaily (there are lots of different spellings) did not have any sons to inherit so in 1240 he gave the mill and fishpond to the Nuns at Polesworth and also gave two thirds of the hamlet to Lillishall Abbey in Shropshire, where he wished to be buried. We think we can locate the medieval mill site from a rather overgrown pond in the south west of the hamlet. Later we know from sources that Robert’s brother-in-law Simon de Whitacre was given hunting rights to the area in 1256, which at this point was within the Forest of Arden and so presumably good for hunting deer.
We know from the name that there was a settlement here from Saxon times. This area has not been excavated but is well documented and fortunately the Common dating back to this distant period still exists!
According to William Dugdale the Marmion family who owned Tamworth Castle originally owned the land and gave it to the de Kaily family as part of a Knight’s fee. Robert de Kaily (there are lots of different spellings) did not have any sons to inherit so in 1240 he gave the mill and fishpond to the Nuns at Polesworth and also gave two thirds of the hamlet to Lillishall Abbey in Shropshire, where he wished to be buried. We think we can locate the medieval mill site from a rather overgrown pond in the south west of the hamlet. Later we know from sources that Robert’s brother-in-law Simon de Whitacre was given hunting rights to the area in 1256, which at this point was within the Forest of Arden and so presumably good for hunting deer.
Overgrown pool; possibly the site of the Medieval Mill given to the nuns at Polesworth.
Settlement 2: Dodenhale?
In his book Dugdale describes a “depopulated place” called Dodenhale. The village was originally owned by William Sauvage Lord of Pooley and a Merchant called Richard Dodenhale of Coventry who in 1383 became Mayor of Coventry. By the time of Richard II (1377-1399) the two men had given the settlement to the Nuns at Polesworth. In return, according to Dugdale, the Nuns would pray and say masses for the souls of Richard, Alice and Beatrice - his two wives - to help them travel through purgatory and up to heaven more quickly! From the order in which Dugdale describes the settlements we think that Dodenhale might have been somewhere near Hall End. In the early 1980’s during archaeological surveys carried out before the M42 was built, a settlement site was found. It seems it had been there since Roman times but from pottery evidence had died out by the end of 14th Century (1300s). Could this be Dodenhale? According to the archaeologists some of the pottery was Cannock Chase ware, showing that there was trading with Staffordshire in this period - possibly via the market at Tamworth.
After this date the land was probably part of a single farm.
Settlement 3: Hall End
According to Dugdale there is no written evidence that Hall End existed before 1485; however, at this date the land was given to the Corbin family which does suggest that there was a manor or settlement to give! During excavations before Birch Coppice business Park was built, a medieval field system and enclosures were found. It is thought that the settlement was probably to the South of Hall End Farm. It is likely that there was a manor house in this area before Hall End Hall was built in the 16th century.
Settlement 4: Original Site of Baddesley Ensor - a Deserted Medieval Village
As mentioned previously, the site of the Lower House Farm off Boulters Lane had been occupied since the Bronze Age. When Oxford Archaeology investigated the site in 2011, they discovered remains of ridge and furrow where fields had been ploughed for hundreds of years and also pottery dating from 1100 to 1400. They also found remains of an oven which had been covered with turf. Some of the pottery was glazed meaning it was made in specialised kilns and mainly consisted of cooking pots and jugs that showed signs of use as they had soot residue still attached to them. From the bone evidence we know that the people living here ate pigs and kept cattle - plus there was also the remains of a horse.
In his book Dugdale describes a “depopulated place” called Dodenhale. The village was originally owned by William Sauvage Lord of Pooley and a Merchant called Richard Dodenhale of Coventry who in 1383 became Mayor of Coventry. By the time of Richard II (1377-1399) the two men had given the settlement to the Nuns at Polesworth. In return, according to Dugdale, the Nuns would pray and say masses for the souls of Richard, Alice and Beatrice - his two wives - to help them travel through purgatory and up to heaven more quickly! From the order in which Dugdale describes the settlements we think that Dodenhale might have been somewhere near Hall End. In the early 1980’s during archaeological surveys carried out before the M42 was built, a settlement site was found. It seems it had been there since Roman times but from pottery evidence had died out by the end of 14th Century (1300s). Could this be Dodenhale? According to the archaeologists some of the pottery was Cannock Chase ware, showing that there was trading with Staffordshire in this period - possibly via the market at Tamworth.
After this date the land was probably part of a single farm.
Settlement 3: Hall End
According to Dugdale there is no written evidence that Hall End existed before 1485; however, at this date the land was given to the Corbin family which does suggest that there was a manor or settlement to give! During excavations before Birch Coppice business Park was built, a medieval field system and enclosures were found. It is thought that the settlement was probably to the South of Hall End Farm. It is likely that there was a manor house in this area before Hall End Hall was built in the 16th century.
Settlement 4: Original Site of Baddesley Ensor - a Deserted Medieval Village
As mentioned previously, the site of the Lower House Farm off Boulters Lane had been occupied since the Bronze Age. When Oxford Archaeology investigated the site in 2011, they discovered remains of ridge and furrow where fields had been ploughed for hundreds of years and also pottery dating from 1100 to 1400. They also found remains of an oven which had been covered with turf. Some of the pottery was glazed meaning it was made in specialised kilns and mainly consisted of cooking pots and jugs that showed signs of use as they had soot residue still attached to them. From the bone evidence we know that the people living here ate pigs and kept cattle - plus there was also the remains of a horse.
Archaeological illustration showing the remains of ridge and furrow, (how medieval farmers ploughed the fields) in brown.
This is what Ridge and Furrow at Lower House Farm would have looked like.
The ridges are caused by the plough going up and down along the same ridge year after year.
Among the pottery remains there was remains of a cistern, a large vessel used in the brewing of ale or beer, so we have an idea what our ancestors were drinking.
It is most likely that this site was part of the old village of Baddesley Ensor as the original church of St Nicholas was nearby (the other side of Boulters Lane) and settlements tended to grow up around the church. It is likely that like Dodenhale the settlement was reduced to one or two farms - and in this case a new village was built on the top of the hill to the east of the old settlement. We know the church was Norman, and an arch from the chapel survives in the present Baddesley Ensor churchyard. The footings of the chapel are still visible.
Foundations of the Norman Chapel at Baddesley Ensor (demolished 1848).
Remains of a Norman arch from the original church can now be seen in the churchyard of the present St Nicholas Church Baddesley Ensor.
According to Dugdale, Baddesley Ensor belonged to the Parish of Polesworth at the time of the Norman Conquest (1066). Like Freasely the “ley” part of the name refers to a woodland clearing and is Anglo Saxon (Old English) in origin. This would be another clearing within the forest of Arden. Dugdale says that at the time of Edward the Confessor (1042-1066) a man called Brictric held the land. After the Norman Conquest (1066) the land was owned by the Earls of Warwick who gave it to Monks at Gerondon Abbey Leicestershire; however, the land was given back to the Earls of Warwick who paid them 10 silver marks. The chapel itself was looked after by the nuns at Polesworth Abbey.
Settlement 5: The Original Hamlet of Dordon
We know that the original hamlet of Dordon was situated to the west of Dordon Hall Lane.
In 1997 a field walking survey was carried out by the University of Leicester, revealing lots of medieval pottery. It was suggested that the settlement was close to Manor Farm Cottage and dated from 1000 to the 1500s. We know from documents that there was an earlier Manor House or Hall before the present Dordon Hall. As yet we are not sure where exactly it was, but the settlement here probably serviced it. A lot of the pottery found was made at the Chilvers Coton kilns in Nuneaton.
The road servicing this hamlet can still be seen today as the 1000-year-old road of Dordon Hall Lane is still in use. It is in part a rare survival of a hollow way and connected the people of the hamlet with the Watling Street and Polesworth.
The top of the hollow way, a 1000-year-old road, showing a landscape that has not changed significantly in hundreds of years.
According to Dugdale the hamlet of Dordon belonged to the Marmion family, then was given to Roger de Grendon (1100-1135). By the reign of Edward I 1239- 1307) the hamlet was owned by William Bagot who in 1274 sold his inheritance to Roger de Meulend Bishop of Coventry for 11 silver marks!
However, there was a clause: The Bishop had to pay a penny or give a pair of gloves to the de Grendons every Easter.
Midlands purple ware. This type of pottery was made in Chilvers Coton Nuneaton and found at the Dordon site.
The Importance of the Church in the early Medieval Period
Out of the five sites we have talked about, three have links to the church. At Freasley the nuns of Polesworth owned the mill and the monks of Lillishall were given two thirds of the hamlet so that Robert de Kaily could be buried at the abbey.
Lillishall Abbey Shropshire where Robert de Kaily hoped to be buried.
Dodenhale was given to the nuns of Polesworth so that masses could be said for the souls of the Dodenhale family so that when they died, they would move faster through purgatory and reach heaven! According to Dugdale the Nuns owned the chapel of St Nicholas which presumably meant any money given to the church of St Nicholas along with rent for the surrounding land they owned would go to the Abbey.
The importance of Pottery
Finding pottery in the settlements tells us a lot about trade at the time. We know that on Thursdays there was a market in Polesworth which coincided with the nuns giving out free bread and ale, known as “dole”, to the poor. Local people would travel there to buy things they could not make or grow themselves. In the recent excavation report on Polesworth Abbey by MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology- Northampton) several types of pottery used at the Abbey were listed. These included Chilvers Coton Ware made in Nuneaton, and Coventry ware - a fragment of which was found on the Lower House farm site. However, at Dodenhale, Cannock Chase ware was found; and at Lower House Farm, South Staffordshire ware was found similar to pieces found at an archaeological dig at Wishaw. This tells us that perhaps people also visited Tamworth Market and bought Staffordshire pottery - or possibly bought pots from the itinerant pottery salesmen who would travel between Nuneaton, Polesworth and Tamworth markets, travelling along the Watling Street passing through the settlements.
The importance of Pottery
Finding pottery in the settlements tells us a lot about trade at the time. We know that on Thursdays there was a market in Polesworth which coincided with the nuns giving out free bread and ale, known as “dole”, to the poor. Local people would travel there to buy things they could not make or grow themselves. In the recent excavation report on Polesworth Abbey by MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology- Northampton) several types of pottery used at the Abbey were listed. These included Chilvers Coton Ware made in Nuneaton, and Coventry ware - a fragment of which was found on the Lower House farm site. However, at Dodenhale, Cannock Chase ware was found; and at Lower House Farm, South Staffordshire ware was found similar to pieces found at an archaeological dig at Wishaw. This tells us that perhaps people also visited Tamworth Market and bought Staffordshire pottery - or possibly bought pots from the itinerant pottery salesmen who would travel between Nuneaton, Polesworth and Tamworth markets, travelling along the Watling Street passing through the settlements.
This type of pottery was made in Chilvers Coton Nuneaton in the 1200s and was found at Dordon. Over 40 kilns have been found at Chilvers Coton.
Many Thanks to John Cotter of Oxford Archaeology and Margaret Henley for their input.
Tudor Dordon
Although the Tudor period (1485-1603) seems in the distant past there are clues to who lived in Dordon parish and what life may have been like. We even have a couple of buildings surviving from this date!
Who owned the land in Dordon Parish?
The Tudor period (1485-1603) was a very interesting time for the Parish of Dordon. After the dissolution of the Monasteries which affected Polesworth Abbey and the chapel at Hoo (which was demolished in 1538), the land held by the church became owned by a variety of people. For example, in Freasley the land was owned by members of the Pulteney family who also owned land in Over Whitacre and owned Holt Hall - which was situated where Hall End Farm is now.
The Tudor period (1485-1603) was a very interesting time for the Parish of Dordon. After the dissolution of the Monasteries which affected Polesworth Abbey and the chapel at Hoo (which was demolished in 1538), the land held by the church became owned by a variety of people. For example, in Freasley the land was owned by members of the Pulteney family who also owned land in Over Whitacre and owned Holt Hall - which was situated where Hall End Farm is now.
The Pulteney coat of arms showing three leopards heads.
A document exists recording the selling of the land previously held by the Nuns in Freasley, including the mill, to a James Leveson in 1545. By the late 1480s the hamlet of Hall End was held by the Corbin Family; the first being Nicholas Corbin who inherited the land, after marrying Lady Jane Sturmy, from his father-in-law. The couple had 12 children! From 1535 until 1555 part of the land was leased to Oliver Lynde.
Lady Jane Sturmy (sometimes spelt Sturmie) wife of Nicholas Corbin
Nicholas died at Hall End in the 1550’s suggesting that a hall existed before this date. A new hall was started in 1584 in (the Elizabethan period) by George Corbin. This is the hall older residents of the parish will remember as it survived into the 1960s.
Hall End Hall was a fine example of an Elizabethan Manor House.
The Chetwynd family still owned the majority of Dordon; however, between 1547 and 1551 part of the land was claimed by the Wingfields, and from 1588 Robert Harcourt and his descendants were claiming rent from some tenants in Dordon.
So, from the records, we know that there were two halls, Holt Hall and Hall End Hall, on opposite sides of the Watling Street during the Tudor period.
The land known as Dodenhale passed to a Nicholas Trappes after the dissolution, and then to his daughter Mary Pawlett and her husband Giles.
So, from the records, we know that there were two halls, Holt Hall and Hall End Hall, on opposite sides of the Watling Street during the Tudor period.
The land known as Dodenhale passed to a Nicholas Trappes after the dissolution, and then to his daughter Mary Pawlett and her husband Giles.
How did the landowners make their money
An early drawing of coal miners.
We know that the Chetwynd family made a lot of their money in Dordon and Polesworth by leasing mining rights to various industrialists to extract coal and clay and use the timber.
Staffordshire Record office have a large archive of papers dating to this period that record who was leasing the land.
Thomas Sylver
We are lucky to have several documents regarding Thomas Sylver. We know that he lived in Ashley on Wood, Shustoke, and on 25th May 1576 married Joyce Payne in Mancetter. A record exists from 1st October 1590 where Thomas leases land in Dordon from William Chetwynd for a down payment of £20 (worth about £3,432.95 today) and then pays £9 every year on 9th January. Nine pounds would be worth £1,544.83 today. According to the National Archives, this is what you could buy with £9:
Staffordshire Record office have a large archive of papers dating to this period that record who was leasing the land.
Thomas Sylver
We are lucky to have several documents regarding Thomas Sylver. We know that he lived in Ashley on Wood, Shustoke, and on 25th May 1576 married Joyce Payne in Mancetter. A record exists from 1st October 1590 where Thomas leases land in Dordon from William Chetwynd for a down payment of £20 (worth about £3,432.95 today) and then pays £9 every year on 9th January. Nine pounds would be worth £1,544.83 today. According to the National Archives, this is what you could buy with £9:
For his money Thomas was allowed to take coal from open veins and mines and dig new pits. He was allowed to take the coal away on horse and carts. Thomas continued to mine in Dordon until his death in 1609. Part of his will survives. Thomas died a wealthy man; his inventory included the following:
Item |
Value in £sd (Pounds, Shillings & pence) |
Value today |
One Cow and calf |
£2. 6s. 4d |
£310.65 |
Cart |
2s. 10d |
£27.09 |
Hens and corn |
2s. 0d |
£19.00 |
Two beds and furniture |
2s. 10d |
£27.09 |
Brass and pewter |
2s. 10d |
£27.09 |
224 loads of coal |
26s. 0d |
£248.00 |
Money went a lot further back then; but an average farm worker only earned roughly 5d a day (£4 a day in today’s money) so would not be able to afford luxury goods such as brass and pewter mentioned in Thomas Sylver’s will.
The 1590’s seems to have been a boom time for the coal industry in Dordon. William Chetwynd also leased land to John Whyttington of Staffordshire giving him rights to extract coal and clay from Dordon.
The 1590’s seems to have been a boom time for the coal industry in Dordon. William Chetwynd also leased land to John Whyttington of Staffordshire giving him rights to extract coal and clay from Dordon.
Part of the 1590 lease made out to John Whyttington which also mentions the name Barkley. (You can make out the name Dordon as the first word on the fourth row down).
It is interesting that neither John Whyttington nor Thomas Sylver lived in the parish, suggesting that the area was well known for its coal and was seen even at this date as a centre for the coal industry, attracting interest from industrialists beyond the parish boundaries.
Who lived in Dordon?
It is hard to track down who lived in Dordon in the 1500s, although there would have been lots of miners and agricultural labourers. However, we do know that a John Bartlett lived here as on 27th July 1589 he is recorded as having his son Guillyelmus (William) baptised in Grendon Church.
Are there any houses from the Tudor period surviving today?
There are two rare survivals of Tudor housing in Dordon parish.
The first can be found at Freasley. Yew Tree House is a Grade II listed building; it is timber framed in part with hand-made brick infilling, with two-storeys and an attic space. Later the house was extended.
Who lived in Dordon?
It is hard to track down who lived in Dordon in the 1500s, although there would have been lots of miners and agricultural labourers. However, we do know that a John Bartlett lived here as on 27th July 1589 he is recorded as having his son Guillyelmus (William) baptised in Grendon Church.
Are there any houses from the Tudor period surviving today?
There are two rare survivals of Tudor housing in Dordon parish.
The first can be found at Freasley. Yew Tree House is a Grade II listed building; it is timber framed in part with hand-made brick infilling, with two-storeys and an attic space. Later the house was extended.
One of the doors of Yew Tree House showing the date when the house was built.
The second house is Dordon Hall, another Grade II listed building. The black and white part dates back to the early 1500’s.
Photo curtesy of Davina Ridley
Who built Dordon Hall remains a mystery at present; we know that during this period the Chetwynd family owned the land but whether either they or a wealthy tenant built it is unclear. The original house consisted of a cellar, two rooms on the ground floor - one with a large inglenook fireplace, two upper rooms and an extensive attic with an inner storeroom. In the attic there is a rare survival of a partition wall and wooden door made of elm with a wooden latch.
Restored inglenook fireplace photo curtesy of Davina Ridley.
Tudor wall partition and oak door. Photo curtesy of Davina Ridley.
The house would have originally had a thatched roof and compared to other houses in the hamlet be of high status. At the time of its building, the house would have been the highest building for several miles as all other farms and halls were on lower ground. The builder was making quite a statement! The house was built away from the original settlement which was further to the south (roughly where Manor Farm is now) - however it is likely that there were a few cottages built to the north of the hall, maybe for farm labourers.
The house was built of timber with brick infilling; it is likely that the clay for the bricks came from land to the south of the house where there is now a pond.
From the various types of evidence, it is clear that the hamlets making up Dordon Parish were thriving. We know of at least two large halls and at least one high status farmhouse. Local industrialists were leasing land to extract clay and coal providing work for local families, probably bringing new families to the area.
The house was built of timber with brick infilling; it is likely that the clay for the bricks came from land to the south of the house where there is now a pond.
From the various types of evidence, it is clear that the hamlets making up Dordon Parish were thriving. We know of at least two large halls and at least one high status farmhouse. Local industrialists were leasing land to extract clay and coal providing work for local families, probably bringing new families to the area.
The Dordon Brick and Tile works - a very rare survival
Although there are lots of photographs of the local collieries, photographs of the various brickworks in Dordon are much rarer. We are grateful to Mandy Andrews (nee Milner) for letting us share this photograph of workers at the Brick and Tile Works in Long St, now the site of Derek Avenue and the Recreation Ground.
Site of the Brick and Tile Works in the photo.
The Duke of York drives through Dordon
Did you know that the Duke of York, who later became George VI (our present Queen’s father), once passed through our village?
On May 29th 1924, the Duke of York visited Tamworth to open a new wing of the hospital, then in the afternoon visited Pooley Hall Colliery and then travelled on to Higham Grange to visit convalescing miners.
Higham Grange (Courtesy of Our Warwickshire).
His route took him through Polesworth and Dordon and onto Watling Street (now the A5).
Part of the route published in the Tamworth Herald on 10th May 1924 mentioning Dordon and Watling St.
Apparently, people who lived in Long St and on the Watling St decorated their houses and stood and cheered as he drove by.
After his visit, the Duke of York sent a message to the Chairman of Atherstone Parish Council.
After his visit, the Duke of York sent a message to the Chairman of Atherstone Parish Council.
Midland Counties Tribune 13th June 1924.
Part of the message reads “His Royal Highness was…. extremely pleased with the beautiful and tasteful way in which his route was decorated in his honour, and His Royal Highness trusts you will take an early opportunity of conveying to your townspeople how much the Duke appreciated their very evident loyalty.”
Do you know of any photographs that exist of Dordon decorated in his honour? Perhaps you remember an elderly relative mentioning it? If so, we would love to hear from you.
Do you know of any photographs that exist of Dordon decorated in his honour? Perhaps you remember an elderly relative mentioning it? If so, we would love to hear from you.
Daily Mirror 30th May 1924: the Duke of York coming out of Pooley Hall Colliery with Colonel Chaytor, the mine owner.
The Dordon Blitz
During 1941 Birmingham and Coventry were regularly bombed by the Luftwaffe. On the night of 4/5th June 1941 on their way back from a bombing raid, the enemy jettisoned bombs across North Warwickshire including Dordon. 12 Shortwoods took a direct hit killing 8 people including 3 children. William and Christian Egan and their young children Betty (aged 5) and Nial (aged 4) were killed along with Florence Geary and her two sons: Albert Henry (aged 20) and Kenneth (aged 10). Only Albert Florence’s husband survived as he was not in the main house but in an outhouse smoking his pipe. John Thomas Chetwynd a local Air Raid Warden from Long St was also killed in the blast.
The Egans and Gearys were buried in Atherstone after a Catholic funeral. John Thomas Chetwynd was buried in Dordon Churchyard.
Albert Henry Geary and John Thomas Chetwynd are mentioned on our War memorial.
On 13th November 2021, a bench and plaque was unveiled on the green opposite the war memorial, in remembrance of this sad event.
The Egans and Gearys were buried in Atherstone after a Catholic funeral. John Thomas Chetwynd was buried in Dordon Churchyard.
Albert Henry Geary and John Thomas Chetwynd are mentioned on our War memorial.
On 13th November 2021, a bench and plaque was unveiled on the green opposite the war memorial, in remembrance of this sad event.
Dordon War Memorial: note that Albert Geary’s inscription is written incorrectly as Alfred!
All the Chairs of Dordon Parish Council since 1948
Do you recognise any of these names? The first Chairman was elected in 1948, and there have been a further 25 Chairs elected since then!
1948-1953 Councillor J. C. Mitcheson
1953-1955 Councillor E. Bond
1955-1958 Councillor W. A. Brown
1958-1962 Councillor Rev. L. Buckroyd
1962-1963 Councillor C. Garnett
1963-1965 Councillor W. Eastoe
1965-1966 Councillor J. Ison
1966-1967 Councillor J.E. Ward
1967-1968 Councillor T. Smith
1968-1969 Councillor E. Bond
1969-1970 Councillor W.A. Brown
1970-1972 Councillor C.W.E Wood
1972-1986 Councillor E. Bond
1986-1988 Councillor D. Hynes
1988-1990 Councillor M.H. Bain
1990-1992 Councillor R.T. Parnell
1992-1995 Councillor P.F. Morson
1995-1999 Councillor J. Winter
1999- 2001 Councillor A. Willis
2001-2003 Councillor C. Downs
2003-2007 Councillor P.F. Morson
2007-2009 Councillor C. Downs
2009-2015 Councillor A.Curtis
2015-2017 Councillor J. Winter
2017- 2021 Councillor P.F. Morson
2021- Councillor B.J.L. Melia
1948-1953 Councillor J. C. Mitcheson
1953-1955 Councillor E. Bond
1955-1958 Councillor W. A. Brown
1958-1962 Councillor Rev. L. Buckroyd
1962-1963 Councillor C. Garnett
1963-1965 Councillor W. Eastoe
1965-1966 Councillor J. Ison
1966-1967 Councillor J.E. Ward
1967-1968 Councillor T. Smith
1968-1969 Councillor E. Bond
1969-1970 Councillor W.A. Brown
1970-1972 Councillor C.W.E Wood
1972-1986 Councillor E. Bond
1986-1988 Councillor D. Hynes
1988-1990 Councillor M.H. Bain
1990-1992 Councillor R.T. Parnell
1992-1995 Councillor P.F. Morson
1995-1999 Councillor J. Winter
1999- 2001 Councillor A. Willis
2001-2003 Councillor C. Downs
2003-2007 Councillor P.F. Morson
2007-2009 Councillor C. Downs
2009-2015 Councillor A.Curtis
2015-2017 Councillor J. Winter
2017- 2021 Councillor P.F. Morson
2021- Councillor B.J.L. Melia
Dordon's Photo Album
The following photos show various aspects of Dordon life over the years. Many thanks to those who have contributed photographs.
Dordon's Mothers Union outside the village hall. The hall was built in 1923, possibly this photo was taken in the 1920's.
This is a picture of the football team of Polesworth Central School (now Polesworth High School) in 1934. Thanks to Andy Baxter for sharing this with us.
Class 4D, Polesworth High School, 1948
Dordon Darby and Joan Club with the Reverend Don Wrapson. Thanks to Albert Bradford for sharing this with us.
The above picture is of the Dordon Methodist Church Anniversary, held every year in the village hall as there were too many people to fit in the chapel! The Sunday School children sat on the stage with musicians below. The anniversary was still held in the village hall until the early 1970s.
What the papers said...
We can find out a lot about the history of Dordon by looking at past newspaper articles. Here are a selection:
Here's a slide show showing how Dordon has changed over time, with pictures from the 19th to the 21st centuries!
The following slide show was created for Year Six at Dordon Primary School.
Here is a snapshot of the improvements which happened in Dordon in 1993-4
The following slideshow was made for year 5 at Dordon Primary School, as part of their project on mining
Did you know Dordon Parish council was established in 1948? Here is a slide show of photographs of Dordon Parish Councillors over the last 70+ years!
Walking in Historic Dordon
Many residents enjoy walking in the lanes and woods in Dordon did you know that some of our lanes date back hundreds of years?
Dordon Hall Lane, for example, is over a thousand years old!
Dordon Hall Lane, for example, is over a thousand years old!
Dordon Hall Lane looking towards Grendon.
Brown’s Lane and the footpath known as “The Stumps” date back to at least 1722, as they are marked on an old estate map. Long Street also existed hundreds of years ago, connecting Polesworth with the Watling Street.
Recently the Neighbourhood Plan Team used old estate and tithe maps to plot where our ancient hedgerows still exist. We have quite a few that date back well over 300 years. So why not download our map below and next time you go for a walk see if you can recognise some of our oldest hedgerows?
Recently the Neighbourhood Plan Team used old estate and tithe maps to plot where our ancient hedgerows still exist. We have quite a few that date back well over 300 years. So why not download our map below and next time you go for a walk see if you can recognise some of our oldest hedgerows?
