User:Emerald-wiki/sandbox

Coordinates
53.047°N, -3.662°W

52.75°N, -3.25°W

52.7734°N, -3.2077°W

52.7806°N, -3.2961°W

Useful links for future projects
Monasteries and abbeys: http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=GSv77Ry8oW4C&pg=PA119&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false

Early Medieval Cemeteries in Mid and North-east Wales: http://www.cpat.org.uk/resource/reports/cpat1071.pdf See p4 re cist burials near Pentrefoelas (5th century)

An Historical Atlas of Wales

History of Lye
In 1775 Lye, as a township, or even hamlet, did not exist. On Chapman's map, drawn in that year we find nothing but a vast tract of open land between Halesowen and Stourbridge, bisected by "The Stour," and it is on the banks of this over worked river that we discover the first clue to the subsequent emergence of a Black Country "frontier town" which was to teem with tough and hardy artisans as The Industrial Revolution spread its black tentacles across Mercian soil.

This clue is contained in the name "Lie Forge" located on the Brierley Hill side of the present town - one of five such ironworks which lay at the edge of the Stour, between Halesowen and Stourbridge.

Vast changes were to come in the next quarter of a century as the rich mineral deposits of the terrain precipitated a kind of black "Gold Rush" and the pioneer wagons came from rural hamlet and country cottage to stake a claim in the rich "diggins" of the new Black Country territory - eager to throw off the shackles of an ancient serfdom - exchanging sickle and ploughshare for miners pick and ironworkers hammer.

The subsoil of Old Swinford varies considerably; the eastern portion is situated on the South Staffordshire coalfield, in the west the subsoil consists of Bunter Pebble beds, and in the south of Keuper Sandstone. Coal and iron are found and a peculiarly rich fireclay is mined in the district.

By 1785 the Stourbridge area was linked by water to Kidderminster, the Staffordshire and Worcester Canal and the Birmingham Canal.

There are coal-mines and large ironworks; many of the inhabitants are employed in nail-making; chains, anvils, spades, shovels and scythes are also made. The district is especially noted for the manufacture of fire-bricks, made from the valuable fireclay which is mined here. The presence of this clay induced a number of refugees from Hungary and Lorraine, whose leader was Henzoil Henzey, to take up their residence in 1556 on the piece of ground known as Lye Waste, and begin the manufacture of glass, which is still carried on, having increased greatly about 1845 owing to the abolition of the duties. The site of their first glass house is still known as Hungary Hill.

Lye Waste originally formed an uncultivated part of Lye, but became an irregular village on the settlement of the glass-workers. Their right of separate freehold was established on the passing of an Inclosure Act.

During the Civil War Basil Earl of Denbigh retreated to Stourbridge after his victory at Dudley in 1644 to await the arrival of Sir William Waller. (fn. 14) Shortly afterwards Wollescote became the head quarters of Prince Rupert, who is said to have stayed at the house of a certain Edward Milward. He was defeated and almost taken prisoner in a battle fought on Stourbridge Common in 1645. (fn. 15) A Mr. Dovaston, clerk to Thomas Milward, grandson of the above Edward, gives the following account of the prince's escape: The prince 'riding very hard to get towards Wollescote was pursued very close by a Parliament Trooper with his sword drawn. When the Prince came to the Heath Gate leading off the Common to Old Swinford, the Gate being shut and the Trooper very near to him, and there being a Boy near the Gate, the Prince cried "Open the Gate," when the Boy opened it, and when he was through he said hastily "Shut the Gate," which the Boy immediately did. This stopped the Trooper and saved the Prince.' The defeat caused the prince to remove from Wollescote, and before his departure he gave a signet ring to Edward Milward, with the promise 'that when the King's affairs turned out prosperously he should have his loss repaired on presenting the Ring to the King and stating the circumstances.' (fn. 16) Stourbridge was the first place at which Charles II halted on his flight from Worcester after the battle. The 'Talbot' was in his line of march from Worcester to Staffordshire, but whether it was the inn where the king stopped to refresh is uncertain.

Experimentation
Plankton article in German

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