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Coordinates: 52°38′15″N 2°06′09″W / 52.6374°N 2.1024°W / 52.6374; -2.1024
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{{Short description|Historic house and museum in Featherstone, Staffordshire, England}}
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{{EngvarB|date=February 2014}}
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{{For|the hall in Cheadle, Greater Manchester|Moseley Old Hall, Cheadle}}
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{{For|the hall in [[Cheadle, Greater Manchester]]|Moseley Old Hall, Cheadle}}
{{Infobox building
{{Infobox building
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| url = {{URL|http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/moseley-old-hall/}}
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'''Moseley Old Hall''' is a [[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]] property located in [[Fordhouses]], north of [[Wolverhampton]] in the United Kingdom. It is famous as one of the resting places of [[Charles II of England]] during his [[Escape of Charles II|escape to France]] following defeat at the [[Battle of Worcester]] in 1651.
'''Moseley Old Hall''' is located in [[Fordhouses]], north of [[Wolverhampton]] in the United Kingdom. It is notable as one of the hiding places of [[Charles II of England|Charles II]] during his [[Escape of Charles II|escape to France]] following defeat at the [[Battle of Worcester]] in 1651. Now owned by the [[National Trust]], the hall is a [[Listed building|Grade II* listed building]].


==Hall==
==Hall==
The Hall is located in [[Staffordshire]].<ref name="visitorbook" />
The Hall was built in 1600 and was the home of the Whitgreaves, a local Staffordshire family, mostly Catholics and Royalists.


=== Charles II ===
=== Construction and early history ===
The estate was owned by a Cordsall family until it was purchased by [[Henry Pitt]] of [[Bushby]], one of the [[Merchants of the Staple]], in 1583. He constructed the hall around 1600 (the exact date is unknown). Originally known as 'Mr Pitt's new hall at Moseley', it was a half-timbered building located in remote woodland. When Henry died in 1602, the hall was inherited by [[Alice Pitt]], his daughter, who later married Thomas Whitgreave from [[Great Bridgeford|Bridgeford, Staffordshire]], whose family came from the nearby [[Whitgreave]].<ref name="visitorbook" />
Thomas Whitgreave assisted [[Charles II of England|Charles II]] when he arrived in the early hours of 8 September after the journey from [[Boscobel House]]. Thomas gave the King dry clothes, food, and a proper bed (his first since Worcester on 3 September). The King was hidden in the [[priest-hole]] for two days whilst planning the route for his escape. He was accompanied by the family's Catholic priest [[John Huddleston]] who cleaned and bandaged the King's feet.

=== Role in Charles II's escape ===
{{main|Escape of Charles II}}
[[File:Moseley Old Hall 2015 021.jpg|thumb|right|upright|The original back door of the hall that Charles entered in September 1651.]]
After the final battle of the [[English Civil War]], the [[Battle of Worcester]] on 3 September 1651, King [[Charles II of England|Charles II]] [[Escape of Charles II|escaped]] and was on the run from [[Roundhead|Parliamentarians]]. Charles arrived at the back door of Moseley Old Hall in the early morning of 8 September,<ref name="visitorbook" /> after the journey from [[Boscobel House]].<ref name=Coote>{{cite book |last=Coote |first=Stephen |year=2000 |title=Royal Survivor: A Life of Charles II |location=New York |publisher=St. Martin's Press |pages=106–107}}</ref> He arrived cold and wet, disguised in workman's clothing and ill-fitting shoes that had made his feet bleed. He was welcomed by [[Thomas Whitgrave|Thomas Whitgreave]], the owner of the house, Alice Whitgreave, Thomas's mother, and [[John Huddleston]], the Catholic priest of the house.<ref name="visitorbook" /> They gave Charles dry clothes, food,<ref name="visitorbook" /> and a proper bed (his first since Worcester on 3 September). Huddleston cleaned and bandaged the King's feet.{{sfn|Coote|2000|p=112}}

Charles was hidden in the [[priest-hole]] on the afternoon of 8 September while a confrontation between Whitgreave and parliamentarians took place outside the hall. He later rested on a four-poster bed in the hall.<ref name="visitorbook" /> He left the house two days later, having planned out the rest of his escape.<ref name="visitorbook" /> He was accompanied by Huddleston.


=== Later use ===
=== Later use ===
The family residence moved to Moseley Court around the 1820s,<ref name="visitorbook" /> which was a new Regency-style house built for George Whitgreave.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=DchsAAAAMAAJ&dq=moseley+court+staffordshire&pg=PA558|first=John|last=Burke|title=Whitgreave, of Moseley Court|publisher=A Genealogical and Heraldic history of the Commoners of England and Ireland|date=1838|access-date=23 June 2023}}</ref> Few structural changes were made to the Hall until around 1870, when the outer walls of the building were replaced by bricks, and casements replaced the Elizabethan windows. Around that time, a first floor corridor was constructed.<ref name="visitorbook" /> Descendants of the Whitgreave family owned the house until 1925, at which point the estate was sold. The house was subsequently used as a farmhouse, and fell into disrepair. It was purchased by Will Wiggin from [[Bloxwich]] in 1940, who started to repair the house, but the [[Second World War]] interrupted the repair work, which Will Wiggin was unable to complete before his death.<ref name="visitorbook" />
Descendants of the Whitgreave family owned the house until 1925, and during that time made few structural changes, apart from encasing the Hall with brick walls and replacing the Elizabethan windows. After the 1820s, it appears to have been abandoned as the family home, in favour of Moseley Court, a new Regency style house built for George Whitgreave. It was used as a farmhouse until the [[Second World War]] but was suffering from neglect when the [[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]] took it over in 1962. It is now fully restored, and furnished with generous donations of period furniture. The original four-poster bed used by Charles stands in the King's room.

=== National Trust ownership ===
The Wiggin family transferred the ownership of the Hall and an acre of land to the [[National Trust]] in 1962, and it was opened to the public in 1963. The hall was nearly empty of furniture at the time; most of the furniture and pictures in the hall have been subsequently lent or given to the Trust. In 1981 the roof and brickwork were repaired, and the [[bargeboard]]s and [[finial]]s were replaced.<ref name="visitorbook" /> It is now fully restored, and furnished with donated period furniture. The original four-poster bed used by Charles stands in the King's room.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/shropshire-staffordshire/moseley-old-hall/explore-moseley-old-hall|title=Explore Moseley Old Hall|publisher=National Trust|access-date=23 June 2023}}</ref><ref name="visitorbook" /> In 2023, the Trust bought John Huddleston’s [[Missal|prayerbook]] at auction, and placed it on display at the hall.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/23/prayerbook-priest-john-huddleston-saved-king-charles-life-on-display-in-staffordshire-hall|first=Harriet|last=Sherwood|title=Prayerbook of priest who saved Charles II's life on display in Staffordshire Hall|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=23 June 2023|access-date=23 June 2023}}</ref>

=== Layout and listing ===
The ground floor includes an entrance hall, a parlour, and a brew-house. The first floor hosts Mr Whitgreave's room and the King's Room, along with the dressing room, study and a corridor. The second floor contains the chapel, ante-room, bedroom, main attic and [[garret]]t.<ref name="visitorbook" /> The hall is a [[Listed building|Grade II* listed building]].<ref>{{NHLE|num=1039208|desc=Moseley Old Hall and attached garden walls, gatepiers and gate|grade=II*|access-date=23 June 2023}}</ref>


== Garden ==
== Garden ==
[[File:Moseley Old Hall 2015 054.jpg|thumb|right|The knot garden]]
The garden features a 17th century-style (recreated) enclosed garden containing period plants. It has a herb garden, topiary, a fruit orchard, an arbour, a walled garden, and a 'knot' garden.<ref name="gardenvisit" /><ref name="nationaltrust" />
The garden features a 17th-century-style (recreated) enclosed garden containing period plants. It has a herb garden, topiary, a fruit orchard, an arbour, a walled garden, and a 'knot' garden.<ref name="gardenvisit" /><ref name="nationaltrust" />

==See also==
*[[Grade II* listed buildings in South Staffordshire]]
*[[Listed buildings in Featherstone, Staffordshire]]


== References ==
== References ==
{{commonscat|Moseley Old Hall}}
{{commons category|Moseley Old Hall}}
{{Reflist|refs=
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="nationaltrust">{{cite web | url=http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/moseley-old-hall/ | title=Moseley Old Hall | publisher=National Trust | accessdate=6 December 2015}}</ref>
<ref name="nationaltrust">{{cite web | url=http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/moseley-old-hall/ | title=Moseley Old Hall | publisher=National Trust | access-date=6 December 2015}}</ref>
<ref name="gardenvisit">{{cite web | url=http://www.gardenvisit.com/garden/moseley_old_hall_garden | title=Moseley Old Hall Garden – review | publisher=Garden Visit | accessdate=6 December 2015}}</ref>
<ref name="gardenvisit">{{cite web | url=http://www.gardenvisit.com/garden/moseley_old_hall_garden | title=Moseley Old Hall Garden – review | publisher=Garden Visit | access-date=6 December 2015}}</ref>
<ref name="visitorbook">{{cite book|last1=Garnett|first1=Oliver|title=Moseley Old Hall|publisher=National Trust|location=Staffordshire|isbn=978-1-84359-118-4|edition=2011}}</ref>
}}
}}


[[Category:National Trust properties in Staffordshire]]
[[Category:National Trust properties in the West Midlands (county)]]
[[Category:Country houses in Staffordshire]]
[[Category:Country houses in the West Midlands (county)]]
[[Category:Gardens in Staffordshire]]
[[Category:Gardens in the West Midlands (county)]]
[[Category:Grade II* listed buildings in Staffordshire]]
[[Category:Grade II* listed buildings in the West Midlands (county)]]
[[Category:Grade II* listed houses]]
[[Category:Grade II* listed houses]]
[[Category:Houses completed in 1600]]
[[Category:Houses completed in 1600]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Wolverhampton]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Wolverhampton]]
[[Category:Historic house museums in Staffordshire]]
[[Category:Historic house museums in the West Midlands (county)]]
[[Category:Country houses in the West Midlands (county)]]
[[Category:Bushbury]]

Latest revision as of 00:34, 3 January 2025

For the hall in Cheadle, Greater Manchester, see Moseley Old Hall, Cheadle.

Moseley Old Hall
Map
General information
Coordinates52°38′15″N 2°06′09″W / 52.6374°N 2.1024°W / 52.6374; -2.1024
Website
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/moseley-old-hall/

Moseley Old Hall is located in Fordhouses, north of Wolverhampton in the United Kingdom. It is notable as one of the hiding places of Charles II during his escape to France following defeat at the Battle of Worcester in 1651. Now owned by the National Trust, the hall is a Grade II* listed building.

Hall

[edit]

The Hall is located in Staffordshire.[1]

Construction and early history

[edit]

The estate was owned by a Cordsall family until it was purchased by Henry Pitt of Bushby, one of the Merchants of the Staple, in 1583. He constructed the hall around 1600 (the exact date is unknown). Originally known as 'Mr Pitt's new hall at Moseley', it was a half-timbered building located in remote woodland. When Henry died in 1602, the hall was inherited by Alice Pitt, his daughter, who later married Thomas Whitgreave from Bridgeford, Staffordshire, whose family came from the nearby Whitgreave.[1]

Role in Charles II's escape

[edit]
Main article: Escape of Charles II
The original back door of the hall that Charles entered in September 1651.

After the final battle of the English Civil War, the Battle of Worcester on 3 September 1651, King Charles II escaped and was on the run from Parliamentarians. Charles arrived at the back door of Moseley Old Hall in the early morning of 8 September,[1] after the journey from Boscobel House.[2] He arrived cold and wet, disguised in workman's clothing and ill-fitting shoes that had made his feet bleed. He was welcomed by Thomas Whitgreave, the owner of the house, Alice Whitgreave, Thomas's mother, and John Huddleston, the Catholic priest of the house.[1] They gave Charles dry clothes, food,[1] and a proper bed (his first since Worcester on 3 September). Huddleston cleaned and bandaged the King's feet.[3]

Charles was hidden in the priest-hole on the afternoon of 8 September while a confrontation between Whitgreave and parliamentarians took place outside the hall. He later rested on a four-poster bed in the hall.[1] He left the house two days later, having planned out the rest of his escape.[1] He was accompanied by Huddleston.

Later use

[edit]

The family residence moved to Moseley Court around the 1820s,[1] which was a new Regency-style house built for George Whitgreave.[4] Few structural changes were made to the Hall until around 1870, when the outer walls of the building were replaced by bricks, and casements replaced the Elizabethan windows. Around that time, a first floor corridor was constructed.[1] Descendants of the Whitgreave family owned the house until 1925, at which point the estate was sold. The house was subsequently used as a farmhouse, and fell into disrepair. It was purchased by Will Wiggin from Bloxwich in 1940, who started to repair the house, but the Second World War interrupted the repair work, which Will Wiggin was unable to complete before his death.[1]

National Trust ownership

[edit]

The Wiggin family transferred the ownership of the Hall and an acre of land to the National Trust in 1962, and it was opened to the public in 1963. The hall was nearly empty of furniture at the time; most of the furniture and pictures in the hall have been subsequently lent or given to the Trust. In 1981 the roof and brickwork were repaired, and the bargeboards and finials were replaced.[1] It is now fully restored, and furnished with donated period furniture. The original four-poster bed used by Charles stands in the King's room.[5][1] In 2023, the Trust bought John Huddleston’s prayerbook at auction, and placed it on display at the hall.[6]

Layout and listing

[edit]

The ground floor includes an entrance hall, a parlour, and a brew-house. The first floor hosts Mr Whitgreave's room and the King's Room, along with the dressing room, study and a corridor. The second floor contains the chapel, ante-room, bedroom, main attic and garrett.[1] The hall is a Grade II* listed building.[7]

Garden

[edit]
The knot garden

The garden features a 17th-century-style (recreated) enclosed garden containing period plants. It has a herb garden, topiary, a fruit orchard, an arbour, a walled garden, and a 'knot' garden.[8][9]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Moseley Old Hall.
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Garnett, Oliver. Moseley Old Hall (2011 ed.). Staffordshire: National Trust. ISBN 978-1-84359-118-4.
  2. ^ Coote, Stephen (2000). Royal Survivor: A Life of Charles II. New York: St. Martin's Press. pp. 106–107.
  3. ^ Coote 2000, p. 112.
  4. ^ Burke, John (1838). "Whitgreave, of Moseley Court". A Genealogical and Heraldic history of the Commoners of England and Ireland. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  5. ^ "Explore Moseley Old Hall". National Trust. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  6. ^ Sherwood, Harriet (23 June 2023). "Prayerbook of priest who saved Charles II's life on display in Staffordshire Hall". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  7. ^ Historic England. "Moseley Old Hall and attached garden walls, gatepiers and gate (Grade II*) (1039208)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  8. ^ "Moseley Old Hall Garden – review". Garden Visit. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  9. ^ "Moseley Old Hall". National Trust. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
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