From the Celts to the Normans

It seems that the history of Sutton Coldfield can be traced back to Celtic times. It is thought that the area known as Maney Hill was inhabited by a group of Celtic priests or 'Druids' because of a large stone monolith found there. Indeed the word 'Maney' may come from 'Meini' meaning stones!

Sutton Park (Oct 2000)

The Romans built a road through Sutton Park, which linked up with Watling Street at Wall. It is thought that construction on this road started in 70AD. When the Romans left, in came the Anglo-Saxons and the country was divided up into several smaller kingdoms. The Midlands area was known as Mercia, the capital of which was Tamworth. Large areas of land were set aside by the Kings of Mercia to use for hunting purposes, in an area stretching from today's central Birmingham to as far away as Shenstone in Warwickshire and of course encompassing the area we now know as Sutton Park. The word 'tun' means enclosure and since this enclosure was south of the capital of Mercia, the area was named 'South Tun'. Obviously, the word Sutton is derived from this!

Two new images of the carved tree in Sutton Park. The "Town Gate" to Sutton Park is at the rear of image 2 - Jan 2002

The Saxon noble, Earl of Mercia was defeated in the Norman Conquest and his lands were taken by William the Conqueror. In the centuries following the Norman Conquest, the town of Sutton grew and prospered. In 1126, King Henry I exchanged both the lands and the forest for two manors in Rutland, which were then in the possession of the Norman Earl of Warwick. There began a long association of Sutton with the Earldom of Warwick. Guy, Earl of Warwick, granted the town a Market Charter in the 14th century and a few years later, a large annual fair with music and entertainers was set up. The Warwicks' association with Sutton ended in 1471, when Neville, Earl of Warwick, was killed at the end of the War of the Roses. Sutton then fell into decline, its population dwindled and its markets and fairs were abandoned.

The history of Sutton Coldfield since the end of the 15th century has been entwined with that of one man, John Harman aka Vesey. Born in the area in 1462, he studied at Oxford before taking Holy Orders. He became chaplain to Elizabeth of York, the wife of Henry VII - a post he held when the future Henry VIII was born to the Queen in 1491. In due course, Vesey would become Bishop of Exeter and would acquire great wealth. He became one of the few men that King Henry VIII came to rely on and Vesey had much influence on court matters.

Vesey returned to Sutton in 1524 to attend the funeral of his mother and was sad to discover his home town in such a sorry state. Vesey's connection with King Henry VIII was instrumental in the signing of a Royal Charter in 1528 granting Sutton Coldfield the status of a Royal Town. Whilst being entertained at Vesey's home at Moor Hall, the King and his companions went off hunting in Sutton Park. The King was attacked by a wild boar, but before it could harm him, the beast was killed by an arrow. To the King's surprise, when he called for his saviour to be brought to him, he discovered that the marksman was indeed a young and beautiful woman.

On asking the girl how he could repay the favour, he heard how her family had been dispossessed of their property and the King ordered that restitution be made to them. King Henry was also keen to show his gratitude to Vesey and the people of Sutton Coldfield and on December 16th 1528, the Royal Charter was signed giving Sutton Coldfield the title of Royal Town and Sutton Park to the people of Sutton in perpetuity (*) (See below). Henry also gave his own emblem of the Tudor Rose to the town, which was used as its Coat of Arms until Sutton Coldfield became part of the Birmingham Metropolitan District in 1974.

The Charter also declared that the town be, in a way, self-governing. It required that an elected body of 24 local men be established, known collectively as the Warden and Society of the Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield. Their duties included keeping roads in good repair, improving housing and providing schools and teachers. Vesey himself was a true philanthropist and helped in the revival of the town by encouraging once more the markets and fairs, by building a local grammar school in 1540, a school which flourishes to this day, by building over 50 stone houses for Sutton's poorer inhabitants and a Town Hall. He even stocked the lands himself with mares, colts and horses and Sutton Park started resembling the park we know today.

In the centuries since, Sutton's story has been one of quiet and continuous evolution. Sutton enjoyed further prosperity in the 18th Century and the system of Warden and Society was abolished in 1886 and the role of Mayor of Sutton Coldfield was created - the first Mayor being Sir Benjamin Stone. The arrival of the railways in the 19th Century, brought a sharp increase in the town's population. By the time the Great War broke out in 1914, people were starting to spend their holidays in the town. Next to the image of the carving above, there stands a plaque commemorating the use of the Park during the Great War.

It says "This tablet is erected to commemorate the occupation of this park from 1914 to 1920 by His Majesties troops. The park was placed at the disposal of HM Government entirely free. Over 50,000 of HM Troops occupied the various camps constructed.  The Birmingham City Battalions of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment received their training here & were followed by other units. For a considerable period the camps were used for convalescent officers & men - and New Zealand troops also were in occupation prior to their return home. The Council of the Royal Town (of Sutton Coldfield) received the thanks of the War Office for their patriotic action."

The jewel in Sutton Coldfield's crown - is Sutton Park, with an area of about 2,400 acres, is the largest urban park in Europe. The park originated in the 12th century although there is evidence of prehistoric burial mounds, an early, fortified settlement and a Roman Road. Sutton Park was given to the people of Sutton Coldfield in 1528 by King Henry VIII. The story goes that Henry VIII was attacked by a wild boar whilst out hunting in Sutton Park with his good friend Bishop Vesey. Before it could harm the king though, the beast was killed by an arrow. To the King's surprise, when he called for his saviour to be brought to him, he discovered that the marksman was a young and beautiful woman. Henry was told of how her family had been dispossessed of their property and he ordered that restitution be made to them. Henry was also keen to show his gratitude to Vesey and the people of Sutton Coldfield and on December 16th, 1528, a Royal Charter was signed giving Sutton Coldfield the title of Royal Town and Sutton Park to the people of Sutton Coldfield in perpetuity. Henry also gave his emblem of the Tudor Rose to the town, which was used as the town's Coat of Arms until Sutton Coldfield became part of the Birmingham Metropolitan District in 1974.

Throughout the years since, the people of Sutton Coldfield have guarded their rights to the park fiercely and lawsuits were brought against the town's Warden and Society, those that administered the town and park, if there was evidence of mismanagement. Complaints were made about the stocking of the park with strangers' cattle, spoiling the woods, felling timber without the consent of the town's inhabitants and increasing the fees for the pasturage of horses and cattle in the park.

The emergence of the carriage as a popular mode of transport, saw the introduction of highwaymen to the park. A group of bushes within the park became known as 'The Thieves' Bushes' - a suitable hiding place for the highwaymen as they awaited their next victims. In 1862, the railways arrived in Sutton Coldfield and this brought about an increase in the town's population and in visitors to the park. By the time war broke out in 1914, many people had started spending their holidays in the town. Sporting interests were increasingly catered for and in the 1900's, there were two racecourses within Sutton Park.

Much of the Park has never been cultivated and is today a mixture of woodland and heath with a number of streams and man-made pools. Plants and animals that are not otherwise found in this region are supported in the heaths and bogs of the park, which are themselves somewhat rare habitats in the Midlands area. Conservation and protection of the park are vitally important to the people of Sutton Coldfield and in 1950, the Friends of Sutton Park Association was founded to promote awareness and interest in the park. The association also alerts the public to threats to the park, and checks on 'improvement' proposals offered by administrators.

Conservationists repair the Plantsbrook near the Town Gate

Silver Birch on the heathland in Sutton Park (Nov 2001)

Today, the park is still enjoyed by a large number of people who come to walk the dog, have a picnic or to just get a bit of fresh air! All manner of sporting activities are offered, from cross-country running to RAC Rallying. A Visitor's Centre opened in 1985 and offers an impressive array of information about the park. It's a shame one or two areas have been denuded by kids on mountain bikes who will not stay on the paths.  And the curse of English society, the vandal, is also taking its toll.  In Oct 2000, walking the dog, I talked to one of the Rangers. He told me that one or two buildings within the park, built about 100 years ago, have had to be demolished due to vandalism.  Intrusive Silver Birch are currently being removed bit by bit to restore the park to a more natural state. The Silver Birch is by nature, a thirsty tree, and has drained some natural marshland, a situation it is hoped will be reversed.

Here are some more images taken of Sutton Coldfield.  The reason I do this is that, when a young lad on Merseyside, I wish I had taken photo's of what was then "normal" life - images of which are now treasured items. So, as Sutton Coldfield is changing rapidly, and not for the better, here are some images of "unspoilt" Sutton Coldfield before it disappears for good.

A day or two after a particularly bad storm. One shattered tree can be seen here. Jan 2001

Left Image, some nice contrasts in wintry colours. Right Image, nude trees stand over leaf carpeted ground

Yet another of the many pathways that criss-cross Sutton Park

A view to the right of the above pathway, near to Boldmere Gate. Jan 2001

Jan 2001. Remains of a recent snow storm - the only one we had that winter!!

Again, a wintry version of an image off the previous page. Berry laden tree on the left.
 Jan 2001

Fungi & Lichen in the woods in Sutton Park

Deep in the heart of the woods near the Boldmere entrance to Sutton Park. Jan 2001

Sunbeams lanced through the foliage in this image - somehow they do not appear!! Jan 2001.

Back to Sutton Park for a Jan 2001 Winter Scene looking over towards Streetly

Sutton Park with freight railway passing through

Sutton Park from Roman Road looking towards Banners Gate and below, the region of Banners Gate in August 2002

Banners Gate Woodland and Heathland - August 15 2002
 

Blackroot Pool - Sep 2002
 

November dew lies on the cobwebs on the gorse 2002

A dew heavy web in a tree in Sutton Park - Nov 02

Winter sunshine plays through the trees - Nov 02

and in the next image

View towards Town Gate - Nov 02

Town Gate Lodges visible in central background - Nov 02

On all the hundreds of walks I have taken through Sutton Park I have never ever seen a fisherman actually catch anything until today 18 Nov 2002. This gent landed an 18.8lb Carp; here he is returning it to the water after I helped weigh the fish.

Blackroot Pool

Bird Life on Blackroot Pool - Nov 02

Woodlands Scene

Blackroot Pool

Town Gate heathland - Nov 02

Heathland and Silver Birches Town Gate - Nov 02

Blackroot Pool 14 December 2002

Blackroot Pool 14 December 2002

The Plantsbrook runs through a misty December Day (14 Dec 02)

and flows off towards Sutton Coldfield to the left (14 Dec 02)

Winter Sunshine January 2003

January 7th 2003 One very frozen Blackroot Pool

Heron in Flight - Feb 24 2003

Woodland around the area of Blackroot Pool - November 2002

Here once stood, from which we breath! Feb 24 2003

Feb 2003 Woodland

Woodland near Boldmere, Sutton Park

Bracebridge Pool, Sutton Park taken on 26 March 2003

Railway passes Blackroot Pool

Woodland scene around Bracebridge Pool. The ponies were "imported" from Exmoor in an attempt to keep the shrub land naturally cultivated and managed, it appears to be working

Pathway by Blackroot Pool - frost damage or wind? But we have not had much wind this winter (02/03)

Wood smoke drifts amongst the trees at Winter's Sunset - Jan 03

Two images of the some of the many pathways near Blackroot Pool

Heritage Sign depicting history of Blackroot Pool

Woodland in the region of Boldmere Gate - April 29 2003

Woodland in the region of Boldmere Gate - April 29 2003

Woodland in the region of Boldmere Gate - April 29 2003

The gorse in full flower - April 29 2003 - Boldmere Gate

This proclaims that the bank behind the plaque was build in 1120AD to keep the deer for the hunters.

The general area of the bank - Boldmere Gate April 29 2003

And a look along the line of the banking, now a lot lower of course due to age, erosion and filling in of the ditch. April 29 2003

Cattle are introduced during the summer months in certain areas in order to keep the grassed regions under control - May 03

Blackroot Pool at 0600hrs

Blackroot Pool at 0600hrs May 29/03

Blackroot Pool at 0600hrs May 29/03

Two new images of the carved tree in Sutton Park. May 29/03

The pool top centre is Bracebridge Pool. Below right of that is Blackroot Pool and the smaller one
below that is Keepers Pool. The railway can be seen crossing the Park lower right to upper left. The housing area above the railway is Four Oaks, a highly desirable, very expensive area which has obviously encroached upon the parkland in the past, and Mere Green

August 04 right

A Winter's Walk

Following a heavy snowfall in the early hours of 2 March 2005, my wife and I took our Alsatian to Sutton Park at about 0900 hrs. Here are the photographs from that walk. By lunchtime it had all melted back into the mud and gone!! Entry was via Town Gate and walk through woods, around Blackroot Pool and back round to car park via woods again.

April 2006 - >

Blackroot Pool