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Moseley Old Hall, situated in Fordhouses, north of Wolverhampton England, holds a significant place in British history as one of the sanctuaries of King Charles II during his desperate flight to France following the defeat at the Battle of Worcester in 1651. Owned by the National Trust today, this Grade II* listed building has witnessed pivotal moments in the country's past.
Originally, the estate belonged to the Cordsall family until it was acquired by Henry Pitt of Bushby, a prominent figure among the Merchants of the Staple, in 1583. Around 1600, Henry constructed what would become known as Moseley Old Hall. This half-timbered structure, nestled in secluded woodland, served as a retreat and home for generations to come. After Henry's passing in 1602, the hall passed to his daughter, Alice Pitt, upon her marriage to Thomas Whitgreave of Bridgeford, Staffordshire.
The hall's historical significance peaked during the aftermath of the Battle of Worcester in 1651, which is also on record as being the last battle of the English Civil War. King Charles II, pursued by Parliamentarians, sought refuge at Moseley Old Hall on September 8th. Disguised in workman's attire and suffering from ill-fitting shoes that had wounded his feet, Charles was warmly received by Thomas Whitgreave, Alice Whitgreave, and John Huddleston, the Catholic priest of the house. They provided him with much-needed rest, nourishment, and care, including tending to his injured feet. Charles spent crucial days in hiding, concealed in a priest-hole within the hall, while outside, a confrontation between Whitgreave and Parliamentarians unfolded. With the help of Huddleston, Charles eventually planned his escape and departed, continuing his journey to safety.
The family residence moved to Moseley Court around the 1820s, which was a new Regency-style house built for George Whitgreave. 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. Descendants of the Whitgreave family owned the house until 1925, at which point the estate was sold and subsequently used as a farmhouse, falling into a state of disrepair.
In 1940, Will Wiggin initiated restoration efforts, though they were halted by the onset of World War II. Following Wiggin's death, the hall and an acre of land were bequeathed to the National Trust in 1962, leading to its eventual opening to the public a year later. The hall was nearly empty of furniture at the time but both the furnishings and pictures have been subsequently lent or given to the Trust. In 1981 the roof and brickwork were repaired, and the bargeboards and finials were replaced.
Today, Moseley Old Hall stands as a meticulously restored testament to its rich history. Furnished with period pieces, including the original four-poster bed used by Charles II, the hall offers visitors a glimpse into its past. Surrounding the hall is a recreated 17th-century-style enclosed garden, featuring period plants, herb gardens, topiaries, and more, providing a tranquil backdrop to this storied site.
In 2023, the Trust acquired John Huddleston’s prayer book, after it had sold at action for £6900. This rare artefact was owned by the priest who help save Charles II and was present during Charles’ deathbed conversion to Catholicism in 1685. The prayer book is now on display at Mosely Old Hall further enriching the visitor experience and commemorating the hall's role in sheltering the fleeing monarch.
Parking is free and right next to the hall. I TOAL in the adjacent farmers field. Walking back up the entrance road about 100m there was a break in the hedgeline that enabled me to fly from just outside of the NT boundary. The road is not owned by NT but is narrow and I wouldn't advocate flying from there! There a FRZ the other side of the road behind the Hall due to the proximity of Featherstone Prison but should not affect your flight.
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Co-ordinates: 52.63743, -2.102769 • what3words: ///bought.boots.salad
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