The Monarch's Way

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Wed, 18 Jun 2008 22:04 John M	The Monarch’s Way starts on the Worcester Battlefield at Old Powick Bridge. The final battle of the Civil War was fought on 3rd September 1651 between a largely Scots Royalist force led by King Charles II and a much larger Parliamentary force led by Oliver Cromwell. The sacrifice of the Highland Clans and Lowland Scots is marked by a plaque at the start of the Monarch’s Way. The River Teme forms the southern edge of the battlefield. On reaching the confluence with the River Severn the Monarch’s Way heads upstream to Worcester Bridge. King Charles II observed the progress of the battle on the meadows west of Worcester from his vantage point on the tower of the cathedral.
Sat, 21 Jun 2008 11:30 John M	Worcester to Droitwich and on to Hagley The Monarch's Way leaves the city using the towpath of the Worcester & Birmingham Canal. The canal was opened almost 180 years after the battle but provides a quiet start to the journey ahead. Joining the Droitwich Barge Canal at Porters Hill Farm and following it all the way to the outskirts of Droitwich. Droitwich to Chaddesley Corbett and Hagley Sir John Packington of Westwood, Hampton Lovett had mustered at Worcester Chaddesley Corbett passing by Harvington Hall the route passes through open countryside to Hagley and Wychbury Hill. Leaving the modern county of Worcestershire the Monarch's Way briefly enters the West Midlands to pass through Stourbridge. The king and his party passed through Stourbridge on the night of 3rd September 1651 where they sought refreshment. It is said that they spoke amongst themselves in French as a means of disguise. A strong Black Country dialect may still be encountered in the town.
Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:47 John M	Stourbridge to White Ladies Priory Passing through urban Stourbridge to meet the Stourbridge Branch Canal then joining the Stourbridge Canal at Wordsley Junction to pass into Staffordshire. Stourton to Wombourne and Pendrell Hall When the king came this way there were no canals or railways, the Staffs &Worcs Canal was opened in the 18th century and the railway in the 20th century. These provide a pleasant route linking the overnight halts on his journey. The king was accompanied on horseback by Colonel Charles Gifford of Chillington. This section follows canals, initially the Stourbridge Canal to Stourton then northwards following the Staffs & Worcs Canal to Bratch Locks, Pumping Station and Bratch(Womborne) Railway Station. Then by following the South Staffordshire Railway Walk and crossing countryside to pick up the Staffordshire Way through Wrottesley Park to Pendrell Hall. Pendrell Hall to White Ladies Priory Later home of Richard Pendrell one of the king's companions Boscobel House Boscobel was built as a hunting lodge in 1632 by John Gifford of Whiteladies. At this time the tenancy was held by William Pendrell, one of five brothers. Whiteladies Priory, originally an Augustinian nunnery, at that time a private house.
Fri, 27 Jun 2008 20:13 John M	Towards the River Severn and return to Boscobel and on to Moseley Old Hall Leaving White Ladies Priory with Richard Pendrell via Meashill Farm to Hubbal Grange Hubbal Grange was the family home of Richard Pendrell and his widowed mother. The king may have taken a meal here. Then taking the green lane towards Tong the path travels west through the Shropshire countryside to Evelith Mill. At Evelith Mill the king was challenged by the miller who was disturbed by the noise of a slamming gate. From Kemberton after some diversions the route returns back to Boscobel House. The king and Richard Pendrell hid in the barn of Mr Francis Wolfe in Madeley during the day of 6th September 1651 and returned to Boscobel that evening. The crossing points of the River Severn had been found to be too well guarded and escape to Wales was not going to be possible. Returning to Hubbal Grange and retracing the route to White Ladies and Boscobel the king hid in the Royal Oak with Colonel Carlis Bosobel to Moseley Old Hall The king left in the company of the five Pendrell brothers and their brother-in-law Chillington Hall, home of the Giffard family The route follows the Shropshire Union Canal. The canal was not built until much later! Pendeford Mill. At a rendezvous here Richard Pendrell parts company with the king The route follows the 'Middle Way' bridleway to Coven and briefly onto the towpath of the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal, to Moseley Old Hall. Here the king passes into the care of Thomas Whitgreave of Moseley and the Catholic priest Father Huddleston. The Whitgreaves were one of a number of Catholic families in this area. Thomas Whitgreave had previously fought at Naseby but was unwell and not present at the battle of Worcester. The king was hidden in a secret priest hole.
Fri, 27 Jun 2008 20:15 John M	Heading south through the West Midlands to Stratford-on-Avon Moseley Old Hall to Bentley Hall Arrangements made for the escape of Lord Wilmot were quickly changed. The king rode over to Bentley Hall accompanied by Colonel Lane. Moseley Old Hall Northycote Farm There is a story that the king was refused refuge at Northycote by the Underhill family. Leaving the Northycote Country Park the Monarch's Way crosses the former Hilton Main colliery railway and climbs up to High Hill in Essington. This opens up a panorama of the Black Country with the limestone ridge of Sedgeley Beacon and the Wren's Nest at Dudley. After a few diversions the Way will pass under Dudley in the canal tunnel. From here the route enters the urban West Midlands and follows the Wyrley and Essington Canal, the 'Curly Wyrley'. Leaving the canal the Monarch's Way heads for Bentley. Bentley Cairn, site of Bentley Hall, home to the Lane family. King Charles II stayed at Bentley Hall on 9th September 1651 and disguised as a groom rode away at dawn on the following day to Long Marston via Bromsgrove with Mistress Jane Lane. Catholics were not allowed to travel more than five miles from their home without an official pass. Jane had obtained a pass for herself and a manservant to visit a friend who was having a baby at Abbots Leigh near Bristol. Bentley Hall to Halesowen The route now crosses the Black Country from North to South again taking to the canal towpaths. The Lane Arms named after the local landowners Passing along the Walsall Canal and Wedesbury Old Canal from Ryder's Green Junction to Pudding Green Junction Birmingham Canal (New Main Line) and Netherton Tunnel Branch Canal before entering the unlit 3027 yard long Netherton Tunnel or alternatively climbing over the Rowley Hills and the Dudley No 2 Canal leaving the canal behind at the tunnel entrance the route leaves the West Midlands conurbation heading for Stratford and the Cotswolds. This section of the route finishes here sometime on the 10th September 1651, a week after the battle of Worcester. Parliament issued a proclamation calling for the 'discovery and apprehension of Charls Stuart and his abettors and adherents'. A reward of one thousand pounds was offered for his capture. Leaving the West Midlands at Halesowen the Monarch's Way re-enters Worcestershire Passing Halesowen Abbey the route passes through Bromsgrove. At Bromsgrove the King's horse shed a shoe and had to be taken to the blacksmith. The seventeenth century 'Ye Olde Black Cross Inn' is reputed to be another place where the king may have hidden. Between Bromsgrove and Redditch the Monarch's Way crosses the Worcester & Birmingham Canal at Tardebigge. Norgrove Court is another place that may have featured in the King's flight. Continuing towards Alcester and passing in to Warwickshire. Alcester to Wootton Wawen. Wootton Wawen to Snitterfield. In a lane now known as King's Lane the king's party came upon a group of Parliamentary troopers resting their horses and diverted off the road to avoid contact. They were to encounter these troopers later in Stratford. They approached Stratford from the North. Birthplace of the celebrated William Shakespeare and home of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
Fri, 27 Jun 2008 20:21 John M	Continuing the journey south from Stratford on Avon The Cotswold section of the journey was uneventful, but offers a nice walk. Travelling down through the Cotswolds Leaving Stratford for Long Marston on the Greenway Long Marston to Chipping Campden, Chipping Campden to Moreton in the Marsh Moreton in the Marsh to Stow on the Wold Stow in the Wold to Bourton on the Water Bourton on the Water to Northleach Northleach to Chedworth, Chedworth to Cirencester, Cirencester to Rodmarton Rodmarton to Tetbury Tetbury to Tresham Tresham to Little Sodbury Little Sodbury to Wick Wick to Keynsham from Keynsham following the River Avon into Bristol Bristol to Clifton finally arriving in Abbots Leigh. The King's party having passed through the centre of Bristol arrived at Leigh Court, the home of Mr George Norton. It is reported that Mr Norton did not know the identity of his visitor who was disguised as Mistress Jane Lane's servant, however, a plaque in the church suggests otherwise. The family butler attempted to find passage on a ship from Bristol but without success.
Fri, 27 Jun 2008 20:23 John M	Abbots Leigh to Trent There was no prospect of finding a ship in Bristol and the decision was taken to head further south towards the Dorset coast. Accompanying Jane Lane and her cousin as their groom the king left for the home of Colonel Wyndham at Trent. Abbots Leigh to Compton Martin Compton Martin to Wells Wells to Castle Cary Castle Cary to South Cadbury After a night in lodgings in Castle Cary the king's party headed for Trent South Cadbury (Camelot) to Trent South Cadbury, Corton Ridge, Sandford Orcas, Trent
Fri, 27 Jun 2008 20:25 John M	Picking up the route again at Trent, Somerset The party had travelled down though the Cotswolds reaching Abbotts Leigh. A ship could not be found sailing from Bristol and the decision was taken to head further south towards the Dorset coast. Accompanying Jane Lane and her cousin as their groom the king left for the home of Colonel Wyndham at Trent. Trent, Somerset to the Dorset coast and back to Trent The footpath passes through Montacute, seat of the royalist Phelips family. The brothers Robert and Edward will assist the king later in his journey. Misterton The Inn sign at the Royal Oak, Drimpton, reads 'During his journeys to avoid capture after the Battle of Worcester in 1651, Charles II was pursued by Roundhead troopers. His escape was aided by many staunch, local, loyalist supporters!' [[709255]] It is reputed that Charles rested up for a few hours in Hawkchurch. [[709250]] [[709244]] [[1474063]] [[709238]] [[1473694]] [[709217]] A rendezvous occurred in the hills above Lyme Regis. The plan to sail from Lyme Regis fell through and the king headed for Charmouth. [[709230]] [[414421]] [[709324]] The King spent the night of 22nd September 1651 at the Queen's Armes Hotel on the main street in Charmouth before heading along the coast towards Bridport. The footpath between Charmouth and Bridport takes in the Coastal Path over the highest point on the South Coast, Golden Cap with a diversion to avoid the landslips at Cairn's Folly. [[1182668]] [[771324]] [[771319]] [[709338]] [[709354]] [[1086475]] [[1182582]] [[1182606]] [[93834]] [[1087505]] [[1087501]] [[712564]] West Bay, Bridport [[709493]] [[882375]] [[709484]] [[709376]] [[709381]] [[709402]] The king failed to find passage from Bridport and retreated inland. [[709407]] [[709412]] [[787764]] [[1186506]] [[356879]] [[1186469]] The footpath climbs to Pilsdon Pen hill fort and the Wessex Ridgeway [[709420]] [[709425]] [[709431]] and Broadwindsor [[709442]] [[153555]] [[709451]] [[709466]] After spending the night at the George Inn in Broadwindsor the king and his party headed north to the relative safety of Trent until alternative arrangements could be made for a passage to France.
Fri, 27 Jun 2008 20:27 John M	From Trent, Somerset to Heale House, Middle Woodford, Wiltshire Plans had been made and the King accompanied by Mistress Coningsby and Henry Peters, Col Wyndham’s servant left the comparative safety of Trent for the home of Mrs Amphillis Hyde at Heale between Salisbury and Amesbury on the 6th of October 1651. The route goes via Wincanton, [[408931]] [[637159]] [[472136]] Mere, [[188723]] [[735656]] [[5483]] West Knoyle, [[975460]] [[199385]] [[975459]] [[975456]] Fonthill Bishop, [[439234]] [[360426]] [[891957]] the Ox Drove at Chilmark, [[893489]] [[488625]] [[488589]] [[910776]] [[481938]] [[887249]] [[481937]] [[880924]] Dinton, [[445758]] [[470690]] [[470705]] [[923154]] the Ox Drove to Grovely and Great Wishford, [[445798]] [[329677]] [[490585]] [[947955]] to Middle Woodford. [[472276]] [[44122]] [[336674]] [[707244]] The King hid at Heale House until 13th October 1651 spending his days at Stonehenge and returning to the house each night. Heale House to Hambledon On the 13th of October the king with Colonel Gunter and Colonel Phillips they set off for the home of Colonel Gunter's brother-in-law at Hambledon, Hampshire. [[691810]] [[691916]] [[1180067]] [[1179953]] Hurdcott and Figsbury Ring, [[513120]] [[337541]] [[189926]] [[1370593]] Middleton Winterslow, [[889069]] [[970788]] [[970789]] [[970807]] then across the downs [[486676]] [[141574]] [[141521]] [[141566]] to Knapp, [[166084]] [[805609]] [[166079]] [[154222]] via Wheely Down, [[154232]] [[956579]] [[955951]] [[959516]] [[706042]] [[1476389]] [[47974]] [[1339995]] [[1339977]] [[831770]] [[1330444]] [[1330378]] [[1330081]] [[1593151]] [[1593167]] [[1593162]] and Broadhalfpenny Down to Hambledon. [[78177]] [[1782]] [[540898]] King Charles II who was disguised as a poor yeoman, spent the night at the cottage adjoining the house of Mr Thomas Symonds. The cottage still stands and is now called 'King's Rest'. This was to be his last night in England before escaping to France. Hambledon to Shoreham From Hambledon via Horndean and Stansted Forest, [[934096]] [[935456]] [[935495]] [[935520]] [[935558]] [[935940]] [[935963]] [[945004]] [[945164]] [[1434333]] [[1434327]] [[945264]] [[945695]] [[945856]] [[945869]] [[946374]] Stoughton, [[1345303]] [[1345278]] [[1345274]] [[1345232]] [[1279848]] [[1279824]] [[1279803]] [[1279784]] [[1279758]] [[1279698]] [[1279535]] [[1279511]] [[220510]] St Roche's Hill, 'The Trundle', [[1073878]] [[176137]] [[1073857]] [[1462397]] [[952487]] [[1318676]] [[1318666]] Bignor Hill, Houghton Forest, [[81472]] [[1318853]] [[1318842]] [[726093]] [[726068]] [[1020308]] [[1020330]] [[1197224]] [[1197227]] [[1197537]] [[1197546]] through Arundel Park, [[1197577]] [[1198136]] [[1198217]] [[1198253]] [[1195715]] [[1195703]] [[1195683]] [[1195533]] Arundel, [[855453]] [[855471]] [[855490]] [[855521]] [[855517]] [[857096]] Warningcamp, [[1046600]] [[857171]] [[857179]] [[857192]] [[858856]] [[858894]] [[802627]] [[858980]] [[858991]] [[858999]] Findon, [[772058]] [[772073]] [[772112]] [[1511743]] [[1511937]] [[1511965]] [[773004]] [[773076]] [[872772]] [[61132]] [[872787]] [[872790]] Steyning, [[962423]] [[962403]] [[962383]] [[962362]] Hangleton, [[54107]] [[692490]] [[694024]] [[693964]] [[694697]] [[1126303]] [[694104]] [[694152]] [[729456]] Brighton, [[729458]] [[729473]] [[729481]] [[778408]] Brighton Esplanade, [[778420]] [[730554]] [[211484]] [[514666]] Hove, [[327851]] [[489140]] [[489073]] Shoreham, [[651316]] [[36784]] [[649788]] [[648921]] [[1013373]] [[1012841]] arriving at Shoreham Harbour. [[488749]] [[488827]] [[488840]] [[648920]] On 14th October 1651 King Charles II boarded the coal brig "Surprise" at a creek (now Shoreham Harbour) and sailed to Fecamp in Normandy. He was to spend the next eight years in exile This concludes the 615 miles of the Monarch's Way. Thank you to the many contributors of photographs who have made this gallery possible. There are still some gaps to fill and new photos to add.
Fri, 27 Jun 2008 20:48 John M	A miscellany of connections with King Charles II and the Restoration King Charles II was restored to the crown 0n May 29th, 1660 on his 30th birthday, Parliament proposed an annual public holiday to commemorate this event, and set a committee in motion, to prepare a bill ...for keeping of a perpetual Anniversary, for a Day of Thanksgiving to God, for the great Blessing and Mercy he hath been graciously pleased to vouchsafe to the People of these Kingdoms, after their manifold and grievous Sufferings, in the Restoration of his Majesty, with Safety, to his People and Kingdoms: And that the Nine-and-twentieth Day of May, in every Year, being the Birth Day of his Sacred Majesty, and the Day of his Majesty's Return to his Parliament, be yearly set apart for that Purpose. The public holiday survived for two hundred years and was abolished in 1859. The day is celebrated in various places around the country as Oak Apple (or Arbor Day) [[822029]] [[837155]] Oak Apple Day, Worcester Worcester, the Faithful City, was where King Charles II raised his Standard in 1651 in his ill fated attempt to regain the throne. [[465759]] [[466019]] [[465736]] Oak Apple Day, Royal Hospital, Chelsea The Chelsea Pensioners celebrate 'Founder's Day with a parade inspected by a member of the Royal Family in honour of King Charles II, who founded the Hospital. Sprigs of oak are worn. [[682874]] [[205694]] [[205697]] Garland Day, Castleton, Derbyshire The village of Castleton in Derbyshire has a parade of the Garland King who rides through the streets completely disguised in greenery , the 'Green Man' of pagan times. It is linked to the 29th of May and is a local holiday. All Saint's Church in Northampton (photo required) holds a special service on Oak Apple Day and a statue of King Charles II outside is wreathed with oak leaves. The church was re-built in the 1680s with 1000 tons of wood donated by the King from the Royal Forests. [[837232]] Arbor Day, Aston on Clun, Shropshire A native Black Poplar tree is dressed with flags. The celebration was preserved and encouraged by Mary Carter, the new wife of Squire Marston in 1786. This is only some of the better known celebrations I am sure there must be more. Paying off the Royal Debt On a recent visit to Worcester Prince Charles made recompense to the tailors of the city of £453 for monies owing for uniforms for the army raised in 1651 during the Civil War. King Charles II lost the Battle of Worcester and fled into exile in France leaving the bill unpaid. No allowance was made for interest in the intervening period! Odd connections I liked the the connection here between the main characters in the story. The pub itself is a few hundred yards away from the Monarch's Way. [[682669]]

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