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The final enclosures of land in Yardley were made during the 1840s. In our
districts no open fields remained to be carved up among the neighbouring
landowners, Taylors and Greswolds, because enclosure of Greet Fields had
been completed long before. Only a narrow strip of common survived at
Showell Green. All but a tiny patch of it was duly enclosed, as were Greet
Common and Wake Green. Several lanes were now public roads, required to be
brought up to Commissioners' standards. These including Showell Green Lane.
Wake Green Road, and a track which after 1853 was called College Road. The
whole area limited by Stoney Lane, the Spark Brook, and the Tyseley Brook,
was now parcelled into quadrilateral closes, hedged, ditched, and sometimes
drained. There was little agriculture - 'Ploughed Field' (Lea Road) was so
called because of its oddity. The few large farms were pastoral, producing
meat, milk products, and some vegetables for Birmingham markets. Many
farm-workers lined in, but there were some smallholders and rural craftsmen.
Those who lacked work went to the town to find it. All this was to change
during the next half-century except for the commuting, which was to increase
greatly.
In 1847 Henry Greswolde owned 812 acres in Yardley Parish, his local
holdings including Manor Farm, Shaftmoor, and Grove Farm. John Taylor, lord
of the manor, and his brother owned 1368 acres between them in Swanshurst
Quarter: Greetmill Hill was the only property hereabout. The Ryland family
owned some of the land between Stoney Lane and the Warwick Road; they later
purchased the Gravel Field part of Grove Farm.
Introduction
Preface
Relief and drainage, geology, and the natural
landscape
First footers and Anglo-Saxon
settlement
The manor of Yardley, the boundaries
of Yardley, and the 'Manor' of Greet
Ancient roads, ancient buildings, and watermills
Turnpike roads, bridges, and administration
Public transport
Enclosures
Urbanisation, and amenities and services
Churches, schools, and commerce and industry
Between the Wars and since, and references
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