| This 1979 booklet covers that part of the ancient Manor
and Parish which lies west of the Stratford Road. It includes much of what
is in Sparkhill and Greet. With his widow's permission, it has been made
available here, with only a small amount of editing.
Introduction
Swanshurst Quarter was an administrative division, not a natural entity. It
was that part of the ancient manor and parish of Yardley which lay between
the Stratford Road and the south-western boundary, 3.6 miles from north to
south and 2.4 miles across at its greatest. Established by the 18th
century as one of the four areas of the Civil Parish for poor rate
collection and highway maintenance, it ceased to exist when Yardley Rural
District joined the City of Birmingham in 1912. Herein the whole area will
be called 'the Quarter': 'Swanshurst' will always refer to the common, farm
and district of that name.
Introduction
Geology, Natural vegetation, and relief and drainage
Early settlement, and Saxon beginnings
Boundaries, Domesday Yardley, and Moats and
earthworks
Medieval times, and Ancient roads
Perambulations
Old houses, Local government, and Tudor to Georgian
times
Families and houses
Georgian times
Bridges, Watermills, and the Stratford Canal
The Tithe Map
Churches, and Schools
Yardley Rural District, The City of Birmingham, and
Urbanisation
Industry, Between the Wars, and Public transport
Swanshurst Quarter in 1979, and Short bibliography
Maps |
