Ledbury Research

Here's some of the background reading I did for the tracks on "A Green Lane to Ledbury"

For the Wife of James Baylis"Thomas Reynolds, 23 years of age, was of honest parents in Ledbury Parish who put him to school where he was taught to read, and instructed in Christian principles. His father having been a farmer did not put him to a trade, but kept him at home, and bred him to his own way of country work. For a considerable time before he was taken up he served a substantial, creditable farmer, and had intention to take a convenient farm, and to marry, if the humour which of late possessed a great many country people had not prevented him. The day this unfortunate adventure upon which he was taken up happened, was the 28th September 1735 about which time there was a general whispering and surmise through the country, that they would attempt the cutting down and destroying of turnpikes about Ledbury and other places, and for this purpose, there were idle fellows who rode and strolled through the country, and spirited and buoyed up the farmers and their servants, to gather in mobs and violently pull down and destroy the turnpikes which they pretended to be a great nuisance and imposition upon the country, and having sufficiently fermented great numbers of the meaner sort of people, they made an appointment to meet and by force of arms destroy the turnpikes about Ledbury and accordingly a considerable number of farmers and their servants and others of the meaner sort of people, came to the town, every one with his axe in his hand, to cut down the turnpikes in a tumultuous manner.

The justices of his majesty's peace, and other gentlemen, being appraised of their intentions, had gathered together a number of constables and others to oppose the mobbers in their attempts, and Thomas Reynolds, the unfortunate criminal, had, with a great many others, engaged to come to the general rendezvous upon the day appointed.

It was about six o'clock at night when Reynolds was taken up and carried before Justice Skip, who secured him in his house (The Upper Hall) for some time. About nine o'clock the mob came back to Justice Skip's in order to rescue the two prisoners, Baylis and Reynolds. They advanced with such fury and boldness on the justice's house that the armed men were obliged to shoot, which killed one man on the spot, and four others died of their wounds.

The mob also shot and wounded some of the justice's men, but after a furious scuffle, wherein several men were wounded on both sides, the mob despairing of any success in their imprudent attempt at last dispersed late at night, leaving some of their number dead on the spot, and some wounded besides. Baylis and Reynolds were kept at the justice's house.They were sent for trial to London.

At the Trial - Thomas Reynolds (with James Baylis reprieved) having been accused sometime since of pulling down and destroying Ledbury turnpikes was not tried particularly for that crime but on the Black act, for going in disguise, armed with offensive arms, contrary to the said act of parliament. The jury (having been a special jury called for that purpose) - found them guilty of the indictment. They were ordered back to Newgate, and on Saturday the 10th July, by appointment they were carried up to Westminster Hall, and received sentence of death.

At the Execution - Thomas Reynolds appeared very devout and serious, and had no more to add to his confessions, but that he forgave everybody, and died in the faith of Christ. After he was cut down the wife of James Baylis, who had bought him a coffin and shroud with the money he gave her the day before his execution, put him into the coffin. They digged a grave nigh to the place of execution, to which the mob carried him, and as they were putting him into the grave a woman desired a sight of his body; the coffin being opened he moved and breathed strongly and lifted his hand to his breast.

The mob favouring him, lest the officers should take and execute him again, they carried the coffin along the Oxford road, and halting to see how he did they found him still alive breathing strongly, his breast and belly heaving up, and he often put his hand to his breast, but never opened nor moved his eyes.

A surgeon drew blood of him and he bled freely and plentifully, and vomited a good deal. They carried him to Paddington, and desired them to take him into their houses, but nobody would receive him for fear of trouble. They put sack and brandy to his mouth and used other means to recover him, and a man wrapped him in his boat to keep him warm, but they having thrown water into the coffin, and he put out of all house and harbour, after they had carried him about two miles from Tyburn they returned towards the town, but by reason of cold and other mismanagement he at last expired, and they digged another grave by the Oxford road and buried him."

1349 - The Black Death

The Black Death originated in China and Inner Asia in 1347. It quickly reached Europe and over the next few years took a proportionally greater toll of life than any other known epidemic or war up to that time - approximately 25 million people. The population in England in 1400 was roughly half that which it had been a century earlier, and the Black Death caused the depopulation or total disappearance of about 1000 villages.

Herefordshire was not affected until 1349, and from Bishop John Trilleck's registers it is possible to recognise the devastating impact it had on Ledbury and the surrounding area. In March John de Prato, priest of the chantry of the Blessed Virgin at Ledbury died. He was followed by "Sir Walter" priest at Cradley, and "Sir Adam" at Bishop's Frome. Before the year was out the parish priests at Bromsberrow, Donnington, Canon Frome, Munsley, and Little and Much Marcle were all claimed by the plague. In Evesbatch two priests, and at Bosbury three in succession, all died within the year.

The medieval Church, like the medieval agrarian system, never really recovered. It was those that remained at their posts who died, and those who fled - and betrayed their faith - who survived. That a priest out of fear for his life could deprive the dying of the last rites and rob them of their hope of salvation was a thing so shattering to the medieval mind that it struck at the roots of belief.

The Battle of Ledbury

"On the 22nd Day of April 1645 Colonel Massey's forces were routed by Prince Rupert at Ledbury. Here, by some negligence of the scouts or outposts, six thousand men were upon him before he was aware of their approach, and he was nearly cut off.

Prince Rupert, having marched all night, came unperceived within half a mile of the town. There was neither work nor barricades to stop him, and he thought to have surrounded the Parliamentarians.

The gardens, orchards and enclosures at the back of the houses presented no serious obstacle to Prince Rupert's men, who pushed forward on either side behind the main streets to cut off the enemy's retreat at the other end towards Gloucester; while the greater body charged such as stood their ground in the street, and after some resistance succeeded in expelling them from place to place. This affair derived considerable importance from the reputation of the leaders; and, as it was one of the severest rubs that Massey had yet experienced, the Oxford Account (Friday April 25th) came forth without delay, and made the most of the disaster. Triumphant, course, and inflated as it is, it contains many graphic particulars that none but witnesses could have recorded, and gives fair testimony to the personal bravery of either commander, as well as to the coolness and ability with which the retreat was conducted.

His Highness came to Ledbury on Tuesday morning last. At whose approach the Rebel's horse drew to arms, having barricaded the streets with carts &c;, the Lord Astley's foot were called to fall on first, and were seconded by Colonel Washington's and some others. their horses kept out his Highnesses foot for a while, but within half an hour the barricade was opened, and the way was made for His Highnesses horse to charge; the first charge was committed to the Lord Loughborough with command (if he could) to make a thorough charge, who (like himself) did it most gallantly and without any hurt to himself, though shot five times through his clothes and upon his arms. He was seconded from his Highness

Massey drew up his foot soldiers in haste, and sent them forward on the Gloucester Road; his horse, waiting to cover their retreat, were not so soon ready, and were in some disorder when the Cavaliers arrived.

Prince Rupert, with his usual impetuosity, instantly charged. Neither at Andersford nor at Tainton had Massey been in greater peril. The Prince sought a personal encounter with him, and shot his horse.

How any of the party got off is quite inexplicable. Detachments, pushed forward on the right and left, tried to surround the foot. The road was probably more open than it now is and there must have been a running fight along in for four miles out of Ledbury; but at last the Royalists fell upon the rear-guard and took about 200 prisoners abandoned by the horse, who could not be brought up again to check the pursuers ."

Rosamond and the Baiting of Bulls

"We did not find the Bishop at Ledbury; he was at Bosbury; but many of his attendants and the neighbouring gentry and clergy had assembled for bull-baiting in the market-place. The town, indeed was full of men and dogs from the whole country round, Master Baskerville of Edesley Castle having given a couple of bulls of the wildest breed. The hostelries of the Prince's Plume and the Royal Oak were crowded as we rode up, and great was the consumption of wine, and greater still that of ales, mead and cider, while big-headed bull-dogs with deep jowls were led in thongs by their masters and backers.

If there was one of our English sports that Rosamond detested it was bull-baiting. although a pastime much frequented by the wives and daughters of the gentry and yeomen, some of whom had their petted dogs with names by no means appropriate to such animals. Thus one terrific looking animal belonging to Mistress Straggles was named 'Rose', and another dubbed 'Beauty'.

The bulls were to be baited on the great square near King Stephens Market-house, and Rosamond at once rushed away from the baiting and looked at the church while we indulged our curiosity and watched this national pastime. We joined the committee appointed to see fair play for the bull, as far as fair play could be obtained for a tethered animal. It was determined that only one dog should be loosed at a time, and not three or four, as would sometimes be done if the mob had their own way and the bull proved too good for the dogs. Also we insisted on a fair length of rope and gearing, which the dog owners were apt to make over short, and thus hardly allow a bull room to turn and meet his savage antagonists. We would not sanction any worry of bulls by a number of dogs let loose at the close of baiting, as had been done several times of late to the disgrace of the managers and altogether contrary to the rules of the sport.

When we arrived at the ring we found the bull already tethered and fastened by a good rope and leathern girdles across the shoulders and round the neck, but we called upon the judges to increase the length by two yards.

The first bull was the largest, and though wild and savage, was somewhat unwieldy, so some of the younger dogs were matched against him, and very short work he made with most of them, goring some, trampling others, while two he actually tossed in the middle of the excited crowd. At last a Red Marley dog, well known for his courage and power, was let loose at the now infuriated animal, who rushed round the ring, mad with pain and fury. This dog at once pinned the beast by the nose and not-withstanding his struggles held on until the bull fell exhausted, and was declared defeated by the umpires. The second bull was a much smaller animal, but as active as a cat, and a dark red breast with sharp straight horns. The Red Marley dog was let loose at him, and being somewhat bow-legged and slow, was caught by his horns and killed on the spot. Silent John now came forward with 'Saxon', a tawny dog with great width of chest and an enormous head. Saxon, however, fared no better, being met by the bull in full charge and tossed in nearly across the street.

So powerful,however, was the animal's charge that the rope snapped close at his neck and set him free in the midst of an affrighted crowd. We all run away, some rushing into St Catherine's Hospital, others into houses, and some up the narrow streets which lead to the church. Just opposite the "Plume of Feathers" the enraged beast overset at least half a dozen of the runaways, but fortunately did not gore them with his horns; when at the cross-trackways in the centre of the town there stood a little child which had run into the centre of the trackways, and having on a red cloak attracted the bull's attention.

To my horror I saw Rosamond come down the trackway and seeing the danger of the child, rushed forward and drag it to the corner of the street. In a moment the bull was upon them, but the gallant girl held on firmly to the child, and fortunately for their lives both fell together, and thus missed the fatal too he gave with his horns at the little red cloak beneath his feet. He then rushed on madly up the Gloucester-Street followed by men with ropes and dogs. Rosamond was merely shaken by the fall; but the little girl was badly hurt by the trampling of the bull and moaned with pain as I lifted her from the ground."

The Box of Dominoes

The Box of Dominoes was a toll house at the end of the Green Lane. It was demolished within living memory.

Compiled from extracts from "The Ledbury Guide (1831)," "The Newgate Ordinary," "Malvern Chase; an episode of the Wars of the Roses and The Battle of Tewkesbury" by The Rev W. S. Symonds, rector of Pendock, and "Historical Introduction to the Bibliothec Gloucestrienis," Reprinted in The Hereford Times February 2 1884"