A Question Of What?

[Dennis Williams]

Long shot I know...but mike's comment about scale and old maps may be right...they cannot be relied on to be accurate.....and I still think it's something to do with hanging skins or stuff for tanning or drying......way back in Hill's 1553 map, about where the yards are later...I think it may say Tannery or Formerly West Wyatts Yard? Over the word Gild ....? And we can se clearly that the Colmores and Elsmores had definite Tan yards opposite? Not proof, but a reasonable connection to what went on later?

 

[Lady Penelope]

Yes, that's good - let's go with that theory Dennis until someone comes up with a better one! Much as I'd like it to say 'tannery' I do think you're right and it says 'formerly'. Definite on the tan yards opposite though. And... you can see 'my' Geasts on this map in the same place as the family would be living 200 years later on Deritend Bridge, Deritend Island.

 

[Radiorails]

Near the watercourses there were many tanneries, willow was grown for baskets, flax was used for making linen - and eaten it seems - and there were dyers as well. Lady P mentions the tall posts for drying the dyed cloth, I concur with that. As this area bounded the deer park may types of tree grew there, including as has been mentioned, poplar. Excavations have found evidence of Mediterranean and north American trees. Industry was still, at the time, still small scale, some of 'cottage' type. There were potters and quite a few smithies and the finds of bones (animal) suggest some manufactured cutlery.
I believe the 'fence; on the map is just that. It was to keep animals within the park area - it was a deer park and deer can certainly jump! Other park perimeters have hedges or walls it seems.
The whole area is steeped in history from the early Roman period: much has come and gone in the last 2000 years I guess.

 

[mikejee]

I think it is a very good theory. should emphasise though that the 1553 map is one drawn in the 19th century mainly from information in a written account of the area at the time, so caution should be taken on two counts

 

[Lady Penelope]

I now have to say that I may be going back on the tannery theory Dennis and reverting back to the poplars.
On the map on your post #23 you can see similar objects behind the manor house. A sketch of the manor shows poplar trees. What do you think?

 

[Vivienne14]

Just been reading "Beneath the Bullring" by Simon Buteux. He suggests there was hemp and flax growing in the area. Could the poles have been for rope making ?

Also I have a feeling the poles and fences are connected. Just a feeling though, no evidence. Do they form two parts of a process ? Viv.

 

[Dennis Williams]

Sorry I'm a bit late with this query to mikejee.......where oh where did this clip come from that you posted on this thread....I thought it was from Westley or Thomas Archer, but I now don't think so....not one of my many vistas I have collected....? Cheers mike....? (he said crossing his fingers)

 

[mikejee]

Dennis
This is part of "The East Prospect of Birmingham in the County of Warwick"by Samuel & Nathaniel Buck, 1753. I have added in larger and heavier type the numbers, the originals of which which do not show up well. I copied it from "A Prospect of Britain" , The town panoramas of Samuel & Nathaniel Buck, by Ralph Hyde, Pub by Pavillion Books 1994. there are copies available on the Abe books site

 

[Dennis Williams]

Dennis
This is part of "The East Prospect of Birmingham in the County of Warwick"by Samuel & Nathaniel Buck, 1753. I have added in larger and heavier type the numbers, the originals of which which do not show up well. I copied it from "A Prospect of Britain" , The town panoramas of Samuel & Nathaniel Buck, by Ralph Hyde, Pub by Pavillion Books 1994. there are copies available on the Abe books site

Thank you so much....you never let us down!

 

[Dennis Williams]

Another query for mikejee......The Market House.....No 4 on Bucks vista.....never quite sure perzackerly where or what this was...? Any pics or ideas....anyone can help me...?

 

[mikejee]

I presume it is the same as Market Hall house, shown in this drawing and mentioned in the advert of 1848, which would presumably place it where it is marked in red on the later c1889 map.

 

[Dennis Williams]

Utterly amazing ....! Thanks so much....all completely new to this boy......so grateful...