EASTHAM, THE HANLEYS, AND ORLETON. 137

in 1787, if not at a much earlier period. Dudley was also famous for its opposition to Catholic emancipation, and in the petition sent up from the town the column of signatures measured 230 feet!

Eastham, The Hanleys, and Orleton.

NEAR Tenbury, in the connty of Worcester but diocese of Hereford, Edric the Saxon held Eastham, but Ralph de Todeni took it at the Conquest. There were lands here belonging to the monks and Church of Worcester, which those ungodly men the Danes seized, but the wife of the principal spoliator, being touched with remorse, presented the monks with a beautiful iroağe of the Virgim The succeeding owners of the manor of Iwtham were the De Sodingtons, the Barons of Burford, and the Winningtons ; Sir Thomas Winnington, M.P., being now the lord of the manor. The other landowners are Earl Beauchamp, Sir F. Gore Ouseley, John Whitehead, H. Wakemau Newport, and E. V. Wheeler, Esqrs. Produce, hops, corn, apples, and pasture. Population, with the annexed rectory of Hanley William, and the two chapelries of Hanley Child and Orleton, between 600 and 700, whose occupation is purely agricultural. The ancient court-house near the church was formerly one of the seats of the Barons of Burford. There are places in the parish called Bonfire Hill, Quince Hill, Ridgeway, and Castletump Meadow. Near the village is a bridge over a rapid part of the Teme. The Rev. H. Browne is rector and patron of the living, which is valued at £920 tithe rent-charge and 200 acres of. glebe; total value, about £1,200; church accommodation, 300, one-half free. The church is small, and is supposed to have belonged formerly to the