BIRLINGHAM. 49

parishioners attended Birlingham church. There was likewise a dispute as to what parish the hamlet of Wollashall belonged, the register of which place was lost; and altogether the geographical identities of the district seem to have been greatly mystified. Earl Coventry is the lord of the manor of Birlingham, and J. Hanford Flood, Esq., of Wollashall (who by marriage with Miss Hanford is the present representative of the old Hanford family of Wollashall), is the lord of the manor of Nafford. I know not whether Nafford and Birlingham were co-extensive. Miss Porter, R. Woodward, Esq., of Arley Castle, J. Woodward, Esq., and Mrs. E. H. Risdon, are the chief landed proprietors. The village is almost insulated by the river Avon (which bounds it like a horse-shoe) and by Defford Brook. Contains 1,270 acres of excellent land, capable of producing almost anything, and a population of 350, all engaged in rural pursuits. (About thirty-two families temp. Elizabeth.)

Urso, the great Norman, appropriated two hides and one virgate of the land here, and handed the same over to the Beauchamps, his successors. One of the manors belonged in succession to the Spencer, Hastings, Scroop, Burgh, Carleton, Russell, Hanford, Salwey, Booth, and Woodward families.

Living, a rectory, value £210; patron and rector, Rev. R. E. Landor, brother of the poet, Walter Savage Landor. Church accommodation, 250; free, 150. The church contains a Norman chancel arch, but the body of the church, between the chancel and western tower, was rebuilt towards the close of the last century in the Perpendicular style. There are some curious inscriptions here.

There is a free school endowed by Miss Porter, and a Sunday school partly endowed, also eight almshouses for poor parishioners. The parish is doubly blessed by nature, enjoying lovely scenery and most fertile soil; by accident, in having such a resident lady as the benevolent Miss Porter, whose elegant residence may be seen near the church and parsonage.