Page:A century of Birmingham life- or, A chronicle of local events, from 1741 to 1841 (IA centuryofbirming02lang).pdf/725

Rh persons that fulfilled these conditions, four were "Ambrose Rotton, Richard Rotton, Thomas Rotton, and John Rotton." It is remarkable and very instructive, that this charity altogether cscaped the notice of the roving Charity Commissioners who were sent out some years ago to find out the nakedness of the land. But its course has, nevertheless, been remarkably regular. Somewhat familiar with this sort of subject, I confess to surprise at the completeness of the manner in which the donor's intentions have been observed. The proceeds of the charity are still annually distributed in accordance with those intentions.

Before closing this letter, it will not be out of place to call attention to the Charter of King Edward VI.'s School, and the light which it throws upon some old Birmingham names. This Charter is dated 1552, and the town is spelt Brymycham; and in the list of property possessed by the foundation we find mention of the Englyshe Market, which included property in Dale End, Meeting Street, High Street, and Union Street; Le Bulryne, Le Pynfolde, Well Street (now Digbeth), Park Street, and near Godde's-carte Lane. In the Englyshe Market were seven messuages or tenements, with two crofts of land. In New Strete, "a house or hall called the Town Hall, otherwise the Guilde Hall, and one garden to the same house or hall appertaining or adjoining and one messuage, two crofts of land, one barn, and one garden, with the appurtances." In Chappell Strete, now Bull Street, "all those lands and hereditaments called Foldes, &c.;" and in Dalende, "a barn and four messuages with the appurtances." In Molle Strect, now Moor Street, "five messuages or tenements, and two crofts of land;" in Egebaston Strete, "one barn, two cottages, one garden, and five messuages ;" in Le Pynfolde, the "croft of land;" and in Park Strete, near Godde's-carte Lane, "two barns and two gardens." In Le Foren, or the "Foreign," "all those lands, fields, meadows, and hereditaments, with the appurtances, called Long Croft, Bynges [the Crescent], Rotton Fields, Walmores, and Seyncte Mary Wood, &c." There were also the crofts in New Street, the Masshouse Croft, Kimberley's Croft in Moor Street, and Steelhouse Croft. Some of these names are to be found in Mr. Dovey's Terrier, and show how thoroughly Birmingham was a country town even at so late a period in its history.

Yours truly,

J. A. LANGFORD.

JUNE, 1869.