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Published: 4th June 2024

Sutton Coldfield Tapestries

These 24 photos depict a very informative tapestry that took over 18 years to complete, with 30 to 40 people working on it at any one time. It was the brainchild of Mrs Julia Mills, Sutton’s last mayoress, who was determined that when Sutton was incorporated into Birmingham in 1974 it would not lose its royal history.

Under the co-ordination of Mrs Olive Hill and with advice from local historians, the whole set covers events during the eras of the Saxons, Romans, Tudors and Victorians, right up to 1974, using authentic materials such as silk, wool, silver or leather.

Mrs Mills, then chairman of the Royal Sutton Coldfield Tapestry Trust, said that “The tapestry is a living memento of the history of our time. It is authentic and beautiful, but it would be impossible to estimate its value.”

A VIP launch was arranged for June 1992 at Sutton College, followed by a display at the three day flower festival in Holy Trinity Parish Church. It was hoped that the church could provide it with a permanent home, but this was deemed inappropriate. However, the Rectory hall was offered, although that proved to be too small. Sutton Library would also have liked to display it, but could not guarantee security against vandalism.

Eventually an offer was made by Middleton Hall, which, being part of Sutton Chase, was within the boundary of Sutton and therefore a welcome and desirable venue. On 8^th April 1994, an unveiling took place by Lord Middleton and the collection now graces the upper gallery of the Great Hall.

Janet Jordan

Information taken from British Newspaper Archive

May, 2024

Sutton Coldfield Tapestries - Sutton Coldfield Tapestries

Sutton Coldfield Tapestries

This Collection Was Unveiled at the Official Opening of the Restored Great Hall by The Lord Middleton M.C. March 31st 1994

SAXONS AND ROMANS - Sutton Coldfield Tapestries

SAXONS AND ROMANS

A Saxon family leaves the cornfields carrying bundles of corn. All grain had to be ground at the Lord's mill, thus giving him an income.

SAXONS AND ROMANS - Sutton Coldfield Tapestries

SAXONS AND ROMANS

Boys ride through Maney district hunting wild animals. Wolves, bears and wild boar were chased for their meat, and deer were enclosed behind banks of earth topped by stakes.

SAXONS AND ROMANS - Sutton Coldfield Tapestries

SAXONS AND ROMANS

A Roman centurion oversees work on the Roman road, remains of which can still be seen near Streetly Gate. This road, known as Icknield Street, runs from Bourton-on-the-Water through Wall to Templeborough in Yorkshire.

SAXONS AND ROMANS - Sutton Coldfield Tapestries

SAXONS AND ROMANS

Two charcoal burners at work. One chops wood while the other cuts turves to construct the burner. At that time the area was known as Sutton Colfeld, meaning a field where charcoal was burnt.

THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY - Sutton Coldfield Tapestries

THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY

The Earl of Warwick hunts with falcons on Sutton Chase. The Earls of Warwick were Lords of the Manor of Sutton Coldfield until 1480 when the holder of the title was killed in the Wars of the Roses.

THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY - Sutton Coldfield Tapestries

THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY

Men practice archery at New Hall. Seventeen bowmen were sent from Sutton Coldfield to fight at the battle of Crecy. New Hall was extended and parts rebuilt in 1360, and some of this early work can still be seen today.

THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY - Sutton Coldfield Tapestries

THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY

Townspeople at Trinity Fair. The Fair, held for the first time in 1300, when Holy Trinity Church was completed, began on the eve of the feast of the Holy Trinity and continued for three days.

THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY - Sutton Coldfield Tapestries

THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY

Grain is brought to the miller at New Hall. It was at this time that the Black Death swept across the country and the huge fall in population led to decay and decline.

THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY - Sutton Coldfield Tapestries

THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY

Henry VIII hunts in Sutton Park. A wild boar charges the King but is shot by a young girl. The King rewards her by restoring her family's property and presents her with his personal emblem, the Tudor Rose – still the emblem of Sutton Coldfield today.

THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY - Sutton Coldfield Tapestries

THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY

Sutton Park as it was in Tudor times with many of the flowers found there. Bishop Vesey obtained a charter from the King which gave the Park to the inhabitants of Sutton Coldfield in perpetuity.

THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY - Sutton Coldfield Tapestries

THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY

Bishop Vesey stands in front of his birthplace, Moor Hall. The Grammar School, founded in 1541 and sited near Holy Trinity Church, can be seen in the background.

THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY - Sutton Coldfield Tapestries

THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY

Water Orton Bridge was built with stones from the Manor House at Bishop Vesey's instigation to link up the surrounding hamlets. St. Blaise's chapel, where Bishop Vesey attended school as a child, and which bears his effigy, is shown, together with cottages which he provided for the poor, some of which still stand.

THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY - Sutton Coldfield Tapestries

THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY

The four seasons in Sutton Park showing fishing, shooting, stick-gathering and cattle grazing. All these activities were permitted by the Charter to the inhabitants of Sutton Coldfield.

THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY - Sutton Coldfield Tapestries

THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY

Historic houses in the town. The first is a typical farm cottage. A view of Mill Street shows the church and houses with mounting blocks in front. The old Pie Shop, with its five chimneys, stood at the Maney end of the present-day Parade, and the Smithy still stands, surrounded now by Boddington Gardens.

THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY - Sutton Coldfield Tapestries

THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY

The Mail Coach arrives to change horses at the stables at the top of the Parade. Travel in the area became more widespread after the streets were paved with cobblestones by the Corporation in 1790.

THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY - Sutton Coldfield Tapestries

THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY

Cottages on Church Hill were at the centre of the town in the Eighteenth Century. They were demolished in 1937 and the Vesey Gardens were laid out on the site.

THE NINETEENTH CENTURY - Sutton Coldfield Tapestries

THE NINETEENTH CENTURY

The Church still dominates the town, and in front of it is the Town School, Dr. Boddington's house and the Dog Inn. Dr. Boddington was a pioneer in the fresh-air treatment of tuberculosis, and beds stand in the garden outside his home as the horse-drawn bus to Erdington passes by. This design was taken from an etching by Miss Bracken, a contemporary artist.

THE NINETEENTH CENTURY - Sutton Coldfield Tapestries

THE NINETEENTH CENTURY

The Birmingham to Aston Railway was extended to Sutton Coldfield in 1862. Visitors came by train and coach to benefit from the clean air in the town and to walk in the Park. Buildings include the Crystal Palace, the Royal Hotel (now the Town Hall), the Town School, Walmley Almshouses, the Pepper Pot, the Grammar School and the old Swan Inn.

THE NINETEENTH CENTURY - Sutton Coldfield Tapestries

THE NINETEENTH CENTURY

As in the past, the Park in Victorian times was still a haven for wildlife and plants, as seen in the Victorian posy and its border.

THE NINETEENTH CENTURY - Sutton Coldfield Tapestries

THE NINETEENTH CENTURY

The Prince of Wales visits Sutton Coldfield for the races in 1898. The Royal Agricultural Show is in progress and children are dancing around the maypole. Four Oaks Hall is in the background. The Four Oaks estate now stands on this site.

THE TWENTIETH CENTURY - Sutton Coldfield Tapestries

THE TWENTIETH CENTURY

The Scout Jamboree was held in Sutton Park in 1957. Her Majesty the Queen attended the celebrations following the opening by the Duke of Gloucester. The Jamboree Stone is named by the Mayor. Mrs K. Smith. Scouts gathered from all over the world to camp in the Park

THE TWENTIETH CENTURY - Sutton Coldfield Tapestries

THE TWENTIETH CENTURY

The face of Sutton Coldfield continues to change. Additions have been made to the Town Hall and a new Library, College of Further Education, Police Station, new Courts and Fire Station have been built. The television mast dominates the countryside, and the Gracechurch Centre has replaced one side of the old Parade. St. Michael's, Boldmere, has been partly rebuilt following a fire

THE TWENTIETH CENTURY - Sutton Coldfield Tapestries

THE TWENTIETH CENTURY

The people of Sutton Coldfield pursue a variety of leisure activities - swimming and athletics at the Wyndley Leisure Centre and sailing and golf are enjoyed in the Park. An annual Carnival parades through the streets in June, and throughout the year there are art exhibitions, music-making, drama and films.

THE TWENTIETH CENTURY - Sutton Coldfield Tapestries

THE TWENTIETH CENTURY

The Coat of Arms of the Royal Town is shown surrounded by some of the civic silver and regalia which was in use until the Town was incorporated within the City of Birmingham in 1974.

The Sutton Tapestries - Sutton Coldfield Tapestries

The Sutton Tapestries