A Royal Interlude

During his escape from England after the Battle of Worcester in September, 1651, King Charles II passed through our area.  Having tried to escape into Wales and finding his way blocked at the river Severn, Charles returned to Boscobel House where he spent some time in the famous oak tree, before travelling on to Moseley Old Hall. It may well have been in Pendeford that a famous exchange between the King and Humphrey the miller took place.  The latter was leading the horse on which Charles was riding and as the ground was miry and the horse blundering, the king bid Humphrey to have a care.  The miller answered that the horse had carried many a heavier weight in his time but now had a better price on his back, the price of three Kingdoms and therefore would not now shame his master.

Having crossed the river Penk near Pendeford Hall, the  king arrived at Pendeford Old Mill where he dismounted from the "dull jade" and for more security continued the remainder of the journey of about two miles, on foot across the meadows leading to Moseley.