148 A TOPOGRAPHICAL 



house of stone, all embattled castlewise." This castellated mansion 

 was strongly fortified during the contest between the houses of 

 York and Lancaster ; and in the war between Charles the First and 

 the Parliament, it was defended by a numerous garrison. A Mr. 

 Pitt, of Wolverhampton, endeavoured to bribe Captain Tuthill, 

 governor of Rushall, to betray the garrison for c2000. ; but the 

 captain discovered the treachery, and Pitt suffered death for it in 

 the year 1640. There are two cannon-balls shewn here, as relics 

 of the Civil war. One of these, twelve pounds weight, was found 

 in a piece of timber ; the other, only three pounds, was found at 

 Ryecroft, on the opposite side of the road. 



This fortification, which is now in ruins, was built of rough lime- 

 stone, and encompassed about one acre of ground ; near the centre 

 is a detached building, containing a large room on the ground- 

 floor, and a bedchamber over it, adorned with several family por- 

 traits of the Leighs. The offices on the north side are now in- 

 habited by a tenant. The extent of the manor is about 1500 acres, 

 part in tillage, and part grass. It is in general too cold for barley, 

 but is excellent wheat land. By a singular agreement with the 

 lord of the manor, the tenant is bound to manure with lime only for 

 corn crops, and to lay all his compost on grass-land. The conse- 

 quence has been a great improvement of the estate, and the circum- 

 stances of the occupier. 



A Roman fibula, with several ancient coins, were found by some 

 workmen in May, 1795, who were employed in making a pit for 

 burning limestone, on an estate called Linley-farm, belonging to 

 Mr. Leigh. 



The most memorable individual of the family of the Leighs, was 

 Edward Leigh, who was educated at Oxford, and in 1623 obtained 

 the degree of M. A. He finished his education in the Middle Temple, 

 London, and was the author of Critica Sacra, and several other 

 useful books. He was chosen member of the Long Parliament in 

 the time of the Civil wars : but at the mandate of Cromwell, he 

 was confined, with many other members, at the King's Head, in the 

 Strand. He lived till the year 1671, and was buried in the chancel 

 of Rushall Church. 



On the ruins of Rushall, a singular plant, with a beautiful flower, 

 grows in great profusion. It is the Antirrhisum majus, or Snap 

 Dragon, and is in full bloom about Midsummer. 



Rushall Church is a vicarage, dedicated to St. Michael, and 

 appears to have been a chapel of ease to Walsall. On the south 



