HISTORY OF STAFFORDSHIRE. 191 



the traces of an entrenchment thrown up against it in Cromwell's 

 time, and several cannon-balls, some of them 32-pounders, have 

 been found among the ruins. It was for several years after this 

 inhabited by the lords-keepers, the plantations kept in order, and 

 the park within the walls well stocked with deer. In 1750, a set 

 of coiners took refuge in the buildings, which were either wilfully 

 or accidentally destroyed by fire. It is now quite neglected, and 

 forms a very picturesque ruin. 



William, the present Lord Viscount Dudley and Ward and Baron 

 of Birmingham, was born January 21, 1750, succeeded to his 

 honours and estates October 8, 1788, and married Miss Julia Bos- 

 ville, by whom he has isue one son, John William, who is seated 

 in Parliament for Ilchester. 



In the lime-stone quarries near this place are found a variety of 

 fossils and marine substances in a state of petrifaction, particularly 

 the Dudley locust, a water insect ; the cornu ammonis, a worm coiled 

 up ; astroites or star stones ; cockles, &c. which are frequently found 

 in large masses. Here is that astonishing work, the Dudley Tun- 

 nel, one mile and three quarters in length, cut through a hard rock ; 

 and some stupendous caverns, where the lime-stone has been got, 

 and conveyed away by means of this subterraneous canal. 



The village of SEDGLEY stands on high ground mid-way between 

 Wolverhampton and Dudley. The parish of Sedgley is large and 

 populous, including Gornall, Coseley, Ettingsal, &c. in all nine 

 villages, containing 2000 houses and 12,000 inhabitants, chiefly 

 consisting of lime-men, colliers, and nailers. Here are immense 

 heaps of lime-stone, and skirtings of coal and iron-stone in abund- 

 ance. The facility of water-carriage has greatly contributed to the 

 increase of the coal and iron trade in this neighbourhood : the Dud- 

 ley tunnel passes under the lime-stone hills. 



The church is a vicarage, dedicated to All Saints: it is an an- 

 cient structure of rough stone, with a lofty spire, which forms a 

 fine object in the surrounding landscape. 



Between Wolverhampton and Sedgley, is Sedgley Park, an an- 

 cient seat of the Dudleys, which has been long used as a Roman 

 Catholic seminary. There is a fine eminence to the south-east, on 

 which was formerly a beacon, the summit of which still bears that 

 name : the stratum of this hill is principally lime-stone. Here is 

 a considerable estate belonging to the Petit family, called Et- 

 tiagsal Park, which contains great quantities of lime-stone and 

 iron-stone : it is occupied by Samuel Fereday, Esq. 



