300 A TOPOGRAPHICAL 



leases of his former tenants, took their farms into his own hands. 

 The population of this parish is very small, the number of houses 

 being 18, of families 21, consisting of 67 males and 65 females: 

 total inhabitants 122. 



Two farm-houses, which stood in the valley below the Hall, 

 where the annual country wake was formerly celebrated, were 

 pulled down on the expiration of the leases, the fences levelled, 

 and the fields incorporated with the park. 



The estate of Ingestre extends to Weston, and into St. Mary's 

 parish, Stafford, including Hopton-heath, and the ancient farm of 

 the Beacon. It also contains the site of the Priory of St. Tho- 

 mas, which is now occupied by a corn-mill, the hills near it being 

 adorned with groves and plantations, which form a conspicuous or- 

 nament to the country. 



At Hopton-heath, a short way to the south-west of Ingestre, a 

 severe action was fought between the King's forces, under the Earl 

 of Northampton, and the Parliamentary army, commanded by Sir 

 John Cell and Sir William Brereton. The Earl of Northampton 

 had purposed the relief of Lichfield ; but that town having been 

 compelled to surrender before his troops could arrive, he determin- 

 ed to march upon Stafford, which had been immediately after in- 

 vested by a detachment of the victorious republicans. Upon the 

 approach of the Royalists, Sir John Gell, who commanded this 

 force, retired with the view of forming a junction with Sir William 

 Brereton, who was collecting his troops with the same intention. 

 This point being effected, both Generals retraced their steps to- 

 wards Stafford, and encamped at this place, which lies three miles 

 to the north-east of the town. The Earl of Northampton imme- 

 diately led his forces against them ; and, notwithstanding their 

 great superiority in numbers, attacked them with incredible impe- 

 tuosity. A long and obstinate contest took place, in which, after 

 performing prodigies of valour, the Earl's horse having been shot 

 under him, he was surrounded and slain. Notwithstanding thus 

 unfortunate, the Royalists continued the battle, and, according to 

 their own account, ultimately gained a decided victory. The Par- 

 liamentary army, on the other hand, asserted that though defeated 

 at first they were in the end successful ; and, if success is to be es- 

 timated by its consequences, they certainly had the best of the day. 



COTON CLANFORD, a small village situate about three miles west 

 of Stafford, gave birth to WILLIAM WOLLASTON, a distinguished 

 writer, descended from an ancient family in this county, and born 



