History
Harlaston is a fairly simple name to define. It is of Saxon origin and comes from 'Heoruwulf's farmstead'. Unlike so many personal names Heoruwulf is certain, owing to the early records as Heorelfstun, Horulvestone and Herlaueston. The hamlet is centred on a local church, St Matthew's. Opposite stands the Manor House; the current builing dates from 1690, and gave its name to Manor Lane. As with many similar inn names the White Lion recalls, in part, a badge, in this case that of a former owner of Tamworth Castle.
Harlaston is steeped in history. Here we have captured, and continue to capture the village life through historical research, photos and first-hand memories.
Along with much of South East Staffordshire, Harlaston goes back well before 1066. Its importance was no doubt enhanced to some extent because of the existence of a Corn Mill, as recorded in the Doomsday Book, although it is realised that the Mill is mentioned therein due to the fact that Mills were on of the main items ordered to be taken into account in the Census which was taken on the orders from William the Conqueror. Nevertheless, it can be assumed that farmers from quite a wide area brought their grain to Harlaston to be milled.
Harlaston was mentioned in the Doomsday book as "Horulvestone" (meaning farmstead of a man named Heoruwulf). In 1066 Harlaston was owned by Lord Algar. By 1086 the settlement included 23 households which was a very large settlement for the time.
From the Doomsday Book:-
“Harlaston (Latin Horvlevestone) – In Offlow Hundred
4 Hides. Land for Ploughs. In Lordship 2.
16 Villagers and 5 smallholders have 4 ploughs.
A Mill at 4s: 2 Slaves: The value was and is £6:
Earl Algar held these: 4 Manors”
It is interesting to note that in the Doomsday Book the value of Birmingham is put 20s and Harlaston at 120s!
William I confiscated the lands of Count Algar and later handed his Staffordshire Lands to the De Ferrers of Derby.
The first local Lord of Harlaston was Gilbertus Franceys. In 1157 Walter Vernon is recorded as the Lord of the Manor. He was a collateral relative of the Vernons wo were to live at Sudbury Hill near Uttoxeter.
In 1603 the Manor of Harlaston was sold by Sir Edward Standby to Sir Edward Brabazon of Nether Whitacre, High Sheriff of Staffordshire in 1606.
According to Lichfield District Council Conservation Area Appraisal Management Plan 2012, "there are the remains of a moat immediately to the north-west of the Church surrounding the Churchside Development. This represents the remains of a medieval moated manor site which would have been built during the 12th and 13th centuries period and occupied by the Lord of the Manor. ....The water-filled moat protected the homes of wealthy families and also served as a status symbol. " The moat is now silted up.
There is some information on the history of Harlaston on the Wikipedia web site.
Taken from A Survey and Analysis of the Place-Names of Staffordshire
David Horovitz LLB
Old Map of Harlaston and district circa 1884
"HARLASTON is a village, township, and chapelry, pleasantly seated on an eminence, on the south bank of the Mease, 4 miles N. of Tamworth, and 2½ miles W. of Clifton Campville. It has 218 inhabitants, and 1400 acres of land. The Rev. Thos. Levett, of Packington, and Mr. John Nevill, of Wigginton, are joint lords of the manor; but most of the soil belongs to several other proprietors, one of whom is Sir Francis Burdett, and another the Dowager Countess Chetwynd. The chapel is an ancient building, with a low wooden spire. The nave was rebuilt and new-pewed about six years ago. The curacy is annexed to the mother church."
(William White (1834) History, Gazetteer, and Directory of Staffordshire and the City and County.)
Listed Buildings
The village contains two important timber framed buildings, The Manor House dating to C1600 and The Manor dating to C1690 both on Main Road.
Haselour Hall
Haselour House
Milepost, Haselour
Conservation Area
To preserve its character, much of the village has been designated a conservation area. Lichfield District Council's website has further information on the extent of this area.
Several buildings in the Village have been added to the Council's Local List
Churchside:
The Old Rectory
Main Road :
Two Hoots
Church Farmhouse
Church Farm
The Poplars
The Cottage
Church Cottage
Holly Cottage
Manor Lane:
Fishpits Farmhouse
Rose Cottage
Rectory Gate
Numbers 1-4 Post Office Row (inclusive)
The Old School
White Lion Inn
Yew Tree House
The Greenyard
The Forge
Other Buildings of Interest - Past and Present
Harlaston Mill on the River Mease
The Old School House, Harlaston
The Pavillion
The Old Police House, Manor Lane
The Old Police House, Main Road
St Matthews CE School, Manor Lane
Royal Observer Corp Monitoring Post
Two Hoots
The Poplars
The Cottage
Yew Tree House
The Green Yard
Holly Cottage
Rose Cottage
Rectory Gate
The Forge
Haselour Grange Farm
If you are interested in a particular timeframe in history please click the links to find relevant newspaper articles, photographs or memories.
Pre World War 1 World wars 1 and 2 1950's and 60's 1970's and 80's Nineties and Noughties, C21
National events to celebrate special occasions
Coronation 1953 Coronation 2023
Silver Jubilee
Platinum Jubilee
Linked are articles from the Tamworth Herald or other news publication where people from Harlaston are directly involved.
We have captured first-hand memories of some of our residents. Through their stories and photos we hope you will get a feel for life in Harlaston throughout the years and how much it has changed. A nostalgic look at village life that isn’t captured anywhere else and will ensure that the knowledge is preserved for current and future villagers and visitors will have access to enjoy for now and in the future
There have been many groups, societies and clubs throughout the years. Some of the clubs are recorded below.
Harlaston District Sick and Dividend Club - circa 1913
St Matthews Choir - circa 1945
Womens Institute (WI) - circa 1934
Harlaston Nursing Association - circa 1932
Darts Club - circa 1938
Harlaston Annual Feast - circa 1904
Harlaston Mothers Union - circa 1944
British Red Cross - circa ?
Harlaston Friends of St Giles Hospice - circa ??
Young Farmers Association - circa ??
Parish Meetings - circa 1910
Atherstone Hunt at Harlaston - circa
Harlaston United Football Club - circa 1935
Harlaston Unionist Association - circa 1935
Guides Company - circa 1949
Scouts Troop - circa 1945
Sunday School - circa ??
Indoor Bowls Club - circa ??
Harlaston Sick Club - circa 1872
Harlaston British Legion - circa 1948
If you have any more information please send information to:
Thank you