Regency Destinations: Castle Bromwich

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appurtenant to the adjoining farm Castle Bromwich anciently possessed by Lord Farrers of Chartley afterwards came to the family of Devereux one of whom about the latter end of the reign of Queen Elizabeth or beginning of that of James the First erected the present mansion of brick called Castle Bromwich Hall now the residence and part of the possessions of the Earl of Bradford This house is delightfully situated by the side of the turnpike road leading from Birmingham towards Coleshill about five miles from the former place At the back is a Chapel of Ease to the mother church of Aston It is built of brick with a tower and appears to be a more recent erection than the Hall An Historical and Descriptive Sketch of Birmingham (1830)

Castle Bromwich Hall is a Jacobean manor built c. 1599.  Over the next decades, more stories were slowly added on until the late Georgian era, when the Bridgmans became the Barons of Bradford (1792).

 

who pro Castle Bromwich Simply Bromwich according to Hutton because the soil is productive of broom History does not inforin us who was the first proprietor of Castle Bromwich but that it belonged to the Mercian Earls scarcely admits of a doubt az Edwin owned some adjoining manors he probably owned this Fitz Ausculf was his fortunate successor cured many lordships in the neighbourbood of Birmingham Castle Bromwich was one fle granted it to an inferior Norman in milita ry tenure who agreeeable to the fashion of those times took the surpame of Bromwich Henry de Castel was a subsequent proprietor Dugdale supposes the village took its name froin a castle once on the premises A moant called the Castle hill yet remains Custle might be added by the family of that name lords of the name to distinguish it from woody and little Bromwich They bore for their arms three castles and a chevron Lord Ferrers of Chartley who was proprietor of Birmingham in the reign of Henry VI enjoyed it by marriage and his grand daughter brought it by the same channel into the family of Devereux lords of Sheldon about the latter end of Elizabeth's reign and erected the present building which is capacious It is in a style between ancient and modern and has a pleasing appearance The Bridgeman family the head of which is now Earl of Bradford acceeded to possession about the beginning of the eighteenth century by purchase and made it their residence till about 1708 Lord Viscount Newport eldest son of the late Lord Bradford made this his residence in 1818 Another account accompanyiog the Graphic Illustrations of Warwickshire states that About the year 1657 the estate was purchased by John son of Orlando Bridgeman keeper of the great Seal whose descendants have been ennobled with the title of the Earl of Bradford and Viscount Newport In this family the property still continues and the handsome and commodious house built by Sir Edward Devereux which is yet standing and is most pleasantly situated is made the principal residence of the present Earl of Bradford On part of a firm belonging to Mr Gibson of Castle Bromwich are some remains of Roman entrenchments and several implements of war were formerly discovered there The History, Topography and Directory of Warwickshire (1830)

The earldom was first created in 1694 and became extinct on the death of the fourth early in 1762.  It was revived in 1815 for the second Baron of Bradford.  Castle Bromwich Hall was not the family seat, which was actually in Staffordshire (Weston Park).  It appears it was empty for several decades:

The Bridgeman family acceded to possession about eighty years ago by purchase and made it their residence till about 1768 We should natuFf rally

rally enquire Why Sir Harry quitted a place fo delightfully situated Perhaps it is not excelled in this country in the junction of three great roads a desirable neighbourhood the river Tame at its back and within five miles of the plentiful market of Birmingham but alas it has no park The gentry feem to have resided in our vicinity when there was the greatest inducement to leave it impassable roads they feem also to have quitted the country now there is the greatest inducement to refide there roads which improve their estates and may be travelled with pleasure It may be objecte ed that the buildings become ancient But there is no more disgrace in an old house than in an old man they may both be dressed in character and look well A gentleman by residing in the family seat pays a compliment to his ancestors An History of Birmingham (1809)

No doubt, it would have attracted passerbys travelling on “three great roads” to marvel at such a well situated home.

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