The Old Crown, Birmingham
Encyclopedia
The Old Crown a pub in Deritend
, is the oldest extant secular building in Birmingham
, England. It is Grade II* listed, and claims to date back to circa 1368, retaining its "black and white" timber frame, although almost all of the present building dates from the early 16th century.
in nearby Kings Norton
was completed). Leland noted the building, upon entering Birmingham, in 1538 as a "mansion house of tymber". It is thought to have been originally built as the Guildhall and School of St. John, Deritend. Heath Mill Lane, which runs alongside the building, is first mentioned in a deed dated 1589 under the name "Heathe Myll Lane". Heated skirmishes were fought around the building when Prince Rupert
's forces raided Birmingham during the English Civil War
. The building was converted into two houses in 1684 and then converted into three houses in 1693. It remained three houses until the 19th century.
In 1851, Joshua Toulmin Smith
saved the Old Crown from demolition when the Corporation
proposed demolishing the building in order to "improve the street". Again in 1856 and 1862 the Corporation proposed to demolish the building and Smith saved the building each time.
. It was 26 feet deep and surrounded by large stones. The well was excavated and deepened to produce a total depth of 38 feet. The new section of the well was lined with square bricks. At the top, it was two feet, seven inches at its narrowest diameter and two feet, nine inches at its widest diameter. It widened to around four feet at the bottom. The well was cleaned in 1863 and Smith added an iron gate to the top of it to preserve it whilst keeping it accessible.
Deritend
Deritend is an historic area of Birmingham, England, built around a crossing point of the River Rea. It is first mentioned in 1276. Today Deritend is usually considered to be part of Digbeth.-History:...
, is the oldest extant secular building in Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
, England. It is Grade II* listed, and claims to date back to circa 1368, retaining its "black and white" timber frame, although almost all of the present building dates from the early 16th century.
History
It is believed it was constructed between 1450 and 1500 with some evidence dating to 1492 (the same year the Saracen's HeadSaracen's Head
The Saracen's Head is the name usually given to a group of late medieval buildings in Kings Norton, Birmingham. The buildings, together with the nearby Old Grammar School, won the BBC Restoration series in 2004...
in nearby Kings Norton
Kings Norton
Kings Norton is an area of Birmingham, England. It is also a Birmingham City Council ward within the formal district of Northfield.-History:...
was completed). Leland noted the building, upon entering Birmingham, in 1538 as a "mansion house of tymber". It is thought to have been originally built as the Guildhall and School of St. John, Deritend. Heath Mill Lane, which runs alongside the building, is first mentioned in a deed dated 1589 under the name "Heathe Myll Lane". Heated skirmishes were fought around the building when Prince Rupert
Prince Rupert of the Rhine
Rupert, Count Palatine of the Rhine, Duke of Bavaria, 1st Duke of Cumberland, 1st Earl of Holderness , commonly called Prince Rupert of the Rhine, KG, FRS was a noted soldier, admiral, scientist, sportsman, colonial governor and amateur artist during the 17th century...
's forces raided Birmingham during the English Civil War
English Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
. The building was converted into two houses in 1684 and then converted into three houses in 1693. It remained three houses until the 19th century.
In 1851, Joshua Toulmin Smith
Joshua Toulmin Smith
Joshua Toulmin Smith was a British political theorist, lawyer and local historian of Birmingham.Born in Birmingham as Joshua Smith, he moved to London in 1835 and pursued a career in law, studying at Lincoln's Inn...
saved the Old Crown from demolition when the Corporation
Municipal corporation
A municipal corporation is the legal term for a local governing body, including cities, counties, towns, townships, charter townships, villages, and boroughs. Municipal incorporation occurs when such municipalities become self-governing entities under the laws of the state or province in which...
proposed demolishing the building in order to "improve the street". Again in 1856 and 1862 the Corporation proposed to demolish the building and Smith saved the building each time.
Construction
The building is 71 feet 4 inches wide and 20 feet 2 inches deep on the ground floor. On the first floor, which overhangs the front, it is 21 feet 9 inches deep. When built, the original building had a central hall with a length of 40 feet and a width of 20 feet. Below this was a number of arched cellars. On the upper floor were just four rooms. The building had a courtyard to its rear which contained a wellWater well
A water well is an excavation or structure created in the ground by digging, driving, boring or drilling to access groundwater in underground aquifers. The well water is drawn by an electric submersible pump, a trash pump, a vertical turbine pump, a handpump or a mechanical pump...
. It was 26 feet deep and surrounded by large stones. The well was excavated and deepened to produce a total depth of 38 feet. The new section of the well was lined with square bricks. At the top, it was two feet, seven inches at its narrowest diameter and two feet, nine inches at its widest diameter. It widened to around four feet at the bottom. The well was cleaned in 1863 and Smith added an iron gate to the top of it to preserve it whilst keeping it accessible.