Curdworth - History

History

Curdworth and Minworth both originated in the 6th or 7th centuries, being established by Anglian settlers, and are historically associated with the Arden family (William Shakespeare's maternal relations). Curdworth is probably corrupted from Crida's Worth. Worth means property of and the Mercian Crida owned land here. Curdworth is mentioned in the Domesday Survey (1086).

The local parish church is dedicated to St Nicholas and St Peter ad Vincula. Adjacent to the churchyard is the King George V Playing Fields, which was originally a raised clay and pebble base for a medieval Saxon manor complex, which was attached to the church. This site and the moated Curdworth Hall, also a Saxon structure that was located at the top of Farthing Lane, were of great importance in the area.

The remains of a moat, associated with the Ardens, are now buried under the M42. This site is thought to have been their home before they moved to Park Hall in Castle Bromwich.

At the edge of the playing fields is ‘The Bomb Hole', as known by locals, which is actually a marl pit, where a fertiliser consisting of clay and calcium carbonate was extracted.

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