The History of Armitage-with-Handsacre Parish

Welcome to the history of Armitage-with-Handsacre, a Staffordshire parish whose story stretches back nearly a thousand years.

From the medieval de Handsacre family and St. John the Baptist church to Hawkesyard Hall, the pottery industry and Armitage Shanks, the history of the parish reflects many of the wider themes of English history. This website brings together original research into the people, places and events that have shaped the parish over the centuries.

The featured topics below introduce some of the major themes in the parish’s history.  Beyond them you will find searchable transcriptions of historical records, maps, historic postcards and photographs, surname studies, publications and many other resources for local and family historians.

Explore the Parish

This website is a one-place study of Armitage-with-Handsacre. Drawing on census returns, parish records, maps, newspapers, photographs, wills, trade directories and many other historical sources, it aims not simply to record dates and events but to understand how people lived, worked and shaped their community.

I grew up in the parish, first in Handsacre and later in Armitage, and this website is the result of many years of research, writing and collecting. My hope is that it will become a lasting resource for residents, descendants, researchers and anyone interested in the history of Staffordshire.

If you have photographs, documents, memories or information relating to the parish, I would be delighted to hear from you. Every contribution helps to build a fuller picture of our shared history.

Richard Ewing

Picture credit

Handsacre Temple by Gifford Foote – used with permission