Armitage Lodge

Armitage Lodge, a grand Georgian-era residence with Tudor roots, was once the finest house in the village. Renowned for its elegant architecture, gardens, and social role, it succumbed to mining subsidence in 1975, erasing a rich legacy that would likely have earned it Grade I or II-listed status today.

The Towers

Evidence challenges the widely held belief that Rev. Francis Wilson built The Towers in the 1830s. Clues include architectural features, earlier property records, and stylistic differences from Wilson’s confirmed constructions. Historical auctions and renovations highlight the estate’s complex evolution, from a prominent residence to its varied uses in the 20th century.

Problems for a Rector

The English Reformation reshaped religion in England, balancing Catholicism and Protestantism. Nathaniel Mansfield, Armitage’s Rector during the Puritan era, was ejected under the 1662 Act of Uniformity for refusing to conform to the Church of England, reflecting the turbulent national struggle over faith and governance.

Thomas Bond Part 3 – brickmaker

By December 1819, Thomas Bond restarted his business post-bankruptcy, moving to Handsacre for a malting and brickyard operation. His fifth child, Edwin, was born around 1821, with two more children following. In 1830, Thomas leased land with a brickyard but no malthouse. By 1835, the Bond family operated three brickyards. Thomas relocated to Birmingham by 1841, with his sons taking various paths in brickmaking. Some sons suffered multiple bankruptcies, but his eldest son, John, succeeded, leaving £20,000 upon his death in 1880. His legacy includes stamped bricks, reflecting the mechanization of the industry.

Thomas Bond Part 2 – maltster, brickmaker, potter and bankrupt

By September 1815, Thomas Bond was imprisoned for debt in Stafford gaol, a harsh reality for many in 19th-century England. After a period of uncertainty, he resumed his malting and brickmaking business while venturing into pottery. Despite efforts to expand, mounting financial troubles led to his bankruptcy in 1819.

The founding of Armitage potbank

In November 1817, Thomas Bond purchased land in Armitage, marking the start of his pottery venture. By 1819, multiple potteries operated in the area, with Bond’s business eventually facing bankruptcy. The legacy of Armitage potbank would later evolve into the global brand of Edward Johns Co. Ltd., later Armitage Ware and Armitage Shanks.