ASTLEY - Extract from National Gazetteer, 1868

"ASTLEY, (or Astley Abbotts), a parish in the hundred of Lower Doddingtree, in the county of Worcester, 2 miles to the S.W. of Stourport, 9 N. of Worcester, and 5 S.W. of Hartlebury railway station. Bewdley is its post town. It is situated in a fertile country, partly laid out in hop grounds, on the western bank of the river Severn. An alien priory, of the Benedictine order, was established here in 1160 by Ralph de Todeni. After several changes of ownership, it was granted by Henry VIII., at the Dissolution, to Sir Ralph Sadleir, known to historical students by his compilation of the State papers.

The living is a rectory in the diocese of Worcester, of the value of £623, in the patronage of Cookes' Trustees. The tithes are commuted at £750. The church dedicated to St. Peter, stands on a hill, and is interesting as an example of Saxon architecture, the pillars and arches being supposed to be earlier than the Conquest. It contains some ancient monuments, a Saxon font, and remains of stained glass. A lecture-room has recently been presented to the village by the liberality of Thomas Zachary, Esq. There is also a free school, with an income from an endowment of £20 year. There are other small charities.

The paper manufacture is carried on here. Astley Cliffs is a lofty rock, close to the Severn at Redstone ferry, in which, at an early date, a hermitage was cut, consisting of a chapel and other rooms, adorned with paintings and priestly sentences. It was visited for purposes of devotion by noble and even royal persons. It has since done service as a poor man's dwelling, and is now a licensed alehouse! The priest and annalist, Layaman, was a native of Astley. Glasshampton is a very old seat.

[Description(s) from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868) Transcribed by Colin Hinson ©2003]