Beaudesert, Warwickshire

Description
Beaudesert, a parish in Warwickshire, in the eastern vicinity of Henley-in-Arden, 4 miles N by W of Bearley station on the Stratford-on-Avon and Alcester section of the G.W.R., and 8 N by W of Stratford-on-Avon. Post town, Heuley-in-Arden, under Birmingham. Acreage, 1318; population, 141. A small village of the same name as the parish was formerly a market-town. A strong castle was erected here by Thurstane de Montfort soon after the Conquest, but was completely destroyed in the Wars of the Roses. From Beaudesert Hill there is an extensive view. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Worcester; net value, £269 with residence. Patron, the Lord Chancellor. The church is chiefly Norman, with insertions of later date; the chancel has a fine Norman arch. with zigzag mouldings and scalloped capitals; the east window is also of Norman date, and displays zigzag mouldings. There are some ancient monuments to former rectors. Richard Jago, born in 1715, the author of " Edge-Hill" and other poems, was a native.