The name Bedsworth is Anglo-Saxon in origin, and means ' Betel' s worp,' or Betel' s farm. Betel was an Anglo-Saxon farmer who first settled here, and cleared the land. (1) Hedge-dating, using the formula devised by Professor Max Hooper, reveals the hedges along Vicarage Road and Watery Lane to be consistent with the Anglo-Saxon period. (see figs.1 & 2 )

The land, then known as "Betlisworham," Iying within the Manor of Monkespathe, is mentioned in a grant of 1153, by William, Earl of Warwick to Roger de Ulehale. The manor extended from the ford at Munchespathe (Monkspath), up next the River Blia (Blythe) as far as the Bounds called Merewei, and thence to Betlisworham and from (Betleworth) as far as the 'bounds of John de Limesi (Solihull boundary) as far as Totlemos (Shirley) and from the said bounds to the highway from Birmingham (Stratford Road) to the said ford at Munchespathe.(2) William Dugdale in his "Antiquities of Warwickshire," first published in 1656, refers to the above, and adds, the "circuit of ground called Monkespathe wherein William gives to the said Roger, quic quid habuit in Bethelswortha, scil. totum tenementum quod Ricardus senior, & Ric. junior de se tenuerunt."

William de Ulehale (or Huleal) a descendent of Roger, upon the marriage of his daughter Sieriche, to Robert Brun, in c.1250, gave 8 acres of land in Cheswick Green to the couple as a wedding dowry. One of the witnesses to the transaction was one Richard Albo de Betlesworth possibly a descendent of the Richard, mentioned above.

In 1315, another William de Ulehale, possibly the grandson of the above, sotd the manor of Monkspath to John Archer. The estate of Betlesworth within it however, had been retained by the Earls of  Warwick, and had been sold independently to William Bonchevaler in 1235. The estate, or sub-manor, passed into the hands of Ralph de Wilinton, who granted it to Roger Durvassal, sometime about 1257. In that year Roger made his residence here at the site of the present Bedsworth Farm, and "did by reason of its remoteness from the Parish Church (whereunto in Winter time the ways were bad)," obtained a licence from Pope Alexander IV, to build a chapel at his manor house, "and have a Priest for the celebration of divine service therein."(4)
Nicholas Longespe, the Rector of Tanworth raised no objection, but in consideration, requested that Roger and his successors donate a wax candle of half a pound in weight to the mother church on the Feast day of St Mary Magdalene. The chapel is marked at Bettlesworth on Henry Beighton' s Map af Warwickshire, published in 1728.

Nicholas Durvassall, a descendent of Roger, inherited Betsworth, and upon his death his widow Rase, married Richard deMountfort. The manor passed to Robert Catesby of Lapworth in 1458, he being a kinsman of the deMountforts. Some 76 years later, in 1534, Robert's grandson, Richard Catesby, sold Bedsworth to Thomas Green. Green set about improving the estate. In 1539 he leased further land, lying between Salter Street and Lady Lane, which included a brook, which he darnmed to make a rnill pond. (This 'great pool'  is shown on Beighton' s map of 1728, but has since been filled in. ) Green was given permission to build a water-mill of two bays.(5)
At the time of his death in 1568, he left an estate of 200 acres of arable and pasture land, to his son Henry.

Dugdale records that Thomas Green's great-grandson was in possession of the estate in 1640. Sometirne between that date and 1730, when it had been acquired by the Rev. Mr Bonner, the oId Medieval house was demolished and a new timber-framed house constructed. The Thomas edition of Dugdale's "Antiquities," published in that same year, reveals, "There is here one house," this being, Bedsworth Farmhouse.
The farm came into the possession of the Tanworth family of Heynes in the early 19th century. Over the years they rented it to a number of tenants. Thomas Harrison farmed it from c.1852 to 1875. He appears in the 1851 Census. Interestingly His rnother Elizabeth, then aged 87, is listed as head of the family, and she is described as a farrner of 90 acres. The residents of Bedsworth are listed as Elizabeth, Thomas then aged 54, his sister Amy, 50, and two farm labourers, Thomnas Reeve and George Harris.

James Wesson farmed Bedsworth from 1876 to 1894. Upon his death, his widow Sarah continued until the end of World War I. It was during her tenancy that the owner Jonathon Heynes died, and his estate was put up for sale. The sales catalogue of 1904 reveals that Mrs Wesson was paying an annual Michaelmas Tenancy of £100.

Albert John Hammond farmed Bedsworth throughout the 1920s and 30s.
In 1932 Bedsworth was transferred from Tanworth-in-Arden to Solihull, and has continued as a farm up to today.

BEDSWORTH FARMHOUSE AND BARNS
The present Bedsworth Farmhouse is a timber-framed mid to late 17th century building, refronted in the 18th century in red brick. The rear retains some of its timbering, with brick nogging, and the roof is red tiled. The house is of two storeys, with first floor bands and flush casement windows. It is Grade II listed. The sales catalogue of 23rd June 1904 gives details of the house. It contained an entrance hall, panelled sitting room, kitchen, dairy, back kitchen, store room, four bedrooms and large store room, pantry and cellar.

The West Barn is of 17th century timber-framed construction, with alterations. Its rear, facing onto Salter Street, is of red brick, while its front facing onto the farm yard has weather boarding. It has an old tiled roof. It is Grade II listed.

The South Barn is likewise 17th century with alterations. It is timberframed and has an old tiled roof in need of repair. It is faced in red brick onto the road and weather boards onto the farm yard. It i s Grade II listed

Architecturally these buildings are interesting, not only individually, but also as a group, in that they depict the lay-out of a 17th century farm.

1. Place Names Society, Warwickshire.
2. Stratford-upon-Avon Record Office, Archer Collection 1 153/84
3. Warwick Record Office C.R. 1095/l. A series of 20 deeds of the early 13th & 14th century, relating to property in Monkspath.
4. Dugdale, Sir William, "Antiquities of Warwickshire," 1656.
5. Anct. D. (PRO) A.4326

Thanks to Joseph McKenna a Local Historian living in Cheswick Green
for permission to use this article.