Sutton Coldfield in Shakespeare’s time: a place in transition

What did Sutton's town centre, Sutton Park and the surrounding countryside look like in Shakespeare’s time? Buildings, streets, earthworks and the results of excavations show that many features of the old medieval town and its landscape would still have been visible, but additions and modifications were changing the appearance of Sutton Coldfield.

This local history talk will be given by Dr Mike Hodder who has been researching the archaeology of the Sutton Coldfield area, above and below ground, for many years. He is an Honorary Lecturer in Archaeology at the University of Birmingham, and President of the Friends of Sutton Park Association.

Refreshments will be available (by donation).

This event is part of Shakespeare in Sutton - FOLIO's fun festival for all. FOLIO is a grateful recipient of grants from the Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council, Active Arts - Sutton Arts Forum, Magic Little Grants and Making a Difference Locally (NISA), all of which (along with a great deal of community support-in-kind) has made the Shakespeare in Sutton festival possible.

Image: Excerpt of item MPB 1/10/1: Map of Minworth, Curdworth, Sutton Coldfield, Water Orton, showing field names, common lands, roads, fences, a stream, bridges, buildings in rough perspective, as held at the National Archives. Reproduced with permission.

The excerpt shows an illustration of Sutton Coldfield in 1589.