James Tucker in Cov

Kings Norton is an area about 10 km South of the University. It has been a town apparently since time immemorial, and became part of Birmingham when that city expanded in the 19th Century. I went there yesterday to have a look at the old Tudor Inn and Grammar School (on the second floor of the building to the left), which are on opposite sides of the Churchyard (St. Nicolas's Church is impressive too). Apparently Queen Henrietta Maria stayed in the Inn during England's Civil War, on her way South with troops raised in Yorkshire, while the troops stayed in what is now King's Norton park.

The Saracen's Head (right) is on the same side of the churchyard as the Green, an ancient open space, where Prince Rupert's troops were attacked in the Civil War, and where there is still a centuries-old fair. On the same side as the school is the park and the canal. Below are pictures of the inside of the schoolhouse (through a keyhole!)and the churchyard. In 2004 both the Grammar School and Inn won a BBC competition to find properties in need of restoration, and are supposed to be given about 3 million pounds from the lottery heritage fund. The school looks pretty good, but the Inn is a bit of a wreck inside.