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The last will and testament
of yeoman Henry Perrins, dated
28.01.1835, refers to the Robin
Hood Inn, two cottages, and
threes acres of land bequeathed
to his widow Hannah.
Joseph Billingsley 26, from
Chaddesley Corbett is the first
recorded landlord in 1825, his
wife Hannah was 37. They held
the license for at least 29
years.
Named after the legendary outlaw
of medieval England, the sign
spread in the nineteenth century
as the Ancient Order of
Foresters (founded 1834) opened
new courts or lodges.
John Lythall Taylor 57, from
Rushock, became tenant of the
Robin Hood in 1859; assisted by
wife Hannah 45, from Emly
Lovett; they had a family of
four - Ann 10, Charles 8, Mary
6, and Ellen 4.
As an Inn, the Robin Hood was
permitted to remain open as long
as a bed was empty, offering
basic accommodation, food,
homebrewed ales, and stabling to
the lawful traveller.
The popular local drink was
mild; heavy, sweet and strong -
but lighter in colour than the
traditional Black Country beers.
Variable in quality, high
gravity; the average in rural
Worcestershire was 1060, the
second strongest in England.
License hours were long; 18
hours a day, 4am to 10pm, seven
days a week, closed only during
Devine service, Christmas
day and Good Friday.
Innkeeper George Chellingworth
arrived at the Robin Hood Inn in
1864, he was 50, Ann 60;
daughter Sarah 17, and son
George 15. George 'the younger'
succeeded his father as tenant
in 1878, buying the Robin Hood
from the Perrins Stone family
31.12.1891, paying £600.0.0
George Chellingworth retired in
1913 aged 64 selling the Robin
Hood Inn, cottages and land to
farmer Alfred Pardoe of Dorhall,
for £925.0.0. The Chellingworths
had been licencees for 49 years.
Alfred Pardoe died 23.11.1919,
and his trustees sold to Isaac
Tromans for £1,710.0. Flowers &
Sons, Ltd, The Brewery,
Stratford-on-Avon, bought the
Robin Hood in August, 1933, the
price now "£2,250.0.0.
Holts of Birmingham acquired the
Robin Hood Inn 12 months later,
1934 - the year they were taken
over by Ansells Brewery ltd,
Park Road, Aston, Birmingham.
The old Robin Hood Inn has seen
several changes over the past
167+ years, but remains, as
originally intended by Joseph
Billingsley, a social and
convivial centre of a community
where 'Real Ales' and fabulous
'pub food' is still served.
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