This image can be used commercially
Archaeological excavation at Padley Hall, Upper Padley, 1933 ?
Image ref
PTPD300012
Credit
From collection of F H Brindley
photographer
Brindley, F H (Sheffield and District News Pictures, 973 Abbeydale Road)
ImageDate
1933 ?
Location
Padley Hall
Town
Upper_Padley
About this image
Archaeological excavations revealing the foundations of the largely demolished Padley Hall.
The Hall was variously a seat of the Padley, Eyre and - by the 16th century - the Fitzherbert families. Originally quite a substantial mansion, by the 18th century it was completely ruinous and today just the excavated foundations and the 14th century gatehouse remain, the latter used as a barn for many years prior to 1933 when it was restored by Hadfield and Cawkwell of Sheffield to incorporate a Roman Catholic chapel dedicated to the Padley Martyrs.
The Martyrs were three Catholic priests, discovered at Padley when the Earl of Shrewsbury sent an agent to arrest the owner, Sir Thomas Fitzherbert on 12 July 1588 for his 'persistant recusancy' (being a practising Catholic) and suspected treason. The priests, two of whom were found hiding in a chimney breast, were Nicholas Garlick, Robert Ludlam and Richard Simpson, who were taken to Derby, summarily tried, convicted and then hung, drawn and quartered less than a fortnight later. Harbouring a priest was a treasonable offence and Fitzherbert himself ended up confined in the Tower of London where he died in 1591.
A pilgrimage takes place each year in July when a special service is held in the Chapel in memory of the Martyrs. The remains of the Hall are a Scheduled Ancient Monument, while the Chapel was listed Grade I in 1951.
Help us to improve our records
If you can improve our knowledge about this image we’d be happy to hear from you. Please contact us here