DARLASTON, a parish in the southern division of
the hundred of OFFLOW, county of STAFFORD, 1 mile
(N.W. by N.) from Wednesbury, containing 5585 inhabitants.
The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry
of Stafford, and diocese of Lichfield and Coventry, rated
in the king's books at £3. 11. 5., and in the patronage
of the Society for purchasing advowsons. The church
is dedicated to St. Lawrence. There are places of worship
for Independents and Wesleyan Methodists. A
National school is supported by subscription, in which
about one hundred and seventy boys and eighty girls
arc educated. The manufacture of gun-locks is carried
on to a considerable extent, and there are some ironfoundries;
nails, screws, and hinges are also manufactured.
Coal and iron Stone abound, and, what is xinusual
in this mining neighbourhood, there is a good supply of
water. The Birmingham canal passes through the parish.
On the top of a hill at Berry Bank are ruins of a large
castle, fortified with a double vallum and intrenchmentp,
about two hundred and fifty yards in diameter: this,
according to tradition, was the seat of Wulpher, King
of Mercia, who murdered his two sons for embracing
Christianity, and the barrow near it his tomb.