YARDLEY, a parish in the upper division of the
hundred of HALFSHIRE, county of WORCESTER, 4
miles (E.) from Birmingham, containing 2313 inhabitants.
The living is a discharged vicarage, in the archdeaconry
and diocese of Worcester, rated in the king's
books at £9. 19. 4., and in the patronage of Edmund
Wigley, Esq. The church, dedicated to St. Edburgh,
exhibits various specimens of the English style of architecture,
with a fine tower and spire of the later date;
it has lately received an addition of one hundred and
twenty sittings, of which one hundred are free, the Incorporated
Society for the enlargement of churches and
chapels having granted £100 towards defraying the expense.
Here are various bequests, producing a considerable
income, for the education and relief of the poor.
Great quantities of tiles are made in the neighbourhood,
and conveyed to Birmingham, whence they are sent by
the canals to various parts of the kingdom.