Biddulph Old Hall can be found in the county of Staffordshire U.K., the name Biddulph means "by the digging" which reflects the mining traditions of the town of Biddulph. Nearby Biddulph Grange houses one of the most important Victorian gardens in Britain which was constructed by the Bateman family in the 1800s. The photograph below shows Biddulph Old Hall as it is today, during the Civil war it was destroyed by Oliver Cromwell and his Roundhead army.
The ruins of Biddulph Old Hall. Photo by Gary Tacagni.
Oliver Cromwell and his army pursued Lord Brereton from Cheshire, he reached Biddulph Old Hall where he took refuge with the Biddulph's who lived there, they were then besieged by the Roundhead army. The hall was eventually destroyed after coming under bombardment by a famous large canon known as "Roaring Meg" belonging to the Rounhead army.
Canon ball impressions can still be seen in the walls of the hall from when it came under fire by the canon known as "Roaring Meg". Photo by Gary Tacagni.
During the 1930s one of the estate workers was digging at the base of one of the walls of Biddulph Old Hall when his spade struck something, upon further investigation a wooden box was uncovered, when the box was opened a perfectly preserved pair of duelling pistols were revealed. The pistols had obviously belonged to someone important as they had gold engraving upon them. Were they Oliver Cromwells or perhaps Lord Brereton's? It is known the workman sold the pistols to a local headmaster for 10 guineas, probably not realising the historical importance of such a find. Where the pistols are now no one knows for sure, perhaps they are in someones private collection and they don't realise the historical importance of their previous owner!
Was this the wall where the duelling pistols were found? Photo by Gary Tacagni.
The old entrance to Biddulph Old Hall. Photo by Gary Tacagni.
Another view of the Hall. Photo by Gary Tacagni.
This is a shot from the front of the Hall. Photo by Gary Tacagni.
