quoted in the Report of 1825 on the Tomkys and Welch
Charities (Chapter XXII.).

There were two kinds of enclosures, however, all made in the last few
centuries; the enclosure of the open commons or wastes, and the enclosure
of the common fields. "Willenhall Field," mentioned in the "Report on
Prestwood's Dole," as lying along the highway towards Darlaston, was
arable land, not pasture. For anciently there was a common field system
in every parish, and "Willenhall Field" was the area cultivated
co-operatively by the whole of the parishioners or group of individuals.

In 1377 the MANOR OF BENTLEY was held "in capite," that is, direct from
the King, by one who called himself after his estate, William de Bentley.
He held it for rendering to Edward III. the feudal service of "Keeping"
the King's Hay of Bentley within the royal Forest of Cannock--the Forest
was then divided into a number of "hays" or bailiwicks. (See "Chronicles
of Cannock Chase," p. 14.)

The estate seems to have descended to him from his grandfather, to whom
it had been granted in the reign of Edward II.; and it is noteworthy that
his wife, Alianora, was a Leveson.

In 1421 William Griffiths established his right to Bentley, and in 1430
it was conveyed to Richard Lone de la Hide. Of the family of this
Richard Lone of the Hyde there were afterwards two branches; one, the
Hamptons, of Stourton Castle, and the other, the Lanes, of Bentley.

The halo of romance which grew up around Bentley Hall during the
seigniory of the Lanes is well known. It was the scene of Charles II.'s
wonderful escape from the Roundheads, under the protection of Jane Lane,
whom he was afterwards wont to call his "Guardian Angel"; it was the
critical scene of John Wesley's adventure in the hands of the Wednesbury
mob. The mansion has since been rebuilt.

The Lanes sold the Manor of Bentley in 1748 to Joseph Turton, of
Wolverhampton, and he in turn sold it to the first Lord Anson, ancestor
of the present holder.

The Manor comprises 1,200 acres, none of which is now copyhold. There
was formerly a Court Leet jurisdiction, but everything connected with
ancient manorial government has disappeared. The Earl of Lichfield is
sole owner, except for a few acres belonging to the church, and the
portions which have been acquired by the local authority for the Cemetery
and the Sewerage Works.

Bentley is a parish without a church, or a chapel, and until the
Willenhall District Cou