The Saxon's
The Beginning of Wolverhampton
(5th century-1066)
The history of Wolverhampton is believed to be somewhat dull and is often disregarded as unimportant, however it is quite the opposite. The first evidence of Wolverhampton existing was in 985A.D, and its name derives from Lady Wulfruna who is believed to be the granddaughter of Ethelred I. In 985AD, King Ethelred II (Ethelred the unready and brother to Lady Wulfruna), granted Lady Wulfruna 10 hides of land at Heantune.This later became known as Wulfruna’s Heantune and then Wolverhampton. There is also a notable link between Lady Wulfruna and St Peter’s Church. St Peter’s Church was founded by Lady Wulfruna in 994AD, although Christian worship is believed to have taken place on the site for over 1000 years.The pillar in the church yard is the last remaining piece of the 8th century Saxon Cross which stood before the church was established by Lady Wulfruna. In 985, a Charter was granted by King Ethelred II, which stated, “I Ethelred...do grant unto a woman, by name Wulfrun, for an eternal heritage, certain portions of land, to wit 10 hides, separated in two places, nine in the place called Heantune, and also one lying in the place which is named in English, Terselcote.” 9 years later, Lady Wulfrun endowed the church now called ‘St Peter’s, in 994. The Charter for the church was different (Charter AD 994), which shows that Lady Wulfrun must have been above 50 when she did this. Also, there has been later proof on the name‘Wulfrun’ being attached to ‘Hampton’. It has not been found in the 985 or 994 Charters, but in the Domesday Book (1086). It says, “Presbiteri de Wlfrune hamtune”. So this is the earliest piece of evidence where Lady Wulfrun’s name has been attached to Hampton. Another quote from the Domesday Book which was written in a book called, ‘The possessions of Staffordshire’ by Heming, a monk in Worcester, in 1095 says,
“Wlfronohantona”. This suggests Wulfrunes Hampton. So these ideas could support the fact that Lady Wulfrun founded St Peter’s Church and not King Wulfhere of Mercia as the Charter was ‘allegedly’ discovered in 1560 by Sigeric, Archbishop of Canterbury which confirmed Lady Wulfrun’s endowment of the church. It was discovered in the ruins of a wall in Lichfield but has been lost. But because of the post-Norman conquest, in which the church was referred to as ‘Wolvrenehamptonia’, suggests that the eponym was more likely to be Wulfrun than Wulfhere. However, there is no absolute certainty that Lady Wulfrun did found the church.
St Peter’s church has had many changing names. It was originally dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, but was changed in the 13th century to St Peter and St Paul, and then later to St Peter. Richard Beauchamp (the Bishop if Salisbury) was appointed by King Edward IV in 1479 to be the first Dean of Windsor and Wolverhampton. A large monument which is fixed to the North wall of the Chapel was erected in memory of Colonel John Lane of Bentley who helped King Charles I in September 1651, escape the Midlands after his defeat by Cromwell at the Battle of Worcester.
St Peter’s church has had many changing names. It was originally dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, but was changed in the 13th century to St Peter and St Paul, and then later to St Peter. Richard Beauchamp (the Bishop if Salisbury) was appointed by King Edward IV in 1479 to be the first Dean of Windsor and Wolverhampton. A large monument which is fixed to the North wall of the Chapel was erected in memory of Colonel John Lane of Bentley who helped King Charles I in September 1651, escape the Midlands after his defeat by Cromwell at the Battle of Worcester.