A fascinating building in Birmingham reveals a secret history tied to the Suffragettes
Birmingham: Back in 1913, during the Suffragettes’ push for women’s rights, two women had a wild idea. They planned to set fire to a school in Kings Norton. This wasn’t just any school; it was the stunning Old Grammar School, a real gem of Tudor architecture.
But instead of going through with their plan, they left behind a note on the blackboard. It said, “Two Suffragists have entered here, but charmed with this old-world room, have refrained from their design of destruction.” Can you believe it? They were so taken by the place that they couldn’t bring themselves to destroy it.
Today, that same building still stands, though it’s easy to overlook. Kings Norton might not be the first spot that pops into your head when you think of Birmingham’s historical sites, but St Nicolas Place is a lovely area packed with history. It’s home to the largest collection of Tudor buildings in the city, many of which still show off their original features.
Way back in the early 13th century, the Normans built a small chapel in Kings Norton village. The Old Grammar School popped up next door in the mid-15th century, likely as a priest’s house for St Nicolas Church.
The Grade II-listed Old Grammar School is one of the oldest surviving school buildings in the UK. You can still spot some Tudor carvings on its timber frame, which were thought to ward off evil spirits. Nearby, the Tudor Merchant’s House, once known as the Saracen’s Head, was built around the same time and has seen many changes over the years.
For a long time, these buildings were in danger of falling apart, but thanks to a £4.3 million restoration led by Griff Rhys Jones and the BBC, they were saved. The Tudor Merchant’s House, also Grade II-listed, has a rich history of its own.
Originally a wool merchant’s house, it later became a pub and a shop. There’s even a ‘Queen’s Room’ where Queen Henrietta Maria supposedly spent the night in 1643 while on her way to York to meet King Charles I during the English Civil War.
She came to the area, which was a Royalist army base at the time, leading a replacement army. Her soldiers camped behind the church while she stayed at the Saracens Head. Today, there’s a pub called The Camp Inn right by Kings Norton park, not far from where the soldiers once set up camp.
Since their restoration in 2004, the Merchant’s House and the Old Grammar School have been used for all sorts of things, from community events to educational programs and even weddings. St Nicolas Place in Kings Norton might be easy to miss, but it’s full of historical significance for anyone curious about the rich history of the area.
