Photographs of Kings Norton
medieval village in Birmingham

The Green has been the public centre of King's Norton for at least 500 Years. During most of that time the Manor of Kings Norton, extending from Rednal to Balsall Heath, was the property of the King. The 15th Century "Saracen's Head" (next to the churchyard) was once the house of the bailiff, who was responsible for administering justice in the Manor. During the Civil War Queen Henrietta Maria, wife of Charles I, spent a night at the house on her journey from Yorkshire to gather troops and rejoin the King at Oxford. Since the 16th century a 'Mop Fair' has been held on the Green, on the first Monday of October. A Mop Fair was a hiring fair where people would go looking for employment, but although no longer used to help employment it is an important event each year with its stalls, fairground attractions and the traditional ox-roast. The Green has also been used for centuries for meetings and markets, and although the area of Kings Norton Parish is now much smaller than in the Middle ages the number of people coming to The Green is vastly greater so please treat it with care 

Restoration winners

Viewers of BBC Two's Restoration programme have voted to save the 15th century school buildings.
The Old Grammar School and Saracen's Head, in Kings Norton, has its future secured with more than �3m raised during the series. >more (BBC)

"The Old Grammar School and Saracens Head are owned by Kings Norton Parish, who lack the funds to restore the buildings and put them to good use. The Old Grammar School is on the English Heritage 'At Risk' register and, sadly, lies empty. and now being featured on BBC Restoration.

Others in the Same Series

Tour Nearby Kings Heath Stirchley Northfield Longbridge