It may show the value of such estates in later times to quote another figure. The annual value of the whole manor in 1502 was under £14. There was a church in King John's day, which was rebuilt and highly decorated about twenty years before America was discovered. A century or two later the vicar was paid "in kind," the levy in eggs being recorded thus:
"For an hen two and a cock three;
For a duck two and a drake three.
Pro Hosto and Fumo 2d., which the minister gives to the clarke for his attendance of him."
Wednesbury has contributed its contingent to the noble families of the kingdom in the Pagets, who have figured largely in English history. William, the founder, was born here, and arose from an obscure lad to executor of Henry VIII, and subsequently Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. But he brought upon himself a sad reverse and disgrace by siding with the Duke of Somerset, and was deprived of his garter and fined £6,000 for his adhesion to that nobleman's cause. Wednesbury was one of the very first localities in which coal was discovered and developed into practical use. So far back as 1315 reference to its existence is made in the records of the town. Old Leland in 1538 speaks of "the secoles of Weddesbyrie," and Camden, writing forty years
