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I Location

II General Description

Nineteenth century accounts of Dosthill describe it as a village or hamlet in the parish of Kingsbury, and a centre of brickmaking and coalmining. Diorite also outcrops at Dosthill, known locally as Dosthill granite and was formerly quarried for use as roadstone. Little of this industrial activity survives, and Dosthill is chiefly known as a centre for scuba diving (in a former quarry) and a place to watch birds. It is now on rising land at the southern edge of Tamworth, which has expanded, almost absorbing it. The chapel stands in the churchyard of St Paul's parish church, to the NE of the 19thc. church. It is a single-cell box now, with 12thc. doorways to N and S and three small round-headed windows, in the north, south and west walls, all with replaced heads. There is also an oculus in the west gable. There was originally an eastern presbytery, but this has been removed, and the chancel arch blocked and fitted with a window, perhaps 16thc.-17thc. Above this, the western gable has been rebuilt in brick. It is now used as a parish room.

III Exterior Features

1. Doorways

(i) N doorway

Round-headed, of single order. The doorway is much restored. It is plain and continuous with a chamfer, and the E jamb incorporates a number of newly inserted stones. The roll label is modern.

Dimensions

(ii) S doorway

Round-headed, of two orders.

First order: Plain, continuous and chamfered.

Second order: Largely remade with no original stones except at the foot of each jamb. The jambs are plain and chamfered, carrying plain chamfered imposts. The arch has a thin angle roll and the label is quadrant hollow chamfered.

Dimensions

IV Interior Features

1. Arches

a. Chancel arch/Apse arches

(i) Chancel arch

The W face, inside the chapel, has two plain round-headed continuous orders, the inner chamfered. The E face, now outside, has one unchamfered continuous order.

VII History

Two hides in Dosthill were held by Untain before the Conquest, and by Robert de Olgi from Turchil in 1086. Around 1135 Hugh son of Richard held a knight's fee here from the Earl of Warwick. In 1166 this was held by the Earl's successor, William de Newburgh, and his descendants were overlords here until the 15thc. at least. Returning to the tenancy, from Hugh it passed to Robert son of Thurstan whose son Robert de la Launde gave a mill here to Richard son of Ralph on his marriage with Amice sister of Robert. Agnes widow of Ralph son of Ralph was claiming dower here from Walter son of Ralph in 1209. James de la Lande held part of a fee here in 1235-36 and enfeoffed Robert de Grendon of ½ knight's fee here in 1247. Details of the later tenants may be found in VCH.

VIII Comments/Opinions

IX Bibliography