Beneath our streets hidden underground finally be rediscovered
Rebellion and of the landing of the e Young Pretender reached here Aug. 19, 1745.
“The Scotch (Scottish armies) did not come so far as Birmingham, but, though thousands of swords were made here for Bonnie Prince Charlie, some little preparation was made to receive them.”
That suggests there is a vast array of rusting blades to be dug up.
“From this text, an estimate of the size of the hidden cache can be made,” explains Mr Harris.
“Such a large number, the ‘thousands of swords’, means that the weapons were likely made in the manufactory in which they were buried and show that these Digbeth Jacobites meant business.”
The Birmingham rebels’ painstaking efforts to cover their tracks, and the swordmakers’ deci- sion to flee the country, are understandable.
During the uprising, the city was firmly on the side of the king, George II. Once the rebellion had been crushed, those supporting Bonnie Prince Charlie would have been rounded up.
A Century of Birmingham Life by John Alfred Langford and pub- lished in 1870 provides some context for Birmingham in the 1745 rising.
The author wrote: “The way in which Birmingham received the intelligence of this welcome victory against the Jacobites is told in a few lines; but the joy of the people was ev evidently sincere, and en enthusiasm unbounded. “This is the notice of the ce celebration: ‘Birmingham, Ap April 28 – On Saturday, on re receiving the agreeable ne news, having obtained a co compleat victory over the Re Rebels, in every Face here ap appear’d the greatest joy and loy loyalty’. ““A day of general thanksgiv giving was appointed for Oc October 9, which Birmingham kept with the same displa play of loyalty which had ma marked her celebration of the victTh victory.” Those who commissioned the arms were at odds with the their fellow citizens. N Now their secret may soon be unearthed thanks to the Met Metro and HS2 works in Digbeth beth. “W “With so much development, if this treasure is ever to be found then now is the time,” said historian Mr Harris. “In 1805, the government could not simply dig up Digbeth when they sought to find the weapons but now, with regeneration works going on and being planned for, the treasure may simply be found by accident.” the