Hartlebury – an extensive parish in the hundred of Oswaldslow, lower division, 4 miles S.S.E. from Kidderminster, and 122 from London; containing 326 inhabited houses. Here is a free grammar school, with provision for 2 master. The church is an ancient Gothic edifice, with a modern tower. The living is a rectory; Rev. Samuel Picart, incumbent; instituted 1817; patron, the Bishop of Worcester. Population, 1801, 1534 – 1811, 1852 – 1821, 1676.
Hartlebury-Castle, for many centuries past the residence of the Bishops of Worcester. It was formerly surrounded by a moat and fortified. In 1644, the castle was taken by Colonel Morgan, and sold for about £3000, but at the restoration, it again became attached to the bishopric, when the principal part of the buildings were re-edified by Bishop Hough, and in later days by Bishop Hurd, who likewise added, for the use of the future prelates of this see [sic], a most valuable library.
Source: Worcestershire Delineated: Being a Topographical Description of Each Parish, Chapelry, Hamlet, &c. In the County; with the distances and bearings from their respective market towns, &c. By C. and J. Greenwood. Printed by T. Bensley, Crane Court, Fleet Street, London, 1822.