Amblecote was never official visited by royalty, even though numerous royals have no doubt sipped from its high quality glass products. However, one unofficial royal visit took place in 1652, and of the most unusual kind.

Fleeing from defeat at the Battle of Worcester, King Charles II and a small band of loyal supporters made their way north along the Stourbridge road. They certainly passed through the town, and stopped briefly for refreshment and to water thier horses at an inn.

One historical fact that continues to baffle eminent historians is that Charles and his party apparently spoke French during thier time in the town. Why, it is asked, should men attempting to draw no attention to themselves, speak in a foreign language? The answer is probably quite simple. Stourbridge and its environs, and especially Amblecote, had long been a haven for Huguenot refugees, with several prominent immigrant glassmakers in the area. French visitors would not have caused too much interest amongst the locals, and with Charles and his men riding ‘ahead of the news’, their conversing in French before making their way north – and across the bridge into Amblecote and Staffordshire - would have been an entirely logical form of disguise.