Transcribed from the John Davies, Fourth Edition (1855) by David Price,
email ccx074@pglaf.org
[Picture: Book cover]
A GUIDE,
DESCRIPTIVE AND HISTORICAL,
THROUGH THE
TOWN OF SHREWSBURY,
INTERSPERSED WITH BRIEF NOTICES OF THE MORE
REMARKABLE OBJECTS IN THE ENVIRONS,
TO WHICH ARE APPENDED, LISTS OF
THE EMINENT NATIVES OF THE TOWN,
WITH REFERENCES TO BIOGRAPHICAL WORKS;
OF
THE BIRDS SEEN IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD;
AND OF
THE RARER SPECIES OF PLANTS
INDIGENOUS TO THE VICINITY.
BY THE
REV. W. A. LEIGHTON, B.A. F.B S.E.
AUTHOR OF “A FLORA OF SHROPSHIRE,” &c.
* * * * *
“I held on way to auncient Shrewsebrie towne,
And so from horse at lodging lighting downe,
I walkt the streats, and markt what came to vewe.”
CHURCHYARD.
* * * * *
FOURTH EDITION.
Illustrated with Sixty=one Engravings on Wood.
* * * * *
SHREWSBURY:
PUBLISHED BY JOHN DAVIES, XV. HIGH STREET.
SOLD BY ALL BOOKSELLERS.
* * * * *
“Without aiming to be great—we aspire only to be useful.”
_Dr. Butler’s Inaugural Address_, 1835.
LIST OF ENGRAVINGS.
PAGE.
1 Organ Screen in St. Mary’s Church 1
2 Norman Doorway, ditto 1
3 Town Hall 7
4 Market House 9
5 Statue of Richard Duke of York, on ditto 10
6 Angel under canopied niche, on ditto 10
7 Public Rooms 12
8 Ireland’s Mansion 14
9 “Bennette’s Halle” 15
10 Timber Houses on Pride Hill 16
11 Gateway of the Council House 19
12 Ditto of the Castle 22
13 The Castle 23
14 Laura’s Tower 24
15 Royal Free Grammar School 27
16 Principal School-Room, ditto 43
17 Bible Stand in the Chapel, ditto 44
18 The Library, ditto 45
19 Railway Station 48
20 Berwick Chapel 53
21 St. Michael’s Church 54
22 Battlefield Church 56
23 St. Mary’s Church 62
24 Monument to Rev. J. B. Blakeway, in ditto 72
25 Triple Lancet Window, ditto 74
26 Ancient Stone Font, ditto 76
27 Monument to Admiral Benbow, ditto 77
28 Altar-tomb, Simon de Leybourne, ditto 79
29 Monument to Master Wigram, ditto 79
30 Statue to Bishop Butler, ditto 81
31 Salop Infirmary 86
32 St. Alkmund’s Church 94
33 Guild House of the Holy Cross 99
34 St. Julian’s Church 100
35 Old St. Chad’s Church 107
36 Tower on the Town Walls 119
37 English Bridge 122
38 Abbey Church, or Church of the Holy Cross 130
39 Ditto, eastern end 133
40 Stone Railing, in ditto 134
41 Monument to Roger de Montgomery, ditto 136
42 Altar-tomb to Richard Onslow, Esq. ditto 137
43 Ditto to Alderman Jones and his Wife, ditto 138
44 Reader’s Pulpit, ditto 141
45 White Hall 145
46 Column in honour of Lord Hill 147
47 St. Giles’s Church 148
48 Interior of ditto 151
49 “Pest-Basin,” in St. Giles’s Churchyard 152
50 Altar-tomb at Longner 155
51 Roman Wall at Wroxeter 155
52 Trinity Church 156
53 Meole Bridge, &c. 157
54 Window in Franciscan Friary 158
55 The Quarry 159
56 St. Chad’s Church 163
57 Font in ditto 165
58 Figure of St. Chad in ditto 167
59 Welsh Bridge 171
60 St. George’s Church 173
61 Shelton Oak 176
* * * * *
_August_, 1855.
SHREWSBURY.
SHREWSBURY, the capital town of Shropshire, lies nearly in the centre of
that fertile county, and occupies a commanding eminence which gradually
rises from the bed of the river Severn, whose stream gracefully bends its
course around three sides of the town, thus forming a peninsula, having
its narrow isthmus towards the north-east. From whatever point the
traveller approaches, his mind cannot fail of being forcibly impressed
with the singular beauty of its situation and general aspect;—its dark
and frowning castle, the elegant towers and gracefully tapering spires of
its ecclesiastical structures; the undulating, irregular, yet picturesque
disposition of its buildings, and above all, the beautiful windings of
“Severn’s ambient wave;”—all combine to form a prospect surpassed by none
and equalled but by few other towns of our island.
[Picture: Organ Screen in St. Mary’s Church]
From the gradual and progressive improvements of civilization, the
present condition of the town presents few points of resemblance to the
appearance indicated in its original Saxon name, Scrobbesbyrig, _the
fenced eminence overgrown with shrubs_; a dense population of more than
20,000 inhabitants {2} now dwelling within its extent, busily engaged in
the manufactures of linen, thread, iron, brawn, &c.—not forgetting those
far-famed cakes
“Whose honour’d name th’ inventive city own,
Rendering thro’ Britain’s isle Salopia’s praises known.”
[Picture: Norman Doorway, St. Mary’s Church]
Its earliest history, like that of most other ancient places, remains
involved in obscurity; though it is now the generally received opinion,
that the town was founded by the Britons, who, expelled from the adjacent
station of Uriconium, or Wroxeter, which they continued to inhabit after
the final departure of their Roman masters, sought here that refuge
against their Saxon enemies which the then nature of the country was so
well capable of affording them. During the progress of succeeding ages,
our town and its inhabitants, have, of course, by turns flourished amid
the calm prosperity of peace, and trembled at the terrors and desolations
of overwhelming warfare. But the ample details of its important history
are totally foreign to the purpose of the present manual; the highest aim
of which, is to furnish to the intelligent and inquisitive traveller, a
faithful, though humble guide, in conducting him, in his survey of the
place, to those objects which, from general or local circumstances, are
most deserving his attention and observation. {3}
To all classes, in their various and varied pursuits, our town will be
found replete with matter of interest and instruction. The refined
traveller will here meet with customs and manners peculiar, singular, and
interesting—the artist, subjects for his pencil and exercise for his
judgment, in imitating the tints and stains of time and nature’s
never-ceasing powers—the historical antiquary will, with enthusiastic
delight, trace its connexion with many of the grandest features of our
national history—the architectural antiquary will find ample scope for
many an hour’s delightful meditation on the massive grandeur of the
“oulden time”—whilst to the scrutinising eye of the naturalist, the
vicinity will, at every step, unfold objects of beauteous and wondrous
design, which will uplift his enraptured mind, as he fondly gazes on
them, in heartfelt gratitude, adoration, and praise, to the bounteous
Giver of all good.
Commencing then at the centre, let us first survey that emporium of civic
honour,
THE TOWN HALL.
The ancient Guild Hall was a large, low, timber structure, with a high
clock-turret, erected in the reign of Henry VIII. and stood across the
Market Square, nearly at right angles to the centre of the New Hall. The
lower part consisted of shops, and a covered way for carriages
communicating with the High Street. The upper story contained the rooms
in which the business of the town was transacted, and the assizes held.
The Exchequer, in which the municipal records were preserved, stood on
the south-east side, and was a strong square stone tower of three
stories, erected in 1490.
This incommodious building was in 1783 levelled with the ground, and a
new hall erected in its place, after the design of the late Mr. Haycock
of this town, at an expense of £11,000, and opened for public business on
17th March, 1786. In excavating the foundations, considerable deposits
of what was apparently manure were discovered, indicating, in all
probability, the existence of a farm-yard on the spot, at some very early
period. The new structure exhibited a handsome stone front towards the
Market Square, and consisted of a spacious vestibule, and two not very
convenient courts for the assizes, on the ground floor. A large assembly
room, grand jury room, and spacious offices for the business of the town
and county, occupied the upper story, to which an elegant spiral
staircase of stone led from the vestibule below.
Considerable sinkings having in 1832 been observed in different parts of
the structure in consequence of the instability of the foundations, the
building was surveyed by eminent and experienced architects, and
pronounced unsafe and dangerous. The matter was immediately deliberated
upon by the proper authorities, and after due investigation, it was
determined to take down the whole edifice and erect a more commodious one
on its site. For the double purpose of obtaining a more eligible
foundation, and of adding a considerable additional space in front to the
Market Square, some adjoining premises were purchased by subscription,
and a substantial structure, well adapted for all the purposes of the
business to be therein transacted, was, in 1837, completed by Messrs.
Birch, of this town, after a design by Sir Richard Smirke. The cost of
this building was about £13,000, and was raised by a county-rate.
The disposition of the interior embraces on the ground floor, a
vestibule, affording a communication with rooms on either side for the
mayor, counsel at the assizes, and witnesses, and beyond with two
spacious courts and robing rooms for the judges. On the second floor are
arranged the clerk of the indictments, grand jury and witnesses
attendance rooms; and on the upper floor, the town clerk’s and clerk of
the peace’s offices, and a great room, 45 feet by 32 feet, for general
purposes; on this floor are also fire-proof chambers for the safe
preservation of the municipal records. Under the crown court are cells,
&c. for the prisoners, and a room for the deliberations of juries. Its
exterior elevation is here represented:—
[Picture: Town Hall]
The following pictures, presented at various times to the Corporation,
adorn the walls of the Town Hall: Charles I.; Charles II.; William III.;
George I.; George II.; George III. and his Queen Charlotte; Admiral
Benbow; Lord Hill, by Sir William Beechy; and Admiral Owen, painted by
our townsman, R. Evans, Esq. R.A. by subscription. An excellent likeness
of The Honourable Thomas Kenyon, late Chairman of Salop Quarter Sessions,
and various other local portraits, are arranged around.
The Norman Earls of Shrewsbury, to whom the town belonged after the
Conquest, ruled the burgesses with the iron sway of tyranny. From this
thraldom they were somewhat relieved by Henry I., who conferred on them
many valuable privileges, and diminished the rent of their town. Henry
II. was the first king who granted them a written charter, but from his
time to the reign of James II. almost every successive sovereign has
confirmed or enlarged their privileges and customs. A guild merchant
existed here, antecedent to the 11th John, and was recognized and
established by charter of 11th Henry III. 1226–7, by which, every one
carrying on business in the town was compelled to become a member of it.
The town was anciently governed by two Bailiffs or Provosts, until the
Corporation was remodelled by charter of 14th Charles I., under which it
consisted of a Mayor, (annually elected,) Recorder, Steward, Town Clerk,
24 Aldermen, 48 Common Councilmen, 2 Chamberlains, and inferior officers.
Under the Municipal Reform Act, Shrewsbury was divided into five wards,
and is now governed by a Mayor, 10 Aldermen, and 30 Councilmen. There
are also 12 magistrates appointed by the Crown to assist in the local
government of the town.
THE MARKET SQUARE
presents an interesting and antique appearance, on account of the
numerous old timber houses, which still remain on its sides. It consists
of a large oblong space, the northern half of which affords room for an
excellent Green or Vegetable Market, whilst the southern half is occupied
THE MARKET HOUSE,
[Picture: Market House]
which, according to an inscription over the northern arch, was erected in
1595, at the expense of the Corporation. It is one of the most spacious
and magnificent structures of its kind in the kingdom; is of wrought
freestone, and in the fantastic style of the 16th century. The principal
front faces the west, and has in the centre a spacious portal; over which
are sculptured, in high relief, the arms of Elizabeth, under a canopy
adorned with roses, with the date 1596. Attached to the imposts of the
great arch are pillars, each supporting a figure of a lion, with a blank
shield on its breast. Above are two stories, with large square mullioned
windows. On each side the portal is an open arcade of three spacious
round arches, reposing on massive pillars; over which, a range of square
mullioned windows lights the upper story, which is surmounted by a rich,
though singular parapet, with grotesque pinnacles. [Picture: Statue of
Richard of York] [Picture: Angel under canopied niche] Large open arches
occupy the north and south ends, which are terminated above in sharp
pointed gables. Above the northern arch, in a tabernacled embattled
niche, is a statue of Richard, Duke of York, father of Edward IV. clothed
in complete armour, and a surcoat emblazoned with his armorial bearings,
removed from the tower on the Old Welsh Bridge, on its demolition in
1791. On his left are the town arms, _azure_, _three leopards’ heads_,
_or_, sculptured in relief. The south end is decorated with a sculptured
stone, representing an angel, with expanded wings, under a canopied
niche, bearing in his hands a shield, charged with the arms of France and
England, quarterly. This fragment of antiquity formerly stood in the
southern tower of the Castle or North Gate of the town, and was removed
hither in 1825, when that building was taken down to widen the street.
The exterior of this fine old building has of late years undergone a
needful reparation and careful restoration, and its northern front has
recently received the useful appendage of an excellent clock, illuminated
by gas, constructed by Joyce, of Whitchurch, in this County. The lower
area is appropriated to the excellent Corn Market held here every
Saturday.
General Markets are held on Wednesday and Saturday in every week, and
Fairs for Cattle of all kinds, in the Smithfield, on alternate Tuesdays,
and for Butter and Cheese, on the second Wednesday in each month.
The spacious apartments in the upper story of the Market Hall are
occupied by the
MECHANICS’ INSTITUTION,
originally established in 1825, and supported by subscriptions and
donations. The present number of the members is 200. The Library
comprises 2000 volumes, and the Reading Room is supplied with Periodicals
and Newspapers. There are Classes for the English and French languages,
Arithmetic, Mathematics, Music, Writing, Modelling and Drawing; and
during the winter months Lectures are delivered every fortnight. The
subscription is Ten Shillings and upwards per annum for members, and Five
Shillings for students.
On the south side of the Market Square are
THE PUBLIC ROOMS,
[Picture: Public Rooms]
erected in 1840, by Mr. Stant, after the design of Mr. Haycock. On the
ground floor in front is the principal entrance to the
PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION NEWS-ROOM,
which is immediately above, and also to the spacious
MUSIC HALL,
which occupies the remaining portion of the second floor. The third
story is divided into various rooms, used as Billiard Rooms, &c. The
back apartments on the ground floor are appropriated to the Street Act
Offices, and dwelling for hall-keeper, &c.
The Public News-Room, supported by annual subscriptions, is supplied with
the principal London and Provincial Newspapers, Journals, Magazines, &c.
and is open from 8 a.m. till 10 p.m.
The Music Hall is 90 feet in length, and 42 feet wide, and 38 feet high,
with an Orchestra at the south end, containing a very fine-toned and
powerful Organ, built by Bishop of London, and presented to the Choral
Society of the town, by the late Rev. Richard Scott, B.D.
Adjacent are the Stamp Office, the Salop Fire Office, the Police Station,
and Post Office,—the two latter in the “Talbot Buildings,” recently well
known as the old established “Talbot Inn,” formerly the warehouses of an
eminent draper of the town, of the name of Oteley, of the family of
Oteley, of Pitchford, County of Salop, and erected on the site of some of
the buildings probably belonging to Vaughan’s Mansion, as is evident from
the old stone foundations and singular vaults still existing in the
basement.
Looking towards the north, and turning on the left, we enter the High
Street, where on the left-hand side is a noble timber house, now divided
into separate dwellings, once the town residence of the (now extinct)
family of Ireland, of Albrighton. When entire, it must have presented a
grand and imposing appearance. The front consists principally of four
deep ranges of bow windows, four stories high, very lofty, and terminated
above in pointed gables, on each of which, are escutcheons of the arms of
the Ireland family. _Gules_, _six fleurs de lys_, _three_, _two_, _and
one_, _argent_. The principal entrance is through a flat Gothic arch.
The premises are now the property of the Corbets of Sundorne.
[Picture: Ireland’s Mansion]
Immediately fronting the High Street, behind the premises of Mr. Burrey,
upholsterer, are the remains of some extensive building of red stone,
probably ecclesiastical, and in the style of the 14th century.
Considerable doubts have been entertained by our best antiquarians
concerning these remnants of fallen grandeur, and no record is extant by
which their use or name can be ascertained with any certainty. In an
entry in the chartulary of Haughmond Abbey, in this county, of the early
date of 2d Rich. II. 1378, these premises are mentioned, as having been
known before that time, by the name of
“BENNETTE’S HALLE,”
but when or from what cause they acquired that appellation is unknown.
[Picture: “Bennette’s Halle”]
Turning to the right, we proceed up Pride Hill, on the right-hand side of
which may be seen many curious old timber houses, the ancient mansions of
our honest burghers.
Midway of Pride Hill, on the right, is the
DOUBLE BUTCHER ROW,
in which are also many interesting specimens of domestic architecture.
At the top of Pride Hill, on the right, is
THE BUTTER CROSS,
intended for the accommodation of persons bringing Butter, Eggs, and
Poultry to the markets. The old cross, a heavy, inconvenient brick
building, with a large reservoir on its top for supplying the upper parts
of the town with water, stood nearly in the centre of the thoroughfare,
whence it was removed in 1818, and another erected at the expense of the
Corporation, on the present site; which also proving insufficient and
inconvenient, was taken down, and the present structure, on an enlarged
scale, built in 1844, by the Corporation, aided by the subscriptions of
the town and neighbourhood.
[Picture: Timber Houses on Pride Hill]
In early times a Cross stood on this spot, of which frequent mention is
made in old documents, by the name of the High Cross, and the adjoining
street was called the High Pavement. Here proclamations were accustomed
to be made, and criminals executed. This cross is remarkable as the
place on which David, the last of the British Princes of Wales, underwent
a cruel and ignominious death, by order of Edward I. and where many
noblemen, taken prisoners at the battle of Shrewsbury, were executed.
On part of the site of the present Cross stood, previously, an ancient
timber structure, probably part of the collegiate buildings of the
adjacent church of St. Mary.
Nearly opposite the Butter Cross, on the left-hand side of the street, is
an old mansion, now new-fronted, modernised, partially rebuilt, and
divided, once, it is believed, the residence of the opulent and ancient,
but now extinct, family of the Prides, who gave their name to the street
“Pride Hill.” Some idea of its former splendour may have been collected
from the ornamented plaster ceilings, which remained in several of the
rooms, but which, by recent alterations, are probably now removed.
Proceeding onwards, we shortly reach, on the left,
THE RAVEN INN,
where the ingenious George Farquhar wrote his sprightly but licentious
comedy of “The Recruiting Officer,” during his residence in our town in
1704, in that capacity. The scene of the play is laid in Shrewsbury, and
though the plot may not have had any foundation in reality, it has been
ascertained, on indubitable evidence, that the author took for the
originals of his characters, many distinguished persons, living or well
known at that time, in the town and neighbourhood. The window of the
room, which tradition points out as that in which the drama was composed,
still exists, and may be seen from the yard of the Inn.
At the end of Castle Street, on the right side, the remains of
ST. NICHOLAS’S CHAPEL
present themselves to the spectator; the architecture of which, with the
exception of a pointed window at the west end of later date, is entirely
of the early Norman era: and it is highly probable that the Chapel was
erected by Roger de Montgomery, the first Norman Earl of Shrewsbury, for
the use of such of his retainers as resided in the outer works of the
Castle. The only portions of this edifice at present remaining, are the
nave, a massive semicircular arch, formerly opening into the (now
entirely destroyed) chancel, and two similar side arches. The building
is the property of the Lysters of Rowton, and has been converted into two
stables and a coach-house.
Immediately adjoining, on the right, is the venerable and
highly-ornamented timber
GATEWAY OF THE COUNCIL HOUSE,
[Picture: Gateway of the Council House]
which presents an interesting and curious specimen of the domestic
architecture of the year 1620; that date, and the initials W O E,
indicating it to have been built by one of the Owens of Condover, the
then possessors of this property, being still visible on the
south-eastern front.
Entering through this gateway, we approach
THE COUNCIL HOUSE,
which is so called from having been the occasional residence of the
Council of the Marches of Wales, during their annual visit to our town.
{20} It is situated on a lofty bank, which abruptly rises above the
river Severn, and commands a most interesting and enlivening prospect of
the surrounding country. The buildings occupy three sides of a small
court, and are now divided into three excellent houses. Of late years
they have been so considerably altered and modernised that little of the
original structure is at present discernible. That portion which
includes the Hall and the Great Chamber over it, comprises nearly the
whole of the building which retains any resemblance of its original
features. These once magnificent apartments, during the last
alterations, were subdivided and despoiled of the stained glass,
elaborately carved chimney pieces, {21} and richly ornamented ceilings,
which contributed so largely to their former splendour. The carved
wooden porch, once affording entrance to the hall, has, with other
relics, been carefully preserved.
The house was originally erected about 1501, by Peter Newton, Esq. one of
the Council of the Marches, and having passed through numerous hands, is
now the property of the Lysters of Rowton.
This venerable mansion afforded, in 1642, an asylum to the unhappy
Charles the First, upon the commencement of his troubles. His Majesty
resided here for six weeks, during which time the gentry of Shropshire
flocked around him, and testified their deep attachment and unshaken
loyalty, by contributing most liberally in this hour of need to their
sovereign’s exigencies. James II. also on his visit to the town, kept
his court here on the 24th of August, 1687.
The next object which demands our attention is
THE GATEWAY OF THE CASTLE,
the arch of which is the only existing part of the original Norman
fortress of Roger de Montgomery. It is eighteen feet in height,
semicircular, with plain round facings, and its walls appear to have
sustained a tower, from whence hung the portcullis.
[Picture: Gateway of the Castle]
Through this gateway we are conducted into the inner court of whence we
obtain a comprehensive view of the existing remains, which consist of the
keep, the walls of the inner court, and a lofty mound on the south side,
probably part of the early fortress constructed here by the Britons.
From the various dilapidations and changes which the fortress has
undergone during the course of many centuries, no adequate idea can now
be formed of its original size and strength. The Castle stands boldly
elevated on a steep bank of earth, on the narrow isthmus formed by the
Severn, and is approached from the town by a gentle ascent.
[Picture: Laura’s Tower]
The Keep, the walls of which are of great strength and thickness, was
erected by Edward I. and is a square building, connected with two round
towers of equal diameter, embattled and pierced, and originally consisted
of one great apartment on each of the upper floors. The interior, as
well as the exterior, has been greatly altered. A handsome stone
staircase, of modern construction, leads from the vestibule (in which is
a statue of the founder, Roger de Montgomery), to the principal
apartments. The drawing room, used as a guard-chamber in the time of
Charles 1st, is spacious and handsome. A stone stair-case within the
wall, lighted by narrow chinks, leads to an apartment in the western
tower, in which was a recess, with a strong groined ceiling, and small
acutely pointed windows.
[Picture: Watch tower] The summit of the mound above mentioned, is
crowned with ruinous walls, and an ancient watch tower, which, during the
last repairs was converted into a delightful summer room, commanding a
fine panoramic view, and now called LAURA’S TOWER.
On the east side of the court is a postern, built probably during the
civil wars; and adjacent to it are the massive foundations of an ancient
tower.
In the area of the court, now entirely cleared of buildings, the Knights
of the Shire have, from time immemorial, been girt with their swords by
the Sheriff.
Of that invariable appendage of castles, the Chapel of St. Michael, all
traces have long been swept away. Its site is even now a matter of
conjecture. Originally it was endowed with considerable landed estates,
was a “Royal Free Chapel,” and was subsequently granted, with its
appendant, the Church of St. Juliana, in this town, by Henry IV. to his
College erected at Battlefield, in commemoration of his victory there.
Roger de Montgomery, the first Norman Earl of Shrewsbury, is regarded as
the founder of the Castle, though it is more probable that he only
enlarged a smaller fortress which is known to have existed here anterior
to his times. To afford an eligible site for his new buildings, he is
stated to have destroyed fifty-one houses; a fifth part of the whole town
at that period. On the forfeiture of Earl Robert de Belesme, in the time
of Henry I., the castle became a royal fortress, and was entrusted to the
custody of the Sheriff, and the vast possessions annexed to it were
parcelled out among various knights, to be held by the service of castle
ward. During the turbulent reign of Henry III. the castle fell into a
state of great dilapidation, but his son, Edward I., immediately on his
accession, almost entirely rebuilt the structure; which, upon the
submission of the Welsh, being no longer needed as a military fortress,
was again abandoned to ruin and decay.
In the reign of Elizabeth a grant was made of its site and buildings to
Richard Onslow, Esq. who subsequently transferred his interest to the
Corporation. During the civil wars it was repaired and garrisoned for
the royal party; but being besieged by the parliamentary forces, it
surrendered in 1645, and escaped demolition by being entrusted to Colonel
Mitton, a native of the county. On the Restoration it reverted to the
Corporation, who, in 1663, surrendering their title to Charles II., that
monarch presented it to Francis Viscount Newport, afterwards Earl of
Bradford, from whom it has passed to the present proprietor, the Duke of
Cleveland.
Nearly opposite the Castle is
THE ROYAL FREE GRAMMAR SCHOOL OF KING EDWARD VI.
founded by that monarch by letters patent, dated 10th February, 1552, and
endowed with portions of the estates of the late dissolved Colleges of
St. Mary and St. Chad, in this town. The original endowment, on the
request of the learned, estimable, and ever to be venerated Thomas
Ashton, the first Schoolmaster, was considerably enlarged by Queen
Elizabeth, in the 13th year of her reign, by a donation of other portions
of the properties of those ecclesiastical institutions. Mr. Ashton
himself left by will a handsome legacy; and Dr. John Taylor, the learned
editor of Demosthenes, bequeathed the greater part of his valuable
library.
[Picture: Royal Free Grammar School]
The amount of the present annual revenue is £3086. 15s. 1d. which is
appropriated in the payment of the Salaries of the Masters and Bailiff,
the maintenance of scholarships and exhibitions in the Universities, the
stipends of the Vicar of Chirbury, and the Curates of St. Mary, Clive,
and Astley, the necessary repairs, &c. of the school-buildings and
estate, the Library, Rewards, Prizes, &c., providing residences for the
Incumbents of the School livings, and a Play-ground. The surplus is
applied to the formation of a Reserved Fund, not exceeding £5000, to be
applied from time to time, under the direction of the Court of Chancery,
for repairs, &c. of the School buildings and Estate.
The head-master receives a salary of £425, including £100 for
Mathematical instruction, and a further sum of £40 as catechist and
reader; the second master £200, and the third master £100, with the use
of dwelling-houses, free from rent, taxes, and repairs; the French and
German master £50, and the writing master £50.
The exhibitions and scholarships from this school to both Universities,
are numerous and valuable, and are mostly confined to the sons of
burgesses, (who have attended the school for two years), born in the town
or suburbs, or in the Abbey Foregate; or in default of such, to persons
born in the parish of Chirbury; or in default of such, to those born in
the county of Salop.
ADVANTAGES OPEN TO ALL BOYS EDUCATED AT SHREWSBURY SCHOOL.
Four scholarships of £63 per annum each, on the foundation of John
Millington, D.D. at Magdalen College, Cambridge, tenable during residence
till M.A. Electors, the Master and Fellows of the College.
One Fellowship of £126 per annum, on the same foundation, in the same
College. Electors, the same.
One Exhibition of £23 per annum, on the foundation of John Taylor, D.D.
open to any College. Electors, the Head and Second Masters, and the
Mayor of Shrewsbury.
One Exhibition of £10 per annum, on the foundation of Mrs. Nonnely, for a
boy proceeding to the University of Oxford.
One Exhibition of £30 per annum, on the foundation of Mr. Podmore, for a
boy nominated by the Head Master, and proceeding to Trinity College,
Cambridge.
Prizes for Composition in the Greek, Latin, and English Languages, are
awarded annually, with a Gold Medal to the best Scholar leaving School
for the University. There are also Exhibitions for which Shrewsbury
School has a preference, at Balliol College, Oxford, and at St. John’s
College, Cambridge.
ADVANTAGES LIMITED IN POINT OF QUALIFICATION.
Five Exhibitions of £50 per annum each, tenable for four years.
Electors, the Trustees of the School.
Two Exhibitions founded by Mr. James Millington, for sons of burgesses
born in Frankwell, and proceeding from the School in Millington’s
Hospital to Shrewsbury School, and thence to Magdalen College, Cambridge.
Electors, the Trustees of Millington’s Hospital. Value £40 per annum
each.
Two Exhibitions, founded by Oswald Smith, of £25 per annum each, for sons
of burgesses. Electors, the Head and Second Masters, and the Incumbent
of St. Mary’s, Shrewsbury.
Four Exhibitions to Christ Church, Oxford, founded by Mr. Careswell, for
natives of Shropshire. Examiners, the Dean of Christ Church, or his
Deputy. Electors, two or more Justices of the Peace for the County.
Present value £60 per annum each.
The whole management of the school and revenue, was, by Act of
Parliament, 38 George III. vested in the Bishop of Lichfield as Visitor,
and Thirteen Governors and Trustees. The election of the head and second
masters rests solely in the Master and Fellows of St. John’s College,
Cambridge. The under-master is appointed by the head-master.
All the sons of burgesses of Shrewsbury, who are not under eight nor more
than twenty years of age, may be admitted on the foundation, on
application to the head-master, provided they are able to write and read
English. Any boys not sons of burgesses may be admitted on payment of
certain fees,—viz. two guineas admission, and fifteen guineas yearly.
The instruction in the schools is “in the Holy Scriptures, the Church
Catechism, the Liturgy, Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of England,
the Greek, Latin, English and French languages, Reading, Writing, and
Grammar, in Ancient and Modern History, sacred as well as profane, and
Geography, in Arithmetic and Mathematics, and also in such other modern
Languages, Arts and Sciences, as the Governors, with the consent of the
Visitor, shall think proper.”
The head-master is Rev. B. H. Kennedy, D.D.; the second master is Rev. W.
Burbury, M.A.; the third master, H. Greenwood, Esq. M.A.; the assistant
classical master, Edward Calvert, Esq. M.A.; Mathematics and Arithmetic,
Rev. A. T. Paget, M.A.; Modern Languages, T. A. Bentley, Esq.; Latin
Accidence and Writing, Mr. T. N. Henshaw.
Among the many persons of eminence who have received their education at
this school we may enumerate Sir Philip Sidney; his friend, Sir Fulke
Greville, Lord Brook; the son of Edwyn Sandys, Archbishop of York; the
cruel Judge Jeffries; Lord Chief Justices Jones and Price; Dr. Bowers,
Bishop of Chichester; Dr. John Thomas, Bishop of Salisbury; Dr. John
Taylor, editor of Lysias and Demosthenes; Dr. Edward Waring, Lucasian
Professor of Mathematics; James Harrington, the author of “Oceana;”
Wycherley, the Dramatist; Ambrose Phillips, the Poet; and the Venerable
Archdeacon Owen, and the Rev. J. B. Blakeway, the learned and estimable
Historians of Shrewsbury.
Through the indefatigable exertions and learning of the late venerated
head-master, (The Right Reverend Samuel Butler, D.D. F.R.S. &c. late
Lord Bishop of Lichfield,) the institution attained to an unrivalled
celebrity and repute, most deservedly ranking among the first public
schools in England. And as an earnest of continued prosperity, we cannot
do better than refer to the words of the venerable Bishop, who, on
resigning his arduous duties to his learned and talented successor,
stated “that he considered Dr. Kennedy, as the most brilliant scholar he
had ever sent forth, as the brightest star in that galaxy of
distinguished pupils whose names adorn the ‘Boards’ of Shrewsbury
School.—That from Dr. Kennedy’s experience of his system, both as a pupil
and assistant master at Shrewsbury School, from his constant practice as
a lecturer and private tutor at College, and as an assistant master for
six years or more at Harrow, as well as from his own unrivalled talents
and high literary distinctions, from his fine taste and sound learning,
there was not a shadow of doubt but that he would fully maintain the
reputation which Shrewsbury School had already acquired, and would add,
at least as many distinguished names to its Boards, during his
superintendence of this important foundation, as had been inscribed there
by himself in any equal period.” These bright anticipations of the
venerated Bishop have been already, and are daily more and more fully
realized.
More than 100 gentlemen educated at Shrewsbury School have during the
present century been elected Fellows of various Colleges in both
Universities, and nearly 250 Scholars and Exhibitioners; of whom more
than forty have subsequently been Tutors or Lecturers in their several
Colleges.
Permission having been kindly granted, we are enabled to give the
following copy of the BOARDS alluded to:—
1806 THOMAS SMART HUGHES, St. John’s College, Cambridge, _Browne
Medal_, _Latin Ode_.
1807 THOMAS SMART HUGHES, St. John’s College, Cambridge, _Browne
Medal_, _Greek Ode_.
JOHN TURNER, St. John’s College, Cambridge, _Second
Bachelor’s Prize_.
1809 THOMAS SMART HUGHES, St. John’s College, Cambridge, _First
Bachelor’s Prize_.
1810 THOMAS SMART HUGHES, St. John’s College, Cambridge, _First
Bachelor’s Prize_.
WILLIAM HENRY PARRY, St. John’s College, Cambridge, _Third
Bachelor’s Prize_.
1811 ROBERT WILSON EVANS, Trinity College, Cambridge, _Second
Medallist_.
1812 MARMADUKE LAWSON, St. John’s College, Cambridge, _Browne
Medal_, _Latin Ode_.
ROBERT WILSON EVANS, Trinity College, Cambridge, _First
Bachelor’s Prize_.
1813 WILLIAM HENRY PARRY, St. John’s College, Cambridge,
_Norrisian Prize_.
ROBERT WILSON EVANS, Trinity College, Cambridge, _First
Bachelor’s Prize_.
1814 MARMADUKE LAWSON, St. John’s College, Cambridge, _Pitt
University Scholar_, (the first elected on that
foundation.)
1816 MARMADUKE LAWSON, Magdalen College, Cambridge, _Medallist_.
RICHARD P. THURSFIELD, St. John’s College, Cambridge,
_Second Bell’s Scholar_.
1817 REV. T. SMART HUGHES, Fellow of Edmund College, Cambridge,
and Proctor of the University, _The Seatonian Prize_.
1819 SPENCER WILDE, St. John’s College, Cambridge, _Recorded
Equal to Bell’s Scholar_.
1821 EDWARD BAINES, Christ College, Cambridge, _Second Bell’s
Scholar_.
1822 T. WILLIAMS, Oriel College, Oxford, _First Class_, _Lit.
Hum._
1823 JOHN PRICE, St. John’s College, Cambridge, _Recorded Equal
to Bell’s Scholar_.
BENJAMIN HALL KENNEDY, St. John’s College, Cambridge, _The
Porson Prize_.
BENJAMIN HALL KENNEDY, St. John’s College, Cambridge,
_Adjudged the Browne Medal_, _Latin Ode_.
1824 BENJAMIN HALL KENNEDY, St. John’s College, Cambridge, _Pitt
University Scholar_.
BENJAMIN HALL KENNEDY, St. John’s College, Cambridge,
_Browne Medal_, _Greek Ode_.
BENJAMIN HALL KENNEDY, St. John’s College, Cambridge,
_Browne Medal_, _Latin Ode_.
BENJAMIN HALL KENNEDY, St. John’s College, Cambridge, _The
Porson Prize_.
1825 THOMAS WILLIAMSON PEILE, Trinity College, Cambridge,
_Davies University Scholar_.
JOHN HODGSON, Trinity College, Cambridge, _The Parson
Prize_.
BENJAMIN HALL KENNEDY, St. John’s College, Cambridge,
_Browne’s Medal_, _Epigram_.
1826 JOHN HODGSON, Trinity College, Cambridge, _Second
Medallist_.
HORATIO HILDYARD, Peterhouse, Cambridge, _First Bell’s
Scholar_.
THOMAS BUTLER, St. John’s College, Cambridge, _Recorded
Equal to Bell’s Scholar_.
BENJAMIN HALL KENNEDY, St. John’s College, Cambridge, _The
Porson Prize_.
1827 BENJAMIN HALL KENNEDY, St. John’s College, Cambridge,
_Senior Medallist_.
GEORGE H. JOHNSON, Queen’s College, Oxford, _Ireland
University Scholar_.
THOMAS WILLIAMSON PEILE, Trinity College, Cambridge,
_Second Undergraduate’s Latin Essay_.
1828 CHARLES KENNEDY, Trinity College, Cambridge, _First Bell’s
Scholar_.
THOMAS WILLIAMSON PEILE, Trinity College, Cambridge,
_Second Medallist_.
EDWARD MASSIE, Wadham College, Oxford, _Ireland University
Scholar_.
BENJAMIN HALL KENNEDY, St. John’s College, Cambridge,
_First Bachelor’s Prize_.
GEORGE H. JOHNSON, Queen’s College, Oxford, _Double First
Class_.
1829 CHARLES BORRETT, Magdalen College, Oxford, _Ireland
University Scholar_.
JOHN THOMAS, Wadham College, Oxford, _Craven University
Scholar_.
CHARLES KENNEDY, Trinity College, Cambridge, _Browne
Medal_, _Greek Ode_.
CHARLES KENNEDY, Trinity College, Cambridge, _The Porson
Prize_.
HERBERT JOHNSON, Wadham College, Oxford, _First Class_,
_Lit. Hum._
1830 CHARLES KENNEDY, Trinity College, Cambridge, _Pitt
University Scholar_.
PETER S. PAYNE, Balliol College, Oxford, _Ireland
University Scholar_.
JAMES HILDYARD, Christ College, Cambridge, _Browne Medal_,
_Greek Ode_.
CHARLES KENNEDY, Trinity College, Cambridge, _Browne
Medal_, _Greek Ode_.
ROBERT SCOTT, Christ Church, Oxford, _Craven University
Scholar_.
CHARLES KENNEDY, Trinity College, Cambridge, _The Porson
Prize_.
1831 JAMES HILDYARD, Christ College, Cambridge, _Battie
University Scholar_.
THOMAS BRANCKER, Wadham College, Oxford, _elected Ireland
University Scholar_, while yet in the Sixth Form of
Shrewsbury School.
GEORGE KENNEDY, St. John’s College, Cambridge, _First
Bell’s Scholar_.
GEORGE H. JOHNSON, Queen’s College, Oxford, _Mathematical
University Scholar_, (the first elected on that
foundation.)
JAMES HILDYARD, Christ College, Cambridge, _Browne Medal_,
_Greek Ode_.
JAMES HILDYARD, Christ College, Cambridge, _Browne Medal_,
_Latin Ode_.
JAMES HILDYARD, Christ College, Cambridge, _Browne Medal_,
_Epigrams_.
GEORGE KENNEDY, St. John’s College, Cambridge, _The Porson
Prize_.
PETER S. PAYNE, Balliol College, Oxford, _First Class_,
_Lit. Hum._
1832 GEORGE KENNEDY, St. John’s College, Cambridge, _Davies
University Scholar_.
HORATIO HILDYARD, Peterhouse, Cambridge, _Second Bachelor’s
Prize_.
JOHN THOMAS, Trinity College, Oxford, _Latin Verse Prize_.
JAMES HILDYARD, Christ College, Cambridge, _Browne Medal_,
_Greek Ode_.
JAMES HILDYARD, Christ College, Cambridge, _Browne Medal_,
_Latin Ode_.
JAMES HILDYARD, Christ College, Cambridge, _Member’s
Prize_, _Latin Essay_.
1833 ROBERT SCOTT, Christ Church, Oxford, _Ireland University
Scholar_.
JAMES HILDYARD, Christ College, Cambridge, _Second
Medallist_.
GEORGE H. MARSH, St. John’s College, Cambridge, _Bell’s
Scholar_.
JOHN GIBBONS LONGUEVILLE, Wadham College, Oxford, _First
Class_, _Lit. Hum._
ROBERT SCOTT, Student of Christ Church, Oxford, _First
Class_, _Lit. Hum._
THOMAS F. HENNEY, Pembroke College, Oxford, _First Class_,
_Lit. Hum._
JAMES HILDYARD, Christ College, Cambridge, _First
Bachelor’s Prize_.
WILLIAM FLETCHER, Trinity College, Oxford, _First Class_,
_Lit. Hum._
1834 ALEXANDER G. HILDYARD, Pembroke College, Cambridge, _Second
Bell’s Scholar_.
ROBERT SCOTT, Student of Christ Church, Oxford, _Bachelor’s
Latin Essay_.
1835 WILLIAM GILSON HUMPHRY, Trinity College, Cambridge, _Pitt
University Scholar_.
GEORGE AUGUSTUS MAY, Magdalen College, Cambridge, _Bell’s
Scholar_.
EDWARD J. EDWARDS, Balliol College, Oxford, _Kennicott
Hebrew Scholar_.
1836 WILLIAM DICKENSON, Trinity College, Oxford, _Latin Verse
Prize_.
W. G. HUMPHRY, Trinity College, Cambridge, _Latin Essay_.
W. G. HUMPHRY, Trinity College, Cambridge, _Second
Medallist_.
1837 HENRY HOLDEN, Balliol College, Oxford, _First Class_, _Lit.
Hum._
1838 JAMES FRASER, Scholar of Lincoln College, Oxford, _Recorded
Second to Ireland University Scholar_, with the words
“_proxime accesssit_.”
REV. R. SCOTT, M.A. Fellow of Balliol College, Oxford,
_Denyer’s Theological Essay_.
ROBERT MIDDLETON DUKES, Scholar of Lincoln College, Oxford,
_First Class_, _Lit. Hum._
THOMAS EVANS, St. John’s College, Cambridge, _The Porson
Prize_.
WILLIAM DICKENSON, Trinity College, Oxford, _Latin Essay_.
1839 JAMES FRASER, Lincoln College, Oxford, _Ireland University
Scholar_.
EDWARD M. COPE, Scholar of Trinity College, Cambridge, _The
Porson Prize_.
JAMES FRASER, Lincoln College, Oxford, _First Class_, _Lit.
Hum._
1840 EDWARD BATHER, Merton College, Oxford, _First Class_, _Lit.
Hum._
JOHN BATHER, St. John’s College, Cambridge, _Reexamined
with Craven’s University Scholar_.
1841 HUGH A. JOHNSTON MUNRO, Trinity College, Cambridge, _Lord
Craven’s University Scholar_.
GEORGE DRUCE, St. Peter’s College, Cambridge, _The Porson
Prize_.
GEORGE NUGEE, Trinity College, Cambridge, _Latin Essay_.
1842 EDWIN H. GIFFORD, St. John’s College, Cambridge, _Pitt
University Scholar_.
HUGH A. J. MUNRO, Trinity College, Cambridge, _Senior
Chancellor’s Medallist_.
GEORGE DRUCE, St. Peter’s College, Cambridge, _The Porson
Prize_.
WILLIAM GEORGE CLARK, Trinity College, Cambridge, _Browne
Medal_, _Epigrams_.
THOMAS RAMSBOTHAM, Christ College, Cambridge, _Latin
Essay_.
W. T. BASIL JONES, Trinity College, Oxford, _Ireland
University Scholar_.
1843 E. H. GIFFORD, St. John’s College, Cambridge, _Senior
Chancellor’s Medallist_.
GEORGE DRUCE, St. Peter’s College, Cambridge, _Junior
Chancellor’s Medallist_.
REV. M. BRIGHT, Magdalen College, Cambridge, _Tyrwhitt’s
Hebrew Scholar_.
W. G. CLARK, Trinity College, Cambridge, _Browne Medal_,
_Greek Ode_.
W. G. CLARE, Trinity College, Cambridge, _The Porson
Prize_.
G. NUGEE, B.A. Trinity College, Cambridge, _Latin Essay_.
1844 W. G. CLARK, Trinity College, Cambridge, _Second
Chancellor’s Medallist_.
GEORGE OSBORNE MORGAN, Balliol College, Oxford, _Craven
University Scholar_, while yet in the Sixth Form of
Shrewsbury School.
J. G. FUSSELL, Trinity College, Cambridge, _Browne Medal_,
_Epigrams_.
J. G. FUSSELL, Trinity College, Cambridge, _Latin Essay_.
1845 JAMES RIDDELL, Balliol College, Oxford, _First Class_,
_Lit. Hum._
H. DE WINTON, Trinity College, Cambridge, _Browne Medal_,
_Greek Ode_.
GEORGE NUGEE, Trinity College, Cambridge, _Sir Peregrine
Maitland’s Prize for Christian Essay_.
1846 GEORGE OSBORNE MORGAN, Balliol College, Oxford, _Sir R.
Newdigate’s Prize for English Poem_.
1847 GEORGE OSBORNE MORGAN, Worcester College, Oxford, _First
Class_, _Lit. Hum._
1848 H. C. TAYLER, Trinity College, Cambridge, _Browne Medal_,
_Epigrams_.
1849 WILLIAM OWEN, St. John’s College, Cambridge, _Recorded
Second to Craven University Scholar_.
WILLIAM OWEN, St. John’s College, Cambridge, _The Marquis
Camden’s Gold Medal for Latin Poem_.
FRANCIS KEWLEY, St. John’s College, Cambridge, _The Porson
Prize_.
1850 T. CLAYTON, Trinity College, Oxford, _Hertford University
Scholar_.
WILLIAM OWEN, St. John’s College, Cambridge, _The Porson
Prize_.
P. PERRING, Trinity College, Cambridge, _Browne’s Medal_,
_Greek Ode_.
G. O. MORGAN, Worcester College, Oxford, _English Essay_.
G. B. MORLEY, St. John’s College, Cambridge, _The Porson
Prize_.
G. O. MORGAN, University College, Oxford, _Eldon Law
Scholarship_.
H. C. A. TAYLER, Trinity College, Cambridge, _Latin Essay_.
1852 S. H. BURBURY, St. John’s College, Cambridge, _The Porson
Prize_.
D. TRINDER, Exeter College, Oxford, _Mrs. Denyer’s
Theological Essay_.
J. L. BALFOUR, Queen’s College, Oxford, _Ellerton’s
Theological Essay_.
HENRY PARKER, Fellow of Oriel College, Oxford, _Latin
Essay_.
W. INGE, Worcester College, Oxford, _First Glass
Moderations_.
1853 EDWARD L. BROWN, Trinity College, Cambridge, _First Bell’s
Scholar_.
S. H. BURBURY, St. John’s College, Cambridge, _Craven
University Scholar_.
S. H. BURBURY, St. John’s College, Cambridge, _The Porson
Prize_.
W. INGE, Worcester College, Oxford, _First Class_, _Lit.
Hum._
A. B. ROCKE, Christ Church, Oxford, _First Class_,
_Moderations_.
1855 E. L. BROWN, Trinity College, Cambridge, _The Porson
Prize_.
Cambridge First Class Classics.