1825 John Price, St. John’s College 3rd
John Hodgson, Trinity College 5th
Frederick E. Gretton, St. John’s 7th
College
1827 BENJAMIN HALL KENNEDY, St. John’s SENIOR.
College
George A. Butterton, St. John’s College 3rd
1828 T. W. Peile, Trinity College 2nd
1829 Horatio S. Hildyard, Peterhouse 5th
Robert Smith, St. John’s College 6th
Thomas Butler, St. John’s College 7th
1831 CHARLES KENNEDY, Trinity College SENIOR.
Charles J. Johnstone, Caius College 4th
1832 Richard Shilleto, Trinity College 2nd
Edward Broadhurst, Magdalen College 7th
1833 James Hildyard, Christ College 2nd
1834 GEORGE F. KENNEDY, St. John’s College SENIOR.
Edward Warter, Magdalen College 4th
1835 George F. Harris, Trinity College 3rd
John Cooper, Trinity College 7th
1836 Geo. Hy. Marsh, St. John’s College 2nd
William H. Bateson, St. John’s College 3rd
Richard Edward Turner, Trinity College 6th
1837 W. GILSON HUMPHRY, Trinity College SENIOR.
1838 George A. C. May, Magdalen College 3rd
Henry Thompson, St. John’s College 7th
William Parkinson, St. John’s College 8th
1839 Augustus W. Hopper, Trinity College 6th
1840 FRANCIS FRANCE, St. John’s College SENIOR ÆQUAL.
1841 EDWARD M. COPE, Trinity College SENIOR.
John Bather, St. John’s College 2nd
Henry Thring, Magdalen College 3rd
1842 Hugh A. J. Munro, Trinity College 2nd
Francis Morse, St. John’s College 7th
1843 GEORGE DRUCE, St. Peter’s College SENIORS ÆQUAL.
EDWIN H. GIFFORD, St. John’s Coll.
1844 William G. Clark, Trinity College 2nd
1846 H. De Winton, Trinity College 3rd
1848 J. E. B. Mayor, St. John’s College 3rd
1849 H. C. A. Tayler, Trinity College 4th
1851 J. W. Taylor, St. Peter’s College 12th
1852 ROBERT BURN, Trinity College SENIOR ÆQUAL.
Philip Perring, Trinity College 4th
W. Chandless, Trinity College 5th
Arthur White, Magdalen College 16th
1854 S. H. Burbury, St. John’s College 2nd
G. M. Campbell, St. John’s College 7th
H. Day, St. John’s College 9th
Cambridge Wranglers.
1808 W. H. Parry, St. John’s College 16th
1809 John Evans, Clare Hall 6th
W. R. Gilby, Trinity College 7th
1811 R. W. Evans, Trinity College 7th
1824 W. Crawley, Magdalen College 27th
1826 John Hodgson, Trinity College 16th
1827 George A. Butterton, St. John’s College 8th
1828 T. W. Peile, Trinity College 18th
1830 CHARLES WHITLEY, St. John’s College SENIOR.
Edward Yardley, Magdalen College 40th
1834 Henry Trentham, St. John’s College 13th
1835 Francis Procter, Catharine Hall 30th
John Cooper, Trinity College 33rd
1836 W. Twiss Turner, Trinity College 15th
Thomas E. H. Headlam, Trinity College 17th
1837 Alexander J. Ellis, Trinity College 5th
William Gilson Humphry, Trinity College 27th
1838 H. J. Hodgson, Trinity College 24th
G. A. C. May, Magdalen College 36th
1840 Henry Cadogan Rothery, St. John’s College 19th
1843 Edwin H. Gifford, St. John’s College 15th
1851 J. S. Clarke, St. John’s College 11th
1854 B. W. Horne, St. John’s College 4th
H. Day, St. John’s College 5th
S. H. Burbury, St. John’s College 15th
The structure is large, lofty, and of freestone, and surrounds two sides
of a small quadrangle. The portion immediately fronting the street was
erected in 1630, and contains on the first and second floors dwelling
houses for the assistant masters. The upper story is entirely occupied
by
THE PRINCIPAL SCHOOL-ROOM,
[Picture: Principal School-Room]
and was originally divided into three apartments by wooden carved
partitions, now removed. The centre of this front is pierced by a
gateway, adorned on each side with a Corinthian column, supporting
statues of a scholar and graduate, bare-headed, and in the costume of the
times. Over the arch is a sentence in Greek from Isocrates, importing
that a love of literature is essential to the formation of a scholar.
Above are the arms of Charles I. The windows, with the exception of a
large pointed one in the style of the 14th century, at the south-end of
the principal school-room, are all of the square form of the Elizabethan
age. The walls are crowned with a singular and clumsy battlement of
curled leaves and pinnacles.
Situated at right angles to this is the remaining wing of the edifice,
originally erected in 1595, comprising the chapel and library, with the
tower containing the staircases in the angle.
The Chapel, in which prayers are read by the headmaster every morning,
occupies the ground floor, and is divided from the ante-chapel, by an oak
screen, carved in the grotesque manner prevalent in the days of
Elizabeth. The pulpit and BIBLE-STAND are in a similar style. The
ceiling is adorned with carved foliated bosses, interspersed with the
arms of the founders, and of the first and late head-masters.
[Picture: Bible Stand in the Chapel]
Above the chapel and of the same size, is
THE LIBRARY,
[Picture: The Library]
containing a very valuable and extensive collection of MSS. and books.
This part was lately rebuilt and repaired at a considerable expense. Two
large pointed windows, filled with mullioned tracery, afford light to
this venerable apartment; in the northern one of which are the arms of
Edward VI.; Queen Elizabeth; St. John’s College, Cambridge; the See of
Lichfield and Coventry impaling Cornwallis; and those of the town: and in
the southern one, those of the four principal benefactors, with
appropriate inscriptions in Latin. Richly foliated bosses, the arms of
the founders, visitors, and thirteen first trustees, decorate the
ceiling. Around the walls are portraits of Henry VIII. half-length; his
son Edward VI. when a boy of ten or twelve; an Admiral, full length, in
the dress of the time of Charles II.; five of the former head-masters,
and the late head-master, Bishop Butler, by Kirkby.
By the late scheme made by the Court of Chancery, (1853) a sum not
exceeding £70 yearly, is to be applied to the purchase and repairs of
Books, Mathematical, Philosophical and other instruments and articles for
instruction.
We would venture to suggest the propriety of persons educated at
Shrewsbury School, or natives of the town and county, presenting to the
Library copies of any works which they may publish. Such a practice
would at once form an interesting memento of their connection with the
venerable institution, and add to the valuable and useful stores already
accumulated on its shelves, which in former years have been so greatly
enriched by similar benefactions.
The Library also contains three sepulchral inscribed stones, and various
other Roman antiquities from Wroxeter, and a small collection of fossils
and natural curiosities.
A court, enclosed by a stone wall, intervenes between the street and the
schools. At the back of the school-buildings are two spacious houses for
the head and second masters, most delightfully situated, and commanding
extensive views of several portions of the town, the river and Welsh
bridge, and the rich woods of Berwick and Almond Park. On this side are
extensive play-grounds for the use of the school.
Passing down Castle Gates, we have on our right
THE INDEPENDENT MEETING-HOUSE,
and see immediately before us
A BRIDGE
of cast-iron of 64 feet span, which carries over the street five lines of
rails of the Chester Railway.
On the right
THE STATION
of the United Railway Companies opens to view.
This striking and handsome building is in a late perpendicular English
style, and presents a frontage of upwards of 150 feet in length, and two
stories in height, with a large square tower nearly 70 feet high, in
which is one of the principal entrances, through a large four-centered
arched doorway, above which is an oriel window projecting from a richly
ornamented base, and a circular opening, within which is an excellent
eight-day clock, with the latest improvements, manufactured by Messrs.
Joyce and Son, of Whitchurch, in this county. A richly carved
battlement, with octagonal turrets at the corners, of considerable
elevation, terminates the summit.
[Picture: Railway station]
On either side of the tower extends a large wing, divided into four equal
spaces by projecting turrets, corresponding with those of the tower,
surmounted with ornamental caps. These spaces are subdivided again
horizontally above the heads of the upper and lower windows by enriched
string-courses. Above the cornice a rich embrasured parapet runs the
whole length of the edifice. The ridge of the roof is finished with an
ornamental cast-iron crest. The windows are divided by stone transoms
and mullions, with projecting drip-stones, terminating in corbel heads.
The ground floor is appropriated to booking offices, ladies’ and
gentlemen’s waiting rooms, and a large refreshment room. Beneath the
ground-floor are a large kitchen, cellars, &c. A board-room and offices
for the various officers and clerks, occupy the upper floor.
In the left wing, as the visitor approaches, is a door opening into the
booking and parcel offices: At the end of the right wing an entrance to
the arrival and departure
PLATFORMS,
respectively 600 feet and 450 feet in length, and 16 feet wide. A
wrought-iron roof of 70 feet span covers the platforms and lines of rails
for a space of 450 feet.
The water required for the use of the Station, Engines, and Carriages, is
conveyed in iron pipes along the rim of the railway from high ground in
the neighbourhood of Hencott, (60 feet above the level of the rails at
the Station,) to a large iron tank near the Station, whence a constant
supply can be immediately obtained in the event of fire breaking out.
The Goods, Engine Station, and Coal Depôts of the Shrewsbury and Chester
Railway are situated between Coton Hill and the General Passenger
Station, with convenient access from the Castle Foregate Street, where an
abundant supply of Welsh Coal and Lime is always on hand.
Branch lines diverge from behind the railway platforms, which pass under
Howard Street to the Canal Wharf, where is the Depôt of the Shropshire
and Staffordshire Coals and Cokes.
The Station House and Offices were designed by Mr. Thomas Penson, jun. of
Oswestry. The Engineering works by Messrs. Robertson and Baylis. The
former cost £6,000, the latter about £45,000, and the Goods, Engine,
Station, and other necessary works, above £20,000.
The total cost of the above works, together with the Viaduct over the
river Severn, and the brick Bridge over Cross Street, including land and
buildings, exceeds £100,000.
The whole of the works have been executed by Mr. Brassey, the Contractor,
under the direction of Mr. James Baylis, the resident Engineer, at the
joint expense of the four Railway Companies whose lines unite in
Shrewsbury.
The Railway to Chester was first opened October 12th, 1848. The line to
Birmingham, November 12th, 1849. The line to Hereford was opened to
Ludlow, April, 1852; and throughout, October 31st, 1853.
Turning on the left, immediately opposite the entrance to the Railway
Station, we pass on the same side, the Road leading across the Raven
Meadow to Mardol. This meadow is now converted into a spacious and
convenient
SMITHFIELD, OR CATTLE MARKET,
a great boon to the town, inasmuch as the Fairs were previously held in
the open streets, to the great annoyance, in point of cleanliness and
convenience, of inhabitants and passengers.
The works with the site cost about £13,000, and are capable of affording
accommodation for 700 horses, (with extensive trial grounds for the
same), 1,400 cattle, 5,000 sheep, and 1,000 pigs, with suitable
receptacles for sheep and cattle coming to town previously to the fairs
which occur on the alternate Tuesdays in every month.
Here are also held the Agricultural Shows, which are considered to equal
those of most places where similar exhibitions have been established; and
a Great Horse Fair is held annually in March.
A little further on the right, we pass the
RAILWAY BRIDGE
over Cross Street, a piece of beautiful brick-masonry, and approach the
river Severn, on the margin of which are
THE SHREWSBURY WATER-WORKS,
established in 1830, in 347 shares of £50 each, for the purpose of
affording the inhabitants a constant supply of river water, at a
reasonable rate.
The Town is also gratuitously supplied with excellent spring water, from
a fine spring called Broadwell, in a field near Crow Meole, distant about
two miles, conducted by pipes to conduits placed in convenient situations
in the principal streets.
On the right-hand side are
THE ROYAL BATHS,
and immediately beyond, on the same side, stands
BENBOW PLACE,
the birth-place of the renowned John Benbow, Vice-Admiral of the Blue;
the details of whose gallant bravery are so familiarly known to all as to
render their recapitulation here unnecessary.
Proceeding a short distance along Coton Hill, we soon reach another of
the
RAILWAY BRIDGES,
from which, on the one side, we obtain a good view of the Chester Railway
as far as Hencott Bridge, and on the other side, a comprehensive view of
the various Railway Buildings, backed by a beautiful prospect of the
Town, St. Michael’s Church, the Castle and its wooded Mount, Free
Schools, Spires of St. Mary, and St. Alkmond. {53}
Retracing our steps, we gain, as we proceed, not unpleasing views of
other portions of the town and its public buildings, and then passing
along Cross Street, under the Railway Bridge, traverse the lengthened and
unsightly suburb of the Castle Foregate, to
ST. MICHAEL’S CHURCH,
a neat brick structure, in the Grecian style, erected at an expense
scarcely exceeding £2000 (raised by subscription,) and consecrated on
24th August, 1830, as a chapel of ease to St. Mary’s church.
[Picture: St. Michael’s Church]
The plan is oblong, and consists of a nave, side aisles, an elliptical
recess for the altar, and a western tower. The interior is entered on
the north and south, and is lighted by three circular-headed windows on
either side. Over the side-aides are galleries, the sittings in which
are free; and at the west end is a spacious one for the use of poor
children, in which stands a small organ, the gift of the late Rev. W. G.
Rowland, M.A., Minister of St. Mary’s. The same gentleman also most
munificently adorned the windows of the chancel with fine stained glass,
executed by Mr. David Evans, of this town, representing the Nativity,
after Corregio; the Annunciation, after Guido; and the Presentation in
the Temple, after Rubens. To the same unbounded liberality, the
parishioners are indebted for the substantial service of communion plate,
the peal of six bells which hang in the tower, and the erection of the
adjacent schoolrooms for the poor children of this portion of the parish.
The edifice contains 800 sittings, 620 of which are free, and has
recently undergone alterations by which additional “sittings” are
obtained for the already large and increasing population of the district.
The judicious and economical arrangements of the burial ground merit the
attentive consideration of every visitor.
It would ill beseem us to pass, without honourable mention, the talents
of our ingenious townsman, Mr. David Evans, who, by unwearied exertions,
and consummate skill, has raised the art of glass-staining to a degree of
perfection unequalled in modern times, and nearly approaching, if not
entirely equalling, the rich and mellow tints of the “royal glass” of
ancient days. The numerous and singularly beautiful specimens of his
elaborate labours, visible in the inimitable restorations of the splendid
glass of Winchester and Lichfield Cathedrals, the churches of St. Mary,
St. Michael, St. Chad, St. George, the Abbey, and domestic chapels of the
nobility and gentry, in almost every part of the kingdom, speak, however,
his merits more forcibly to the correct eye and refined taste, than whole
volumes of our feeble encomiums. {56}
Returning along the Castle Foregate, the more remarkable objects are the
Shrewsbury and Ellesmere Canal, the Manufactory of linen-thread, the Coal
Wharfs, the Gas-Works, and the Goods and Coal Depôt of the Railway, the
New Meeting House of the Wesleyan Reformers, and Buildings of the
Freehold Land Society.
Passing up Howard Street, on the left-hand side of which is the New
Butter and Cheese Market, we approach
THE COUNTY GAOL,
erected in 1793, on the principles of the benevolent Howard, after a
design by Haycock, of Shrewsbury, at an expense of £30,000. The building
is of brick, and is entered by a massive free-stone gate, on either side
of which is a lodge. Over the gateway is a fine bust of Howard, by
Bacon. Immediately behind is the governor’s house; an octagonal chapel
occupies the centre; and the remainder of the structure is divided into
four principal courts, with several smaller ones, around which are
cloisters, with sleeping rooms above for the prisoners, and cells for the
condemned and refractory. The male and female prisoners are kept apart,
and distributed into classes. On the eastern side is the Infirmary,
detached from the other buildings. A strong and lofty brick wall
encompasses the whole.
The entire structure is strong, spacious, airy, well supplied with water,
and every other necessary; and in point of situation for salubrity and
beauty, vies with any of the adjoining eminences.
An admirable institution, supported by voluntary benevolence, entitled
“The Prison Charities,” has subsisted within the walls for nearly fifty
years, and has been productive of the most beneficial results. Its
objects are to enable debtors and criminal prisoners, of deserving
conduct, to provide by their industry for their better maintenance during
confinement, and to furnish them with a seasonable supply of money and
tools, for immediate use on their restoration to society.
Nearly opposite the Gaol is a
BRIDGE
consisting of two timber arches, 85 feet clear span each, on the bow and
string principle, which carries the public walk called
“THE DANA”
over the Railway Station, along the base of the Castle to the Street
opposite the Free Schools. From the Dana walk a good view of the Station
House and Railway is obtained, bounded by a long extent of the adjacent
country in the back-ground.
In this direction however we must not proceed, but passing along the
terrace on the south-east side of the Gaol, continue our walk on “the
gentle Severn’s sedgy bank,” at the base of a steep and rugged declivity,
most picturesquely planted and crowned with the Castle’s “worm-eaten hold
of ragged stone,” and the antique gables of the Council House, and
presenting pleasing views of the venerable Abbey, the adjacent suburb of
the Abbey Foregate, and the massive and really grand
RAILWAY VIADUCT
over the river Severn, consisting of 7 elliptical arches, 45 feet span,
rising 18 feet above the springings. The Viaduct is quite level
throughout its whole length, in width is 39 feet, and the level of the
rails about 36 feet above the ordinary level of the river.
Passing under an arch of the Viaduct we see immediately before us the
elegant English Bridge, and arrive at
THE WATERLANE GATEWAY,
memorable as the avenue through which the Parliamentary forces were
treacherously admitted into the town, at the siege of Shrewsbury, 22nd
February, 1644–5.
Advancing up this narrow lane, we leave, on the left, the site of
THE DOMINICAN, OR BLACK, FRIARS,
long since cleared of its buildings, and now converted into a wharf,
warehouse, and excellent gardens. These friars established themselves
here as early as 1222, and assumed as their founder Matilda,
grand-daughter and co-heiress of Walter de Lasci, lord of Ludlow, and
wife of Geoffrey de Joinville, of Vaucoulour.
Edward IV., who, throughout the whole of his reign regarded Shrewsbury
with much affection, selected this religious house as his occasional
residence, and the place in which his Queen was delivered of her second
and third sons, Richard Shrewsbury, (1473–4,) Duke of York, afterwards
murdered in the Tower, and George Plantagenet, who died young. Many
persons of distinguished rank, who fell in the battle of Shrewsbury,
1403, received interment here.
On levelling the ground in 1823, the foundations of three spacious
apartments, fragments of mullions and pillars, emblazoned tiles, several
skeletons enclosed in rude stone coffins, and great quantities of bones,
were disclosed to view. The site is now the property of the Corbets of
Sundorne.
The sloping ground rising above the site of this friary, and extending to
the south and south-eastern wall of the town, where the Infirmary and
other houses now stand, was, as we learn from a charter of Henry III.,
dated 1227, confirming the possessions of the Abbey of Shrewsbury, given
by “divers citizens of Salopesbury” to the monks of that house “for the
planting of a vineyard:”—a situation, according to the best writers on
horticulture, eminently adapted to the cultivation of the vine.
Arrived at the top of the Water-lane, we enter, on the left, a
cathedral-like close, in the centre of which the venerable edifice of
ST. MARY’S CHURCH
[Picture: St. Mary’s Church]
uprears its “heavenward spire.” This church, once collegiate, is said to
owe its foundation to Edgar the Peaceable, (959 to 975,) who, at the
suggestion of Archbishop Dunstan, placed in it a dean, seven prebends,
and a parish priest, though there is every probability that the
foundation was antecedent to his reign. In the Saxon times, it possessed
a landed estate of about 1300 acres, which it continued to hold at the
time of Domesday, but of which it was soon after deprived, by what means
we have no power of ascertaining. At the dissolution of collegiate
churches, 1 Edw. VI., the revenues, which consisted chiefly of tithes,
amounted to £42; the greater portion of which was granted in 1550, by
Edward VI., towards the endowment of the Free Schools.
From a very early period this church enjoyed the privilege of a Royal
Free Chapel, exempt from the jurisdiction of the Bishop. This peculiar
jurisdiction remained till the recent Act of Parliament (1846) restored
it to the Bishop of the Diocese, and was held by lease, at an annual rent
of £1 6s. 8d. of the Corporation, to whom Queen Elizabeth granted it by
charter, dated 23rd May, 1571. The Minister was usually, though not
necessarily, the lessee, and his style was “Ordinary and Official,
Principal of the Peculiar and Exempt Jurisdiction of the Free Royal
Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary.” In his Court wills were proved,
letters of administration were granted, and all ecclesiastical matters,
arising within the parish and its subordinate chapelries, adjudicated.
The Official also granted marriage licenses, and licenses to the curacies
of St. Mary and its chapelries.
The appointment to the living was vested by Act of Parliament, passed in
1801, in the Corporation, who in their choice are directed to give the
preference to the son of a burgess who has been educated at the Free
School, or to one born in the parish of Chirbury, in this county. The
Minister is, _ex-officio_, Public Preacher of the town.
The parish of Saint Mary includes about a fourth part of the whole town,
nearly the entire suburb of the Castle Foregate, and extends several
miles into the country.
Within these sacred walls the Pope’s Legatees held their court in 1232,
for the adjustment of the differences subsisting between Henry III. and
Llewellin, Prince of Wales. In 1642, the unhappy Charles I., during his
residence at the Council-House, attended divine service here, received
the Sacrament, and made solemn protestations of his fidelity to the
principles of the reformed religion.
This fine structure is cruciform, and consists of a nave, side-aisles,
transept, chancel, two chauntry chapels, and a tower at the western end,
crowned with a lofty and elegant spire. In the architecture three very
distinct styles are conspicuous: the Anglo-Norman of the 12th century, in
the basement of the nave, most of the doors, and other portions; the
lancet style of the 13th century, in the chancel and transept; and the
more obtuse arch of the 15th century, in the clere-story, side-aisles,
chapels, &c. with a few trifling additions of later date.
The dimensions of the church are
Feet In.
Length from east to west, including steeple 160 0
Length of transept 90 0
Breadth of nave and side-aisles 50 0
Height of steeple 220 2
Height of steeple from the level of the river 300 0
Esteeming this ancient fabric to be the principal ornament of our town,
we deem it necessary to add the following detailed description, which we
trust will prove serviceable to the visitor in his attentive examination
of the building.