Conspicuous is the statute of LORD CLIVE, from a model by Baron
Marochetti. As a work of art it has received high commendation; as a
public monument it would be attractive if it were not bare—it would be an
ornament if it were not destitute of all those auxiliaries which give to
such objects a handsome finish. The magnificent stone building on the
left is the COUNTY HALL, built at a cost of £12,000, and opened at the
March assizes, 1837. This handsome edifice was unfortunately nearly
completely destroyed by fire on the 17th November, 1880. Near it is the
old MARKET HOUSE, a structure which presents a fine appearance, and which
for ornamental decoration is not surpassed, if equalled, by any edifice
of the same kind in any town in the kingdom. It was built in 1596, and
the fact is recorded in an inscription above the front arch:—“The xvth
day of June was this building begun, William Jones and Thomas Charlton,
Gent, bailiffs, and was erected and covered in their time. 1596.” On
the site there had stood five timber houses, two of which were erected in
1567 by Alderman John Dawes for “the saffe placinge of corn from wether,
so that the owners thereof may stannd saffe and drye,” and the other
three by Mr. Humphrey Onslow in 1571. Immediately over the inscription
just quoted is a tabernacled niche containing a statue and arms. Various
have been the conjectures as to the personage represented by the statue.
Some say that it is the Black Prince; others that it is Llewellyn, Prince
of Wales; others again that it is Llewellyn’s brother David, who was
executed at the High Cross; others that it is Prince Arthur, eldest son
of Henry VII. Roger Coke alludes to one of these opinions when, speaking
of General Monk’s purpose to restore Charles II., he says, “and the end
for which a free Parliament was called was interpreted by hanging out the
king’s picture, which was no less gazed upon by the Londoners than by the
Welshmen at King Taffey’s effigies on the Welsh gate, Shrewsbury.” The
gate referred to stood on the old Welsh Bridge, over which, in a niche,
was this identical statue, and when the tower which surmounted the gate
was destroyed about 1770, the statue was removed to the Market Hall. The
general belief is that the statue represents Richard, Duke of York,
father of Edward IV. Vexed by all this uncertainty, has not the
antiquarian reason to mournfully sigh,
“_O that those lips had language_.”
Several notable incidents have occurred in the Market Square. In 1547
the pictures of Our Lady from St. Mary’s Church, of Mary Magdalene and of
St. Chad from St. Chad’s Church, were publicly burned here because they
were supposed to be coloured with Popery. In 1579, on the 18th of
August, the assizes were held in this place, “open and in the face of
day.” The judicial bench consisted of the scaffolding of some new
building, and from this dignified seat justice was dispensed. On the
17th of July, 1584, the public were entertained with a play performed in
the Square by a company belonging to the Earl of Essex. Six years later,
in the month of July, 1590, there was more public acting. A platform was
erected for feats of skill, and a Hungarian, with a number of the Queen’s
players, succeeded in some extraordinary achievements in the way of
tumbling, rope-dancing—achievements of such an astonishing sort that “the
like had never before been seen in Shrewsbury.” In the latter part of
December, 1740, a portion of the roof of the Market Hall fell down,
destroying life and property to the enormous extent of two millers’
horses, which were so inconsiderate as to stand underneath the covering.
Thus this central part of the town reveals to us the development of local
history. Once it presented a proof of an apprehension of Popery which
led to an act of bigotry, then it marked the administration of justice,
then it afforded room for the histrionic art, and then it was the stage
for introducing to the good folk of Shrewsbury some wonderful gymnastic
games.
The immediate vicinity of the Square is rich in antique buildings. The
Mercer’s Hall and the old Judges’ Lodgings have already been just glanced
at. Now, in turning to the left opposite the latter another fine old
structure presents itself. It is IRELAND’S MANSION, erected about 1570
as the town residence of the ancient family of Ireland. It was, of
course, one house only, but it is now divided into three. Still keeping
to the left we find ourselves in front of