Transcribed from the 1851 Samuel Harrison edition by David Price, email
ccx074@pgaf.org
[Picture: Book cover]
HISTORY,
GAZETTEER, AND DIRECTORY
OF
SHROPSHIRE;
COMPRISING
A GENERAL SURVEY OF THE COUNTY,
WITH A VARIETY OF
HISTORICAL, STATISTICAL, TOPOGRAPHICAL, COMMERCIAL,
AND AGRICULTURAL INFORMATION:
SHEWING
THE SITUATION, EXTENT, AND POPULATION OF ALL
_THE TOWNS_, _PARISHES_, _CHAPELRIES_, _TOWNSHIPS_, _VILLAGES_,
_HAMLETS_, _AND EXTRA-PAROCHIAL LIBERTIES_;
THEIR AGRICULTURAL AND MINERAL PRODUCTIONS;
THE LORDS OF THE MANORS AND OWNERS OF THE SOIL;
THEIR PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS, CHARITIES, ANTIQUITIES, & HISTORICAL EVENTS;
WITH A LIST OF
MAGISTRATES, PUBLIC OFFICERS, & CORPORATE BODIES;
AND
THE SEATS OF THE NOBILITY AND GENTRY:
IN ONE VOLUME,
WITH A LARGE COLOURED SHEET MAP OF THE COUNTY:
BY SAMUEL BAGSHAW,
Author of similar Works for Derbyshire, Kent, Cheshire, &c.
* * * * *
SHEFFIELD:
PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR BY SAMUEL HARRISON, 5, HIGH-STREET,
AND SOLD BY SAMUEL BAGSHAW, WENTWORTH TERRACE, SHEFFIELD
Price to Subscribers, 14s. 6d.
1851
PREFACE.
IN presenting the Public with a popular History and Topography of the
County of Salop, with a Directory of its Inhabitants, the author has to
acknowledge his great obligations to the literary and official gentlemen
of the county, who have so freely furnished his agents with valuable
information, as well as to those who have honoured the publisher with
immediate communications; and also to the numerous subscribers who have
so liberally patronised the work. As authenticity is the grand
desideratum of Topography, all possible care has been taken to avoid
errors. Every Parish, Township, Village, and Hamlet, with all the
principal Residences and Farm Houses in the county have been visited for
the addresses, and to authenticate the necessary information. It is,
therefore, hoped that the great variety of subjects compressed within its
pages will be found complete and satisfactory to its numerous patrons,
and that the volume will be found an acquisition either to the library or
the office.
The Plan of the Work embraces a General History and Description of
Shropshire, containing the spirit of all that has been previously written
on the subject, extracted from ancient and modern authors, and from the
voluminous Parliamentary Reports of Public Charities, Population, &c.,
&c., together with a variety of Agricultural, Commercial, Statistical,
Biographical, and Topographical Information; and comprehending a Survey
of Antiquities, Roads, Rivers, Railroads, Minerals, Public Buildings,
Charities; together with a Chronology of Remarkable Events, from the
earliest period to the present time.
The Topography of the County commences at page 132, with an Alphabetical
Arrangement of the Parishes in their respective Hundreds, and of the
Towns, Townships, and Villages, under their respective Parishes; shewing
the Situation, Extent, and Population of each Parish, Township, Chapelry,
and Extra-Parochial Liberty; the Owners of the Soil and the Lords of the
Manors; the Nature and Value of the Church Livings, with their Patrons
and Incumbents; the Places of Worship, Public Buildings, Public
Charities, and Institutions; Trade and Commerce; Local Occurrences, and
Objects of Interest and Curiosity, &c. Each Township is followed by the
Addresses of the Gentry, and other principal Residents, with a
Classification of Trades and Professions. The Directories of Shrewsbury,
Oswestry, and other principal places, in addition to a Classification of
Trades and Professions, are accompanied by an Alphabetical List of
Persons, so that the address and occupation of any individual may be
instantly referred to. The Seats of the Nobility and Gentry are appended
to the General History of the County; and the whole is preceded by a
copious Index of Places, Persons, and Subjects, affording an easy
reference to the page at which every Parish, Township, and Hamlet is to
be found; thus giving to the Volume all the advantages of an Alphabetical
Gazetteer.
The extracts from the voluminous Parliamentary Reports of Public
Charities, we trust will be found a useful and valuable portion of the
publication. The standard works of Owen and Blakeway, and Phillips,
Histories of Shrewsbury, Duke’s Antiquities, Hulbert’s History and
Gregory’s Gazetteer of the County, as well as various Local Histories and
Guides to the more interesting parts of Shropshire, have been frequently
referred to in the compilation of the historical notices. The Work is
accompanied with a large Coloured Sheet Map of the County, engraved
expressly for this Publication. {ii}
SAMUEL BAGSHAW.
_Sheffield_, _October_ 25_th_, 1851.
GENERAL INDEX.
Abbeys, Monasteries, and Priories, 24
— Alberbury, 671
— Buildwas, 371
— Bromfield, 520
— Chirbury, 688
— Haughmond, 137
— Lilleshall, 395
— Malinslee, 376
— Shrewsbury, 72
— Wenlock, 583
— Wombridge, 440
Abcott, 700
Abdon, 517
Abertannat, 153
Ackleton, 494
Acton, 702
— Burnell, 498
— Castle, 498
— Pigott, 499
— Reynald, 310
— Round, 610
— Scott, 547
Adcott Hall, 217
Acton-on-the-Hill, 517
Adderley, 256
Adeney, 381
Adston, 706
Alderton, 143
Admaston, 445
— Spa, 445
Agricultural Improvements, 23
— Produce, 22
Alberbury, 670
— Abbey, 671
Albrighton, 452
— (St. Mary’s), 138
— Division, 132
Albright Hussey, 133
Albrightlee, 131
Albynes, 614
Alcaston, 519
Aldenham, 649
Alderton, 144
— (Great Ness), 241
Aldon, 553
Alkington, 355
Alkmere, 499
Allscott, 495
All Stretton, 530
Alveley, 611
Amaston, 671
Ancient Britons, 9, 12, 34, 213, 535, 449, 702
— Land Measures, 16
Antiquities, 157, 450, 568, 678
Apley, 436
— Castle, 436
— Park, 484
Argoed, 148
Arleston, 436
Arscott, 680
Asbaston, 389
Ashfield, 590
Ashford Bowdler, 519
— Carbonell, 519
— Hall, 519
Ash Magna, 355
— Parva, 356
Asterley, 680
Asterton, 704
Astley, 329
— (St. Mary’s), 139
— Abbots, 613
Aston (Chetwynd), 382
— Church, 382
— Hall, 476
— (Hopesay), 701
— (Munslow), 541
— (Wellington), 436
— (Wem), 329
— (Claverley), 467
— Botterel, 614
— (Oswestry), 190
— (Shiffnal), 476
— Eyre, 649
— Pigott, 693
— Rogers, 693
Asylum, 674
Atcham, 364
Atterley, 588
Attingham, 364
Bach and Norton, 532
Bach Mill, 541
Badger, 456
Bagginswood, 657
Bagley, 244
Balasley, 671
Balderton, 251
Balswardyne Hall, 505
Bannister Ralph, 332
Bardley, 659
Barkers Green, 329
Barlow, 701
Barnsley, 494
Barnwell George, 519
Barrow, 554
— Hall, 554
Baschurch, 212
Batchcott, 544
Battlefield, 133
Battle of Shrewsbury, 36
Bausley, 671
Baxter Richard, 390
Bayston Hill, 501
Beachfield, 693
Beach Mill, 541
Bearston, 297
Beckbury, 457
Beckjay, 700
Bedstone, 696
Bellaport House, 300
Belmont, 210
Bentley, 494
Bennett’s End, 635
Benthall, 555
— (Alberbury), 671
Bentley, 494
Beobridge, 467
Berghill, 209
Berrington, 499
Berwick, 140
— House, 140
— Mavaston, 366
Besford, 311
Betchcott, 514
Betchley, 296
Betton & Alkmere, 499
— (Berrington), 500
— (Drayton) 277
— Little, 499
Bettws-y-crwyn, 712
Bicton, 674
— (Clun) 709
Billingsley, 615
Birch, 215
Birch and Lythe, 231
Birches, 559
Bishop Heber, 282
Bishop’s Castle, 696
Bitterley, 664
Black Mere, 357
Black Park, 357
Blodwell, 154
Blore Heath, (Battle) 298
Bobbington, 458
Bolas Great, 368
— Parva, 285
Bomere Heath, 145
Boninghall, 458
— Albrighton Kennels, 458
Booley, 316
Boreatton, 215
Boraston, 667
Boreton, 503
Boscobel, 459
— White Ladies, 463
Boscobel, King Chas.’s Retreat, 460
— Royal Oak, 463
Botvylle, 524
Bouldon, 538
Bowdler, 519
Bowley, 316
Boycott, 680
Brace Meole, 511
Bradley, 494, 588
Bradney, 494
Bratton, 215, 446
British Encampments, 393, 212
Bridgnorth, 615
Brimstree Hundred, 452
Broadstone, 542
Broadward, 700
Brockton, (Worthen), 693
— (Longford), 400
— (Long Stanton) 550
— (Lydbury), 703
Bromfield, 520
— Priory, 520
Bromley, 594
Bromlow, 693
Brompton, (Berrington) 500
— Little, 701
Brompton-with-Rhiston, 691
Broncroft, 534
Bronygarth, 162
Brookhampton, 538
Broom, (Cardington), 523
Broom & Rowton, 701
Broomfield, 446
Broseley, 556
— Tobacco Pipes, 556
Broughall, 357
Broughton, (Bishop’s Castle), 698
— (Albrighton), 134
— (Claverley), 467
— (Shrewsbury), 134
Brown Clee Hill, 589
Brunslow, 701
Bryna Castle, 210
Bryngwyla, 159
Brynn, 155
Bryntanat Hall, 155
Buckingham, Duke of, 332
Bucknell, 699
Buildwas, 370
Buildwas Abbey, 371
Bulthey, 671
Buntingsdale Hall, 278
Burcot, (Worfield), 494
— (Wrockwardine) 446
Burford, 666
Burley, 532
Burlington, 476
Burlton, 247
Burncote, 494
Burton, 588
Burwarton, 634
Bury Ditches, 702
Butterey, 381
Button Oak, 660
Bynweston, 693
Caer Caradoc, 525
— Battle at, 10
Cainham, 635
Calcott, 674
Calloughton, 588
Calverhall, 305
— Hall, 305
Calvington, 381
Canals, 20
Cantlop, 500
Caractacus, 10
Cardiston, 676
Cardington, 521
Careswell Exhibitions, 478
Carwood, 701
Castle Pulverbach, 507
Castles, Acton Burnell, 498
— Bishop’s, 697
— Bridgnorth, 617
— Cause, 684
— Charlton, 447
— Church Stretton, 525
— Chirbury, 687
— Clun, 708
— Ellesmere, 219
— Knockin, 153
— Ludlow, 594
— Middle, 249
— Moreton Corbet, 294
— Oswestry, 167
— Quatford, 652
— Rowton, 672
— Sibdon, 705
— Shrawardine, 254
— Shrewsbury, 75
— Sundorne, 138
— Tong, 487
— Stoke St. Milborough, 552
—Wattlesborough, 672
— Whittington, 207
Catstree, 495
Cause, 684
Causton, 700
Caynton, 381
Caynton House, 381
Chantries, 24
Chapel Lawn, 710
Charlton, 447
Chatford, 503
Chatwall, 523
Chelmarsh, 635
Chelmick, 539
Cheney Longville, 707
Cherrington, 381
Chesterton, 494
— Roman Encampment, 494
Cheswardine, 259
Chetton, 636
Chetwynd, 372
— Aston, 382
Childs Ercall, 278
Chilton, 366
China Works, 569
Chinnel, 358
Chipnall, 261
Chirbury, 687
— Hundred, 687
Chorley, 659
Choulton, 703
Church Aston, 312
Church Preen, 506
Chrch. Pulverbatch, 506
Church Stretton, 524
Civil Wars, 38
Claverley, 464
Clee Downton, 551
Clee Hill, 551
Clee St. Margaret, 531
Clee Stanton, 551
Cleeton, 665
Cleobury Mortimer, 638
Cleobury Foreign, 641
Cleobury North, 643
— Hall, 644
Clewilsey, 713
Clive, 140
— Hall, 141
— Sansaw Hall, 141
Climate, 22
Clotley, 446
Cloverley, 305
Cluddley, 446
Clun, 707
Clunbury, 699
Clungunford, 700
Clunton, 700
Clurton, 506
Coad-y-Gaer Tower, 193
Coed-y-Rallt, 234
Coalbrookdale, 569
— Company, 374
— Ironworks, 569
Coalmoor, 566
Coalport, 569
— China Works, 569
Cold Hatton, 387
Cold Weston, 531
Colebatch, 698
Colemere, 232
Collieries, 374, 375, 398, 418, 439, 441
Comley, 524
Condover, 501
— Hall, 501
— Hundred, 498
Coppice Green, 476
Copthorne House, 675
Coptiviney, 239
Coreley, 644
Corfton, 533
Corve Dale, 532
Cothercutt, 507
Coton, (Alveley), 611
Cotton, (Ruyton), 198
— (Wem), 329
Cotwall, 388
Cound, 504
Court of Hill, 667
Coxheadford, 531
Crackley Bank, 476
Cranmere Heath, 494
Creamore House, 331
Cressage, 505
Crickett, 232
Crickheath, 190
Criggion, 672
Cronkhill, 366
Crosemere, 231
Cross Green, 446
Crow Meol, 675
Cruckmeole, 680
Cruckton, 680
Crudgington, 388
Culmington, 531
Cynynion, 190
Dalicott, 467
Darliston, 306
Davenport House, 492
Dawley Magna, 374
— Green, 375
— Parva, 375
Daywell, 210
Deckerhill, 476
Delbury Hall, 533
Derwen, The, 200
Deuxhill, 644
Diddlebury, 532
Dinmore, 704
Dinthill, 684
Ditches, 333
Ditton Priors, 589
Dodington, 358
— Liberty, 640
Donington, 398
— Wood, 398
— (Wroxeter), 451
— Shiffnal, 470
— House, 471
Doomsday Book, 16
Dorrington, (Muckleston), 298
— (Condover), 503
Dothill, 436
Dovaston, 149
Dowles, 644
Downton, (Stanton Lacy), 549
— (Upton Magna), 420
Drayton-in-Hales, 262
Druids, The, 9
Dryton, 451
Dudleston, 233
Dudston 688
Duddlewick, 659
Dudmaston Hall, 655
Dunvall House, 614
Dyffryd House, 151
Eardington, 654
Eardiston, 198
Earnastry Park, 534
Earthenware Manufactories, 555, 556, 557
East Foreign Liberty, 641
East Hamlet, 549
Easthope, 535
Eastwall, 537
— (Rushbury), 546
Eastwick, 235
Eaton-under-Haywood, 536
Eaton and Choulton, 703
Eaton Constantine, 378
Eaton by Stoke, 313
Eaton Mascott, 500
Ecclesiastical Revenues, 25
Ebnall, 210
Eddicliff, 709
Edge, 681
Edenhope, 714
Edgbold, 512
Edgebolton, 311
Edgeley, 361
— Moss, 361
Edgerley, 150
Edgmond, 379
— Hall, 380
Edgton, Brunslow and Horderley, 701
Edstaston, 330
Ellerdine, 388
— Oak House, 388
Ellerton, 261
— Hall, 261
Ellesmere, 219
— Castle, 219
— Chapels, 222
— Charities, 223
— Church, 220
— Court Leet, 222
— Fairs, 219
— Mechanics’ Institute, 222
— Savings’ Bank, 222
— Union House, 223
Elson & Greenhill, 235
Eminent Men, 136, 141, 205, 237, 282, 301, 315, 323, 330, 343, 344, 390,
464, 468, 475, 601, 669, 687
Emstrey, 366
Enchmarsh, 524
Ensdon, 252
— House, 253
Ercall Magna, 384
— Hall, 385
— Park, 385
— Lodge, 385
— Sherlow, 385
Ercall Childs, 278
Erway The, 233
Espley, 289
Eudon Burnell, 637
— Gorge, 637
Ewdness, 495
Evelith, 476
Eyton, (Alberbury), 672
Eyton & Plowden, 703
Eyton-on-the Wild-Moors, 392
— Hall, 393
— (Baschurch), 215
Eyton-on-Severn, 451
Exeter, Marquis of, 369
Faintree, 637
Farley, 681, 588
Farlow, 664
Farmcott, 468
Fauls, 306
Felhampton, 707
Felton Butler, 241
Fenn Gate, 495
Fennemere, 216
Fernhill, 211
Field Aston, 382
Finger Lane, 375
Fires, 405
First Fruits & Tenths, 25
Fitz, 135
— Hall, 136
Fletcher, Rev. Jno., 570
Ford, 676
— Hundred, 670
Forester, Lord, 591
Forton, 253
Frankton (English) 235
Frankfort (Welsh), 211
Friars, 24
Frodesley, 508
— Hall, 508
Funnanvair, 713
Gabowen, 210
Garmstone, 394
Gatacre, 468
General History of County, 7
Gentlemen’s Seats, 27
Glaseley, 645
Giant’s Grave, 157
Glanyrafon House, 155
Golding, 504
Goldston, 261
Grafton, 136
— Lodge, 136
Gravehanger, 298
Great Ness, 240
Greenhill, 235
Greet, 668, 667
Gretton, 546
Grimmer, 693
Grimpo, 205
Grindley Brook, 361
Grinshill, 136
Grove, 707
Guilden Down, 709
Guilds, 24
Habberley, 677
Habberley Office, 693
Hadley, 436
Hadnall, 142
Halford, 537
Hallon, 495
Halston, 147, 681
Hamlets, The, 514
Hampton Wood, 236
— Welsh, 255
Hanwood Great, 677
— Little, 681
Harcourt, 316
Harcourt, 659
Hardwick, 144, 236, 704
Harley by Wenlock, 589
— (Condover), 509
Harlscott, 132
Harmer Hill, 248, 251
Harnage, 504
Hartleberry, 495
Haston, 144
Hatton Cold, 387
Hatton by Eaton, 537
— Shiffnal, 476
Haughmond, 137
Haughton, 204
— (High Ercall), 389
— (Shiffnal), 477
— Hall, 477
— (Upton Magna), 420
Hawkstone, 285
Hayes, 693
Hayton Lower, 549
Hayton Upper, 549
Heath, 551
— Upper, 694
— Nether, 694
Heathton, 468
Heber Bishop, 281
Hem, 476
Hempton Load, 636
Hencott, 132
Hengoed Upper, 210
Henley, 665
Hentley or Henlle, 211
Henwicks Wood, 237
Herbert Lewd, 392
High Ercall, 384
— Hatton, 316
Highley, 645
Hill Cop Bank, 320
— Lord, 287, 301
— General Lord, 301
Hill-upon-Cott, 664
Hilton, 495
Hindford, 211
Hinnington, 476
Hinstock, 279
Hinton (Pontesbury), 681
— (Stottesden), 660
— (Whitchurch), 361
Hisland, 191
Hoccom, 495
Hockham, 495
Hockleton, 688
Hodnet, 280
Holdgate, 537
Holloway Ville, 542
Hollyhurst, 362
Holt Preen, 524
Holy Cross, 93
Holywell Lane, 375
Home 706
Homer, 589
Hooker Gate, 676
Hope, 694
— Baggot, 646
— Bendrid, 710
— Bowdler, 538
Hopesay, 701
Hopstone, 468
Hopton Castle, 702
— Cangeford, 539
— Court, 646
— and Espley, 289
— (Great Ness), 242
Hopton-in-the-Hole, 539
— Wafers, 646
Horderley, 701
Hordley, 244
Horton (St. Chad’s), 676
— (Wellington), 437
— (Wem), 332
Hospitals, 24
Howle, 374
Hughley, 564
Hundred of Albrighton, 132
— Bradford North, 256
— South, 364
— Brimstree, 452
— Chirbury, 687
— Clun, 707
— Condover, 498
— Ford, 670
— Munslow, 517
— Oswestry, 147
— Overs, 664
— Pimhill, 212
— Purslow, 696
— Stottesden, 610
— Wenlock Franchise, 554
Hungary Hatton, 270
Hungerford, 537
Hunkington, 420
Huntington, 566
Idsall, 476
Ifton Heath, 159
Ightfield, 292
Ingwardine, 660
Inwood, 680
Irelands Cross, 298
Iron Bridge, 568
Ironworks, 375, 438, 411, 654
Isle (The), 674
Isombridge, 389
Jackfield, 557
Jack of Corra, 305
Kemberton, 471
Kempton, 700
Kenley, 509
Kenstone, 289
Kenwick, 236
Kenwicks Wood, 337
Ketley, 438
Kevancalanog, 712
Kilhendre, 233
Kingslow, 495
Kingswood, 660
Kinlet, 647
Kinnerley, 148
Kinnersley 393
Kinnerley Argoed, 148
Kinnerton, 706
Kinton, 242
Knockin, 152
Knuck, 714
Knowbury St. Pauls, 635
Kynaston, 150
Lacon, 333
Lakes, 21
Langley, 499
Lawley, 439
Lawnt, 191
Lawton, 534
Lea and Oakley, 698
Lea, 681
Leasowes (The), 662
Leaton Knolls, 140
Leaton, 446
— (St. Mary’s) 141
Lee, 237
— Lee Bridge, 293
Leebotwood, 510
Lee Brockhurst, 293
— Gomery, 439
Leigh, 694
Leighton, 393, 694
Lilleshall, 394
— Abbey, 395
— House, 397
— Monument, 395
Lineal, 237
Linley (More), 703
— (Wenlock), 565
Little Betton, 499
— Brompton, 701
— Gane, 495
— Hanwood, 681
— Sutton, 534
— Shrawardine, 671
— Stretton, 530
— Wenlock, 565
Lizard Grange, 476
Llanvair Waterdine, 713
Llanforda, 191
Llanyblodwell, 153
Llanymyneck, 156
Llanytidman, 157
Llynck-lis-pool, 155
Llynclys, 155
Lodge The, 161
Longden, 681
Longden-upon-Tern, 399
Longford, 297, 399
Long Lane, 447
Longner, 134, 510
Longslow, 277
Longville, 537
Longwaist, 417
Loppington, 245
Lossford, 289
Lowe and Ditches, 333
Lowe, 660
Lower Down, 703
— Park, 534
Ludford, 540
Ludlow, 592
Ludstone, 468
Lurkinghope, 705
Lushcott, 537
Lutwyche Hall, 536
Ludbury North, 702
Lydham, 703
Lydley Heys, 524
Lyth, 503
Lythe (The), 231
Madeley, 567
Maesbrook Ucha, 151
— Issa, 150
Maesbury, 192
Magistrates, List of, 27
Mainstone, 714
Malins Lee, 375
Maneythesney, 713
Manufactures, 21
Manutton, 710
Marchamley, 290
Market Drayton, 262
Marrington, 688
Marsh, 685
Marsh Green, 389
Marton (Chirbury), 688
— (Middle), 251
— (Ellesmere), 237
Marton Old, 211
Mawley Manor House, 641
Meadow Town, 694
Medlicott, 706
Meeson, 370
— Hall, 370
Melverley, 162
Meole Brace, 511
Merehouse, 216
Merrington, 145
Messon, 370
Mickley, 306
Middle, 248
Middlehope, 534
Middleton (Alberbury), 672
— (Bitterley), 665
— (Chirbury), 689
— (Oswestry), 192
— Priors, 590
— Scriven, 648
Milford Hall, 217
Millen Heath, 307
Millichope, 537
— (Munslow), 542
Milson, 669
Mines, 21
Minsterley, 678
Minton, 530
Monasteries, see Abbeys
Monastic Institutions, 23
Monk Hopton, 579
Montford, 252
Mooretown, 388
Moore & Batchcot, 544
Moore, 544
Moot Hall, 68
Morton, 192
More, 703
Moreton Corbet, 293
Moreton Say, 295
Moretown, 89
Morewood, 704
Morrey, The, 258
Morville, 649
Moston, 316
Much Wenlock, 579
Muckleton, 312
Mucklewick, 691
Munslow, 541
— Hundred, 517
Muxton, 398
Myndtown, 704
Mytton, 136
Nash, 667
Neen Savage, 650
Neen Solars, 669
Neenton, 651
Nesscliff, 242
Ness Great, 240
— Little, 216
Netley, 515
Newcastle, 710
Newnes, 238
Newnham, 681
New Marton, 237
Newport, 400
Newton & Edgbold, 512
— and Spoonhill, 239
Newton, 142
— (Ellesmere) 239
— (Stottesden), 660
Newton on-the-Hill, 251
— (Worfield), 495
— (Westbury), 685
Newtown (Baschurch), 212
— (Wem), 333
Nobold, 512
Noneley, 248
Norbury, 704
Nordley Regis, 611
North Bradford Hundred, 256
Northwood (Ellesmere) 238
Northwood (Stottesden), 660
— (Wem), 334
Norton (Wroxeter), 451
— (Culmington), 532
Norton in Hales, 299
Nox, 682
Nursery, The, 205
Oaken Gates, 205
Oakes, 682
Oakley Park, 520
Obarris, 710
Obley, 700
Offa’s Dyke, 14, 210
Oldington, 495
Old Marlon, 211
Old Parr, 672
Old Oswestry, 169
Ollerton, 313
Onibury, 542
Onslow, 675
Oreton, 660
Orleton, 444
Osbaston, 151, 389
Oswestry, 163
— Hundred, 147
Oteley, 239
Overton, 545
— (Stottesden), 660
Overs, Hundred of, 664
Overton & Woofferton, 545
Oxen, 687
Palms Hill, 336
Pant, 190
Parish Registers, 26
Parr Old, 672
Patton, 550
Pave Lane, 382
Peaton, 534
Peerlogue, 710
Pentre Coed, 234
— (Edgerley), 150
Pentregaer, 193
Pentrehodrey, 710
Pentre Pant Hall, 200
— Ucha Hall, 151
— Shannel House, 194
Peplow, 290
Perthy Bank, 236
Petton, 253
Picklescott, 514
Pickstock, 383
Pickthorn, 660
Pimhill, 248
— Hundred, 212
Pimley House, 146
Pipegate, 298
Pitchford, 513
Pixley, 280
Plaish, 524
Plas-Yollen, 233
Plas-Warren, 233
Plealey, 682
Plowden, 703
Pontesbury, 679
Pontesford, 682
Population, 23
Porkington, 200
Porthywaen, 156
Posenhall, 556
Poston, 534
Poston Lower, 542
Poynton, 389
Preceptories, 24
Prees, 301
Prees-gwene House, 161
Prescott, 217
— (Stottesden), 660
Presthorpe, 589
Preston Brockhurst, 295
— Gobalds, 145
Preston-upon-the-Wild Moors, 415
— Montford, 684
— Boats, 420
— Wood, 295
Priestweston, 689
Priors Ditton, 589
Priors Lee, 476
Priories, 24
Providence Grove, 143
Pully, 512
Purslow Hundred, 696
Queen Anne’s Bounty, 25
Quatford, 652
Quatt, 654
— Jarvis, 654
— Malvern, 654
Quinta, The, 161
Ragdon, 539
Railways, 21
Ratlinghope, 704
Redcastle Hill, 288
Rednal, 204
Reilth, 714
Rhiston, 691
Rhos Goch, 694
Rhuddleford, 495
Richards Castle, 543
Ridge Higher, 239
— Lower, 239
Rindleford, 495
Ritton, 706
Rivers, 19
Roads, 21
Rock, 549
Rodington, 417
Roden, 390
Rodney’s Pillar, 672
Roman Invasion, 9
Romsley, 611
Roowood, 336
Rorrington, 689
Rossal, 674
Roughton, 495
Round Acton, 610
Rowley, 495
Rowton, 390
Rowton, 672
— (Stokesay), 553
Royal Oak, 463
Ruckley, 499
Rudge, 656
Rugantine, 712
Rushbury, 545
Roman Stations, 449, 545, 518, 654, 671, 694
Rushton, 451
Rushmore, 446
Ruthall, 590
Ruyton-of-the-Eleven-Towns, 196
Ryton, 472, 503
Sambrook, 261
Sandford, 204
— (Prees), 307
Sascott, 682
Saxon Gods, 14
Scrimage, 531
Selattyn, 199
Selley, 713
Severn, The, 19
Shadwell, 710
Shavington, 258
Shawbury, 309
Sheet, 540
Sheinton, 657
Shelbrook, 234
Shelderton, 700
Shelton & Oxon, 686
Shelve, 691
Shelvock, 198
Sheriff Hales, 397
Sherlowe, 385
Shiffnal, 473
Shineton, 657
Shipley, 469
Shipton, 547
Shotton, 144
Shooters Hill, 141
Shotatton, 199
Shrawardine, 254
— Little, 671
Shrewsbury, from 33 to 132
— Abbey, 49 and 72
— Abbots of, 74
— Almshouses, 85
— Annals, 79
— Anct. Mansions, 78
— Antiquarian and Nat. His. Society, 64
— Aquatic Excur., 72
— Assembly Rooms, 72
— Asylum, 66
— Barons of, 36
— Battle of, 36 & 133
— Baths Royal, 66
— Billiard Rooms, 72
— Bridges, 68
— Canal, 65
— Cattle Market, 68
— Chapels Ancient, 55
— Chapels Dissent, 55
— Charities, 82 to 93
— Charters, 44
— Coleham, 93
— Corporation, 42
— Council House, 78
— County Constab., 43
— County and Town Gaol, 63
— County Hall, 62
— Drapers Hall, 70
— Directory, 95
— Dispensary, 62
— Early Gov. of, 41
— Earls of, 35, 73
— Eye & Ear Dispensary, 62
— Frankwell, 93
— Fairs, 68
— Floods, 81
— Gaol, 63
— Gas Works, 67
— Gates & Posterns, 77
— Glass Staining, 71
— Great Parlia., 36
— Holy Cross and St. Giles, 93
— Hospital, St. Giles, 51
— Hill’s Mansion, 79
— House of Indus., 65
— House of Correc., 65
— Infirmary, 61
— Ireland’s Mansion, 79
— Jones’s Mansion, 79
— Kingsland, 72
— Library Subscription, 65
— Lord Hill’s Column, 67
— Markets, 68
— Market Hall, 63
— Market House, 63
— Mechanics’ Institute, 65
— Meole Brace, 93
— Mercer’s Hall, 71
— Monastic Foundation, 72
— Monks of, 73
— Municipal Act, 42
— Music Hall, 64
— Newspapers, 64
— News Room, 65
— Parishes of, 92
— Parliament at, 36
— Population, 34
— Public Buildings, 61
— Quarry The, 71
— Races, 72
— Railway Station, 67
— Savings’ Bank, 66
— Schools, 57 to 61
— Severn River, 33
— Show, 71
— — Cakes, 71
— — Brawn, 71
— Simnell Cake, 71
— Streets, 94
— Subscrip. Library, 65
— Tailors’ Hall, 71
— Theatre, 64
— Town Hall, 62
— Town Walls, 77
— Trade, 69
— Trade Directy., 115
— Water Works, 66
— St. Alkmund’s Parish, 92
— St. Chad’s Parish, 93
— St. Julian’s Parish, 93
— St. Mary’s Parish, 93
Shropshire Giant, 240
Siberscott, 682
Sibdon Carwood, 705
— Castle, 705
Sidbury, 657
Siefton, 532
Silvington, 670
Skeletons, 157
Skyborry, 714
Sleap, (Ercall), 388
Sleap, (Wem), 335
Smethcott, 144
Smethcott, 513
Snailbeach Mine, 678
Snedshill, 477
— Ironworks and Collieries, 477
Snitton, 665
Sodylt Hall, 234
Soil and Produce, 22
Sowdley Great, 262
Soulton, 335
South Bradford Hundred, 364
Spoad, 710
Spoonhill, 239
Spoonley, 258
Spray Hill, 384
Stableford, 495
St. Almund’s, 92
St. Chad’s, 93
St. Paul’s, Knowbury, 635
Stanford, 672
Stanmore, 495
Stanton-upon-Hine Heath, 314
— Lacy, 548
— Long, 550
— Shiffnal, 476
Stanwardine-in-the-Fields, 217
— in-the Woods, 217
Stanway, 547
Stapleton, 515
Steele, 307
Stiperstone Hill, 507
Stirchley, 418
— Hall, 418
— Ironworks, 418
St. Julian’s, 93
St. Martin’s, 158
St. Bryngwyla School, 159
St. Mary’s, 93
St. Winefred’s Well, 206
Stitt and Gatten, 705
Stocks and Coptiviney, 239
Stockett, 236
Stockton, 484
— Park, 485
Stockton-by-Newport, 400
Stockton-by-Chirbury, 689
Stoke-by-Burford, 667
Stoke-upon-Terne, 312
Stoke, St. Milborough, 550
Stoke, Say, 552
Stone Acton, 547
Stottesden, 657
— Hundred, 610
Stowe, 705
Strefford, 707
Stretton, 685
— All, 530
— Church, 524
— Little, 530
Styche & Woodlands, 297
Sundorne Castle, 138
Sugdon, 407
Sutherland, 1st Duke of, 394
Sutton, (Claverley) 469
— (Drayton), 278
Sutton-by-Chelmarsh, 636
Sutton-by-Shrewsbury, 515
— Spa, 516
Sutton-by-West Felton, 204
— Maddock, 486
— Little, 534
— Great, 535
— Court, 534
Swancote, 495
Swerney, 193
— Hall, 194
Sychtyn, 201
Sylattin, 199
Tan-coed-y-gaer, 193
Talbot John, 338 & 357
Tasley, 662
Tedsmere, 205
Tern, 392
— House, 392
Tetchill, 239
Thanes, 521
Thoughlands, 542
Ticklerton, 537
Tibberton, 384
Tilley, 336
— Green, 336
Tilsop, 667
Tilstock, 362
Timberth, 689
Tir-y-coed, 152
Tobacco Pipes Manufactory, 556
Tonge, 486
— Castle, 487
Totterton, 703
Trebert, 714
Trebrodier, 712
Trefarclawdd, 194
Treflach, 194
Trefnant, 672
Trefonnen, 195
Trelystan, 694
Trench, 240
Trench-by-Wem, 336
— Lane, 448
Treprenal, 157
Treverward, 710
Triptych, 666
Tugford, 553
Twyford, 205
Tylsoer Dr., 343
Tyn-y-rhos, 162
Uckington, 367
Uffington, 145
Uppington, 418
Uppington, 672
Upton Cresset, 662
— Magna, 419
— Parva, or Waters Upton, 421
Vennington, 685
Wackley Lodge, 232
Walcot-by-Chirbury, 689
Walcot-by-Wellington, 439
Walcot Hall, 702
Walford, 218
Walker’s Lowe, 661
Wallop, 685
Wall-under-Haywood, 547
Walton-by-Ercall, 392
Walton-by-Onibury, 543
Walton-by-Wenlock, 588
Walton-by-Worthen, 695
Walton-by-Stottesden, 661
Wappenshall, 439
Wars, 9
Waters Upton, 421
Watling Street, 426
Watts Dyke, 210
Wattlesborough, 672
Wellington, 421
— Fairs, 422
— Gas Works, 424
— History, 422 to 425
— Horticultural Society, 425
— Market Hall, 423
— News Room, 424
— Old Hall, 425
— Schools, 423
— Streets, 427
Welsh Frankton, 211
— Hampton, 255
Wem, 317
Wenlock Much, 579
— Edge, 589
— Franchise, 554
— Little, 565
Wentnor, 705
Westbury, 684
West Felton, 202
— Foreign Libty., 641
— Hamlet, 549
Westhope, 535
Westley, 503
Westley, 685
Weston-by-Clun, 709
Weston-by-Burford, 667
Weston Cotton, 195
Weston-by-Hopton, 579
Weston Lullingfield, 218
—Rhyn, 161
— Coalworks, 161
— Under Red Castle, 290
— Stowe, 705
Wettleton, 553
Whattall, 236
Wheathill, 663
Wheathall, 503
Wheel Green, 496
Whetmore, 667
Whitchurch, 337
Whitcott & Hardwick, 704
Whitcott Evan, 710
Whitcott Keysett, 711
White Ladies, 463
Whitley, 676
Whittington, 207
Whitton-by-Westbury, 685
Whitton-by-Burford, 667
Wicherley Hall, 218
Whixall, 307
Whigmore, 685
Whigwig, 589
Wikey, 199
Wilcott, 244
Wilderhope, 547
Wilderley, 508
Willaston, 308
Willey, 591
Wilmington, 689
Willstone, 524
Winnington, 672
Winsbury, 689
Winscote, 496
Winsley, 685
Wirswall, 364
Wistanstow, 706
Wistanswick, 373
Withington, 440
Wittingslow, 707
Wixhall, 291
Wollascott, 142
Wollaston, 672
Wollerton, 291
Wolf’s Head, 242
Wolverley, 336
Wombridge, 440
— Priory, 441
Woodbatch, 698
Woodcote, 442
Woodcote-by-St. Chad’s, 676
Woodhall, 681
Woodhouse, 477
Woodhouse, 204
Woodhouses New, 363
Woodhouses Old, 363
Woodlands, 297
Woodseaves, 278
Woodside, 477
Woofferton, 545
Woolstaston, 516
Woolston, 206
Woolston, 707
Woore, 298
Wooton, 196
Wootton, 549
Worfield, 491
Worthen, 692
Wotherton, 689
Woundale, 469
Wrentnall, 508
Wrickton, 661
Wrockwardine, 443
— Wood, 447
Wroxeter, 448
Wycherley The Poet, 141
Wyke, 476
Wyke-by-Wenlock, 558
Wyken, 496
Wykey, 199
Wytheford Magna, 312
Wytheford Parva, 312
Yeaton, 219
Yockleton, 685
Yorton, 134
GENERAL HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF SHROPSHIRE.
SHROPSHIRE is an inland county on the borders of Wales, bounded on the
north by Denbighshire, Cheshire, and a detached part of Flintshire: on
the east by Staffordshire: on the south by Worcestershire, Herefordshire,
and Radnorshire: and on the west by Montgomery and Denbighshire. In
length, from north to south, it is about forty-five miles, and its
extreme breadth thirty-five. Its circumference is computed at 200 miles;
and it comprises an area of 1,343 square statute miles, and,
consequently, 859,520 acres. The county, in Saxon annals, is called
_Scrobbesbyrig_ and _Scrobbescire_, and by Latin authors, _Comitates
Salopiensis_. It is one of the shires, which, in the time of the Romans,
was inhabited by the Cornavii, whose province comprehended the counties
of Cheshire, Salop, Stafford, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire. At the
census of 1801, the county embraced a population of 167,639 souls: 1831,
222,800: 1841, 239,048, of whom 119,355 were males, and 119,693 females.
At the same period, there were 47,208 inhabited houses, 2,086
uninhabited, and 293 houses building. The number of persons born in the
county in these returns was 203,689: in other counties, 3,240: in
Scotland, 391: in Ireland, 1,199: in the British colonies, 14: foreigners
in the county, 161: not specified where born, 1,144. Of the total
population, 55,645 males, and 54,624 females, were under 20 years of age:
12,189 were between sixty and seventy years of age: 6,006 between seventy
and eighty: 1,905 between eighty and ninety: 139 between ninety and one
hundred: and the age of 5 persons exceeded one hundred years. The total
population of the fifteen unions, into which the county of Shropshire is
divided, at the census of 1851, are returned as containing 245,019
inhabitants, of whom 122,122 were males, and 122,997 females.
Shropshire is divided into the hundreds of Albrighton, Bradford,
Brimstree, Chirbury, Clun, Condover, Ford, Munslow, Oswestry, Overs,
Pimhill, Purslow, Stottesden, and Wenlock franchise, and contains 224
parishes, and 5 extra-parochial places. By the recent Reform and
Division of Counties’ Acts, this county is divided into the northern and
southern divisions, each of which returns two members to Parliament. The
boroughs of Shrewsbury, Bridgnorth, Ludlow, and Wenlock also return two
members each. The expenditure of the county for the year ending
December, 1850, was £12,156. 17s. 4¼d., of which £3,587. 10s. 2d. was
expended on the Gaol and House of Correction; £2,257. 10s. 7d. in
prosecutions; £605. 17s. 5d. on bridges and roads; £562. 13s. 4d. on the
Lunatic Asylum; coroners, £501. 1s. 2d., and Clerk of the Peace, £436.
4s. 9d. Judge Blackstone says:—England was first divided into counties,
hundreds, and tithings by Alfred the Great, for the protection of
property and the execution of justice. Tithings were so called because
ten freeholders formed one. Ten of these tithings were supposed to form
a hundred or wapentake, from an ancient ceremony, in which the governor
of a hundred met all the aldermen of his district, and holding up his
spear, they all touched it with theirs, in token of subjection and union
to one common interest. An indifferent number of these wapentakes, or
hundreds, form a county or shire, for the civil government of which a
shire-reeve or sheriff is elected annually. The magistrate above the
hundredry was called the trithingman or lathgrieve, presided over three,
four, or more, hundreds, formed into what was called a trithing, in some
places a lathe, and in others a rape; hence the lathes of Kent, the rapes
of Sussex, the parts of Lincoln, and trithings or ridings of Yorkshire.
The kingdom was divided into parishes soon after the introduction of
Christianity, by Honorius, Archbishop of Canterbury, in the year 636, and
the boundaries of them, as marked in Doomsday book, agree very nearly
with the present division. The custom, which still continues, of making
the hundreds responsible for the excesses of a lawless mob, is an
appendage of the Saxon system of tithing. As the extreme ignorance of
the age made deeds and writings very rare, the County or Hundred Court
was the place where the most remarkable civil transactions, were
finished, and, in order to preserve a memorial of them, and prevent all
future disputes, here testaments were promulgated, slaves manumitted,
bargains of sale concluded, and, sometimes, for greater security, the
most considerable of these deeds were inserted in the blank leaves of the
parish Bible, which thus became a kind of register, too sacred to be
falsified. It was not unusual to add to the deed an imprecation on all
such as should be guilty of that crime. In the County Court or
shiremotes, all the freeholders were assembled twice a year, and received
appeals from the other inferior courts. They there decided all causes,
ecclesiastical as well as civil, and the Bishop, together with the
Alderman or Earl, presided over them. All affairs were determined
without much pleading, formality, or delay, by a majority of voices, and
the Bishop or Alderman had no further authority than to order among the
freeholders. Where justice was denied during three sessions by the
Hundred, and then by the County Court, there lay an appeal to the King’s
Court; but this was not practised on slight occasions. Two-thirds of the
fines levied in these Courts went to the King, and made no contemptible
share of the public revenue.
Historians all agree that the Aborigines of Britain were a tribe of
Gauls, who emigrated from the continent, probably a thousand years before
the Christian era. Previous to the Roman conquest, the ancient Britons
inhabiting the southern parts of the island had made some little progress
towards civilization, but those in the north were wild and uncultivated,
and subsisted chiefly by hunting and the spontaneous productions of the
earth, wearing for their clothing the skins of animals killed in the
chase, and dwelling in habitations formed of the interwoven branches of
the forest. They were divided into small nations or tribes. Each state
was divided into factions within itself, and was agitated with emulation
towards the neighbouring states; and while the arts of peace were yet
unknown, wars were their chief occupation, and formed the principal
object of ambition among the people. Their religion was Druidical, but
its origin is not known. Some assert that the Druids accompanied the
Gauls in early ages, and others that Druidism was first introduced into
England by the Phœnicians, who were the first merchants that traded to
this island, and for a considerable time monopolized a profitable trade
in tin and other useful metals. Their government, (according to Diodorus
Siculus, the ancient historian,) though monarchical, was free, and their
religion, which formed one part of their government, was Druidical.
Justice was dispensed, not under any written code of laws, but on
equitable principles; and on difference of opinion in the assembled
congress, appeal was made to the Arch-Druid, whose decision was final.
Their religious ceremonies were performed in high places and in deep
groves, and consisted in worshipping the God of nature, and rendering him
praise on the yearly accession of the seasons. The priests possessed
great authority among them, besides ministering at the altar, and
directing all religious duties; they enjoyed an immunity from wars and
taxes; they possessed both the civil and criminal jurisdiction; they
decided all controversies among estates, as well as among private
persons, and whoever refused to submit to their decree, was exposed to
the most severe penalties; the sentence of excommunication was denounced
against him; he was forbidden access to the sacrifices of public worship;
he was debarred all intercourse with his tribe, even in the common
affairs of life; he was refused the protection of law, and death itself
became an acceptable relief from the misery and infamy to which he was
exposed.
The means by which religion was supported was by voluntary offerings and
tithes, and in this respect we find a similarity with all nations of
antiquity. Despite the corruptions and philosophical atheism in which
the Druidical religion became involved, candour demands of us that the
Druids were in possession of learning as extensive and more useful than
some of their Christian posterity, who, from the eighth century to the
Reformation, were almost wholly employed in scholastic divinity,
metaphysical or chronological disputes, legends, miracles, and
martyrologies, and Dr. Kennedy informs us that in St. Patrick’s time no
fewer than 300 volumes of their books were burnt, and no doubt the same
was practised so long as a volume could be found. By this destruction a
wide chasm has been made in the historical details of this country.
Julius Cæsar, in his “_Commentarii de Bello Gallico_,” informs us that
the Druids inculcated the doctrine of the immortality and transmigration
of the soul, and discoursed with the “Youth about the heavenly bodies,
their motion, the size of the heavens and the earth, the nature of
things, and the influence and power of the immortal Gods.” The misletoe
was their chief specific in medicine, and nothing was held so sacred as
the misletoe of the oak, which, being scarce, was gathered with great
ceremony on a certain day appointed for their general festival. In the
civil government of this ancient people capital offenders were sentenced
to death, and sacrificed in the most solemn manner. The spoils of war
were often devoted to their divinities on the altars of their temples.
At the time of the Roman invasion the British Druids exerted their utmost
zeal in opposing the usurpation of that foreign power. The invaders on
the other hand fired with equal resentment, endeavoured to establish
their security by the extermination of the Druidic order, and its priests
were sacrificed to this barbarous policy; many fled to the island of
Anglesey, and afterwards perished in the flames by the orders of
Seutonius, and great numbers were cut off in an unsuccessful revolt of
the Britons, under Queen Boadicea, after which the power and splendour of
the Druids rapidly declined. No species of superstition was ever more
terrible than that of the Druids; no idolatrous worship ever attained
such an ascendant over mankind; and the Romans after their conquest
finding it impossible to reconcile those notions to the laws and
institutions of their masters, while it maintained its authority, were at
last obliged to abolish it by penal statutes—a violence which had never
in any other instance been practised by these tolerating conquerors.
The Britons had long remained in a rude and independent state, when
Cæsar, having overrun all Gaul by his victories, first cast his eye on
this island, and being ambitious of carrying his arms into a new world
then mostly unknown, he took advantage of a short interval in his
continental wars, and made an invasion in Britain fifty-five years before
the birth of Christ. In his first expedition the Kentish Britons
immediately opposed him, and compelled him to fight in the vicinity of
Dover, combating even amongst the waves with singular courage; and,
although Cæsar, observing his troops to be dispirited by the attacks of
the enemy, ordered up his vessels with his artillery, and poured from
their sides stones, arrows, and missiles; yet the natives sustained these
unusual discharges with unshaken intrepidity, and the invaders made no
impression until the standard bearer of the 10th legion rushed forward,
exclaiming, “Follow me, unless you mean to betray your standard to your
enemies.” Upon which the Roman legions were incited to that desperate
and close battle, which at length forced back the Britons and secured a
landing. The inhabitants of the neighbourhood then sent a message of
peace, but four days afterwards a tempest dispersing the enemy’s fleet
they attacked the Romans afresh. Cæsar’s invasion in the ensuing summer
was more formidable: it was made with five well appointed legions, and
two thousand cavalry, amounting in the whole to thirty thousand of the
best disciplined troops then known, and under the ablest commanders.
Terrified at the menacing approach of such a force, the inhabitants
retired among the hills, and Cæsar having effected a landing without
opposition, and chosen a proper place for the security of his fleet,
(supposed to be where the town of Deal, in Kent, now stands), hastened on
to the scene of conflict, and found the Britons had assembled in great
numbers from all parts, who continued an unequal contest with the Roman
legions for several days, but were at length utterly routed, and great
numbers of them slain, nor did the Britons ever after this engage the
Romans with their united forces. Cæsar then led his army to the river
Thames, towards the territories of Cassivellaunus, the principal leader
of the defeated Britons, on the submission of whom, and having imposed an
annual tribute on the vanquished, and received the hostages which he
demanded, marched back to the sea shore, and shortly after took his final
leave of Britain. The civil wars which ensued, and which ended in the
establishment of an absolute monarchy at Rome, saved the Britons from
that yoke which was about to be imposed on them, the conquerors having
little force to spare for the preservation of distant conquests; the
Britons were therefore left to themselves, and for nearly a century after
the invasion of Cæsar, enjoyed unmolested their own civil and religious
institutions. In the interval between the first and second invasion of
Britain by the Romans, the founder of the Christian religion had
accomplished his divine mission, in a province of the Roman empire, but
almost without observation at Rome. In the reign of Claudius the Romans
began to think seriously of reducing the Britons under their dominion,
and Plautius, an able general, sent over A.D. 43, gained some victories,
and made considerable progress in subduing the inhabitants. Claudius
himself finding matters sufficiently prepared for his reception, made a
journey into Britain, and received the submission of several British
states, among which were the Cantic, Antrebates, Regni, and Trinobantes,
who inhabited the south-east part of the island. The other Britons under
the command of Caractacus still maintained an obstinate resistance, and
the Romans made little progress against them till Ostorious Scapula was
sent over, in the year 50, to command the armies. This general rapidly
advanced the Roman conquests over the Britons, pierced into the country
of the Silures—a warlike tribe who inhabited the banks of the Severn, and
fought a great battle with Caractaeus upon the hill called Caer Caradoc,
not far from Clun, on which are the remains of an ancient fortification
still to be seen. In this battle the British leader artfully availed
himself of his knowledge of the country, and posted himself on a spot,
the approaches and retreats of which were as advantageous to his own
party as they were perplexing to the enemy. Caractacus running from one
part of the camp to another, animated them by the valorous deeds of their
ancestors, and told them that the work of that day would be the beginning
of new liberty or of eternal slavery. The people received these animated
harangues with loud acclamations, and engaged according to the solemn
rites of their religion, never to yield to weapons or wounds. Their
resolution astonished the Roman general, and the river which flows at the
foot of the hill, together with the ramparts and steeps, presented to the
assailants a formidable and resolute appearance. The Britons, who had no
armour or helmets to shelter them, were at length thrown into confusion,
and great numbers of them perished by the broad swords and javelins of
the legionaries, who obtained an illustrious victory. The wife and
daughter of Caractacus were taken prisoners, and his brother submitted to
the conqueror. Caractacus threw himself upon the protection of the Queen
of Brigantes, and was treacherously delivered up to the Romans shortly
after. The fame of Caractacus had reached Rome, and the people were
assembled as to some great sight when the British prisoners arrived
there. First in the procession we are informed came the king’s
dependants and retinue, and the trappings and collars and trophies which
he had won in war; next his brothers, his wife and daughter, and last
himself was presented to public view; his body was mostly naked and
painted with figures of beasts; he wore a chain of iron about his neck,
and another about his middle; the hair on his head hanging down in curled
locks covered his back and shoulders. Caractacus neither by his looks
nor language pleaded for mercy, and when he came before the Emperor’s
seat expressed himself in these terms:—“Had I made that prudent use of my
prosperity, which my rank and fortune would have enabled me to make, I
had come hither rather as a friend, than as a prisoner; nor would you
have disdained the alliance of one descended from illustrious ancestors,
and sovereign over many nations. My present condition, disgraceful as it
is to myself, reflects glory on you. Possessed as I once was of horses,
men, arms, and wealth, what wonder is it if I parted from them with
reluctance. Had I sooner been betrayed, I had neither been distinguished
by misfortune nor you by glory. But if you now save my life I shall be
an eternal monument of your clemency.” The Emperor generously granted
the pardon of Caractacus, his wife, and brothers, who remained at Rome in
the highest esteem. At this time Christianity was preached in the
imperial city, and Brennus with others of his family became Christians.
At the expiration of seven years they were permitted to return, and were
thus furnished with a favourable opportunity of introducing the Gospel
into their own country, and were instrumental in reclaiming many of the
Britons from their ancient superstitions. It does not appear that
Caractacus was converted to Christianity at Rome, but his son Cyllin, and
his daughter Eigen, are both ranked among the British saints. Eigen
bestowed her hand on a British chieftain, and Claudia, one of her
sisters, is supposed to have become the wife of Pudens, a Roman senator.
Notwithstanding the misfortunes that befel Caractacus, the Britons were
not subdued; and this island was regarded by the ambitious Romans as a
field in which military honor might still be acquired. During the reign
of Nero, Suetonius Paulinus was invested with the command, and prepared
to signalise his name by victories over these barbarians. Finding that
the island of Mona, (now Anglesey), was the chief seat of the Druids, he
resolved to attack it, and to subject a place which was the centre of
superstition, and which afforded protection to all their baffled forces.
The Britons endeavoured to obstruct his landing on this sacred island,
both by the force of arms and the terrors of their religion. The women
and priests were intermingled with the soldiers upon the shore, and
running about with flaming torches in their hands, and tossing their
dishevelled hair; they struck greater terror into the astonished Romans
by their howlings, cries, and execrations, than the real danger from the
armed forces. But Suetonius exhorting his troops to contemn a
superstition which they despised, impelled them to the attack, drove the
Britons off the field, burned the Druids in the same fires which they had
prepared for their captive enemies, destroyed all the consecrated groves
and altars, and, having thus triumphed over the religion of the Britons,
he thought his future progress would be easy in reducing the people to
subjection.