The Substance of the following pages was given in two lectures, which
I delivered last year to the Members of “The Society for Promoting
Religious and Useful Knowledge.” Since then I have collected a few more
facts relating to the early history of Bridgnorth, which I have here
given to the reader, and I have also added an Appendix, containing
some matter not altogether, I hope, undeserving of attention, although
some of it is only remotely connected with my subject. The public
documents relating to the town, such as the Terms of Capitulation,
and the Proclamation of Charles II., it has been thought desirable to
give entire, as but few copies of them, especially of the latter, are
extant.
It would seem superfluous for me, after the many quotations which I
have taken from his learned work on “The Antiquities of Shropshire,” to
make any acknowledgement of my obligations to the Rev. Robert Eyton.
But I owe him much more than is indicated by these quotations. He very
kindly directed my attention to sources of information respecting
Bridgnorth, which have been of the greatest service to me, particularly
the Blakeway Papers, in the Bodleian Library, besides allowing me to
refer to his better judgment and more extensive information, on any
difficulty that occurred to me.
I am very much indebted also to Mr. Whitmore, of Apley, for his
kindness in giving me the free use of his own collection of historical
notices of our town and neighbourhood, from the MSS. in his possession.
I would gladly avail myself of this opportunity of expressing my thanks
likewise to the Town Clerk, for allowing me to consult the Common Hall
Order Books, and other documents belonging to the Corporation; and to
Mr. Hubert Smith for giving me his valuable assistance in decyphering
them. Nor should I omit to offer my thanks to the Rev. G. L. Wasey, for
some interesting particulars which he communicated to me, respecting
the early history of Quatford; and to Mr. S. Sidney Smith, from whose
antiquarian lore I have, on several points, derived much valuable
information.