Is supposed to have been founded by Roger de Montgomery, about the year
1068. It continued in his family until the reign of Henry I, when by the
rebellion of earl Robert de Belesme it was forfeited to the king, who
committed the care of it to a constable, usually the sheriff, it being
then extremely useful for the defence of the adjacent country.
This ancient fortress is built of red stone, on the N.E. part of the
isthmus on which the town stands, and being erected on a commanding
eminence, was admirably calculated to “roll back the tide of war” and to
defend Shrewsbury from the frequent incursions of the neighbouring Welsh,
who were continually devastating the surrounding country. When the
incorporation of the principality with the English dominions took place,
it ceased to enjoy the importance which its situation on the Welsh border
had previously given to it; and after experiencing a variety of changes
in its masters, it was granted by Charles II. to lord Newport, afterwards
earl of Bradford; since which period it became the property of the late
venerable sir William Pulteney, bart. who greatly repaired and rendered
it a comfortable residence. Sir William at his death bequeathed it to
the right honourable the earl of Darlington, its present possessor.
The history of the Town and the Castle are so intimately connected, that
we shall content ourselves with giving a brief description of its ancient
and present appearance. According to Leland, it was fast hastening to
decay in the reign of Henry VIII. and indeed it has suffered so much from
the ravages of time, rather than from those of war, that it is doubtful
what idea to form of its original size; but it is at least probable, when
its importance as a border fortress is considered, that it occupied a
much larger space than that marked out by its existing walls.
The only buildings remaining are the keep, the walls of the inner court,
and the great arch of the interior gate; they are built of red stone, and
the former has been converted into a commodious and pleasant dwelling,
and is at present occupied by J. C. Pelham, esq. It consists of two
round towers of equal diameter, embattled and pierced, connected by a
square building about 100 feet in length and about the same in height, in
which are many spacious and excellent rooms. At the entrance, which
opens on a newly-erected grand staircase, is a statue of Roger de
Montgomery. The arch of the gateway is about 18 feet high, semicircular,
and with plain round facings. Its walls appear to have sustained a
tower, from whence hung the portcullis. The area of the court has
latterly been cleared of its buildings, and is now formed into a
beautiful garden. On the circular grass-plot in front of the castle, the
newly-elected knights of the shire are girt with their swords by the
sheriff, which, as it is an ancient custom, is still permitted, although
the castle and its grounds are private property.
In the south corner of this court is a lofty mount, on which is erected a
watch tower, now converted into a pleasant summer room, from which is
commanded a grand and diversified prospect of uncommon richness and
beauty. The mount, rising abruptly from the margin of the Severn,
crowned with its venerable tower, its bold and abrupt bank being richly
clothed with the foliage of various species of trees and skirled by the
majestic stream which rolls at its base, has also, when viewed from a
distance, a beautiful and picturesque appearance. Shrewsbury, though the
most important station on the Welsh border, and though frequently thrown
into possession of its enemies, never sustained more than two sieges.
Its natural and artificial strength might probably deter an adverse army
from investing it in a regular way, for it was protected not only by its
castle, but by
Walls,
fenced with towers which completely surrounded it.
The first stone rampart extended only across the isthmus to the river on
each side, and was raised by Robert de Belesme. In the reign of Henry
III. the inhabitants of this place having suffered greatly during the
rebellion of the earl of Pembroke, were exhorted to secure themselves by
building a wall entirely round the town, which, by the aid of the royal
bounty, was accomplished in 32 years. An additional rampart, by order of
Oliver Cromwell, was constructed, as it is said, from the materials of
Shrawardine castle, and extended from the wall of earl Robert at the
river’s brink to the Welsh bridge: though now ruinous it forms a
tolerable connecting path between the northern and western ends of the
town.—Of the old ramparts, those on the northern and eastern sides of the
town have long since disappeared; their foundations, which are easy to be
traced, form the groundwork of modern houses. On the south, a
considerable portion remains, and part of it is kept in repair as a
public walk; but it retains little of its original appearance, having
been considerably lowered, and entirely stripped of its battlements. The
towers have been all taken down except one, which stands on this wall,
between the bottom of Swan Hill and Belmont. It is square and embattled,
and has two stories, the entrance of the higher being from the top of the
wall, through a small pointed arch, which does not appear of older date
than the time of Henry IV. The town, according to Leland, who beheld its
fortifications entire, was more than a mile in compass; which extent may
probably be a third more in modern computation. There were formerly
three principal