The derivation of the name of the Borough is still, and perh

Transcribed from the [1855] George Lewis edition by David Price.

[Picture: The Cross Market]

THE

HISTORY OF OSWESTRY,

COMPRISING THE

BRITISH, SAXON, NORMAN, AND ENGLISH ERAS;

THE

TOPOGRAPHY OF THE BOROUGH;

AND ITS

ECCLESIASTICAL AND CIVIC HISTORY:

WITH NOTICES OF

BOTANY, GEOLOGY, STATISTICS, ANGLING, AND BIOGRAPHY:

TO WHICH ARE ADDED

SKETCHES OF THE ENVIRONS.

* * * * *

ILLUSTRATED WITH WOOD-ENGRAVINGS,

By MR. PERCY CRUIKSHANK, after Sketches by MR. ROBERT

CRUIKSHANK.

[Picture: Ancient seal of Oswestry]

WRITTEN AND COMPILED

BY WILLIAM CATHRALL,

AUTHOR OF “THE HISTORY OF NORTH WALES,” “WANDERINGS

IN NORTH WALES,” &c.

* * * * *

OSWESTRY:

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GEORGE LEWIS.

* * * * *

ENTERED AT STATIONERS’ HALL.

* * * * *

Preface.

THE issue of this volume has been “the accident of an accident.” I was

called by commercial business last autumn to Oswestry, where I found,

temporarily located, a man with humour at his finger-ends, and of

“infinite jest” on paper. I allude to Mr. ROBERT CRUIKSHANK, an artist

scarcely inferior to his celebrated brother, Mr. GEORGE CRUIKSHANK—_par

nobile fratrum_, who have both successfully laboured in their vocation to

—“Shoot folly as it flies,

And catch the living manners as they rise.”

Mr. Robert Cruikshank, pleased with the rich and diversified scenery of

the neighbourhood of Oswestry, undertook to illustrate the present book.

To be thus pictorially aided was a distinction, and I therefore

cheerfully complied with the wish of the respectable publisher, to try my

“’prentice hand” at a History of the Borough. Mr. Cruikshank has well

executed his task. What may be _my_ portion of merit will be determined

by the judgment, not critically severe, I hope, of my readers.

The History of Oswestry and its neighbourhood is, however, worthy of a

more elaborate and carefully-wrought volume than that which I now send

forth; and I should have been glad had some pen, abler than my own, been

employed in the completion of so desirable a work. Oswestry is not

deficient in the talent or learning necessary to produce a voluminous

history; but until the historic mantle fall upon some kindred spirit,

that can evoke with magic skill the _dramatis personæ_ and chequered

incidents of bye-gone ages, and beguile his readers with beautiful

delineations of his native hills and vallies, the good citizens of

Oswestry must, I fear, content themselves with the present volume, whose

chief excellence, if it possess any, may be found to consist in supplying

a collection of interesting facts, connected with the town and district,

hitherto dispersed through many publications.

In preparing this volume for the press much delay has occurred from the

pressure of other and more anxious engagements. In wading, however,

through musty tomes and modern books, I have been instructed and solaced

by the way. The Past reveals little else than vandal darkness and the

pride and pomp of feudal power. Lords and their vassals figure chiefly

in the discordant scene, and ignorant dependence is too commonly seen

prostrate at the feet of favourites, in court or field, of ambitious and

despotic monarchs. The Present has a more genial and encouraging aspect.

Religion, with her gentle handmaids, Literature, Science, and Art, is

shedding its radiance even over this district, so long the theatre of

Border-feuds, strife, and injustice. The Future, therefore, indicates

still more agreeable promise; and those of the present generation who are

co-operating in the good work already begun, of endeavouring to make the

world better than they found it, will have the consolation of leaving to

posterity an inheritance more precious than silver or gold.

I cannot close these remarks without thankfully acknowledging the

assistance I have derived, from several gentlemen of the town and

neighbourhood, in the prosecution of my labours. If I could have stirred

up many others to the grateful task of elucidating the history of their

native or adopted place of residence, I should have been still more

satisfied. I take this opportunity of mentioning the names of The Rev.

Thomas Salwey, Vicar of Oswestry, Richard Redmond Caton, Esq., F.S.A.,

Edward Williams, Esq., of Lloran House, R. J. Croxon, Esq., Charles

Sabine, Esq., and one or two other gentlemen, who, with a becoming

feeling of respect for the ancient borough, have kindly aided me by

various contributions.

I am sensible of many imperfections in the volume; but I trust, by the

generous support of the Public, I may be enabled, at some not far distant

day, to revise my pages, and render them still more worthy of acceptance.

WILLIAM CATHRALL.

_Oswestry_, _October_, 1855.

LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS.

ASTERLEY Miss, Willow-street

Attree R. W., Esq., Plasmadoc

* * * * *

BASSETT JOSEPH, Esq., solicitor

Berry Joseph, Accountant

Bennion Edward David, Esq., Summer Hill

Baugh Robert, Llanymynech

Bull William Isaac, Esq., solicitor

Bickerton George Morrel, brazier

Bartlett Charles Archibald, 32, Paternoster Row, London

Buckley Miss Eliza

Broughall John, Esq., Fernhill, Whittington

Barlow Thomas, Esq., postmaster, Worksop

Barnes William, Osberton Hall, Notts

Bayley Joseph, Quadrant

* * * * *

CASHEL REV. FREDERICK, Incumbent of Trinity Church

Corbett Vincent, Esq.

Caton Richard Redmond, Esq., F.S.A.

Croxon Richard Jones, Esq., Town Clerk

Crutchloe Henry, Lloran Cottage

Cooper George, Esq., Salop-road

Cullis William, Lower Brook-st.

Corney William, confectioner and spirit merchant

Churchill Benjamin, Esq., Bellan House

Cross Thomas, Ornithologist

Cox J., porter merchant, Birmingham

Clarke Mrs., 3, Devonshire-terrace, Paddington, London

Cruikshank Percy, Pentonville, London

Churchill Miss, Bellan House (2 copies)

Crippin R., Church-street

Cross William B., Cross-street

Cartwright Samuel, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury

* * * * *

DONNE REV. STEPHEN, the Schools (12 copies)

Dovaston John, Esq., Nursery, West Felton

Davies Henry, Esq., solicitor

Davies John, draper

Davies Edward, confectioner

Davies Captain, Llanymynech

Dicker Phillip Henry, Esq., surg.

Davies Messrs. R. & W., Golden Eagle

Downes Richard, Esq., Haughton Grange

Davies Edward, Esq., surgeon, Llansilin

Davies Henry, schoolmaster, Llandrinio

Duckett Mrs. Tamar, the Lodge

Davies Mrs. E., Chirk

Duncan John, Esq., solicitor, 2, New Inn, Strand

Davies W. M., Waterloo-house

Davies Giles, Lower Brook-street

Davies Thomas, Greenwich

Davies John, Erwallo, Glyn

* * * * *

EDWARDS JAMES, Esq., Upper Brook-street (2 copies)

Edmunds Rev. Edw., M.A., Vicar of St. Michael’s, Southampton

Eddy Walter, Mine Agent, Fron, Rhuabon

Evans Edward, auctioneer

Edwards Thomas, Esq., Cae Glas

Edwards Ed., Commercial Hotel

Eyeley Edward, organist

Evans R. D., Esq., Meifod

Edwards James Coster, Trefynant

Edwards Thomas, chandler

Evans John, ship builder, Morbum, Machynlleth

Edwards Alfred, Hanwell, Middlesex

Edmunds Griffith, Albion Hill

Edisbury James, Esq., Wrexham

Edisbury J. F., Esq., Holywell

Ellis Henry, English Walls

Evans Edward, Liverpool Gas Co.

Evans William, Glascoed

Edwards Edward, currier

Edwards William, Queen’s Head

Evans John, Church-street

Ewing John, gardener, Osberton Hall

* * * * *

FITZ-WILLIAM, THE RIGHT HON. THE EARL (4 copies)

Fitz-William, The Hon. Lady Charlotte Wentworth, Wentworth House

Fitz-William, The Hon. M. S. C. Wentworth

Fitz-William, The Hon. Lady Dorothy H. Wentworth

Francis Captain, Aberystwith

Fallon Rev. J. M., Bailee Rectory, Ireland

Fuller William, Esq., Salop-road

Furnin The Rev. J. P., Rode Parsonage, near Lawton, Cheshire

Faulder F. J., Esq., St. Ann’s-square, Manchester

Fox John, accountant

* * * * *

GORE WILLIAM ORMSBY, Esq., M.P. for North Shropshire

Grey William, Esq., New Burlington-street, London

Gray Thos., Esq. architect, Chester

Greenwood J. W., Esq., London

Goodwin John, Beatrice-street

Galloway Charles, Halston

George Roger, Willow-street

Giles Henry, Cross-street

Gornall Mrs. Jane, Swan Inn

Griffiths William, Esq., solicitor, Dolgelley

* * * * *

HILL THE RIGHT HON. THE VISCOUNT, Lord Lieutenant of the County of Salop

Hales John Miles, Esq., Lower Brook-street

Hill T. Esq., Upper Brook-street

Hill T. W., Esq., Upper Brook-st

Hargraves James, Esq., Whittington (2 copies)

Hayden Wm. Henry, 17, Warwick-square, London

Higgins Samuel, draper

Holland George, Whittington

Husband Rev. J., Rectory, Selattyn

Hopwood F. A., Station Master, Gobowen

Hardman Thomas, 14, Slater-street, Liverpool

Hughes T., Esq., solr., Wrexham

Hughes Miss Catherine, Church-street

Hughes Alexander, Willow-street

Hughes Miss Anne, Salop-road

Humphreys Edmund, East Sheen, Richmond (2 copies)

Hughes John, Savings’ Bank

Hilditch George, Esq., Salop-road

Heaton Rev. H. E., M.A., perpetual curate of Llangedwin

Hodgkinson R., Esq., estate agent, Osberton, Worksop

Howell David, Willow-Street (2 copies)

Hughes Thos., Esq., Plasnewydd, Llansilin

* * * * *

JONES, REV. LLEWELYN WYNN, M.A., Curate of Oswestry (2 copies)

Jacob Rev. L. R., Rhuabon

Jones John, Esq., solicitor

Jones Miss Harriette, Church-st.

Jones Thomas, Esq., Boughton, Chester

Jones Joseph, wine merchant

Jones Edward, Plas Issa, Rhuabon

Jones Mrs. Frances, London House

Jones John, hair dresser

Jones Edwin, Union-place

Jones James Thomas, Esq., Brynhafod (2 copies)

Jones Oswald Croxon, Esq., Enfield, Middlesex

Jones Mrs. Mary Watkin, Cross-street

Jacques Edwin William, Esq., Llangollen

Jones Henry, tobacconist

Jones Thomas, Esq., Brook-street

Jones John, Esq., Domgay, Llandisilio

Jervis Geo. Boot Inn, Whittington

Jones Rev. D. L., Meifod

Jones Rev. Walter, Llansilin

Jones Richard, Cross-street

Jones Richard, Salop-road

Jones Thomas, builder, Chester

Jones Gwen, Cross-street

Jones Henry, grocer, Cross-street

Jones John Pryce, Willow-street

Jones John, Cross

Jones Richard, Esq., Bellan Place, Rhuabon

Jones Edward, Mine Agent, Llwynymapsis

* * * * *

KENYON JOHN ROBERT, Esq., Recorder of Oswestry

Kinchant Richard Henry, Esq., Park Hall

King John Edward, Cross Keys Hotel

Kilner Richard, Britannia Inn

* * * * *

LOVETT JOSEPH VENABLES, Esq., Belmont

LLoyd, Mrs., Aston Hall

Longueville Mrs., Pen-y-lan

Longueville Thomas Longueville, Esq.

Lloyd Rev. Albany Rosendale, Hengoed

Large Joseph, Esq., surgeon

Lewis Richard, Osberton Hall, Notts (4 copies)

Lloyd David Edward, Cross

Lloyd David, Wynnstay Arms Hotel

Lewis Charles Thomas, 38–9, Holloway Head, Birmingham (6 copies)

Lewis Henry, painter, Beatrice-st.

Lloyd Rev. David, Trefonen

Lewis William, Elephant and Castle, Newtown

Leah John, Esq., Willow-street

Lewis Henry, building surveyor & contractor, Chester (2 copies)

Lever William H., Esq., Chirk

Lewis Miss Margaret, Cross

Lees S. S., National Schools

Lyons Aaron, Jeweller, Leg-street

Lloyd Miss M. A., Willow-street

* * * * *

MILTON THE HON. VISCOUNTESS, Osberton, Notts

Milton The Hon. Selina, Viscountess, Osberton Hall, Notts

Mickleburgh Chas. Esq., Montgomery (2 copies)

Minshall Thomas, Esq., solicitor

Morris Edward, Esq., Salop-road

Morris William, builder

M’Kie William Hay, Scybor Issa

Morgan Captain, 54, Terrace, Aberystwith

Minett William, Esq., Maesbury

Meredith Edward, Rednal

Morris Joseph, Esq., Shrewsbury

Morgan John, Wynnstay

Moreton and Son, Cross

Morgan Thomas, Willow-street

Mytton John, Church-street

Manning Benjamin, Esq., Warwick-square, London

Martin John, Esq., Gold Mine, Dinas Mowddy (3 copies)

Monk Charles, Llangollen

Morris George, Porkington

Morgan R., Aberystwith

M’Kie William H., Melbourne, Australia

Morris John, builder (2 copies)

Morris Thomas, chemist, Worksop, Notts

* * * * *

NORFOLK THE MOST NOBLE HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF (Baron of Oswestry), Arundel

Castle, Sussex (4 copies)

Nicholson J. Esq., Upper Brook-street

* * * * *

OSWELL EDWARD, Esq., solicitor

Owen M. Wynne, Esq., Plas Wilmot

Owen George, Esq., Park Issa (2 copies)

Oliver Irwin, Leg-street

Owen Elizabeth, 5, Upper Parade, Leamington

Oliver John, druggist, Liverpool

* * * * *

POWIS THE RIGHT HON. THE EARL OF (Lord of the Manor of Oswestry), Powis

Castle

Portman The Right Hon. Lord, Bryanstone House, Dorset

Portman The Hon. William Berkeley, M. P.

Phillips John, Esq., Cross

Porter Isaac, Esq., Salop-road

Pryce Thomas, Cross-street

Powell John Richard, Esq., Preesgwene

Price William, Esq., Fulford, York

Phillips the Rev. John Croxon, Tynyrhos

Pearson Mr. S., clothier, 2, Lamb’s Conduit-street, London

Penson Richard Kyrke, Esq., Willow-street

Price Miss Mary, The Cross

Phillip and Son Messrs., Liverpool

Penson Thomas Mainwaring, Esq., Chester

Price Miss Elizabeth, Confectioner, Cross

Peate Jane, Porkington Terrace

Pierce Mrs. H., 87, Park Terrace, Green Heys, Manchester

Perkins Samuel, Bailey Head

Pearson W., J. Munn and Co., Manchester (4 copies)

Powell William, Salop Road

Parry Thomas Price, Willow-st.

Provis William A., Esq., Cross-street

Pearce R.A., Esq., Worksop, Notts

* * * * *

ROGERS THOMAS, Esq., Stone House

Roberts Thomas Vaughan, Esq., solicitor

Roberts Thomas, Esq., Glyndwr, St. Asaph

Roberts John, Esq., Cross-street

Roberts Maurice, draper

Roberts David, Leg-street

Rogers E., Church-street

Roberts John Askew, Bailey Head

Rodenhurst Charles, Whittington

Roderick William, Esq., surgeon

Redrobe James, Royal Oak

Roberts Miss, Brook-st. Cottage

Roberts R., gas proprietor

Roberts E., Willow-street

Roberts William Whitridge, Melbourne, Australia

Reed Mrs., London

Ruscoe John, Horse Shoe Inn

* * * * *

SALWEY REV. THOMAS, Vicar of Oswestry

Sabine Charles, Esq., solicitor

Smith Frederick William, Esq., Ruthin (3 copies)

Smale William, chemist

Sharwood Messrs. S. and T., 120, Aldersgate-street, London (2 copies)

Saunders George James, chemist

Sage Mrs. Catherine, Middleton-road

Smith Captain, Dinas Mowddy

Smith Henry, Supervisor, Inland Revenue

Savin Thomas, draper

Stokes Mrs., Rock Ferry

Sides Miss Sarah, Fron, Rhuabon

Sissons Henry, stationer, Worksop, Notts

Shaw Henry, ironmonger, Worksop, Notts

Smith Benjamin, innkeeper, Norton, Notts

* * * * *

TIPTON EDWARD BLAKEWAY, Esq., Distributor of Stamps for Shropshire and

North Wales

Thomas Edward Wynne, Esq., Cross

Tomkies John, Esq., Manchester (2 copies)

Thomas Rev. John, Liverpool

Thomas John, maltster

Tucker St. Felix, Esq, H.M.C., West Derby-road, Liverpool

Taylor John, shoemaker

Tyley Thomas, Sun Inn

Thomas Henry, Coney Green

Thompson John, Leg-street

Towers Mr., Angel Hotel, Dale-street, Liverpool

Thompson Thomas, Chester

* * * * *

VENABLES ROWLAND JONES, Esq., Oakhurst

Vaughan Robert Chambre, Esq., Burlton, Shrewsbury

Venables Mrs. Eliz., Whittington

* * * * *

WEST FREDERICK RICHARD, Esq. M.P., Ruthin Castle

West Frederick Myddleton, Esq.

Williams Edward, Esq., Lloran House (4 copies)

Wilding John Powell, Esq., Montgomery

Whalley George Hammond, Esq., Plasmadoc

Waite George, Esq., New Burlington-street, London

Williams Rev. Rt., Rhydycroesau

Webster Benjamin Esq., Adelphi Theatre, Strand, London

Wood Richard, Leg-street

Woods Richard, farmer, Osberton, Worksop

Williams J. Vincent, Accountant

Wright Edmund, Esq., Halston

Wynn Edward, Black-gate

Williams Edward, Belle Vue, Wrexham

Williams Rt., draper (2 copies)

Williams Samuel, The Llys

Winter John, Chirk

Webb Miss J. C., Melbourne, Australia

Windsor William, Babin’s Wood

Windsor Samuel, Powis Castle

Wilson William, upholsterer

Williams G. H., Esq., The Lymes

Williams William, Esq., 295, Kent-St., Southwark, London

Williams Michael, Railway Station

Whitridge Mr., bookseller, Carlisle

Index.

Page

Agricultural Statistics 205

Album Monasterium 3

Aldermen and Common-Councilmen 166

Alfred the Great 17

Ancient Customs 191

Ancient Houses 185

Ancient Relics 186

Angling 209

Aston Hall 242

Attack on the town 65

Baptist Chapel 155

Banks 100

Battle of Oswestry 6

Belmont 285

Benevolent Institutions 119

Bethesda Chapel 157

Blanc-Minster 3

Bleddyn ab Cynvyn 14

Biography 223

Botany of the Parish 213

Bray, Dr. Thomas 224

British Period 4

British Schools 114

Broom Hall 289

Brunswick Dynasty 88

Brynkinalt 243

Cadwaladr’s reign 8

Cae Nef 6

Carreg Hofa Castle 257

Castle of Oswestry 15–172

Overton 15

Ceiriog, the 212

Civil Wars 61

Charitable Donations 121

Church or Chapel-Field 6

Church Grant 30

Charles I., Character of 62

Charter, First Royal 33

Charter of Charles II. 78

Charter the Third 47

Chirk 291

Chirk Castle 244

Clawdd Coch 259

Coed Euloe, Battle of 21

Cranage’s Daring 66

Crogen, Battle of 23

Croes-Oswallt (Oswald’s Cross) 3

Croes Wylan 54

Death of Oswald 7

Derivation of Name, &c. 2

Derwen 285

Dispensary and Baths 117

Dissenting Places of Worship 152

Dovaston, John Freeman Milward 224

Drenewydd 289

Ecclesiastical History 132

English Period 21

Extension Line (Oswestry and Newtown) Railway 198

Famine 57

Felton West 274

Fernhill 258

Fitz-Alan, William 15

Fletcher, Philip Lloyd 16

Fitz-Gwarine 17

Free Grammar School 107

Friendly Societies 131

Gas-works 104

Gates 93

Genealogical Table 178

Geology, &c. 221

Glorious Age 89

Glyndwr Insurrection 36

Reverses 49

Death of 50

Great Western Railway Company 195

Greenfield Lodge 274

Griddle Gate 137

Grufydd ab Cynan 15

Guto (y Glyn) 226

Halston 249

Hen Dinas 5

Hengoed 272

Hotels 107

House of Industry 119

Humphreys, Humphrey, D.D. 227

Huntington, Execution of 35

Hywel Dda (the Welsh Justinian) 13

Independent Methodist Chapel 157

Ingratitude of (Common Wealth) Parliament 73

Invasion of Wales 21

Jones, Thomas 227

King Oswald 5

Knockin 253

Kynaston, Humphrey 228

Le Strange, Roger 17

Lighting 96

Lodge, the 273

Llanforda 260

Llangollen Vale 292

Llanymynech 254

Llanyblodwel 262

Llansilin 261

Lloyd, Colonel 63

Lloyd, Bishop 83

Llynclys (or Llynclis) Pool 211

Lupus, Hugh 16

Llwyd, Edward 230

Llywarch Hen 8

Llywelyn ab Jorwerth 27

Madog 15

Maelor 15

Marrow’s Assault 69

Marches Lordships 17

Margery Bruce 180

Markets and Fairs 97

Markets 102–3

Maserfield 7

Mathrafal 9

Maud Verdon 15

Maurice, William 231

Mayors, List of 164

Mayor’s Blunders 85

Mediolanum 259

Montgomery, Roger de 16

Morda, the 212

Morlas, the 212

Morus, Hugh 231

Monuments within the Church 139

in the Church-yard 14

in the New Church-yard 147

Morva Rhuddlan 113

Mortimers, the 31

Mount Pleasant 290

Municipal and Civil Government 158

Officers 163

Murage, the 29

Myddelton, Sir Thomas 77

Mytton, Major-General 75

Mytton, the late John, Esq. 251

National Schools 112

Natural History 205

Newport, Mr. 68

Norfolk, Duke of 15

Norman Period 14

Notabilia 235

Oakhurst 290

Offa’s Dyke 10

Old Chapel 152

Oswald’s Well 189

Oswestry Race-course 10

Castle, Burning of 72

Government of 72

As it was 92

recent History of 181

Castle Hill 177

Owain Brogyntyn 15

Oswald and Penda 2

Parliament, the Great 32

Parish Church 132

Sunday School 114

Park Hall 263

Penda, the Mercian King 8

Pengwern 9

Pentre Pant 290

Pentre Poeth 53

Penylan 290

Perry, the 212

Plague, records of 55

Plot to remove the markets 59

Poor Rate Return—Oswestry town and parish (1855) 240

Population 204

Porkington 266

Post Office 99

Powys Vadog 14

Preesgwene House 273

Primitive Methodist Chapel 157

Public Establishments and Institutions 98

Quinta, the 274

Railway Communication 194

Restoration, the 76

Review of Ancient History 7

Revolution, the 86

Reynolds, John 232

Richard II., death of 34

Rivers 209

Rhyd-y-croesau 290

Rhyd-y-croesau Church 150

Roberts, the Rev. Peter 232

Rug 15

Sacheverell, Dr. 86

Salter, Mr. Robert 234

Savings’ Bank 101

Saxon Period 9

Selattyn 269

Shrewsbury, the Battle of 37

Siarter Cwtta, the Short Charter 24

Site of the town 91

Sketches of the Environs of Oswestry 241

Social Improvement 88

Society for Bettering the Condition of the Poor 129

Spot, Dick 233

St. Martin’s 272

Stamp Office 101

Statistics 201

Streets 95

Sweeney Hall 291

Tenants’ Service 48

Theatre 104

Topographical History 90

Town Walls 184

Tre’r Cadeiriau 3

Tre’r Fesen 6

Trefaldwyn 13

Trefonen Church 149

Tre Meredydd 14

Trevor, Sir John 159

Trinity Church 144

Tyn-y-Rhos 278

Visit of Baldwin and Giraldus 25

Vicars, List of 151

Walter the Stewart 179

Watt’s Dyke 11–12–13

Welsh Cloth Market 51

Wesleyan Methodist Chapel 156

Whittington 275

William the Conqueror 10

Wood Hill Hall 291

Wynnstay 286

Young Men’s Institute 115

Zion Chapel 152

Illustrations.

THE TOWN.

Page

Beatrice Gate 94

Church Gate and Avenue 136

Cross Market and Street Views (facing the Title-page)

Dispensary and Public Baths 118

Free Grammar School (facing) 107

Griddle Gate 137

New Gate 93

National Schools 113

Oswestry Castle (from an ancient drawing (facing) 172

belonging to an inhabitant of Dudleston)

The Old Chapel 155

Parish Church (facing) 132

Powis Market, Guildhall, and Bailey Head (facing) 103

St. Oswald’s Well 190

Trinity Church 148

THE ENVIRONS.

Brynkinalt (facing) 243

Chirk Castle (facing) 244

Halston (facing) 249

Llanymynech Church 255

Park Hall (facing) 263

Porkington (facing) 266

Selattyn Church 271

Whittington Castle (facing) 281

Wynnstay (facing) 287

History of Oswestry.

A CELEBRATED writer has said, that “History is philosophy teaching by

example.” Local History was doubtless included in the reflection of the

distinguished essayist, when he penned the memorable sentence, which has

for years past been adopted as a national maxim. In Local History we

have handed down to us facts and fiction, both grave and gay; traditions

and customs illustrative of popular habits and manners; records of

national edicts and social laws; municipal mandates, and parochial

practice; doleful notes of superstition and ignorance, with gratifying

statistics of the progress of truth and enlightenment; pleasing reports

of the advancement of science and art, mechanical ingenuity, and

industrial pursuits; and, speaking comprehensively, with a keen glance at

the past, we descry enough, in the chequered examples of byegone times,

to help us on in wisdom’s ways.

With these preliminaries, let us now lead our readers pleasantly onward

through the devious paths and labyrinths of Oswestry’s varied history,

beguiling them, perchance, by the way, with all that is agreeable

pertaining to the ANCIENT AND LOYAL BOROUGH, which, from its antiquity,

its scenes of martial daring and prowess, the tranquil beauty of its

surrounding landscapes, and its primitive, as well as modern relation to

some of the sweetest spots of CAMBRIA, has commanded the admiration and

homage of historians, painters, and poets.

Derivation of Name, &c.

The derivation of the name of the Borough is still, and perhaps ever will

be, involved in obscurity. As a place of retreat for the Cymry, or early

Britons, when chased from the south by the Roman invaders, it is not

unlikely to have had a primitive name that has been lost in the flood of

ages. Pennant, whose industry and historical research have earned for

him lasting fame, dates the commencement of its history in the Saxon

period, not anterior to the celebrated conflict at Oswestry, between

_Oswald_, the Christian King of the Northumbrians, and _Penda_, the Pagan

King of the Mercians, which occurred in the year 642. Other Welsh

biographical and historical writers trace the origin of its name to a

much earlier period, and contend that _Oswal_, a son of Cunedda Wledig,

sovereign of the Stratclyde Britons, and who lived in the early part of

the fifth century, received from his father, as a tribute for special

military services, an extensive grant of land, called from him

_Osweiling_, in which the present town of Oswestry is situated. The

coincidence is extraordinary that two distinguished chieftains should

have flourished—although upwards of two centuries had rolled between

their reigns—bearing names so similar to each other, that from either, it

may be presumed, the town could, not inappropriately, have derived its

present designation. The evidence in favour of Oswald’s right to the

sponsorship of Oswestry is, however, in our opinion, so strong, that we

must accord the honour to the Northumbrian Monarch, until the Cambrian or

British claim shall be more authoritatively established. In the battle

between _Oswald_ and _Penda_, history informs us that the former was

defeated and fell; that the barbarian victor ordered that the body of the

slain monarch should be cut in pieces, and “stuck on stakes dispersed

over the field as so many trophies; or, according to the ancient verses

that relate the legend, his head and hands only were thus exposed:—

‘Three crosses, raised at _Penda’s_ dire command,

Bore _Oswald’s_ royal head and mangled hands.’”

After this battle the Welsh, or Cymry, (who seemed to have possessed for

some time the district including Oswestry,) had called it _Croes-Oswallt_

(Oswald’s Cross), in allusion to Penda’s ignominious exposure of Oswald’s

slaughtered body. The spot where the battle was fought is said to have

borne the name of _Maeshir_ (the long field), as marking the length and

obstinacy of the conflict. In the fulness of the Saxon period the town

was known as _Oswald’s Tree_, in evident reference to Oswald’s death, and

subsequently, to the present day, “without let or impediment,” by the

name of OSWESTRY.

Industrious and talented antiquarian writers have given to the town other

names and derivations. For instance, we are told that it was termed by

the Saxons _Blanc-Minster_, _White-Minster_, _Album-Monasterium_, from

its “fair and white Monastery,” whilst the Cymry, or “Old Britons,” as

Williams denominates them, “called the town _Tre’r Fesen_, _Tre’r

Cadeiriau_, the Town of the Oak Chairs,” or, as another writer has it,

“the Town of Great Oaks.” These terms bear special allusion to Oswald’s

unfortunate arrival in this district; for the ancient seal of the town,

cut in brass, represents King Oswald sitting in his robes on a chair,

holding a sword in his right hand, and an oak branch in his left, with

the words around, “_De Oswaldestre sigillum commune_.” In repeating the

long and tedious catalogue of names and derivations, it will be proper to

mention that one writer renders the designation _Tre’r Cadeiriau_ as

follows:—“Oswestry was called by the Britons _Tre’r Cadeiriau_, literally

the Town of _Chairs_, or Seats, commanding an extensive view, (as _Cadair

Idris_, the chair of Idris, and others,) as there are several eminences

commanding such views in the neighbourhood.”

Here is a chapter on civic nomenclature and varied derivation, very

curious, perhaps, to many readers, but little edifying to those who ask

with the poet, “What’s in a name?” And yet, ancient civic names, like

many other ancient relics, have valuable and salutary uses. They are as

finger-posts to the Past; in some instances inviting us to the honest

path of truth and honour; in others deterring us from the rugged ways of

ignorance and error. In almost all respects they enable us to institute

comparisons and form contrasts between men and manners in ancient and

modern days. Whilst looking at such names, we are too frequently

reminded of times when Might overcame Right, and are gently led with

thankful spirits to the Present, when, in our own happy and

highly-privileged age, every Briton can sit “under his vine and under his

fig-tree,” none daring to make him afraid.

REVIEW OF ANCIENT HISTORY.

The British Period.

FOR ages the site of the town, with the surrounding district, was the

theatre of brutal contention, rapine, and aggrandisement. Here, as in

the Border-Lands of Scotland, it was

“The good old rule,

* * * the simple plan,

That they should take who have the power,

And they should keep who can.”

Education had not spread her benign wings over the people, to hush them

into peace; and too commonly they who possessed the strongest physical

power and the wildest barbarism became, in turns, “Lords of the

Ascendant.” There is no record extant that the Roman invaders of Britain

pitched their tents within the Oswestrian district; and yet it is more

than probable that part of the legion, which traversed from the south of

our island, actually touched at Llanymynech Hill (a Roman settlement

beyond doubt), and most likely constituted a portion of the army which,

under Suetonius, found its way along the mountain-passes of North Wales

into Anglesey, may have halted there, if the ground was pre-occupied by

the invaded Britons, or the ancient encampment, _Hen Dinas_, had then

stood. We can produce nothing more than conjectural evidence of such a

visit. There is no Roman architecture in the town, to mark the presence

of the invaders, nor are there Roman relics rich as those discovered at

Llanymynech. If the Britons occupied _Hen Dinas_ during the Roman visit

to the district, the destruction of that encampment may have been

accomplished by the Roman marauders; and yet it is believed by some that

the Britons possessed Oswestry, intact, from before the death of Oswald

to the invasion of Offa. A Roman invasion of Oswestry, and the real

history of Hen Dinas (or Old Oswestry, as it is termed,) are therefore

alike still involved in mystery.

On this “vexed question” we may add the following:—“Remarking to a

_gentleman_,” says Mr. Hutton, “that I had gleaned some anecdotes

relative to Oswald, he asked me if I had seen Old Oswestry, where, he

assured me, the town had formerly stood. I smiled, and answered him in

the negative. He then told me, ‘that the town had _travelled_ three

quarters of a mile to the place where it had taken up its present abode.’

This belief, I found had been adopted by others with whom I conversed.”

The earliest sovereign possession of Oswestry, noted in the Welsh

historic page, was in the beginning of the fifth century, as already

referred to. Oswal, son of Cunedda Wledig, is there represented to have

been its first monarch. The Welsh Chroniclers, however, furnish no

details of his reign; and no event connected with the town is

subsequently recorded, till the memorable one of King Oswald’s attack

upon the Mercian King Penda, August 5th, A.D. 642. Oswald and Oswy were

sons of Adelfrid, the seventh King of Northumberland. These young

Princes had been driven out of the kingdom of their father by Cadwallawn,

who had before been expelled from Wales, his rightful possession, by

Edwin. Oswald, after seventeen years’ exile in Scotland, was restored to

his kingdom by the overthrow and death of Cadwallawn. During his exile

Oswald is said to have been baptized in a Christian church. He brought

with him from Scotland a Christian bishop, Aidan, who preached

Christianity to the people, and Oswald assisted him in his ministrations.

The young Northumbrian King appears to have been zealous in the Christian

cause, both in the pulpit and the field. Penda was a pagan prince, and

had united with Cadwallawn in laying Northumbria waste. Oswald’s

Christianity was not strong enough, it would seem, to subdue his revenge

against Penda. The two monarchs at length met, a bloody conflict ensued,

and Oswald was slain. The site of the closing scene of this memorable

battle is said to have been a field called _Cae Nef_ (Heaven’s Field),

“situated on the left of the turnpike road leading to the Free School.”

The writer from whom we quote mentions, that “Oswald approached with his

army to what is called Maes-y-llan, or Church Field, then open.” “About

four hundred yards west of the church,” he adds, “is a rising ground,

where the battle began. The assailant appears to have driven Penda’s

forces to a field nearer the town, called _Cae Nef_. Here Oswald fell.”

These minute particulars give increased interest to the combat; but the

writer does not state any authority for the details. We suppose it must

have been merely traditionary. At the present time the sites of _Cae

Nef_, and _Church_ or _Chapel Field_, are well known to most of the

inhabitants of the town. Oswald’s remains were first interred in the

monastery of Bradney, in Lincolnshire, and afterwards, in 909, removed to

St. Oswald’s, in Gloucestershire. The memory of the deceased King seems

to have been held in great veneration, for churches, in various parts of

the kingdom, still bear his name, as patron saint. Speed, in his

“_History of Great Britaine_,” with his accustomed quaintness and minute

graphic description, sums up Oswald’s closing scene in the following

language:—

“But as the sunne hath his shadow, and the highest tide her ebbe, so

_Oswald_, how holy soeuer, or gouernment how good, had emulators that

sought his life, and his Countries mine: for wicked _Penda_ the Pagan

Mercian, enuying the greatnesse that King _Oswald_ bare, raised

warres against him, and at a place then called _Maserfeild_, in

_Shrop-shire_, in a bloudie and sore fought battle slew him; and not

therewith satisfied, in barbarous and brutish immanitie, did teare

him in peeces, the first day of August, and yeere of Christ Iesus six

hundred forty two, being the ninth of his raigne, and the thirty

eighth of his age: whereupon the said place of his death is called to

this day _Oswaldstree_, a faire Market Towne in the same Countie.

The dismembred limmes of his body were first buried in the Monastery

of _Bradney_, in _Lincolnshire_, shrined with his standard of Gold

and Purple erected ouer his Tombe, at the industry and cost of his

neece _Offryd_, Queene of _Mercia_, wife vnto king _Ethelred_, and

daughter to _Oswyn_ that succeeded him. From hence his bones were

afterwards remooued to _Glocester_, and there in the north side of

the vpper end of the Quire in the Cathedrall Church, continueth a

faire Monument of him, with a Chapell set betwixt two pillers in the

same Church.”

From the death of Oswald to 777, Oswestry is reported, as already

mentioned, to have been in undisputed possession of the Britons. What

its faithful history was during that long period we are unable to state.

If the Britons did really occupy it, no event worthy of record seems to

have occurred. If the Britons were preserved in peace, no chronicle is

handed down to us of their social or industrial habits within the halcyon

time. Whether they improved their land, instructed their minds in arts

useful to their tribe, or were sunk in ignorance, sloth, and selfishness,

there is no voice or pen to inform us. Three centuries later than this

period the domestic architecture of the Cymry was in the lowest state of

rudeness. One of the regal mansions of Hywel Dda, their great law-giver,

was made of peeled rods; the people lived in wattled huts; and a

gentleman’s hall was valued according to the number of posts it

contained. These were filled up with wattled twigs and clay. The only

notice we have of the period is in the Welsh Chronicles, and from them we

learn that Cadwaladr (son of the Cadwallawn who was defeated and slain in

a battle with King Oswald, near Denisbourne, in Northumberland,) the last

of the Welsh Princes who assumed the title of Chief Sovereign of Britain,

reigned over the Britons from A.D. 634 to 703, and was succeeded by Idwal

Iwrch, or the Roe. In one of the Welsh Triads, Cadwaladr is called “one

of the three canonized kings of Britain,” for the protection which he

gave to the primitive Christians when dispossessed by the pagan Saxons;

and his long reign is mentioned as having been peaceable, mainly in

consequence, we are told, of his mother being sister to Penda, the

Mercian king. Rhodri Molwynog, a brave and warlike prince, and grandson

of Cadwaladr, succeeded to the western part of Britain about the year

720, and was engaged in constant hostilities with the Saxons until near

the close of his life, in 755. These dottings from Welsh history show

that the Britons had not peace within their borders during the long

period already mentioned, and that “battles and murders” were still the

constant theme and employment of the Britons and Saxons. It is hardly

probable that the Britons possessed this district peaceably, and not

unlikely that they still had to fight for their lives and property, inch

by inch, and foot to foot. War, even in the present day, is the curse of

nations; it fosters animosities, engenders ignorance and vice, and

brutalizes man. What, then, must have been the effect of constant wars

and incursions upon the British people by their invaders? The Britons

had among them, about this period, their great bard, _Llywarch Hen_, a

man ranked among the wise bards of the Court of Arthur, and whose

poetical effusions display profound talent, if not genius, for so rude an

age; but we have no proofs that they profited much by his vigorous

instructions, although his life was lengthened out to one hundred and

fifty years. The art of printing was unknown in Llywarch’s days,

otherwise his humanizing productions might have wrought peace and harmony

amongst both the oppressors and the oppressed.

The period had now arrived when the sovereignty of the Britons was so

powerfully disputed that they were compelled to yield to the cohort

strength of the impetuous Offa, King of the Mercians. Mercia was the

largest of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, and London was its capital. Offa

passed the Severn with a mighty force, drove the Britons from their

fertile and lovely plains, and limited the princedom of Powys to the

western side of the celebrated ditch still known by the name of _Offa’s

Dyke_. Offa enjoyed a victorious reign, from the year 755 to 794.

During that period the finest part of Powys became a confirmed part of

the Mercian territory, and Shropshire was permanently annexed to England.

Owen and Blakeway, in their invaluable “_History of Shrewsbury_,” remark,

“Though there can be no doubt that the cession of Shropshire was obtained

from the British Prince (_Eliseg_, it is supposed,) only by the military

preponderance of the Saxon, yet it seems equally certain that it must

finally have been the subject of a pacific negociation. A work of so

much labour as Offa’s Dyke, evidently designed, according to his practice

in other places, as the line of demarkation between two kingdoms, could

never have been carried into execution without the concurrence of the

sovereign on each side of that boundary. * * * * The prince, thus

despoiled of the fairest portion of his dominions, retired to Mathrafal,

on the Vyrnwy, five miles beyond Welshpool, while Pengwern, degraded from

the dignity of a metropolis, passed under the yoke of an English

conqueror, and henceforth to be known by the name of Shrewsbury, a name

of Saxon origin.”

OFFA’S DYKE, called by the Britons _Clawdd_ OFFA, extended nearly a

hundred miles along the mountain border of Wales, from the Clwydian hills

to the mouth of the Wye. Part of the Dyke may be traced at Brachy Hill,

and Leintwardine, in Herefordshire, continuing northward from Knighton,

in Radnorshire, over part of Shropshire, entering Montgomeryshire between

Bishop’s Castle and Newtown. It again appears in Shropshire, near

Llanymynech, crosses Cern-y-bwch (the Oswestry race-course), descends to

the Ceiriog, near Chirk, where it again enters Wales, and terminates in

the parish of Mold, beyond which no traces of it are discovered. Offa

may have imagined that the Clwydian hills, and the deep valley that lies

at their base, would serve as a continuance of the prohibitory line.

Pennant tells us, that in all parts the Dyke was constructed on the Welsh

side, and that there are numbers of small artificial mounts, the sites of

small forts along its course. In the MS. “_Historia Wallica_,” we are

informed, that the work of forming this Dyke, forty feet in height,

occupied a numerous band of men, “able and accustomed to work in the

fields,” more than seven years. This great line of demarcation answered

but little purpose as a line of defence, or even of boundary. The Border

Lands were still the scenes of sanguinary contests, and superior force

alone repelled the Britons. Severe laws were enacted against any that

should transgress the limits prescribed by Offa; and one of these

enactments declared, that “the Welshman who was found in arms on the

Saxon side of the Dyke was to lose his right hand.” These laws, however,

were unheeded by the Britons. They deeply felt their injuries, and

concerted means of revenge, and, as they hoped, emancipation. They

formed an alliance with the kings of Sussex and Northumberland, broke

through the boundary, attacked Offa’s camp, slew great numbers, and the

Mercian king himself narrowly escaped with a small remnant of his army.

On this disaster Offa retired into his own dominions, meditating

vengeance. Hostages having been given to him by the Britons, a short

time before, during a brief period of peace, he now dealt out to them

severe treatment, strictly confining them, and selling, or reserving for

perpetual slavery, their wives and children. Still breathing destruction

he marched into the confines of Wales with a powerful army, but for years

was gallantly repelled by the Britons. At length the contending forces

met on Rhuddlan Marsh (now the scene of peaceful arts, the Chester and

Holyhead Railway passing over it), and the Britons, under the command of

Caradog, were entirely defeated with terrific slaughter, their leader

being slain in the conflict. The fury of the Saxon prince did not cease

with victory. He savagely massacred the men, women, and children who

fell into his hands; and, according to tradition, the remaining Britons,

who had escaped the enemy’s sword, fleeing with haste over the marsh,

perished in the waters by the flowing of the tide. This tragedy has been

carried down to posterity by a plaintive Welsh melody, called _Morva

Rhuddlan_, the notes of which are amongst the most touching and

deeply-pathetic of Cambrian minstrelsy.

Having traced Offa’s Dyke, it is necessary to describe the course of

WATT’S DYKE, as the space between these two great lines of demarcation

was deemed neutral ground both by the Britons and their invaders, and

subsequently, during the Norman period, became part of what is

denominated the MARCHES, although it is difficult to define correctly the

precise extent of territory they occupied. Watt’s Dyke is supposed by

various writers to have been constructed anterior to the time of Offa.

Its course is marked by Pennant as follows:—

“It appears at Maesbury, in the parish of Oswestry, and terminates at

the river Dee, below Basingwerk Abbey. The southern end of the line

is lost in morassy grounds; but was probably continued to the river

Severn. It extends its course from Maesbury to the Mile Oak [on the

old road from Oswestry to Shrewsbury]; from thence through a field

[now belonging to Edward Williams, Esq., Solicitor, of Oswestry],

called _Maes-y-garreg-llwyd_, between two remarkable pillars of

unhewn stone [strongly resembling Druidic altar stones]; passes by

the town [below the Shelf-bank’ Field], and from thence to Old

Oswestry, and by Pentreclawdd to Gobowen, the site of a small fort

called _Bryn-y-Castell_, in the parish of Whittington; runs by Prys

Henlle and Belmont; crosses the Ceiriog, between Brynkinallt and

Pont-y-blew Forge, and the Dee, below Nant-y-Bela; from whence it

passes through Wynnstay Park, by another Pentreclawdd, to Erddig,

where there was a strong fort on its course; from Erddig it runs

above Wrexham, near Melin Puleston, by Dolydd, Maesgwyn, Rhos-ddû,

Croes-oneiras, &c.; goes over the Alûn, and through the township of

Llai, to Rhydin, in the county of Flint, above which is _Caer-estyn_,

a British post; from hence it runs by Hope church along the side of

Molesdale, which it quits towards the latter place, and turns to

Mynydd Sychdyn, Monachlog, near Northop, by Northop Mills, Bryn-Moel,

Coed-y-Llys, Nant-y-Flint, Cefn-y-Coed, through the Strand Fields,

near Holywell, to its termination below the Abbey of Basingwerk.”

The Chester and Shrewsbury Railway intersects these two ancient dykes.

At the junction of the branch line to Brymbo, Minera, &c., the railway

crosses Watt’s Dyke, and continues to run on the left side of it,

travelling from Chester, for about fourteen miles, until Gobowen is

reached, where the line again crosses the dyke; the superintendants of

modern improvements, especially railway engineers and contractors, paying

little if any deference to mere antiquities. By this route the railway

traveller passes a considerable distance on the neutral ground, where

alone, for many years, the trade and commerce of the Britons, the Saxons,

and the Danes, were transacted. Offa’s Dyke at Brymbo is about two miles

to the right, from Chester, and runs parallel with the railway for about

eighteen miles. Churchyard, in his “_Worthies of Wales_,” thus

chronicles, in his quaint verse, the use to which the “free ground” was

applied in early days:—

“Within two miles, there is a famous thing

Called OFFA’S DYKE, that reacheth farre in lengthe;

All kind of ware the Danes might thither bring;

It was free ground, and called the Britaines’ strength.

WATT’S DYKE, likewise, about the same was set,

Between which two, both Danes and Britaines met.”

For many years after Offa’s memorable defeat of the Britons on Rhuddlan

Marsh, the history of the district conveys but little information

interesting in the present day. “Wars, and rumours of wars,” are the

only topics on which past historians have filled their pages in reference

to this period. Rhodri Mawr (Rhoderick the Great), one of the most

celebrated warriors and princes of Wales, succeeded to the sovereignty of

North Wales and Powys in 843. In the year of his succession his

territories were invaded by Berthred, King of Mercia, whom he defeated

with great loss. Rhodri left three sons, and, according to the law of

gavel-kind, he divided his dominions among his children. His son Mervyn

had the principality of Powys, with the palace of Mathraval. His three

sons were called _y tri thywsog taleithiog_, or diademed princes, from

their wearing diadems of gold set with precious stones; and Anarawd, his

eldest son, received a yearly tribute from the Prince of Powys.

Contentions still continued, and intestine divisions kept the Britons in

as violent commotion as if they were battling with their avowed enemies

on the border. Mervyn did not long enjoy his dominion, as he was slain

in 892 by his own subjects, headed by his brother Cadell, who took

possession of the throne. The reign of Cadell was also brief, and his

son Hywel Dda (Howel the Good) succeeded him. The Welsh Justinian, as

Hywel has been called, died in 984, deservedly honoured by his subjects,

and leaving four sons, all of whom perished in the desolating wars to

which his country soon after fell a prey.

The Norman Period.

Saxon dominance was now rapidly approaching to its close; and the Britons

were about to be exposed to the incursions of a new body of invaders,

under the usurpation of William, surnamed the Conqueror. Bleddyn ab

Cynvyn, with his brother, obtained in 1062 the sovereignty of North Wales

and Powys, through the influence of the Saxon King Edward. Bitter

hostilities subsequently occurred between Bleddyn and his kindred; at

length the succession to the whole principality passed from his children,

but Powys-land devolved to his sons, and came at length entire to

Meredydd, the eldest born, after the contentions and slaughter incident

in those days to such partitions. Oswestry, we are told, was called

_Trefred_ (a contraction of _Tre Meredydd_, Meredydd’s Town), in honour

of this prince, but after his death the name was soon discontinued, and

the town resumed its former appellation of Oswald’s-tree, or Oswestry.

His eldest son, Madog, inherited from his father the tract known by the

name of Powys Vadog, which consisted, according to the division of the

times, of five cantrevs, or hundred townships; and these were subdivided

into fifteen commots, or cwmwds: