THE Town of SHREWSBURY stands nearly in the centre of the county of which
it is the capital; it is situated on two gentle declivities, and is
formed by the river Severn into a peninsula, somewhat in the shape of a
horse-shoe, having an isthmus not more than three hundred yards across.
A variety of opinions have prevailed as to who made choice of the
commanding situation and natural retreat which the town affords, as well
as to the period of its foundation.
It has been stated to be of far prior date than the ancient Uriconium
(the present Wroxeter), from the circumstances that it was the custom of
the Romans to throw up stations, and to make roads parallel or adjacent
to British camps. One thing however is certain, that no vestige of that
imperial people has been discovered within its precinct.
The truth is conceived to be, that Shrewsbury was occupied or built some
time in the fifth century, after the destruction of the Roman Uriconium,
as a place where the fugitive Britons might find an asylum from the
devastations of their Saxon invaders.