When the Britons had become somewhat settled in their new possessions,
they built themselves a city, which (as has been already stated) was
called _Pengwern_. After its destruction under Cynddylan, we find
Pengwern inhabited by a King of Powis,—the capital of his kingdom, and
ranking among the twenty-eight cities of Britain.
Brochwel Yscithrog, or the tusked, King of Powis, whom the Saxon
Chronicle calls the Earlderman of the Britons, retained possession of a
great part of Shropshire, and fixed his residence in Pengwern, about 617;
his palace being where the ruins of Old St. Chad’s Church now stand.
Eliseg, his sixth descendant, recovered the portion of his “inheritance
of Powis” from the Saxons, by the sword, during the reign of the Mercian
King Offa, which continued from 755 to 794, but being unable to maintain
it, he surrendered by treaty to the Saxons, whereby Pengwern lost the
dignity of a metropolis.
Of the state of our town under its native princes we have no information:
the arts of civil life, in which the Britons had improved, under their
Roman masters, were probably lost during the almost constant warfare of
three centuries. This we may reasonably conclude was the case, from the
appellation given to it by the new possessors, _Scrobbes-byrig_, a fenced
eminence, but overgrown with shrubs.
Nothing is related of the town during the period it formed a portion of
the Mercian territory, though the place doubtless experienced the many
revolutions of that kingdom.
In the reign of Alfred, Scrobbes-byrig was numbered among the principal
cities of Britain. Ethelred the Unready, having been pursued by the
Danes, kept his Christmas here in 1006, and in the next year resigned the
government of Mercia unto his son-in-law Ædric, who made this town his
occasional his occasional residence.
Under the Saxon monarchs the town must have been of importance to possess
the privilege of a mint, which it retained for a considerable period,
many coins of which are extant.
Ædric Sylvaticus, or the Forester, in conjunction with Owen Gwynedd,
Prince of North Wales, laid siege to the town in 1068; but William the
First sending two earls to the relief of the castle, the rebels burned a
portion of the town and withdrew: the king however speedily revenged the
insult with much slaughter.
The Saxons were removed from all places of trust by the Norman Conqueror,
who rewarded his principal adherents with portions of their lands. He
conferred upon his kinsman, Roger de Montgomery, the earldom of
Shrewsbury, to which he added a grant of the town and ample domains in
the county.
In 1138, the nation being divided as to Stephen’s right to the crown,
that monarch laid siege to the castle. Fitz Alan, the governor,
favouring the Empress Maud, fled, and Stephen, who had conducted the
siege in his own person, was so exasperated at the obstinacy of the
besieged, who resolutely held out nearly four weeks, that he put
ninety-three of them to an ignominious death.
From the border situation of Shrewsbury to a hostile country, it was
considered of much importance to our early monarchs, and consequently
became the scene of many a negotiation and contest with the Welsh, whose
frequent incursions were most harassing.
The Princes of North Wales having been long uneasy neighbours to the
Kings of England, John thought it expedient to hold a council here to
make a treaty with Llewelyn the Great, the then Prince of Wales. In the
year 1202 the king gave Llewelyn his natural daughter Joanna in marriage;
and, as if in gratitude to his father-in-law, he soon recommenced
hostilities against him, and marched with a numerous body of his vigorous
subjects from the Cambrian wilds to Shrewsbury, which he succeeded in
taking without much resistance.
The town, however, did not long continue under the subjection or
possession of its new masters, they being dispossessed by Henry III. who
on more than one occasion kept his court here.
In 1234, Richard, Earl Marescall, being told that Henry intended to seize
him when he repaired to parliament, fled to Llewelyn, and they both
appeared before Shrewsbury with a powerful army, and burned part of the
suburb of Frankwell, returning to the mountains laden with the spoil of
the inhabitants, many of whom they had barbarously murdered.
Henry III. with his forces again marched to Shrewsbury in 1241, where he
remained a fortnight, when David relinquished all lands Llewelyn had
seized from the late king in the war between him and his barons.
In 1256, Henry, wishing probably to attach himself in the favour of the
burgesses, in order to make their town a bulwark against Wales, granted
them two new charters on the same day; he likewise summoned his army
here; and in 1260 great activity was evinced in fortifying the town, in
consequence of a rupture which was speedily expected from the aggression
of the Welsh Prince.
Edward the First resided here in 1277, whither he transferred some of the
supreme courts of justice. In 1282 David joined Llewelyn, who again took
up arms, which compelled Edward to return to Shrewsbury with his courts,
where he had assembled his army, which remained some months.
David, the last of the princes of the Ancient Britons, having at length
become a prisoner in the hands of Edward in 1283, was sent in chains to
Shrewsbury, where a parliament was assembled to meet Sept. 30th, being
“_the first national convention in which the Commons had any share by
legal authority_.” Twenty cities and towns, Shrewsbury being one, were
directed to send two deputies, and every high sheriff to send two
knights. It is supposed they met in the chapter house, or refectory of
the abbey, where David was tried and cruelly condemned to be dragged at a
horse’s tail through the streets of Shrewsbury, and to be afterwards hung
and cut down while alive, his heart and bowels burnt before his face, his
body quartered, and his head sent to London to accompany that of his
brother Llewelyn.
Revenge, it may be said, is sweet; but how often does it occur that the
gratification of resentment over a fallen enemy transmits his encomium to
posterity.
The town, being strongly fenced, was visited by Edward in 1322, where he
was honourably received by the inhabitants, who went out to meet him clad
in armour; he continued here for several days, about which time many of
the nobility had assembled to witness a grand tournament.
Richard II. Jan. 29th, 1397–8, adjourned his parliament from Westminster
to Shrewsbury, which was denominated the “GREAT PARLIAMENT,” from the
important state affairs which were transacted in it. The cross of
Canterbury was brought here, upon which the lords spiritual and temporal
were sworn to observe and keep all the statutes which were then made.
Chester was on this occasion made a principality, and several oppressive
laws enacted, which afterwards formed some of the accusations against
Richard by Henry of Bolingbroke, when he usurped the throne.
The revolution which placed Henry of Lancaster on the throne seems to
have met the approbation of the inhabitants; for when the Duke ostensibly
proceeded into Wales to please Richard, he was nobly received here.
After the death of Richard, Owen Glendower, concerning whose birth the
muse of Shakespeare says—
“The frame and foundation of the earth
Shak’d like a coward”—
asserted his pretensions to the two ancient principalities of North Wales
and Powis, and pursued his claim with undaunted courage, added to a
strong resentment for the contumely with which his demands, public and
private, had been treated by the successor of the unfortunate Richard, to
whom he was a firm and unshaken friend. On the 20th of September, 1400,
he boldly caused himself to be proclaimed Prince of Wales, and infested
the Marches with a strong body of Welshmen, who maintained a warfare
against the governing authorities. In this he was subsequently supported
by the Earl of Northumberland, headed by his son, the valiant Henry
Percy, surnamed Hotspur, who being assisted by the Earl of Worcester and
a numerous force of Scottish troops under the command of Earl Douglas,
agreed to meet Glendower at Shrewsbury. Henry, being made acquainted
with their movements, hastened with all speed to secure this important
town, and arrived here July 21st, 1403, just in time to hoist his banner
on the walls, and thereby secure the stability of his crown, having but a
few hours’ march of Percy and his advanced guard.
On the morning of the 22d, the memorable BATTLE OF SHREWSBURY commenced;
the skirmishing began under the walls of the Castle Gates, but the
principal scene of action was about three miles distant, at a place
called BATTLEFIELD. The armies on both sides amounted, it is said, to
40,000, and the contest was severe and sanguinary. Fate, however,
decided that the efforts of Henry against this powerful faction should be
victorious—a faction, which, having contributed to place him on the seat
of government, now sought to dethrone him. The king is recorded to have
fought with an ardour worthy the crown he was defending, and the spear of
his warlike son, the future hero of Agincourt, did wonders. In fact it
was one of the most decisive battles recorded in early English history.
Upwards of 2000 nobles, knights, and gentlemen, and 6000 private
soldiers, are said to have fallen in the engagement.
Most of the dead bodies were buried on the spot, over whom Henry, in
gratitude for his victory, piously erected a college of secular canons to
pray for the souls of the slain. The more distinguished were interred in
the Dominican and Augustine Friaries of the town.
The gallant Hotspur was discovered among the slain covered with wounds,
and dispatched to Shrewsbury, where Henry satiated his revenge by the
ignominy of dismembering the lifeless remains, the head and quarters of
which were exhibited over the gate at York, and afterwards delivered to
his wife for interment. The Earl of Worcester, Sir Richard Vernon, &c.
were beheaded.
Shakspeare, in his Henry the Fourth, has given vividness and immortality
to this battle, and humourously peopled it with heroes of the most
fanciful description.
The Cambrian chieftain, Glendower, with an army of 12,000 men, marched as
far as Oswestry, and was by some means unable to arrive in time to join
in the action; for had he reached ere the king’s forces were victorious,
the result might have terminated very differently for the king and his
valiant son. Gough states a tradition, that Glendower proceeded to
Shelton, and ascended a lofty oak (the trunk of which is still remaining
near the Oswestry road), from whence he might reconnoitre and gain the
earliest intelligence of the event of the battle.
The royal blood of this noble Welshman was in no respect chilled by the
defeat of his confederates, for in the next year he carried his ravages
even to the gates of the Welsh Bridge, destroying much of the suburb of
Frankwell and several townships in the vicinity.
In 1460, Edward IV. marched with an army of 23,000 men from this town to
the battle of Mortimer’s Cross, and he chose this place for the residence
of his queen, where she was delivered of her second and third sons,
Richard and George Plantagenet.
On the landing of the Earl of Richmond, afterwards King Henry the
Seventh, at Milford Haven, in August, 1485, he determined to march for
Shrewsbury. On his arriving at the Welsh Bridge he found the place in a
posture of defence, the gates closed against him, and the bailiffs within
ready to give their answer. On his demanding admittance as their
rightful king, a curious MS. records that the chief bailiff, Thomas
Mytton, replied—“He knew no king but Richard, whose bailiffs he and his
fellow were, upon which he swore that the earl should not enter there but
over his belly.” On this, Richmond returned and passed the night at
Forton Heath, where his army was encamped. He, however, succeeded the
next morning; and Mr. Mytton, in order to conform with the letter of his
oath, laid himself down on the ground, and permitted the earl to step
over him, whereupon the portcullis of the bridge was drawn up, and the
earl with his retinue were admitted, to the general joy of the
inhabitants, notwithstanding it went _against the stomach_ of the “stoute
wyse gentilman, Maister Myttoon.”
In Shrewsbury Richmond was first proclaimed king, and raised soldiers,
but left the bailiffs to pay them. He lodged in a house on the Wyle Cop
(three doors below the Lion Inn), from whence he marched to Bosworth
Field, where the engagement took place which deprived Richard III. of his
throne and his life.
Henry VII. visited the town in 1490, with his queen, and son (Prince
Arthur), and kept the feast of St. George in the collegiate church of St.
Chad; they made another visit in 1495, and were sumptuously entertained
by the corporation.
At the general dissolution of monasteries, in 1539, it appears to have
been the intention of Henry VIII. to form thirteen new bishopricks, {10}
one of which was to have been at Shrewsbury. Browne Willis states that
John Boucher, Abbot of Leicester, was actually nominated “BISHOP OF
SHREWSBURY;”—hence the tradition, as our historians remark, so gratifying
to the pride of every true Salopian, that their forefathers had the offer
of having their borough converted into a city, but that they preferred
inhabiting the FIRST OF TOWNS.
1551. The spring of this year was fatally distinguished by the
commencement of a dreadful epidemic in this town, called the “sweating
sickness.”
During the reign of Queen Elizabeth, Sir Henry Sidney, President of Wales
and Lord Deputy of Ireland, visited this town almost annually, and was
always received with the highest respect; his celebrated son, Sir Philip,
was educated at our Free Schools. Sir Henry, as Knight of the Garter,
kept the feast of St. George here, in 1581, with great splendour. He
marched in state from his residence, the Council House, to St. Chad’s
Church, the stalls of which were decorated with the arms of the knights,
divine service being “sung by note.” On the 1st of May, the four masters
of the schools entertained his lordship with a costly banquet, and on the
following day three hundred and sixty of the scholars assembled in the
“Gay,” several of whom addressed him in speeches. He departed on the
8th, by water, “taking his bardge under the Castle,” when another pageant
took place on the island near the Horse Ferry.
Shrewsbury was a favourite retreat for Charles I. during the troublous
period of his reign, and he was frequently received by the inhabitants
with every feeling of loyalty and attachment. He established a mint
here, and kept his court at the Council House. In the year 1642, he drew
up his army on a spot afterwards called the “SOLDIER’S PIECE,” and which
is now used as a race ground, where he delivered an harangue to them and
the chief gentlemen of the county, who had in his time of need rendered
him pecuniary assistance and service.
The town was taken by storm in 1644–5, under the command of Colonels
Mytton and Bowyer, of the parliamentary army, the inhabitants
experiencing all the vicissitudes of a siege, in the plunder of their
goods and destruction of property. An attempt was made, in 1654, to
surprise it, in favour of the restoration of monarchy, by Sir Thomas
Harries, but the scheme, although deeply planned, was frustrated.
James II. in the month of August, 1687, kept his Court at the Council
House, and was attended by many of the nobility and gentry of the county,
on which occasion, it is said, “the conduits ran with wine,” and other
most liberal entertainments and rejoicings welcomed the royal guest. At
the same time he graciously received a purse of one hundred guineas,
which was presented to him by the munificence of the corporation.
The inhabitants on many occasions have been thus foremost to testify
loyalty to their sovereign.
In 1715 their adherence to the House of Hanover was strongly manifested
by voluntarily raising a body of horse and foot for the protection of the
town, and placing the walls and gates (then entire) in a position of
defence.
At the time also apprehensions were entertained of the Pretender and the
Scottish invasion in 1745, a regiment of foot was raised here for the
service of government; and, subsequently, a militia and cavalry have been
embodied.
In the year 1832, the most lively enthusiasm was displayed on the
entrance into Shrewsbury of Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent and
the Princess Victoria, heir presumptive to the British throne.
From the foregoing cursory glance given to the leading events of our
ancient history, it may be necessary to remark that it would have been
less difficult to the writer could he have extended his observations as
to particular occurrences; but the nature of the work being a notice of
the _present_ rather than of the _past_ state of the place, brevity of
description in this, as in some other portions, will be indispensible.
But the numerous features of historical and antiquarian interest which
the town affords, its BRITISH and SAXON state, the destiny of its NORMAN
EARLS, its SIEGE BY STEPHEN, the UNION OF WALES to the English Crown, the
Formation of Parliaments, the BATTLE OF SHREWSBURY and Fall of Hotspur,
the numerous VISITS OF ROYALTY, the Entrance and PROCLAMATION OF HENRY
VII. the Commencement of the CIVIL WAR in the Time of Charles I. and
Meetings of the COUNCIL OF THE MARCHES OF WALES, while forming
constituent parts of our national story, are especially connected with
this town, and will be found amply detailed in the valuable History of
Shrewsbury published by the late Reverend Messrs. Owen and Blakeway,
where everything difficult in civil and ecclesiastical localities is
explained in a scientific and masterly manner, and with the greatest
discrimination.