since which it has been used as a theatre, a methodist chapel, an
assembly room, and a temporary assize court; and although now modernised
as a tea warehouse, the present remains convey much of the character of
the “city halls” of other days, associated with the good cheer,
inspirating feasts, and the social merriment of com-brethren in the olden
time.
[Picture: Shearmen’s Hall]
The period of its erection is not known; but before the front was altered
it presented (according to a drawing in the possession of the writer) a
bold pointed window in the style of the fifteenth century, the apex of
the gable being finished with an elegant finial. On the south-west side
a very curious octagonal chimney, crenelated at the top, still remains.
The company of Shearmen were incorporated at least as early as the reign
of Edward the Fourth, and the extracts preserved from their records
afford many pleasing particulars of ancient customs and hospitality. The
setting up of a “green tree,” or May-pole, before their hall, “deck’d
with garlands gay,” was, according to an old MS. an usage practised by
the apprentices of this company on their feast-day (June 6th) previous to
the year 1588. The noisy revelry connected therewith, and of
“Lads and lasses dancing round,”
seems to have excited the displeasure of the puritans, and the custom
having been denounced by the “public preacher of the town,” {151} and
forbidden by the bailiffs, the MS. further says, that “in 1591 certain
young men for their disobedience were put into prison and indicted at the
sessions, but on their submission they were acquit of their disobedience,
and all further proceedings against them quashed, and it was determined
that the usual tree might be put up as heretofore, so that it be done
soberly and in good order, without contention.” The attempt to obstruct
this ancient festivity caused an angry cavilling and interchange of
written communications between the favourers of it and the bailiffs, so
as to raise an opposition at the annual passing of the town accounts, for
the expence incurred by the prosecution.
In the reign of Elizabeth, six hundred shearmen or cloth-workers were
occupied (under the drapers) in dressing or raising the wool on one side
of a coarse kind of cloth called Welsh webs, which were brought from
Merionethshire and Montgomeryshire to a weekly market in this town.
This manner of raising the wool having been found to weaken the texture
of the cloths, the avocation of the company became useless and was
discontinued.
Leaving St. Julian’s Church (p. 59) on the left, we arrive at the WYLE
COP,—cop is the Saxon word for top, or head of any thing, and this part
is considered as the first portion of the town inhabited by the early
British settlers, being situated near the royal dwelling of Brochwel (the
site of Old St. Chad’s church). The Saxons, on their possession of the
town, continued (without doubt) for a time to occupy the huts abandoned
by the Britons. From hence the town extended itself northward in the
direction of the churches. Proceeding down the Wyle Cop, we pass the
LION HOTEL, four doors below is the house which formed the temporary
residence of King Henry the Seventh, who, although he left the bailiffs
to pay his soldiers, did not forget the favour conferred upon him by the
burgesses. From this place is a pretty distant view of the Wrekin, Lord
Hill’s Column, &c. At the foot of the Wyle, and turning to the right, we
leave on the left the precinct of the GREY FRIARS, and pass along
_Beeches Lane_, anciently _Bispestan_ and _Bushpestanes_, in which is the
Blue School and the Roman Catholic Chapel, and arrive at