or LORD’S PLACE, originally occupied as the residence of the Court of the
Marches of Wales; the Lords President and Council of which, in
assembling,
“With temper’d awe to guide
An old and haughty nation proud in arms,”
were frequently received here “righte royallie” by the corporation and
trading companies; the latter, no doubt, considering that the great
number of persons which this Court attracted to the town in its judicial
capacity, independent of the attendant pomp and feasting, was of no small
benefit to them in their respective crafts and occupations, by
multiplying the consumption of the necessaries of life, and imparting to
Shrewsbury somewhat of the importance of a second capital.
In the early part of the rebellion, the Corporation sent an invitation to
Charles the First, stating that he should “have free access into the
town, and be entertained in the best manner these troublesome times
afford.” The unfortunate monarch accepted the loyal offer of his
Salopian subjects, and arrived here Sept. 20th, 1642, attended by his two
sons (the Prince of Wales and the Duke of York) and his nephew Prince
Rupert, where he resided for the space of six weeks. King James the
Second also kept his court here in 1687.
In 1583 the Corporation granted to Richard Barker, Esq. town-clerk of
Shrewsbury, their interest in the council house and adjoining chapel,
reserving the use of it for the annual residence of her Majesty’s
Council. From him it passed to Thomas Owen, Esq. also town-clerk, in
whose family it remained until it was purchased by Richard Lyster, Esq.
to whose descendant, Henry Lyster, of Rowton Castle, Esq. it now belongs.
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The building stands on an eminence overhanging the river in the vicinity
of the castle, in what is supposed to have been the outer ballium of that
fortress. Its erection took place about the time of Henry the Seventh,
and it was soon afterwards considerably enlarged in all probability with
some of the materials from the castle and the adjoining convent of Black
Friars. On the extinction of the Court of the Marches in 1689, these
extensive buildings became ruinous, and their remains have been (during
the present century) converted into three good houses, which command
delightful prospects. The hall and great chamber above form a portion of
the residence of Dr. Du Gard, who has displayed a commendable taste in
preserving as far as possible the character of this part of the building.
Returning along Castle Street, on the right is the Raven Hotel, where
Lieut. Geo. Farquhar (in 1704 or 1705) wrote his comedy of “The
Recruiting Officer,” the scene of which is laid in Shrewsbury; and while
it sufficiently demonstrates he was well acquainted with that gay scene
of life which forms the subject of his play, it is equally certain he had
“living originals in his eye.” The epistle dedicatory is “To all friends
round the Wrekin,” and states he was a perfect stranger to every thing in
Salop but its character of loyalty, the number of its inhabitants, and
their generous and hospitable reception of strangers,—an eulogium, it is
devoutly to be wished, may be retained by Salopians in every generation.
Taking the direction of the street opposite the Raven, a pleasing view of
ancient and modern architecture presents itself, in St. Mary’s church and
the Infirmary. On the south-west side of the church-yard is