LUDLOW: Geographical and Historical information from the year 1750.

"LUDLOW, (Salop) 18 m. from Shrewsbury, 107 cm. 136 mm. from London, stands on the N. side of the Temd, near its conflux with the Corve, on the b. of Worcester and Herefordshires. This T. was much damaged by the civil wars during the Rs. of K. Stephen and Henry VI. but always recovered, especially after Hen. VIII. established the council of the marches, whose Ld. president used to keep his courts here, till it was disused in the R. of K. William, who appointed two Lds. lieutenants of N. and S. Wales. It receives great advantages by its thoroughfare to Wales, and the education of the Welsh youth of both sexes. The inh. are reckoned very polite. It is as neat and clean a T. as any in England, and it is as flourishing as most in this part of it. It was incorporated by Edw. IV. has a power of trying and executing criminals distinct from the Co. and is governed by two bailiffs, 12 ald. 25 C. C. a recorder, a T.-clerk, steward, chamberlain, coroner, &c. The T. is divided into 4 wards, has 7 gates in its walls, and a castle over the Corve, that was besieged and taken by K. Stephen, of which some of the offices are fallen down, and great part of it turned into a bowling-green; but part of the royal apartments and the sword of state are still left. The walls were at first 1 m. in com. and there was a lawn before it for near 2 m. of which much is now inclosed. The battlements are very high and thick, and adorned with towers. It has a neat chapel, where are the coats of arms of abundance of the Welsh gentry, and over the stable doors are the arms of Q. Eliz. the Earls of Pembroke, &c. This castle was a palace of the Prince of Wales, in right of his Principality. The r. Temd has a good bridge over it, several wears across it, and turns a great many mills. Here is a large parochial Ch. which was formerly collegiate, in the choir whereof is an inscription relating to Prince Arthur, elder brother to K. Hen. VIII. who died here, and whose bowels were here deposited, though it is said his heart was taken up some time ago in a leaden box. In this choir is a closet, commonly called the Gods-House, where the priests used to keep their consecrated utensils; and in the Mt.-place is a conduit, with a long stone cross on it, and a niche wherein is the image of St. Lawrence, to whom the Ch. was dedicated. On the N. side of the T. there was a rich priory, whereof there are few ruins to be seen, except those of its Ch. Here are an almsh. for 30 poor people, and 2 ch. scs. where 50 boys and 30 girls are both taught and cloathed. It has a great Mt. on M. and 3 lesser ones on W. F. and S, Its Fairs are s. before Easter, Whitson-W. June 24, Aug. 4 and 10, Sept. 17, Nov. 1 and 15. Provisions are very cheap here; and at the annual horse-races there is the best of company. The country round is exceeding pleasant, fruitful and populous, especially that part called the Corvesdale, being the vale on the banks of the r. Corve."

[Transcribed information from England's Gazetteer - Stephen Whatley - 1750](unless otherwise stated)

[Description(s) transcribed by Mel Lockie ©2015]