BRIDGNORTH: Geographical and Historical information from the year 1824.

"BRIDGNORTH, comprises the parishes of St. Leonard, St. Mary Magdalen, and is a market and borough town most romantically situated on the eastern confines of the county, and intersected by the river Severn. The part which stands on the eastern banks of the river is designated by the appellation of the Low Town, and that which lies on its western banks is called the High Town. The latter extends along the flat of the hill, rising sixty yards above the level of the river. A connection is formed between these two parts by a stone bridge of six arches; and the whole town is within a franchise or liberty exempt from all county contributions and services. Its singular situation strikes the eye of a traveller by its similitude to the city of Jerusalem, and to the seaport town of Gibraltar. The air of Bridgnorth is uncommonly salubrious, and on this point it has been asserted that it is equal even to Montpelier. It is remarked that there are few consumptive people in the town; and there is this convenience in the situation, that if the air of the Upper Town be too sharp for the constitution, that of the Lower Town is much milder. Dr Hollins, an eminent physician in Shrewsbury, father to Dr. Hollins, physician to George the second, observed that when any epidemick distemper was abroad, Bridgnorth was sooner free from it than any other place he knew. Dr. Anthony Weaver, late an eminent physician of this place, made the same remark. Part of the ruins of a castle built by Robert de Belesme, the third Norman Earl of this county, are yet standing. The present edifice was erected on the site of the former structure, but a part of the square tower, now standing 17 degrees out of its perpendicular, is almost the only relick left. It was about seventy feet high, and the interior from north to south, twenty four feet nine inches in length, by twenty feet three inches in breadth. The bridge, which is a very handsome and spacious structure, consisting of six arches, and formerly of seven, has lately undergone considerable repair, by Mr. Thomas Simpson, of Shrewsbury, and Mr. John Smallman, of Quatford. The Low Town consists of several avenues, one of which leads from the bridge, called Bridge Street; another opens on the east into Mill Street, thus named on account of its approach to the Town Mills, granted by King Henry the third, to the burgesses of this place. In this avenue are several respectable houses. The avenue of the south-east extremity, leading into St. John's Street, which is so called from it having had, in the reign of Richard the first, an hospital which was afterwards converted into a priory dedicated to the Holy Trinity, the Virgin Mary, and St. John the Baptist. The south end of this avenue opens into another called Spital Street, from an ancient hospital, or leper's house, which stood at the southern extremity, and was dedicated to St. James. The western end of the bridge opens into Underhill Street, in which stands a very ancient, large, half-timbered mansion, built in 1589, is which Dr. Percy, the late bishop of Dromore, was born, who afterwards became its proprietor. This avenue winds round the eastern side of the hill, on which the High Town appears so commanding. This part of the borough, comprehending the old castle ward, is subdivided into other avenues, - High Street, Listley Street, Hungary Street, Little Brugg or Bridge Street, now frequently called Pound Street; Whitburne or Raven Street, Church Street, the Back Lane, adjoining the cemetery of St. Leonard, and the Cart Way and Back Lane, opening from High Street into the castle promenade. The High Street, in very early times called Great Street or Brugg, is a spacious and well formed avenue, about 26 yards in width, extending about 920 yards along the level of the hill towards the north. This Street has elegant regular buildings, in which are the first tradesmen's shops in this place, and two posting houses - the Crown Inn or Royal Hotel, and the Castle Inn. It is terminated by a modern embattled gate way, erected in 1740, and in the centre stands a tower or guild hall, erected in 1655. At the south-west end it opens into Listley Street, in which, on the side passing into the New town, formerly stood Listley Gate. This Street on the south-west was defended hy a stone wall continued to Hungary Gate. At this place it leads into Hungary Street, also called St. Mary, from an old chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary, some vestiges of which are still to be seen. This street connects itself with the High Street at the east end, and was terminated by its antique barrier gate at the west extremity, where it opens into the ancient little Brugg. On the north-east side are the remains of an old stone castellated structure, called the Halfmoon battery. It is octagonal, and was probably a watch tower of considerable strength and great importance to this almost defenceless part of the town. From Little Bridge Street, proceeds Whitburne Street, now called Raven Street (from a publick house there), which a few years ago was defended at the western extremity by an ancient stone gate-way.

At the other end it leads into High Street, and exactly opposite is Church Street. On the north side of this latter, stand the alms houses, erected in 1792, for the accommodation of twelve poor women. This Street leads up into the cemetery of St. Leonard, in which stands the free grammar school, founded by the bailiffs and burgesses, in or prior to the reign of Henry the seventh, for the sons of burgesses, to which are annexed three valuable exhibitions to Christ Church College, Oxford. On the south side of this cemetery, also stands an hospital for poor widows, endowed by the Rev. Francis Palmer, rector of Sandy, in the county of Bedford. At the south-east end of the High Street is the Cart Way, the only passage from the bridge to the Upper Town, till the year 1782, when the new road which winds round part of the south-west extremity, was formed.

At the Upper Town in the Cart Way, there stood, in former times, another of these fortified entrances into the High Town called Cow Gate, from whence, towards the north, issues the Friar's Lane, which derives its name from a religions house standing at a distance, and once occupied by the Grey, or Franciscan Friars. A considerable part of this structure is still to be seen near the bank of the river. The south end of the High Street leads into those which approach the castle. The East Castle Street is bounded on a brow of the eminence, by a handsome range of neat brick houses, erected mostly in the eighteenth century, and belonging to Charles Hanbury Tracy, Esq., of Toddington, in the county of Gloucester. On the same side is an ancient brick structure, certainly the first in this part of the town, and built prior to the year 1638, by Francis Ridley, Gent., who descended from an uncle of Dr. Nicholas Ridley, the first protestant bishop of London, who suffered martyrdom in the Cause of the reformation. This Street is terminated on the south, by the neat modern Church of St. Mary Magdalen, and on the north, leads into the West Castle Street, at which extremity are still to be traced the remains of the Barrier Gate Way, belonging to the castle, arched over, and lately forming a part of the "Hole in the Wall" publick house, but taken down in June, 1821. At the west side of this street stands a dissenting chapel, belonging to the Baptists. Many of the meanest houses are hewn out of the red sandy rock, under the brow of the hill, with several caves, formerly used as cellars, over which the inhabitants have gardens. There is a curious, but gloomy path, leading from the High Town to the end of the bridge, cut deep in the rock in some places, and made easy by steps and rails. On the north side a chapel presents itself, which belongs to the Independents. From the upper part of this avenue, a benutiful terrace walk leads along the summit of the Castle-hill. This walk wss much admired by King Charles the first, who was there three tunes during the civil war, and preferred it to all other terraces in the kingdom. Persons of taste universally consider it highly interesting. The town in general enjoys a profusion of water, which lows, not only from an extensive spring in the Conduit Field, about half a mile distant, and which is conveyed by pipes, but also, from the Severn. The water of this river is thrown into a cistern on the Castle-hill, by a water engine, worked by the stream. The town consists of two parishes, St. Mary Magdalen, and St. Leonard, the former comprising the whole extent of the Low Town, with a portion of the ancient forest of Morfe, the two Castle Streets, a part of High Street, and of Listley Street. St. Leonard's comprehends the remainder of the horough. At each extremity of the High Town, stand the Churches, which have a commanding and singular appearance, when approached from the Hermitage-hill. That of St. Mary, wss erected nearly on the site of the former edifice, (under an act of parliament passed for that purpose) at the expense of £8827 11s. 9d., the first stone being laid the 17th of Dec. 1792, by Thomas Whitmore, Esq., the present patron. It is a neat edifice, a hundred and twenty one feet long, and sixty broad, its roof being snpported by fourteen Ionia columns. At the north end is a conical tower, one hundred and thirteen feet, six inches in height, surmounted by a gilt cross, and containing a ring of six very musical bells. The Church of St. Leonard, which appears a very ancient structure, from the perishable red stone of whichit is composed, was built in the year 1448. The materials were given by Richard fiord, Esq., of Hord's Park, out of his quarry, near the Church Yard, called Pipper's Field. The Tower is ninety three feet high, and twenty six feet six inches, by twenty four feet, at the hase. The free school is situated on the west side of the cemetery of St. Leonard, and was founded about the eighteenth year of the reign of King Henry the eighth (1503,) by the bailiffs and corporation. See appendix. The town has many ancient privileges granted under various charters. The carpet trade, was a short time ago, brought to great perfection here. For a time it was discontinued, but is now going on, and is in an increasing state. The iron foundry was once carried on to a great extent. A short time ago it was at a stand; but is now reviving. A manufactory of glue was lately introduced by Mt. Robert Thompson, but is now discontinued. Near this manufacfory, is the tan yard, belonging to the family of the Sings, and occupied by them ever since the reign of Henry the eighth. Adjoining is the steam flour mill, in the occupation of Mr. John Jasper, and capable of grinding one hundred and eighty bushels a day. The pipe manufactory has, till lately, been very extensively employed. The nail trade is in very few hands. An immense quantity of excellent malt is made here, equal, if not superior, to any in the kingdom; the land, on the western side of the river, being admirably adapted to the growth of barley. Many vessels are constructed on the banks of the Severn. In addition to these concerns is the river trade, carried on from Welshppol, Shrewsbury, and Colebrookdale, through this town, to Bewdley, Stourport, Worcester, Gloucester, and Bristol; the Severn connecting itself at Stourport, with the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal. Monsieur de la Motto, a French spy, * introduced the lace making trade; which is at present carried on by a few of the lower order of females, at their respective houses, and is increasing. Bridgnorth is governed by two bailiffs,** John Roe, and John Dyer, Gents., a recorder, Thomas Whitmore Esq., a deputy recorder, Leek, Esq., Barrister at Law, tea clerk, John Smith Gent., twenty four aldermen, and forty eight common council men, two chamberlains, and two bridge masters. It is an ancient borough, and has sent members to parliament ab origitse. The first on record are Andrew Bolding, and Traward de Egerton, twenty third of Edward the first, 1294. Its present representatives are Thomas Whitmore, and William Wolryche Whitmore, Esqs.

Its population in 1801, was 4485; and in 1811, 4179. According to the last return the borough of Bridgnorth contained 988 houses, and 4345 inhabitants.

The venerable Dr. Percy was well known during more than half a century, by various learned and ingenious publications, and distinguished by the most active and exemplary publick and private virtues. In him literature lost one of its brightest ornaments and warmest patrons. His ardour of genius, his fine classical taste, his assiduity of research, and his indefatigable zeal in its cause, were such as were possessed by the distinguished few, such as will render his name dear to learning and science. He was the intimate friend of Shenstone, Johnson, Goldsmith, and Reynolds; and the last of that illustrious association of men of letters, which flourished at the commencement of the last reign. Dr. Percy was born at Bridgnorth, in 1728, and was educated at Christ Church, Oxford, where he took the degree of M.A.; and in 1756, was presented by his college to the vicarage of Easton Mauduit, in Northamptonshire, which he held with the rectory of Wilbye, in the same county, given him by the Earl of Sussex. He took his Doctor's degree in 1770; and in the list of graduates is styled of Emanuel college. June 12th, 1761, he entered into an agreement with Messrs. Tonson, to publish an edition of the works of George Villiers, the second Duke of Buckingham, for which he received fifty two guineas; March 24th, 1763, for an edition of Surrey's poems, twenty guineas. The translation from the Chinese, entitled Hau Kiou Chooan ***, or the pleasing History, (published in 1761,) was followed in 1762, by a collection of "Chinese Miscellanies," and in 1763, by "Five pieces of Runick poetry," translated from the Icelandick language. May 5th, 1764, he again engaged with Messrs. Tonson to furnish Notes for an edition of The Spectator, and Guardian, for which he had one hundred guineas. In 1764, he thus communicated to Dr. Ducarel his intended publication of the "Reliques of English Poetry," and the works of Buckingham," "What I chiefly want are old manuscripts or printed copies of the more fugitive remains ofancient genius; of such poems as are not to be found in our voluminous poets such as Chaucer, Lydgate, Gower; of such pieces as are left us by unknown authors, These are of various kinds, vir. Allegories, Romances in verse, Historical Ballads, &c. The following would be particularly acceptable - Pierce Plowman; Life and Death, (an old allegorical poem in the metre of Pierce Plowman;) Horn Child, an old metrical romance; Ippotire, (quoted by Chaucer,) ditto; Sir thy, (quoted by Chaucer,) ditto; Sir Rg lanaoure, ditto; Sir Tryanwure, ditto; Ipponsedon, ditto; The Life and Death, of Merlin, ditto; Sir Landrwell, ditto; The Spire of low Degree, ditto; The Mirk and the Bird, a fable, by Lydgate. I also want to see either the second or third edition, 4to, of the Rehearsal: the first edition was published in 1672, which I have: the fourth edition was published in 1683, which I have also: I want to see either or both of the intermediate editions; and should even be obliged by a perusal of any tracts written by or concerning George Villiers, the second Duke of Buckingham, who died in 1687." elhe Reliques of Ancient and English Poetry," first appeared in 1675; and this publication constitutes an era in the history of English literature in the eighteenth century. Perhaps the perusal of a folio volume of ancient manuscripts, given the Bishop by a friend in early life, (from which he afterwards made large extracts in the "Reliques,") led his mind to those studies in which he so eminently distinguished himself. In this work, he recovered from obscurity, and preserved from oblivion, many beautiful remains of genius. In some that were mere fragments and detached stanzas, Dr. Percy supplied the deficiences, and formed into a whole, by congenial taste, feeling, and imagination. The beautiful old Ballad of "A Friar of Orders Grey," upon which Goldsmith founded his interesting poem of "The Hermit," was among the remains of antiquity which Dr. Percy completed in this manner; and he is the avowed author of the tdrecting song of "Oh Nannie, wilt thou gang with me," A Key to the New Testament," a concise manual for students of sacred literature, which has been adopted into the Universities, and often reprinted;- was first published in 1765. After the publication of the "Reliques" he was invited by the late Duke and Duchess of Northumberland, to reside with them, as their domestick chaplain. In 1770, he conducted through the press, "The Northumberland Household Book;" and a translation of Mallet's "Northern Antiquities," with notes. In the year 1769, he was nominated Chaplain in ordinary to his Majesty. In 1778, he was promoted to the Deanery of Carlisle; and in 1782, to the Bishoprick of Dromore, in Ireland, where he constantly resided, promoting the instruction and comfort of the poor, with unremitting attention, and superintending the sacred and civil interests of the diocese, with vigilance and assiduity; revered and beloved for his piety, liberality, benevolence, and hospitality, by persons of every rank, and religious denomination. Under the loss of sight, of which he was gradually deprived some years before his death, he steadily maintained his:habitual cheerfulness; and in his last painful illness, displayed such fortitude and strength of mind, such patience and resignation to the divine will, and expressed such heartfelt thankfulness for the goodness and mercy shewn to him, in the course of a long and happy life, as were truly impressive, and worthy of that pure Christinn spirit, so conspicuous in his character. His only son died April 2, 1783. Two daughters survived him: the eldest was married to Samuel Isted, Esq., of Ecton, in Northamptonshire; and the youngest to the Hon. and Rev. Pierce Meade, Archdeacon of Dromore. A fine mezzotinto portrait of him, in a cap, holding in his hand a thick volume, labelled "MSS." was engraved February 2, 1775, from a painting by Sir Joshua Reynolds; under which is "Thomas Percy, S.T.P." To this, in some impressions taken of it in 1778, was added, "Dean of Carlisle;" which, in 1782 was again exchanged for "Bishop of Dromore." Dr. Percy died in 1811. His works are, 1. Hau Kiou Chooan,. a translation from the Chinese. 2. Chinese Miscellanies. 3. Five Pieces of Ituniek Poetry, translated from the Icelandick Language. 4. A Bew translation of the Song of Solomon. 5. Reliques of Ancient English Poetry, 3 vols. 6. A Key to the New Testament. 7. The Northumberland Household Book. 8. The Hermit of Warkworth, a Poem in the ballad style. 9. A translation of Mallett's Northern Antiquities. 10. A Sermon preached before the Sons of the Clergy, at their Anniversary Meeting, at St. Paul's, May 11, 1769. 4to.

Bridgnorth has fairs on the Thursday before Shrove Tide, March 14, May 1, June 30, August 2, October 29. The last is a very considerable mart for horses, especially two year old colts of the draught kind, and for weanling calves. Quantities of cheese and salted butter, are there exposed to sale: much of these articles is brought down the Severn from Montgomeryshire. Hops are another article; they are bought by the Welsh, who attend there with hutter and cheese, and by the shopkeepers of that county.

* This gentleman, after having been long employed by the French government as a spy, was at length apprehended, and on Friday, the 13th of July, 1781, was brought to the bar of the Sessions house, in the old Bailey, and being found guilty, was executed shortly afterwards.

** The Bailiffs are chosen every year, on St. Matthew's day, out of the twenty-four aldermen, and in the following remarkable manncr. The court being met, the names of twelve aldermen, seniors of those than present, being separately written upon small bits of paper, all of the same size, and rolled up chose by the town clerk, are thrown into a large purse which, after being well tossed and shaken by the two chamberlains standing upon the chequer, (a large square table in the middle of the court, encompassed with seats,) is held open betwixt them before the bailiffs, when each bailiff, according to seniority, putting in his hand, takes out a scroll. By these scrolls the callers are fixed, who, immediately mounting the chequcr, albirnately call the jury out ofsuch persons as are burgesses, and then present them to the court, to the number of fourteen. These being all sworn, neither to cat nor drink, till they, or twelve of them, have made choice of two fit persons who have not before been bailiffs for three years. are locked up until they have agreed: a regulation which has sometimes occasioned very long and tedious fasting., even to the injury of their health. In the year 17S9, at the election of bailiffs, the jury fasted no less than seventy four hours. When they have agreed, they make report of the persons they have elected, who are sworn into office on Michaelmas day. The bailiffs for the time being, are justices of the peace, and lords of the manor for the said town and liberties, which are very extensive; extending one way, six or seven miles.

*** "Hau Kiou Omani," or the pleasing History, a Chinese Romance in 4 vols. duodecimo, is a translation from the Chinese language, revised from a manuscript (dated 1719,) found among the papers of a gentleman, who had large concerns in the East India company, and who occasionally, resided much at Canton."

[Transcribed information from A Gazetteer of Shropshire - T Gregory - 1824] (unless otherwise stated)

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