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LONGNOR: Geographical and Historical information from the year 1824.

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"LONGNOR, a parish in the Condover division of the hundred of Condover, a chapel to Condover, in the diocese of Coventry and Lichfield, the deanery of Salop, and archdeaconry of Salop. (A distinct patronage from Condover.) 47 houses, 222 inhabitants. 8 miles south of Shrewsbury.

Longnor Hall is the residence of the venerable Archdeacon Corbett. It is a good brick house, built in 1670, by Sir Richard Corbett, and is situated in a pleasing valley, commanding several fine views, particularly those of Caer Caradoc and the Lawley Hill. The portrait of the founder is in the house.- Here is an admirable portrait of Margaret, widow of James, earl of Salisbury, by Kindler. Her daughter, lady Margaret, by the same painter. A spirited half-length of lady Mildred, youngest daughter of Margaret, countess of Salisbury, and wife to Sir Uvedale Corbett, son of Sir Richard. A pleasing picture of her daughter Elisabeth, by Le Garde. A large picture of St. Peter denying his Lord, finely executed by Gerard Honthurst. An exquisite picture of Christ raising Lazarus, supposed to be one of Julio Romano's. This painting is altogether a fine composition.

Mr. Pennant concluded his third tour by an excursion from Longnor to Caer Caradoc. ' After a ride of three miles,' says he, 'I fell accidentally on the steepest part, and after a laborious clamber up a green and smooth ascent, now and then mixed with small fragments of lava, I reached the summit, impeded a little by the first rampart, in a place, where, from the exceeding steepness, they seemed totally unnecessary. A little higher is a second ditch, with a vast agger of stones, now sodded over. The area is irregular, of rather considerable extent. Upon the more accessible side are three fosses and ramparts. The entrance and approach are very conspicuous, and may be travelled on horseback. The area slopes upwards, and ends in a peak. Notwithstinding this place is styled Caer Caradoc, it certainly. is not that which was attacked by Ostorius, described by Tacitus.'

Although the most skilful antiquarians have not been enabled to ascertain with precision the spot on which Caractacus last contended for the liberties of his country and himself, there is little doubt that Caer Caradoc was one of the posts of that heroick prince. Mr. Pennant, in his ascent to this place, mentions his having met with 'lava.' This is a mistake of the learned tourist: there is a stone there like lava, but it is toad stone, deprived of its glands by exposure to the air.

The valley in which Longnor is situated displays great fertility and richness of culture. It is well wooded and watered, and the prospect is enlivened by frequent glimpses of rich pastoral landscape, rendered more delightful by its contrast with the bold and naked hills.

Possessed of a highly cultivated mind, and a generous disposition, the proprietor of the Longnor estate is not only admired for his talents and knowledge, but is beloved for the amiable qualities of his heart. His liberality and piety are known to all, and his charities are extensively munificent, although justly discriminating: but his best eulogium is read in the affectionate regard of his numerous tenantry and the industrious peasantry who are within the circle of his benevolent exertions."

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

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