Part 103

The north and south chapels of the choir are separated from the transepts by remarkably handsome carved screens; in the windows are paintings representing the history of the apostles, and also very splendid remnants of stained glass, portraying the story of the ring presented by some pilgrims to Edward the Confessor, who, as “The Chronicles” relate, “was warned of his death certain days before he died by a ring that was brought him by certain pilgrims, which ring he had secretly given to a poor man that asked his charity in the name of God and St. John the Evangelist. These pilgrims, as the legend recites, were men of Ludlow.” The ceiling is of oak resting on corbels, which spring from highly decorated figures of angels bearing shields. The extreme length from east to west is 203 feet, and the breadth across the transepts measures 130 feet. The tower rises 131 feet in height, forming a prominent object, and gives considerable beauty to many prospects from the neighbouring country. In the church there are two highly finished effigies of Judge Bridgeman and his lady, but much mutilated. The head of the tomb was opened in 1805 (on sinking a grave for the body of Mrs. Turner) when the hair of both Sir John and his lady was found perfectly entire; the coffins mouldered on exposure to the air. In the high chancel is a large Grecian monument displaying an elegant sculptured cherub and emblems of time and eternity, in memory of Theophilus Salwey, Esq., who died in 1760. A handsome altar tomb of white marble has recumbent effigies of chief Justice Waiter and his lady; and on the front are figures representing their issue. Judge Walter died in 1592. Within the communion rails is a tomb in memory of Sir Robert Townsend and his lady, with two full length figures, and surrounding the base stand their children. Dame Mary Evre, who died in 1612, has a tomb erected to her memory, at the back of which are the armorial bearings of the family. Upon the tomb is a recumbent figure resting on a cushion, habited in the dress of the times and the head covered with a hood. In various parts of the building will be found several interesting tablets and mural monuments. Though not collegiate the church of St. Lawrence anciently possessed a chantry of ten priests, maintained by the rich guild of St. John, who gave to its choral services the splendour of a cathedral. The living is a rectory valued in the king’s book at £19. 12s. 6d., now returned at £160 in the patronage of the lord chancellor. The tithes have been commuted for £23. 13s. 6d. Ecclesiastical courts are held here for granting probates of wills and letters of administration.

THE INDEPENDENT CHAPEL, situated in Old street, is a neat structure capable of accommodating upwards of three hundred persons, and was erected in 1830. The congregation formerly assembled for divine worship in a chapel still standing, situate on the banks of the river, near the bottom of Corve street. Before the erection of this fabric, in which they continued to meet for nearly a century, the dissenters conducted their religious services in a licensed dwelling house, where, in the early part of 1731, they were furiously assailed by a mob. This vain attempt to crush them led to the erection of the first dissenting house in the borough. The Rev. Theophilus Davies is the pastor of the congregation.

THE METHODIST CHAPEL, a plain structure situated in Lower Broad street, was enlarged in 1835, and is now capable of holding about five hundred hearers. THE PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHAPEL, situated in Old street, is a substantial building erected in 1836, and has accommodation for upwards of three hundred worshippers.

THE BOYS’ NATIONAL SCHOOL is held in a spacious room over the Market Cross; and the GIRLS’ SCHOOL is held in a house in Brand lane. They are supported by voluntary subscriptions and charitable benefactions: the latter will be found noticed with the general charities of the borough. The gross income for the year 1850 was £155. 16s. 3d.

THE SAVINGS’ BANK, held in the public buildings, Castle street, was established in 1816. On November 20th, 1850, the total number of accounts was 1,939, of which twenty-three were charitable societies and eighteen friendly societies. The capital stock of the bank at the same period amounted to £70,958. 18s. 4d. The respective balances of 961 depositors did not exceed £20; 543 were above that sum and not exceeding £50; 231 not exceeding £100; 96 not exceeding £150; 62 not exceeding £200; and five accounts exceeded the latter sum. Mr. John Williams, actuary.

THE LUDLOW COUNTY COURT, for law proceedings in actions and claims not exceeding £50, embraces the following places, viz., Abdon, Ashford Bowdler, Ashford Carbonell, Aston, Acton Scott, Bitterley, Bromfield, Burrington, Cainham, Clee St. Margaret, Cold Weston, Culmington, Diddlebury, Downton, Elton, Halford, Heath, Holdgate, Hope Baggot, Hopton Cangeford, Leinthall Starkes, Leintwardine, Ludford, Munslow, Onibury, Richards Castle, St. Lawrence Ludlow, Sibdon Carwood, Stanton Lacy, Stoke St. Milborough, Stoke Say, Tugford, Wigmore and Wistanston. _Judge_, Uvedale Corbett, Esq.; _Clerk_, John Williams, Esq.; _High Bailiff_, William Davies.

THE LUDLOW LIBRARY, AND MECHANICS’ INSTITUTION, established in 1841, is held in one of the rooms of the market hall, the use of which has been granted by the corporation. The institution has an interesting library of nearly 300 volumes. Mr. George Cocking is the secretary.

THE PUBLIC ROOMS, situated in Castle street, were erected in 1840 by a company of shareholders. One portion is set apart for the _Ludlow Natural History Society_, where there is deposited a choice and valuable collection of fossils, British and foreign birds and animals, &c. This institution was established in 1834. There is also a spacious and elegant _Assembly Room_, and another for magisterial purposes, besides a _Reading Room_ well supplied with the principal London and provincial journals. THE MARKET CROSS is a neat edifice, with a cupola, where butter and other productions are sold on the market days. THE MARKET HOUSE is a plain brick building in Castle street, containing large and convenient rooms for the meetings of the corporation.

THE DISPENSARY is supported by voluntary subscriptions, a collection made in Ludlow church every alternate year, and the dividends of certain charitable bequests. The number of patients cured or relieved during the year 1851 was 279. Mr. H. Hodges, consulting surgeon; and Mr. Harley, dispenser. THE LYING-IN INSTITUTION was established in 1810, since which 3,561 persons have been relieved and visited, under the direction of the managing directors.

THE GAS WORKS. The Union Gas Works were established in 1840 by a company of shareholders with a capital stock of £3,050. The old gas works are situated on the road to the Clee Hill.

THE WATER WORKS are the property of the corporation. The water is forced by an engine from the river to a reservoir at the top of the Market-hall, and thence conveyed in pipes to different parts of the town. There are also conduits supplied by pipes with excellent water from the neighbouring hills.

LUDLOW POOR-LAW UNION WORKHOUSE is a spacious stone edifice, situated in the parish of Stanton Lacy. The union comprehends an area of 125 miles, and embraces the following parishes, viz.:—Abdon, Ashford Bowdler, Ashford Carbonel, Bitterley, Bromfield, Caynham, Clee St. Margaret, Cold Weston, Culmington, Diddlebury, Halford, Heath, Holdgate, Hope Baggott, Hopton Cangeford, Munslow, Onibury, Richard’s Castle, St. Lawrence Ludlow, Stanton Lacy, Stoke, St. Milborough, Stokesay, and Tugford, all in the county of Salop; Aston Burrington, Downton, Elton, Leinthall Starkes, Richard’s Castle, and Wigmore, in Herefordshire; the parishes of Leintwardine and Ludford are situated in both counties. Expenditure for the year ending 28th September, 1850, £3,533. 15s. 10½d. _Clerk_: Robert Thomas. _Medical Officers_: Henry Meymott, John Southern, Charles Pothecary, Daniel Gingell, Robert Jones. _Relieving Officers_: William Russell, James Jones, John Harding, Edward Millichap. _Chaplain_: Robert Meyricke. _Master and Matron_: William and Mrs. Russell.

GAOLFORD TOWER, a small structure, situated in Tower street, has four cells for the confinement of prisoners, and a day room and airing yard. It was built by the corporation in the 4th of George III.

DINHAM HOUSE, an elegant and spacious mansion, situated near the Castle (now the residence of John Thomas, Esq.), towards the close of the late war was occupied by Lucien Bonaparte, being then detained a prisoner in England. He left Ludlow on Sunday, June 30th, 1811.

Among the customs peculiar to this town that of rope pulling is not the least extraordinary. On Shrove-Tuesday the corporation provides a rope, three inches in thickness and thirty-six yards in length, which is given out at one of the windows of the Market House, when a large body of the inhabitants, divided into two parties (one contending for Castle street and Broad street wards, and the other for Old street and Corve street wards), commence an arduous struggle; and as soon as either party has gained a victory, by pulling the rope beyond the prescribed limits, the pulling ceases. The rope is usually purchased from the victorious party, and then given out again. Ludlow preserves the custom of walking over the limits of the township once a-year. This procession takes place on the Wednesday before Holy Thursday, on which occasion the boys of the different schools, attended by one of the clergy, proceed from the church to a place near Corve Bridge, where a cross formerly stood. Here the Epistle for the preceding Sunday is read; from whence passing to Weeping Cross, the boys again kneel down, and the Gospel for the same day is read by the clergyman.

THE BROAD GATE, the only one now remaining entire, receives its name from an ancient religious foundation called Barnaby House, famous in past ages as the temporary resting place of the numerous devotees passing through Ludlow on their way to the Holy Well of St. Winefrede, in North Wales. Adjoining formerly stood a chapel, dedicated to St. Mary of the Vale. The Gateway of Millgate is at the end of Barnaby lane. In Lower Millgate traces of the town wall are still to be seen. In 1786 Dinham gate remained entire, adjoining which anciently stood a chapel, approached by a flight of steps. The land leading from the bottom of Mill street to Dinham bears the name of Camp, from the frequent encampment of soldiers there. Old Gate stood at the bottom of Old street.

A religious house of WHITE FRIARS was founded at Ludlow, in 1349, by Sir Laurence de Ludlowe, Knt., which we are informed by Leland “was a fayre and costlie thinge, and stoode without Corve Gate by north, almost at the end of that suburb.” Stukeley, who wrote about the year 1720, says, “There was a rich priory out of the town, on the north side. Little remains now to be seen, excepting a small adjoining church once belonging to it. About the same place an arched gateway went across the street, but now demolished.” The church above mentioned was the chapel of St. Leonard, founded in 1590, and intended for a charitable and religious establishment, the almshouse having survived its chapel, and, according to the will of the founder, contributes to the maintenance of four poor persons. Near to Friars’ lane was situated the establishment of AUGUSTINE FRIARS, to which Edmund de Pontibus was a benefactor. There was an HOSPITAL, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, situated near the bridge, founded by Peter Undergod, and endowed with certain lands for the maintenance of certain religious brethren, and sustentation of poor and infirm people. The annual value at the dissolution was £17. 13s. 3d.

Thomas Johnes, Esq., was born at Ludlow, in the year 1783. He received his early education at Shrewsbury school, and took his degree of M.A. at Oxford. In 1783 Mr. Johnes erected an elegant mansion at Hafod, which in 1807 was consumed by a destructive fire, with much of its valuable contents, the loss amounting to £70,000. Notwithstanding this disaster, he rebuilt and adorned his mansion anew. Here he indulged his taste for literature, employed a printing press on his own premises, and produced some elegant historical works. He died in 1814, and was buried in the church which he had built at Hafod.

Richard P. Knight, Esq., an elegant scholar and distinguished in the literary circles of Europe, represented Ludlow in parliament for many years. Mr. Knight bequeathed his fine collection of medals, drawings, and bronzes (worth at least £30,000), to the British Museum. They include a single volume of drawings by the inimitable Claude, which was purchased for £1,600 from a private individual, who a short time previously had given £3 for the same volume.

CHARITIES.—_The Grammar School_.—It appears that all the premises specified in a certain grant, and constituting the possessions of the Guild or Fraternity of Palmers, had been unconditionally surrendered by them to King Edward VI. by deed under their common seal, dated 1st June, in the fifth of his reign. The property thus unconditionally surrendered to the king was granted by him to the corporation for the relief and better sustaining of the town and borough of Ludlow, and for the corporation, “_at their own costs and charges_,” to maintain a free grammar school, and other charitable institutions mentioned in the charter. It appears the legal import of the charter was not to grant the property upon trust to employ the whole of the rents and profits to the maintenance of the charities, but to make a beneficial grant of it to the corporation, coupled with a condition that they should, out of the income they thus acquired, sufficiently maintain the charitable institutions therein specified. The school premises comprise two houses, in which the master resides. About fifty years ago, the premises were nearly rebuilt, at a cost of £700. The school is open to the whole town, without any limitation of number, on payment of £3 annually. Four of the boys, nominated by the bailiffs, receive a benefaction of £2. 13s. 4d. per annum, under the will of _Dr. Langford_. The school is also entitled to two exhibitions of £45 to Baliol College, Oxford, for 11 years, founded by the _Rev. Richard Greaves_ in the year 1704. There are also three exhibitions of £50 for three years to any college in Oxford, Cambridge, or Durham. It is stated in the particular of the Guild estate, that “there is an almshouse to the Guild appertaining, with thirty-three chambers therein inhabited by poor people, according to the foundation and ordinance of _John Hoyser_, to every of which poor people is weekly allowed 4d.” THE PALMERS GUILD was a religious fraternity, established about the year 1248, for the relief of the poor, and for the administration of charitable bequests. Before the period of the Reformation, their funds had increased so considerably that they formed a college, with a warden for three priests, and maintained the above almshouse for thirty-three poor people, and the grammar school. On the passing of the Municipal Act, in 1835, it became necessary to separate the charity from the municipal property; and, after much litigation, lands yielding a clear rental of £1,800 a-year were secured to the charity for the purpose of maintaining the above-named objects. The preacher, now called the lecturer (and who, as well as the assistant, is appointed by the corporation), received from them a salary of £26. 13s. 4d. per annum, when the Charity Commissioners published their report. It appears that the Palmers Guild had been used to pay yearly to a schoolmaster, for keeping a free grammar school, £10; to one priest, £6; and to two others, £5. 6s. 8d. each. The particular duties of these priests are not specified; but it seems probable that the usher, preacher, and assistant, were intended to be substituted by the charter in their stead.

From an old book belonging to the corporation, containing copies of wills and other documents relating to the charities of the town, it appears that _James Walters_, _Esq._, in 1624, devised an annuity of £20 to be paid out of his lands in Stanton Lacy and Richards Castle; £10 thereof to be distributed among the inmates of the almshouse, and £10 to be bestowed on the preacher. It appears that a fee farm rent of £24. 13s. 4d., reserved by a charter of King Edward IV., out of certain lands granted to the corporation of Ludlow, and also the rent of £8. 13s. 4d., reserved by charter of King Edward VI., eventually became vested in the corporation; and £20 is now paid to the treasurer of the national school, and the remainder, £13. 6s. 8d., is considered as forming a part of the weekly payments to the almspeople.

_Thomas Candland_, by will dated 1617, gave a house and shop in Ludlow to William Bevan and Alice his wife, and their heirs, in trust, that they should pay annually the sum of 20s. out of the profits thereof to the bailiffs of the town, to be disposed of by them; to every chamber in the almshouse, 4d.; and the residue of the said 20s. to such other poor of Ludlow as they should think fit. _William Archer_, by deed dated 1677, charged his close, called Sutton’s close, with a yearly rent of 20s., to be divided among the poor in the almshouse near the parish of St. Lawrence. _Susan Gay_, by indenture dated 1724, conveyed to Richard Plummer and his heirs, a piece of land called Old Hill, in Kingsland parish, in Herefordshire, in trust, that after her death the bailiffs, rector, lecturer and reader of Ludlow for the time being, should receive from the rents and profits thereof an annuity of £7 for ever; £6 thereof to be yearly distributed among the poor of the almshouses in the upper room and in Corve street, and 20s. to the person who received the rent and looked after the estate. An annual sum of 13s. 4d, from one of the Earl of Powis’s stewards, which is distributed among the 33 almspeople in the upper almshouse. The origin of this payment is not known. _Mary Beetenson_, who died about the year 1806, bequeathed to the bailiffs of the town of Ludlow, and their successors, the sum of £100, to be placed out at interest, and distributed to the poor people inhabiting the almshouse opposite the church of St. Lawrence. _Ann Smith_ in 1809 gave £50 to the corporation of Ludlow, in trust, to be placed out at interest, and distributed in coals to the poor inhabiting the upper almshouse. _Susannah Smith_, by will in 1801, gave to the rector of the parish of St. Lawrence, in Ludlow, the sum of £100 to be placed out at interest, and distributed among the inhabitants of the almshouses near the church. These small payments amount annually to the sum of 12s. 5¾d, for each of the almspeople.

_Charles Foxe_, by his will dated 1590, after reciting that he had lately purchased the chapel of St. Leonard, in Corve street, Ludlow, and a parcel of ground near thereto, whereon he had begun to erect four almshouses, for four poor and impotent persons, gave and bequeathed to certain trustees, in trust, four messuages, and all lands, tenements and hereditaments, with their appurtenances, situated in the city of Worcester, of the annual value of £8; to be by them so settled that out of the rents £4 should be paid to the four poor persons in the almshouse, and divided amongst them quarterly. To the curate of Ludford, or some other sufficient minister, for reading divine service to the poor there, the sum of 40s. yearly. To some learned preacher for a sermon in the said chapel at Christmas, 6s. 8d.; and the like sum for a sermon there in Lent. And the residue of the rents (being £1. 6s. 8d.) he directed to be employed for the necessary repairing the said almshouses and chapel, and other necessary charges. He gave two bells to be hung up in the steeple of the chapel. About the year 1751 the chapel had gone greatly to decay, and the houses in Worcester become so ruinous and incapable of repair, that in 1758 the ground on which the tenements stood was let on building leases, at an annual rent of £11. 9s. 6d., for 99 years. James Foxe the trustee, by deed in 1769, conveyed to the bailiffs, burgesses and commonalty of Ludlow, the aforesaid premises, in trust, for the support of the almshouse, in consequence of his residing so remote from Ludlow. The present income of the charity is £14. 13s. 10d. The almshouse consists of four dwellings, with a garden to each, and is inhabited by two poor persons from the parish of Bromfield, and two from Ludlow; who also receive from the corporation 1s. 6d. per week each, and 3s. 2d. yearly from Mrs. Susan Gay’s benefaction.

_Thomas Lane_, by will in 1674, after giving certain legacies, bequeathed all the rest of his estate to Sir Job Charlton and two others, to be disposed of by them as he should appoint; and in default of such appointment, to some charitable use according to their best discretion. From the will of Sir Job Charlton, bearing date 1691, it appears that the money derived from this bequest had been employed in repairing and furnishing an old house which had been granted to the trustees by the town of Ludlow, and in purchasing certain lands in Middleton of the annual value of £30. Under the residuary clause of Thomas Lane’s will, a reversion passed to the use of this charity of a dwelling house, a garden, and two meadows, containing 5A. 1R. 9P. of land, which had been granted to his wife by a codicil to his will. These lands, comprising an area of 74A. 2R. 9P. of land, and let at an annual rent of £44 per annum, were exchanged in 1790 with C. W. B. Rouse, Esq. for meadow and pasture lands, situated in Stanton Lacy, containing 41A. 3R. 7P. of land, let for £56 per annum. At the time the charity commissioners published their report, the income of the charity amounted to £120, (exclusive of the interest of £216. 8s. 3d., the amount of a balance due in 1816, arising from savings of income,) which was applied in paying to the governor of the workhouse a salary of £20; in disbursements for taxes and repairs of the building and furniture; and in providing flax, hemp and yarn for making stockings, and leather for shoes, for the poor people in the house to work up.

_Thomas Lane_, by a second codicil to his will, in 1676, devised his closes of meadow and pasture land, lying near the east side of Broad street, in Ludlow, to be conveyed to feoffees in trust, that the rents and profits should be weekly disposed of in bread and money to twelve poor widows of the town of Ludlow. The land contains 1A. 3R. 34P., which produces an annual income of £23. 10s.

From an entry in an old book belonging to the corporation, it appears that _Evan Phillips_ gave £22 to remain a stock for ever for the poor of the town of Ludlow; and directed certain trustees to dispose of the same in the purchase of lands, or otherwise, as they should think fit; the profits of the £20 to be given to twelve poor persons, and the remaining 40s. to be spent by the trustees, for their recreation, at their meetings on the business of the charity. It appears from the same book that he also gave a judgment debt of £10, due to him, for the use of six more poor persons of Ludlow. There is now a piece of land in Lynney appropriated to this charity, called the Poor’s Close, containing 3R. 26P., which is let at an annual rent of £13; of which £12. 6s. 8d. is distributed among eighteen poor persons by the bailiffs of the town.