Part 9

_Recorder_, Charles Harwood, Esq. _Coroner_ (_borough_), Henry Keate, Esq. _Town Clerk_, J. J. Peel, Esq. _Clerk of the Peace_, G. Gordon, Esq. _Magistrates’ Clerk_, W. H. Cooper, Esq. _Chief Constable_, Captain Mayne. _Borough Treasurer_, Mr. Henry Pidgeon. _Surveyor_, Mr. Thomas Tisdale. _Governor of the Gaol_, Mr. John Sheppard, _Town Marshall and senior Serjeant_, S. Farlow. _Chief Constable_, William Harper. _Serjeant of Mace_, John Thomas. _Town Crier_, George Rowe.

THE BOROUGH POLICE FORCE consists of a chief constable, two superintendents, two inspectors, and thirteen constables.

THE COUNTY CONSTABULARY consists of a chief constable, two first class superintendents, four second class superintendents, ten first class constables, and forty second class constables.

IN the year 1756, thirty-seven colliers were brought to gaol for rioting and committing outrages in the county, it being a time of scarcity for all kinds of provisions. The trial took place at the spring assizes of the following year. Ten of the rioters were left for execution; but the judge sent his report express to the attorney-general, with an intimation fixed for the day of execution, and the individuals two in number, who, as he deemed it should suffer the sentence of the law. The report having been transmitted to Mr. Pitt, then secretary of state, it lay there untouched, and was never laid before the king. The day of execution arrived, without any reprieve, and Mr. Leek, the deputy sheriff, was advised by several of the principal gentlemen in the town to leave the prisoners to their fate. But he was so much shocked at the thought of executing so large a number, which he was convinced could not be the intention of the judge, that he ventured to postpone the execution, and sent off an express to London, on the return of which he had the satisfaction of finding that his conduct was highly approved of, and still more, the consciousness that he had saved eight lives. The following is part of a letter written to him on the occasion by Lord Chief Justice Willes:—“Till I saw your letter I was under the greatest uneasiness,—for I took it for granted that all the ten rioters had been executed on Saturday last; and, upon my return from the Home Circuit, on Thursday last, I found that by a shameful neglect in one of the secretary of state’s officers, no reprieve had been sent down; and, as it was then too late to send one down, I saw no reason to hope that their execution would be deferred to a longer time. But though, to be sure, you have acted contrary to your duty, you have acted a wise, prudent, and most humane part; and you have not only my thanks, but the thanks of some of the greatest men in the kingdom, for the part you have acted on this occasion.” In a letter from Mr. Leek’s agent in town it is stated, “My Lord Commissioner Willes was so afflicted . . . that it really made him ill; and he did not for two days go into the king’s closet, so much he feared the effect it might have upon the king’s mind, if the affair was communicated to his majesty while it was under that state of uncertainty. Thank God, your prudent and well judged respite has prevented all the uneasiness and mischiefs that might have happened; and I have the pleasure to assure you that no step was ever taken that has given more satisfaction, than this of yours has done. My Lord Commissioner Willes waited this day upon the king with your letter, and has directed me to acquaint you, by his majesty’s orders, that his majesty entirely approves of what you have done.”

CHURCHES.

ST. MARY’S CHURCH stands in a commanding position in St. Mary’s street, and is one of the most interesting ecclesiastical edifices in the country. This fine structure is cruciform, and consists of nave, side aisles, transept, chancel, two side chapels, and a tower, crowned with a lofty and beautiful spire. In common with most of our early churches there is no opportunity of ascertaining the precise date of its erection; it is said to owe its foundation to Edgar, who, at the suggestion of Archbishop Dunstan, placed in it a dean, seven prebends, and a parish priest, with a stipend of £6. 6s. 8d. per annum. There is, however, every probability that the foundation was antecedent to his reign. In the time of Edward the Confessor, this college possessed a landed estate of about 1300 acres, which it continued to hold at the Domesday survey, but of which it was soon after deprived. From a very early period this church enjoyed the privilege of a royal free chapel, and was therefore exempt from the jurisdiction of the Bishops. These privileges formed a frequent ground of contest between the sovereign pontiffs and the kings of England. A particular instance relates to the church now under consideration. About the year 1270, the dean had a dispute with the Abbot of Salop, touching the right of presentation to the Church of Fittes, or as it was then written, Fitesho, to which one Robert de Acton had been instituted by the Bishop of Lichfield, and forcibly ejected by the dean. Acton, being a crusader, was under the especial protection of the pope, whose officer called “the Executor of the Cross,” sent an order to the Abbot of Shrewsbury to restore the incumbent to his benefice. This being done the king’s attorney-general filed an information against the abbot, requiring him to answer ‘whereof he exercised jurisdiction in the Chapel of Fitesho,’ appertaining to the King’s Free Chapel of St. Mary, of Salop, which is exempt, so that neither our lord “the pope, nor any other ecclesiastical judge hath jurisdiction therein.” Judgment passed against the abbot, and he was sentenced to pay damages to the king and to suffer imprisonment.

The Dean of St. Mary’s, had, from time immemorial, the power of collecting and paying into the king’s exchequer, the tenths or other subsidies arising from the deanery and prebends. Edward the first confirmed this privilege; and his grandson, in the eighteenth year of his reign, recognized by directing the sheriffs of Salop and Hereford not to enter the jurisdiction of the royal chapel, or to levy a distress on the possessions thereof, for any subsidies or tenths, unless the dean should neglect to make a due return. At the dissolution of collegiate churches 1. of Edward VI., the revenues which consisted chiefly of tithe, amounted to £42, the greatest portion of which was granted by that monarch towards the endowment of the Free Schools. According to Leland it had a dean and nine poor prebendaries, also vicars choral, two chauntry priests, a parish priest, and a clerk or assistant. The peculiar jurisdiction of the Royal Free Chapel remained till the recent act of parliament restored it to the bishop of the diocese, and was held in lease at an annual rent of £1. 6s. 8d., of the corporation to whom Queen Elizabeth granted it by charter, dated 23rd May, 1571. The usual style of the minister was “ordinary and official, principal of the peculiar and exempt jurisdiction of the Free Royal Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary.” In his courts wills were proved, letters of administration were granted, and all ecclesiastical matters, arising within the parish and its subordinate chapelries, adjudicated. In 1632, King Charles I., during his residence at the council house, attended divine service here, received the sacraments, and made solemn protestations of his fidelity to the principles of the reformed religion.

This venerable edifice exhibits various styles of architecture: the Anglo-Norman of the 12th century in the basement of the nave and most of the doors; the lancet style of the 13th century, in the chancel and transept, and the obtuse arch of the 15th century in the side aisles and chapels. The basement of the tower is of red sand stone, and the upper portion of grey, and in the Anglo-Norman and early pointed styles of architecture. The dimensions of the church are—length from east to west 160 feet—breadth of nave and side aisles 53 feet—transept 90 feet, and height of tower and steeple 223 feet; the height of the steeple from the bed of the river 300 feet. The beautifully proportioned octagonal spire which rises from a tower of noble proportions, is a conspicuous ornament to the town, and is seen from the adjacent country to a considerable distance. The nave and side aisles externally, in the pointed style of the 15th century, are of the Grinshill free stone, and entered on the north and south-west by beautiful semi-circular arches, adorned with chevron, lozenged and foliated mouldings; the south-west porch is in the Anglo-Norman style, having zigzag mouldings, issuing from clustered columns, with foliated capitals. On each side is a small pointed window, exhibiting specimens of the earliest rudiments of the millioned Gothic architecture, in which has lately been placed some highly interesting painted glass, of German execution, on which are depicted various incidents, chiefly from the Apocrypha. A stone porch, entered by a pointed arch, had recently been erected before the corresponding door on the north side.

The interior of this venerable edifice is spacious, lofty, and strikingly noble; the nave is separated from the side aisles by four semicircular arches, resting on elegant clustered columns, with foliated capitals of varied and beautiful designs. Above is a clerestory, which is continued along the walls of the chancel, lighted by a short double window, bluntly pointed and bisected by single mullions. The ceiling of the nave is of panelled oak, richly studded with elegant and exquisitely carved pendants and foliated bosses, and merits attention not only on account of its elaborate workmanship, but as being one of the richest and most highly preserved specimens of its kind now in existence. A lofty pointed arch, including in its span the entire breadth of the nave, rises from richly clustered piers, with foliated capitals, and divides the nave from the ancient choir. Eastward is a similar arch of like dimensions, springing from the same pier. From these, the wings of the transept, corresponding in size, branch off to the north and south. At each extremity of the transept is a fine triple lancet window, highly enriched with slender shafts, foliated capitals, and delicate mouldings, filled with beautiful stained glass, illustrative of Scripture history; the most prominent figures are those of Christ, the Virgin Mary, the Apostles and Evangelists, and an escutcheon of the arms of George III., executed by Mr. David Evans, of Shrewsbury. The chancel is elevated above the rest of the church. The ceiling, like that of the transept, is excellently painted, and adorned with some of the rich fret work removed from the wreck of the churches of St. Chad and St. Alkmund. On the north side of the altar is a beautiful triple lancet window, with arches remarkably acute, resting on two insulated columns, with capitals adorned with foliage. This window contains some fine stained glass, representing the history of the life of St. Bernard. The great east window occupies the whole extremity of the chancel, and exhibits the debased style of English architecture of the Elizabethan era. In this window is the curious and beautiful ancient stained glass which filled the window of the old St. Chad’s church, prior to its demolition, and which was presented to this church in 1791. The subject is the genealogy of Christ from the root of Jesse. Jesse is represented reclining in sleep, from his loins spring a vine, which overspreads the whole window, enclosed in his branches the several kings, his descendants—the series of which is finished by the husband of the Virgin Mary in a devotional posture at the feet of his progenitor. Many of the figures are depicted with their peculiar emblems, the ground of the whole is exquisitely beautiful, and the clusters of grapes, and the bright verdure of the vine leaves, are displayed with great effect. Underneath is an inscription requesting our prayers for “Mons. John de Charlton, and Dame Hawis, his companion,” from which, and from the armorial bearings, we learn that this beautiful piece of ancient art was set up by the great Sir John de Charlton, lord of Powis, and must have been executed about the middle of the fourteenth century. It has been conjectured the glass was presented to the grey friars of this town, to which religious house Sir John and his wife were great benefactors, and that it was removed to St. Chad’s at the dissolution. This is a singular circumstance of so fragile a material surviving the destruction of two vast and substantial edifices. Within the last few years the window has been judiciously restored. The organ is a powerful and fine toned instrument, erected by Harris and Byfield, in 1729. By the munificence of the present incumbent, the west end has been enriched by an elegant organ screen of the most elaborate workmanship, executed by Mr. John Carline. On the south side of the chancel is the Trinity or “Leybourne chapel,” which communicates with the south transept by a fine Norman arch, and with the chancel with an arch in the pointed style. It is said to have been founded about the year 1300, by one of the Leybournes, of Berwick, as a place of sepulture for the family, and was subsequently enlarged into its present form by the Draper’s company. In the south east wall are three stone sedilia, with canopied arches, and near the north east wall is an altar tomb (probably of Simon de Leybourne, lord of Berwick, who died between 1300 and 1315), the sides of which are adorned with canopied niches formerly containing figures; and on the tomb reclines a figure of a knight cross-legged, and in chain armour. In this tomb the headless corpse of Thomas Percy, Earl of Worcester, who was taken prisoner at the battle of Shrewsbury, 1403, and beheaded, is believed to have been interred. Underneath the south window is a neatly executed gothic monument in memory of Heathcoate Wigram, of Woodhouse, in the county of Essex; he was a pupil to the Royal Free Grammar School, of this town, and was drowned whilst bathing in the Severn, on September 1st, 1838, aged 14 years. The monument was erected by the masters and pupils in memory of him whom they loved and lamented. Against the east wall are monuments to John Jendine, Esq., and Thomas Sutton, Esq., and between them is the statue of Bishop Butler, erected by his pupils at the cost of eight hundred guineas. The figure is full length, sitting in an easy and graceful position, clothed in the episcopal robes; the right hand hanging over the chair, and the left hand supporting the head, which is leaning in thought. The figure is of the purest statuary marble, and the pedestal which supports the statue of dove coloured marble from the Clee Hill; it was sculptured by F. H. Baily, Esq., R.A. On the north side of the chancel is the vestry, recently erected in the Norman style, the windows of which are ornamented with antique German and Flemish glass; immediately adjoining is the chauntry chapel of St. Catherine; these windows are also beautified with stained glass, illustrating various portions of Scripture history. This chapel is now used as a baptistry, and the ancient stone font, which is beautifully carved, stands in the centre, on a rich pavement of encaustic tile. An alabaster slab, against the north wall, engraved with figures of a warrior and a lady, commemorates Nicholas Stafford, Esq., and Catherine, his wife, who died in 1643. A white marble monument, recently erected by subscription, over the door leading into the vestry, remembers the brave admiral Benbow, a native of the parish. It represents an obtuse pyramid of black marble, against which leans an oval medallion bust of the admiral, surrounded with anchors, flags, and cannon, and below a delicately sculptured representation in bas relief of a naval fight. In the north transept is placed a most beautiful free stone monument to the late Rev. J. B. Blakeway, which for elegance of design, and beauty of execution, has rarely been surpassed in modern times; it is upwards of 12 feet in length and 16 feet in height, and is divided into three compartments by clustered buttresses, which sustain richly crocheted pinnacles. The centre compartment comprises a large pointed arch canopied and crocheted, the back of which is deeply recessed, and contains the following inscription in ornamental Roman capitals:—

To the Memory of the Reverend JOHN BRICKDALE BLAKEWAY, M.A., F.A.S., Thirty-one years ordinary and official, And thirty-two years Minister of this Parish. This Monument is erected By the voluntary subscription of his parishioners, As a tribute of respect for his talents, Esteem for his virtues, And gratitude for his long and faithful services, As their friend and pastor. He died the tenth day of March, MDCCCXXVI, Aged sixty years.

As a preacher, Mr. Blakeway was admired for his forcible illustration of Holy writ, and the valuable admonitions which his discourses generally contained. As an author he was known to the world by the publication of several sermons, and controversial tracts; and as an historian his name will be immortalized in the elaborate History of Shrewsbury, which he commenced in 1820, in conjunction with the venerable Archdeacon Owen, and just lived to see the general history and ecclesiastical portions published in two quarto volumes. There are other memorials, exquisite specimens of monumental skill, unrivalled in elegance of design and richness of execution, in various parts of the same edifice, which our limits will not allow us to notice. On the exterior wall of the tower are the following quaint verses to the memory of Robert Cadman, who, on February 2nd, 1793, lost his life in an attempt to descend from the top of the spire of St. Mary’s along a rope which he had fixed to its highest part, and extended to a field on the opposite side of the river. In the midst of his passage the rope broke, as he was passing over St. Mary’s Friars, and he fell lifeless on the ice-bound earth:—

Let this small monument record the name Of Cadman, and to future times proclaim, How from a bold attempt to fly from this high spire, Across the Sabrine stream he did acquire His fatal end! ’Twas not for want of skill, Or courage, to perform the task, he fell; No, no, a faulty cord, being drawn too tight Hurried his soul on high to take his flight, Which hid the body here beneath; good night.

The patronage of St. Mary’s church is vested in five trustees, the living is returned at £312, and is enjoyed by the Rev. W. G. Rowland; the Rev. V. B. Johnstone and T. G. Galway are the curates.

ST. CHAD’S CHURCH.—The old collegiate church of St. Chad, of which only a small part, called the Lady Chapel, is standing, occupies the eminence between College Hill and Belmont. The collegiate establishment consisted of a dean, ten secular canons, and two vicars choral; and was founded soon after the subjugation of Pengwern, in the 8th century, by Offa, King of Mercia, who, as tradition states, converted the palace of the kings of Powis into his first church. In the time of Edward the Confessor, this church held twelve hides of land, which it retained at the Domesday survey. Subsequently other considerable possessions were acquired by the college, so that at the dissolution the yearly revenues amounted to £49. 13s. The college was dissolved in the 2nd Edward IV., and the crown leased the collegiate property for a term of twenty-one years, and a few years afterwards it was appropriated to the Free School of Shrewsbury, in which it is now vested. Respecting the various changes which this ancient edifice must have undergone during a period of nearly 1,000 years, few notices have been preserved. In the year 1393, a considerable part of it was consumed by fire, occasioned by the carelessness of a plumber, who, alarmed at the conflagration, endeavoured to escape over the ford of the Severn, and was drowned. The damage was so extensive, that the inhabitants of the town obtained from Richard II. a remission of certain taxes to enable them to rebuild it.

In this church, at a very early period, the doctrines of the Reformation were promulgated. William Thorpe, a priest, obtained leave in the year 1407 to deliver a sermon before the principal inhabitants. On this occasion he boldly exposed the corruptions of the Romish church, in consequence of which the bailiffs of the town preferred charges of heresy and sedition against him to the Archbishop of Canterbury, who brought him to trial. In his examination, he candidly admitted the charges laid against him, but adhered to his opinions with manly and unshrinking steadiness, when he was remanded to prison; but of his subsequent fate we possess no account. The progress of the Reformation effected a wonderful change in the minds of men. In the 1st of Edward VI. the bailiffs of Shrewsbury, whose predecessors had denounced one of its boldest champions as a heretic, ordered the pictures and superstitious ornaments of St. Chad’s to be publicly burnt; and in the 26th of Elizabeth, the service of the Church of England was solemnly established there.