Part 5

It is much to be wished that the correct taste displayed in these and other beautiful specimens of the decorated style of monumental architecture, recently erected in this church, was more generally manifested in the adaptation of monuments to the character of the buildings in which they are to be placed, instead of the unsightly tablets so commonly introduced, and which frequently contribute anything but ornament to our ancient churches.

From the south transept a fine Norman arch opens to the

TRINITY CHAPEL,

which also has a communication with the chancel by an arch in the pointed style.

This building (57 feet by 30) was at first of smaller dimensions, as is evident from two lancet windows (beneath which are two very early loop holes) in the wall next to the south aisle. Immediately above the shelving portion still visible of the roof of the original chapel is a peculiar circular window.

The enlargement was effected by the Draper’s Company soon after their incorporation in 1461, having therein a guild or fraternity to the Holy Trinity. Within the south wall is the sedilia formerly used by the officiating priests, and the remains of a piscina, all of which were once overspread with elegant canopies.

On the opposite side is a large pointed arch, now walled up. Under this is an altar tomb, the sides of which are divided by small buttresses in ornamental niches of the early decorated style. Above is a mutilated recumbent figure of a cross-legged knight in linked armour, supposed to represent one of the LEYBURNES LORDS OF BERWICK, in this parish, and who died about the middle of the 14th century. The grave below was opened in 1816, and was composed of wrought masonry, when, after a little loose rubbish had been removed, some leg and thigh bones were discovered. On digging about three feet lower to the bottom of the tomb, a skeleton was found wrapped in leather, but without a head. This is conjectured to be the skeleton of Thomas Percy, Earl of Worcester, who was beheaded after the battle of Shrewsbury, and his head sent to London, while his body found an asylum in the tomb of a family which had become extinct.

This church, in 1232, was the scene of an assemblage of legates, convened by command of the Pope to hear charges which had been preferred against Llewelyn for repeated infractions of treaties. This negociation was at length left to six referees on the part of King Henry III. and four on that of the Welsh Prince, by which peace was maintained for a season.

When Charles the First visited this town in 1642, it is recorded he took “a protestation and the sacrament upon it to defend the Protestant religion established by Queen Elizabeth and his royal father,” which solemn scene, it is supposed, took place within this edifice, being the parish church of the mansion in which he was sojourning. King James the Second, it is also said, attended divine service here in 1687, after which he exercised the royal gift of healing by touching many persons for the king’s evil.

THE MONUMENTS of particular interest having been already noticed in their proper situations, it need only be remarked that there are mural tablets commemorative of individuals connected with the families of LYSTER, LLOYD (of Rûg, &c.), MORHALL, BLAKEWAY, &c. on the walls of the chancel, and several other memorials in the nave, transepts, and chapel; which the extended description of this church, and the confined limits of the present work, will not permit further to enumerate.

The length of the building from east to west is 160 feet, breadth (including side aisles) 50 feet.

The tower contains a peal of ten bells, the harmony of which, it is considered, cannot be excelled by that of any peal in the kingdom: weight of tenor 21 cwt. 2 qrs. 17 lbs.

On the west wall of the steeple is an inscription to the memory of Thomas Cadman, who lost his life in a bold attempt to descend from the top of the spire by means of a rope, which he had fixed to it and brought down to the Gay meadow, on the other side of the river Severn. He fell near the Water-lane gate, Feb. 2, 1739, aged 28, at a time when “the ground was iron and the Severn glass,” owing, as the epitaph records, to

“A faulty cord being drawn too tight.”

The parish of Saint Mary extends several miles in detached parts of the country, having within its boundaries five chapels of ease, viz. Albrighton, Astley, Berwick, Clive, and St. Michael’s (Castle-foregate).

The church is a royal peculiar, and the official court has probate of all wills and cognizance of all other ecclesiastical matters arising within the parish. The living is a perpetual curacy, and was, previous to the late municipal act, in the presentation of the Corporation of Shrewsbury; and in the choice of a minister, the son of a burgess, who has been educated at the royal free grammar school, or (in case there be no burgess’s son of that description) one born in the parish of Chirbury, with a qualification similar to the foregoing, is to have the preference.

SAINT ALKMUND’S CHURCH

is situate at a short distance from St. Mary’s, and its cemetery adjoins that of St. Julian’s.

The fine old cruciform church of this parish was inconsiderately destroyed in 1794, under a mistaken apprehension of its stability. The present building, with the exception of the tower and spire, which fortunately escaped the fate of the old church, was opened for divine service Nov. 8, 1795, at a cost of rather more than £3000.

The new structure is of Grinshill stone, and in the style called modern gothic, having six lofty pointed windows on each side, filled with slender mullions of cast-iron; between the windows are graduated buttresses.

The interior is handsomely fitted up, and the general effect pleasing, although not in strict conformity with a gothic building,—wanting that sombre grandeur characteristic of this style of architecture. It is 82 feet long by 44 feet wide, with a small chancel terminated by a pointed window filled with enamelled glass emblematical of “EVANGELICAL FAITH,” depicted in the character of a female figure in the attitude of kneeling upon a cross, with her arms extended, and eyes elevated towards a celestial crown which appears in the opening clouds. The countenance has an interesting expression of adoration, and the motto, “Be thou faithful unto death,” &c. is inscribed on an open volume. The window was painted by the elder Egginton, and cost 200 guineas.

At the west end is a capacious gallery, containing a small fine-toned organ by Gray, of London, erected by a subscription in 1823.

The principal entrance to the church is in the base of the tower, under an elegant pointed arch recessed within a square aperture, on either side of which are niches, most barbarously repaired in 1825; above is a bold mullioned window in the style of the sixteenth century, when the tower and spire were probably built. In this window are two ancient escutcheons in stained glass, displaying England and France quarterly, and the arms of Richard Sampson, Bishop of Lichfield, and Lord President of the Marches from 1543 to 1548.

The tower is finely proportioned, being flanked with double buttresses gradually diminishing, and terminated with a crocketed pinnacle; an open parapet of pointed arches surrounds the base of the spire, which, though not remarkable for height, is considered by persons of good taste “to possess singular elegance of form.” The tower contains eight musical bells, recast in 1813, and is 70 feet high, the spire 114, making a total of 184 feet from the ground.

In a vault beneath this church are interred the remains of Thomas Jones, Esq. who died in 1642. He was six times bailiff, and the FIRST MAYOR OF SHREWSBURY; also those of Sir Thomas Jones, Lord Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, who died 1692, to whom and other members of this ancient Shropshire family are several memorials. Other monumental tablets also relieve the walls of the building.

The old structure contained many curious brasses and monuments; the former were sold, and the latter dispersed, on its unnecessary demolition.

The living is a vicarage in the gift of the Crown, and a weekly lecture is preached in the church on Wednesdays.

SAINT JULIAN’S CHURCH.

[Picture: St. Julian’s and St. Alkmond’s Churches]

The church, dedicated to St. Juliana, occupies an elevated situation at the top of Wyle Cop, and was erected 1749–50, from a design by Mr. T. F. Prichard, of this town, on the site of an Anglo-Norman structure, which had become ruinous.

It is a plain oblong building of brick, and stone dressings, 83 feet by 48, with a small recess for the chancel.

At the west end is the tower of the old church; the basement is of red stone, and of a date far anterior to the superstructure, which is of the 16th century, and crowned by a handsome embattled parapet and eight lofty pinnacles, restored in 1818, when the masonry of the tower was chipped and repaired. The tower contains a peal of six bells, recast in 1706, and an excellent clock, the dial of which is illuminated at night.

In the south wall of the chancel is an ancient figure, probably intended to represent St. Juliana.

The interior is particularly neat, possessing an air of solemnity unusual in the generality of modern churches. Four large Roman-Doric pillars support the roof of the nave, which is coved and adorned with the fret-work of the old church. Galleries occupy three sides of the building. At the west end is an excellent organ, by Bowsher and Fleetwood, of Liverpool, erected by a subscription in 1834, the exterior of which is tasteful in design, and harmonizes with the internal architecture of the edifice.

The pulpit is handsome, and belonged to the old church. The altar-piece and furniture of the chancel are in good taste; the former is of wainscot, and presents a Roman Doric basement, supporting Ionic pilasters and entablature with modillion cornice, from which springs a rich architrave surrounding a Venetian window, in the centre light of which is a figure in stained glass of ST. JAMES BEARING THE HOLY SCRIPTURES. The side lights contain the royal arms, and those of the see of Lichfield, impaling Cornwallis.

In the windows of the south gallery are the armorial bearings of Queen Elizabeth, the family of Bowdler, a fine ancient shield of the town arms, and heads of St. Peter and St. Paul, surmounted by their emblems, the keys and sword. On the north side are the arms of Prince, Bennett, Astley, the Earl of Tankerville, and a figure of St. John.

In the floor of the south aisle is an ancient gravestone, preserved from the former church: round the edge is a Longobardic inscription to the memory of Edmund Tromwyn, who is supposed to have died about the close of the thirteenth century.

There are several mural monuments in the aisles and chancel: on the north side of the latter is a pedimented tablet set on a square table of dove-coloured marble, with the following inscription:—

Sacred to the Memory Of the VENERABLE HUGH OWEN, M.A. F.R.S. Archdeacon of Salop, Prebendary of Salisbury and Lichfield, One of the Portionists of Bampton, Oxfordshire, Formerly Minister of this Parish, and afterwards of St. Mary, in Shrewsbury. He was the only son of Pryce Owen, M.D. and Bridget his wife, And the lineal descendant of an Ancient British family. Distinguished for the extent and accuracy of his Antiquarian researches, And knowledge of the principles of Ecclesiastical and Civil Architecture, By the judicious application of this talent, Joined to a firm but mild execution of his official authority, He greatly contributed to the decent and substantial restoration Of many venerable fabrics within his Archdeaconry. His “Account of the Ancient and Present State of Shrewsbury,” Originally published in a single volume, Was afterwards embodied in a complete History written by him, In conjunction with the Rev. John Brickdale Blakeway. He died Dec. 23d, 1827, aged 67 years. Harriet, his wife, daughter of Edward Jeffreys, Esq. Died April 3d, 1825, aged 59 years.

In the south aisle, a plain tablet surmounted by a lion commemorates the public spirit and unremitting exertions of Mr. ROBERT LAWRENCE, “in opening the great road through Wales between the united kingdoms, and for establishing the first mail coach to this town.” He died Sept. 3d, 1806, aged 57 years.

The living is a perpetual curacy in the presentation of the Right Hon. the Earl of Tankerville, and the parish comprehends the Wyle Cop and the suburb of Coleham, but isolated districts of it are intermixed with several of the other parishes at different ends of the town.

A Sunday evening lecture was commenced at this church, April 20th, 1828, for the “free accommodation of the town at large,” the parishioners having consented to lend their pews for the occasion. Several of the clergy connected with the town preach alternately at this additional service.

THE PARISH OF ST. MICHAEL WITHIN THE CASTLE.

It has been already stated (page 24) that the royal free chapel of St. Juliana became at an early period appurtenant to the church of St. Michael, the situation of which it has been shown was within the castle.

It is uncertain whether a church existed here anterior to the Norman conquest; however, in the survey called Domesday-book, compiled in 1085, the churches of Shrewsbury are mentioned in the following order, and their possessions enumerated: viz. St. Mary, St. Michael, St. Chad, St. Alkmund, and St. Julian. And of St. Michael these particulars are given:

“The Church of Saint Michael holds, of the Earl Roger, _Posseton_: Chetel held it [in the time of the Confessor]: there is one virgate of land: the land is half a carucate: one man renders therefore a bundle of box on the day of Palms. The same church holds _Suletene_: Brictric, a free man held it from the Confessor, when there was one hide paying tax at the time of the Conquest: the land was one caracute: there was also half a caracate: it was then worth five shillings; now (the completion of Domesday) four pence less.” {63}

It may be useful, therefore, in this place to relate some further information respecting the parish of St. Michael, which has lately excited the public attention, by the parish of St. Mary enforcing a demand for the payment of poor-rates upon the tenant of the Castle, J. C. Pelham, Esq. and which that gentleman resisted on the ground that the Castle formed no part of the parish of St. Mary. The issue came on for trial at the Summer Assizes, 1836, before Mr. Justice Patteson and a special jury, when a verdict was obtained in favour of the plaintiff, Mr. Pelham.

1222.—This Chapel was of the donation of the Lord the King, and given to William de Haverhul.

The Chapel of the Forde was also of the gift of the King, and belonged to this church of the Castle, and rendered three shillings, and was worth one mark, which William de Haverhul then held.

1235.—The Chapel of St. Michael was held by William de Battal, and was worth yearly fourteen marks.

1271.—The Rector of St. Michael proceeded to recover in law for services due to him in right of his church. The entry commences thus:

“Robert Corbet, of Morton, offered himself on the fourth day (fourth day probably of the assizes at Shrewsbury) against Richard de Sarre, Parson of the Church of St. Michael, of a plea that the same Robert should do to the aforesaid Richard the accustomed and right services which he ought to do to him for his frank tenement which he holds of him in _Soleton_ and Lack.”

1293.—The Chapel of St. Michael was worth yearly twelve marks, and Master Adam de Malane held it of the gift of the King.

1309.—King Edward the Second granted to his beloved clerk, Boniface de Ledes, this Free Chapel, vacant by the resignation of Roger de Ledes.

1318.—A similar Grant to Roger de Lysewy, of this Free Chapel of St. Michael, being then vacant, &c. To this grant is appended an order from the King to “Master Thomas de Cherlton,” then Constable of the Castle, to induct this Roger into corporal possession thereof.

1330.—A similar Grant of this Chapel, being vacant, to Walter de London.

1330.—A subsequent Grant, in this year, of the said Chapel to Adam de Overton.

1342.—It appears that Adam D’Overton was Warden of this Free Chapel of St. Michael.

1343.—A Grant to John de Wynwyk of this Free Chapel, and an order to John de Wyndsore, then the Constable, to induct him; also a Grant to the same John de Wynwyk of the King’s Free Chapel of St. Julian, Salop.

1344.—A Grant to John Fitz John Le Strange, of Blaunkmonstr, of this Free Chapel.

1347.—It appears that a suit was pending between John Fitz John Le Strange, of Whitechurch, Parson of this Free Chapel, and certain persons in the pleas mentioned.

1395.—An Inquisition taken at Salop, on Wednesday next after the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, before John de Eyton, Sheriff of Salop, by virtue of a certain Writ to the said Sheriff directed, and to this Inquisition annexed, by oath of William Banaster of Bromdon, and others, who say upon their oath that William Tyrington, late Parson of this Chapel, had committed waste, dilapidation, and destruction in this Chapel, to wit, in throwing down, dilapidating, and destroying this Chapel, to the value of one hundred pounds, through the defect of the roofing, repairing, and supporting of this Chapel, that is, in lead, stone, timber, and glass windows, and also in the carrying away one chalice and divers entire vestments, with all the ornaments ordained for the said chalice and vestments pertaining to the said Chapel, and by destroying divers images lately being in the same Chapel, by reason of his improvident custody of the said Chapel, and of his neglect of the repairing of this Chapel, to the value aforesaid, beginning the defects aforesaid in the Feast of Easter, in the 48th year of King Edward the Third, till the death of this William Tyrington, so that this Chapel was utterly destroyed and wholly thrown down and laid in ruins by this William de Tyrington, late Parson of this Chapel, and so that two hundred marks were not sufficient to amend and repair it, with the ornaments lately being therein.

1410.—A Grant by King Henry the Fourth, reciting, that whereas he had granted to “Roger Yve, of Leeton, Rector of our Chapel of St. John the Baptist at Adbrighton Husee,” “certain lands in fields called the Batteleyfield, in which field the battle between us and Henry Percy, deceased, and certain of our rebels, lately took place,” in order to build “a certain Chapel of St. Mary Magdalene,” of which he was appointed Warden, with power to choose five Chaplains to celebrate Divine Service in the said Chapel every day. The Grant then proceeds to endow the said Chapel of St. Mary Magdalene at Battlefield with various possessions, and among others with the Advowson of “the King’s Free Chapel of St. Michael within the Castle of Salop, to which the Chapel of St. Julian of Salop is appurtenant or appendant.”

1417.—John Repynton, then Warden of the said Chapel of Saint Michael, surrendered the same to the King.

1558.—John Halliwell took of Richard Burper, among other property, all manner of tithes, oblations, obventions, fruits, profits, and emoluments, of the Rectory, Church, and Chapel, of Saint Julian, and of “the Chapel of Saint Michael.”

1583.—Was a Fine, passing the same property.

Queen Elisabeth having granted a lease of the Castle and its appurtenances to Humphrey Onslow, Esq. at the yearly rent of 13s. 4d. that gentleman’s lease expired in 1596, when the Castle and its appurtenances came into the possession of the Corporation.

In the records of the Corporation is the following entry:

1605.—“Agreed that persons shall view the stones in the Castle belonging to St. Michael’s Chapel, and take account thereof, and enquire what stones are taken away.”

There can be little doubt, however, but the Parish of St. Michael’s had originally some connexion with St. Mary’s parish; for in the reign of Henry II. it seems that Walter de Dunstanville, Rector of St. Michael’s, sold a tract of land called Wogheresforlong and a moiety of Derefold to a person named Gilbert, reserving to himself a rent of three shillings and sixpence; and that John the son of Gilbert soon afterwards conveyed it to one Nicholas le Poncer, who subsequently granted it to Haghmond Abbey, free from all secular service, saving a rent of four shillings to be annually paid (in lieu of the tithes of Derefold) to the parson of the parish of the church of St. Michael within the Castle.

This commutation is assented to and witnessed by the Dean and Chapter of St. Mary’s, “for us and our successors for ever;” an attestation which would appear as quite unnecessary, if this district had not once been connected with their jurisdiction.

The etymology of Derfald, or Deerfold, is an enclosure or park (which will be noticed hereafter) for keeping deer, an appendage not unusual to our early fortresses. This circumstance (and at a period when little respect was shown to boundaries civil or ecclesiastical) might have induced Roger de Montgomery, as feudal lord, to assign it as the parochial limits of his church, although at the cost of the parish of St. Mary.

THE ABBEY CHURCH.

[Picture: The Abbey Church]

THE ABBEY CHURCH is situated in the suburb to which it has given the name of Abbey Foregate. It is built of a deep red stone. A noble simplicity combined with a massive solidity characterizes the whole structure, to which time has given a most venerable appearance; and, though marks of mutilation are too evident throughout, it displays many curious features of ancient Norman architecture combined with the earlier pointed style.

It originally formed part of the richly endowed monastery founded in 1083 by Roger de Montgomery, Earl of Shrewsbury, and when entire was a stately cruciform building, equal in size to some of our cathedrals, having a central and western tower, transepts, &c. The whole eastern portion, two-thirds of the structure, was barbarously destroyed at the dissolution of monasteries in the time of Henry the Eighth. The neglect of after-times has contributed much to disfigure its external elevation, the eastern portion of the upper clerestory having from decay fallen down some time about the close of the 17th century.

The present church consists of the nave, side aisles, and western tower of the Abbey church, and owes its escape to the circumstance of the western end having always been used as the church of the parish of HOLY CROSS, the name it still retains.

The west front is composed of the tower, flanked by the ends of the Norman side aisles, and has a bold appearance. The tower is broad and massive; the basement early Norman, surmounted by a well-proportioned superstructure of the 14th century. The portal is a deeply recessed round-headed arch, having a pointed doorway inserted within it; to preserve uniformity, the exterior rib of the outward round arch springs on each side from a Norman shaft with an indented capital, and the combination displays much skill and ingenuity.