It would seem superfluous for me, after the many quotations which I have taken from his learned work on “The Antiquities of Shropshire,” to make any acknowledgement of my obligations to the Rev. Robert Eyton. But I owe him much more than is indicated by these quotations. He very kindly directed my attention to sources of information respecting Bridgnorth, which have been of the greatest service to me, particularly the Blakeway Papers, in the Bodleian Library, besides allowing me to refer to his better judgment and more extensive information, on any difficulty that occurred to me.
I am very much indebted also to Mr. Whitmore, of Apley, for his kindness in giving me the free use of his own collection of historical notices of our town and neighbourhood, from the MSS. in his possession. I would gladly avail myself of this opportunity of expressing my thanks likewise to the Town Clerk, for allowing me to consult the Common Hall Order Books, and other documents belonging to the Corporation; and to Mr. Hubert Smith for giving me his valuable assistance in decyphering them. Nor should I omit to offer my thanks to the Rev. G. L. Wasey, for some interesting particulars which he communicated to me, respecting the early history of Quatford; and to Mr. S. Sidney Smith, from whose antiquarian lore I have, on several points, derived much valuable information.
CONTENTS.
| PAGE. | |
| The Foundation of Bridgnorth | [ 3] |
| The site of Ethelfleda’s Castle | [ 9] |
| The Castle and Church of Quatford | [11] |
| Bridgnorth Castle built by Robert de Belesme | [22] |
| The First Siege, by Henry I. | [27] |
| The Second Siege, by Henry II. | [32] |
| Wooden Fortifications of the Town in the time of King John | [42] |
| Charter for St. Luke’s Fair | [44] |
| Charter of the Borough | [45] |
| The Visit of Prince Edward to Bridgnorth Castle, after the Battle of Evesham | [48] |
| The Siege of Bridgnorth by Edward II. | [50] |
| His taking refuge in it when pursued by the Rebels | [53] |
| The Church of St. Mary Magdalene | [55] |
| Notice of William of Wykeham | [63] |
| The Church of St. Leonard | [68] |
| The Hermitage of Athelardestan | [78] |
| The Hospital of St. John | [80] |
| The Leper Hospital of St. James | [83] |
| The Friars | [87] |
| Bridgnorth Hobelers in the Army of Edward III. | [105] |
| Henry IV. at Bridgnorth, before the Battle of Shrewsbury | [110] |
| Thomas Hoord, Member for Bridgnorth, and the Duke of York | [113] |
| Suppression of the Religious Houses | [120] |
| The Cappers of Bridgnorth | [126] |
| The Transfer of the Castle of Bridgnorth to Sir W. Whitmore | [127] |
| The Great Rebellion | [128] |
| Charles I. Visits to Bridgnorth | [135] |
| Narrow escape of Oliver Cromwell at Bridgnorth | [149] |
| Two Letters of King Charles’s written from Bridgnorth | [155] |
| Encounter between the King’s Troops and the Roundheads | [158] |
| The Final Siege of Bridgnorth | [163] |
| The Skirmish in St. Leonard’s Church Yard | [164] |
| The Destruction of the Town by Fire | [167] |
| The Surrender of the Castle | [173] |
| Richard Baxter | [182] |
| Collection made to Rebuild the Town | [188] |
| The Town Hall | [190] |
| Proclamation of Charles II. | [194] |
| The Acquittal of the Seven Bishops celebrated in Bridgnorth | [199] |
| Conclusion | [202] |