[44] About the close of the 12th century, companies of masons, designers, or architects, as well as workmen, were incorporated under the especial patronage of the Pope, and associated together as a fraternity of free and accepted masons, under certain regulations and peculiar privileges.
[48] This is now a principal entrance to the church; the jambs of the door-way are in the debased style prevalent during the last century, and the obtuse arch seems originally to have formed the head of a window.
[52] In 1831 was published Mr. Blakeway’s Sheriffs of Shropshire, illustrated with their armorial bearings, and notices genealogical and biographical of their families, edited with great judgment by a reverend gentleman of this town, a particular friend of the deceased. It is perhaps the first work in which what may be termed the genealogy and biography of a county has been distinctly treated, and evinces in a high degree the patient and diligent research of its talented author, whose valuable life we have reason to deplore was not spared to publish a History of the County of Salop, for which his talents and extensive local knowledge rendered him so eminently qualified.
[63] These possessions were about 150 acres.
[82] A notice of the improvements in this church will be found in vol. 100, part II. of the Gent. Mag. communicated by the author of these Memorials.
[101] The scholars, in grateful remembrance of the kindness of their preceptor, presented him (on his taking leave of the School, June 7th, 1836,) with a massive silver candelabrum, of three hundred guineas value, raised by their united contributions,—the subject a vine branch with Genii pressing the fruit, and bearing an appropriate inscription; in acknowledging which Dr. Butler said, under your future head master and his able coadjutor (the Rev. G. I. Welldon), and my long-tried and much-valued friends, the assistant masters, may you pursue your career with the same success as those who have gone before you; and to my best wishes for your welfare and happiness, let me add, as my last official words, “Floreat Salopia!”
[103] Of the one hundred and twenty first-rate honours recorded here, the present learned head master (Dr. Kennedy) claims more than one-twelfth for his own individual share.
[106] The old liberties of the borough extended a few miles round Shrewsbury. A large part of this ancient boundary, possessing a property of the annual value of fifty thousand pounds, and which formerly used to contribute to the rates levied in connexion with the town, is now taken from the liberties and annexed to the county.
[107] A merchant guild is supposed to have been established as a voluntary association as early as the year 1128; for, among other customs granted by Henry III. there was one by which no person who was not a member of the “merchant guild” could exercise merchandise in the borough without the consent of the burgesses.
[110] A more extended account of this pageant, by the author of “Memorials of Shrewsbury,” will be found in the Gentleman’s Magazine for July, 1833.