Tradition points out a knoll, planted with a clump of fir trees, called the Queen’s Bower, where Eleanor, the Queen of Henry IV. received the news of the victory at Battlefield. Her Majesty hearing the tidings of the messenger imperfectly, is said to have exclaimed “hey man,” from whence the hill subsequently acquired its name. A more probable derivation of the name is “Haut mont,” the High Mount. From these crags “that sprightly Scot of Scots, Douglas,” in endeavouring to escape after the battle, is said to have fallen, and sustaining considerable injury, was captured by his pursuers. The noble view from these heights cannot fail to rivet the attention.
[67] See first page.
[71] See Initial, page 1, for that on the south side.
[86] Those who may feel interested in tracing the rise and progress of this Institution will do well to consult “Records of the Salop Infirmary, by Henry Bevan, 4to. 1847,” a work of great accuracy and pains-taking, and especially deserving of praise for its valuable statistical tables.
[97] Engravings of the Old Church will be found in the Gentleman’s Magazine, vol. 81, p. 9, (N. E. view,) and vol. 66, p. 369, (E. end.)
[109] See a north-west view of this once fine old Church in the Gentleman’s Magazine, vol. 77, p. 297.
[126] At this Parliament, held Sept. 30th, the patriotic and unhappy David, the last Prince of Wales, was tried, and condemned to an ignominious and cruel death, which, to the disgrace of Edward, was permitted to be carried into execution. To this convention two knights were summoned from each county, and two deputies from certain of the principal cities and towns, (of which Shrewsbury was one,) and thus was laid the foundation of the British House of Commons. After the trial of David the Parliament adjourned to Acton Burnell, where the famous statute of that name received the royal assent.
[127] Henry VIII. had previously by an Act of the twenty-sixth year of his reign appointed twenty-six suffragan or assistant bishops, to whom he assigned twenty-six borough towns dispersed over the kingdom as their sees. Shrewsbury was judiciously selected as one. This useful law was however seldom enforced, one only suffragan Bishop of Shrewsbury being known; Lewis Thomas, late Abbot of Cwmhîr, consecrated suffragan Bishop of the see of Salop by Archbishop Cranmer, 24th June, 1537. He died 1560 or 1561.
[133] The engraving represents the eastern end previous to the alterations.
[153] A short walk along the retired and shady lane opposite St. Giles’s church brings us to a small but highly picturesque wood, covering the ragged bank of the Meole Brook; embosomed in which is Sutton Spa, the water of which has been found by experience to be highly serviceable in scrofulous disorders. The attendant resides on the spot, in a neat cottage, near to which are hot and cold baths, with suitable accommodations.