"BRIDGNORTH ST. LEONARD, a parish and curacy in the exempt jurisdiction of the borough of Bridgnorth, (formerly a college) 507 houses, 2,161 inhabitants."

"BRIDGNORTH ST. LEONARD, a parish and curacy in the exempt jurisdiction of the borough of Bridgnorth, (formerly a college) 507 houses, 2,161 inhabitants."

" BRIDGENORTH, (Salop) or BRUGES, 108 cm. and 135 mm. from London, is a very ancient, large and populous T. on the Severn, which flows among the rocks here with a very steep fall; and consisting of the upper and lower Ts. separated by the r. over which it has a stone bridge, that has a gate and gate-house on it, besides some houses. The T. was built by the widow of Ethelred, K. of the Mercians. Its situation is pleasant, as well as commodious for trade; its air healthy, and its prospect delightful. Many of the houses are founded upon a rock, and most of the cellars are hewn out of it; on the roof of which, are gardens made without much cost, or art; and pathways made over them, so that one may walk over the tops of several houses, without danger or difficulty. On the S. side of the hill, where it is very steep, a castle stood once, since demolished, and part of it converted into one of the finest bowling-greens in the Km. for its prospect. Upon the brow of this hill there is a walk, which K. Ch. I. said he thought the pleasantest in his dominions. The T. consists chiefly of three streets, well paved with pebbles, and well built; one of which, called Mill-street, because it leads to the town mills parallel to the r. on the W. side, is adorned with stately structures. It is a place of great trade both by land and water, and had many great privileges granted to it by charters from Hen. II. and K. John. It is governed by 2 bailiffs, elected yearly out of the 24 ald. (who are such as have gone through all the offices of the T.) by a jury of 14 men; together with 48 C.C.men, a recorder, town-clerk, &c. Its Mt. which is on S. is well stocked with all sorts of provisions; and its Fairs, which are on the Th. before Shrove-Sunday, June 19, July 22, Ocf. 18, are resorted to from most parts of the Km. for cattle, sheep, butter, cheese, bacon, linen-cloth, hops, and most other merchandize. The last, which holds three days, is the biggest. The first holds also three days, and the others two days each. The T. is well furnished with artificers of all sorts, who deal in making and selling cloaths, leather, iron tools, and the common mfs. of the Km. Here are also gun-makers, joiners, and carpenters both for houses and vessels; and it is as famous a place, as any in England, for making stockings. Here were formerly several mons. besides a popish college and chantry; but now only two Chs. one of which, from its situation on the highest part of the hill, is called the High-Ch. which was so damaged by fire, when the T. was burnt in the late civil wars, that it was afterwards quite pulled down, and rebuilt. The ps. are both large; and here is a fr. s. for the sons of the burgesses, which is as ancient as the R. of Q. Eliz. and an endowment of one Mr. Carswell for maintaining 18 scholars at the U. of Oxford, which are sent from this place, Shrewsbury, Newport, Wem, and Dunnington. The T. is not only supplied with good water by leaden pipes from a spring half a mile off, but the water of the Severn is thrown up by an engine to the top of the Castle-hill, the contrivance of those who erected the water-works at London-bridge. There are good mills also bel. to the T. built on a little r. called Werfe, which falls into the Severn, There is a hos. in the High-Church-yard for 10 poor widows of the upper T. A hollow way leads from this high part of the T. to the bridge, which is much admired by strangers, it being hewn through a rock to the depth of 20 foot on the W. side; and though it is a very great descent, it is made easy by steps and rails."

[Transcribed information from England's Gazetteer - Stephen Whatley - 1750] (unless otherwise stated)

[Description(s) transcribed by Mel Lockie ©2015]

"BRIDGNORTH, comprises the parishes of St. Leonard, St. Mary Magdalen, and is a market and borough town most romantically situated on the eastern confines of the county, and intersected by the river Severn. The part which stands on the eastern banks of the river is designated by the appellation of the Low Town, and that which lies on its western banks is called the High Town. The latter extends along the flat of the hill, rising sixty yards above the level of the river. A connection is formed between these two parts by a stone bridge of six arches; and the whole town is within a franchise or liberty exempt from all county contributions and services. Its singular situation strikes the eye of a traveller by its similitude to the city of Jerusalem, and to the seaport town of Gibraltar. The air of Bridgnorth is uncommonly salubrious, and on this point it has been asserted that it is equal even to Montpelier. It is remarked that there are few consumptive people in the town; and there is this convenience in the situation, that if the air of the Upper Town be too sharp for the constitution, that of the Lower Town is much milder. Dr Hollins, an eminent physician in Shrewsbury, father to Dr. Hollins, physician to George the second, observed that when any epidemick distemper was abroad, Bridgnorth was sooner free from it than any other place he knew. Dr. Anthony Weaver, late an eminent physician of this place, made the same remark. Part of the ruins of a castle built by Robert de Belesme, the third Norman Earl of this county, are yet standing. The present edifice was erected on the site of the former structure, but a part of the square tower, now standing 17 degrees out of its perpendicular, is almost the only relick left. It was about seventy feet high, and the interior from north to south, twenty four feet nine inches in length, by twenty feet three inches in breadth. The bridge, which is a very handsome and spacious structure, consisting of six arches, and formerly of seven, has lately undergone considerable repair, by Mr. Thomas Simpson, of Shrewsbury, and Mr. John Smallman, of Quatford. The Low Town consists of several avenues, one of which leads from the bridge, called Bridge Street; another opens on the east into Mill Street, thus named on account of its approach to the Town Mills, granted by King Henry the third, to the burgesses of this place. In this avenue are several respectable houses. The avenue of the south-east extremity, leading into St. John's Street, which is so called from it having had, in the reign of Richard the first, an hospital which was afterwards converted into a priory dedicated to the Holy Trinity, the Virgin Mary, and St. John the Baptist. The south end of this avenue opens into another called Spital Street, from an ancient hospital, or leper's house, which stood at the southern extremity, and was dedicated to St. James. The western end of the bridge opens into Underhill Street, in which stands a very ancient, large, half-timbered mansion, built in 1589, is which Dr. Percy, the late bishop of Dromore, was born, who afterwards became its proprietor. This avenue winds round the eastern side of the hill, on which the High Town appears so commanding. This part of the borough, comprehending the old castle ward, is subdivided into other avenues, - High Street, Listley Street, Hungary Street, Little Brugg or Bridge Street, now frequently called Pound Street; Whitburne or Raven Street, Church Street, the Back Lane, adjoining the cemetery of St. Leonard, and the Cart Way and Back Lane, opening from High Street into the castle promenade. The High Street, in very early times called Great Street or Brugg, is a spacious and well formed avenue, about 26 yards in width, extending about 920 yards along the level of the hill towards the north. This Street has elegant regular buildings, in which are the first tradesmen's shops in this place, and two posting houses - the Crown Inn or Royal Hotel, and the Castle Inn. It is terminated by a modern embattled gate way, erected in 1740, and in the centre stands a tower or guild hall, erected in 1655. At the south-west end it opens into Listley Street, in which, on the side passing into the New town, formerly stood Listley Gate. This Street on the south-west was defended hy a stone wall continued to Hungary Gate. At this place it leads into Hungary Street, also called St. Mary, from an old chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary, some vestiges of which are still to be seen. This street connects itself with the High Street at the east end, and was terminated by its antique barrier gate at the west extremity, where it opens into the ancient little Brugg. On the north-east side are the remains of an old stone castellated structure, called the Halfmoon battery. It is octagonal, and was probably a watch tower of considerable strength and great importance to this almost defenceless part of the town. From Little Bridge Street, proceeds Whitburne Street, now called Raven Street (from a publick house there), which a few years ago was defended at the western extremity by an ancient stone gate-way.

At the other end it leads into High Street, and exactly opposite is Church Street. On the north side of this latter, stand the alms houses, erected in 1792, for the accommodation of twelve poor women. This Street leads up into the cemetery of St. Leonard, in which stands the free grammar school, founded by the bailiffs and burgesses, in or prior to the reign of Henry the seventh, for the sons of burgesses, to which are annexed three valuable exhibitions to Christ Church College, Oxford. On the south side of this cemetery, also stands an hospital for poor widows, endowed by the Rev. Francis Palmer, rector of Sandy, in the county of Bedford. At the south-east end of the High Street is the Cart Way, the only passage from the bridge to the Upper Town, till the year 1782, when the new road which winds round part of the south-west extremity, was formed.

At the Upper Town in the Cart Way, there stood, in former times, another of these fortified entrances into the High Town called Cow Gate, from whence, towards the north, issues the Friar's Lane, which derives its name from a religions house standing at a distance, and once occupied by the Grey, or Franciscan Friars. A considerable part of this structure is still to be seen near the bank of the river. The south end of the High Street leads into those which approach the castle. The East Castle Street is bounded on a brow of the eminence, by a handsome range of neat brick houses, erected mostly in the eighteenth century, and belonging to Charles Hanbury Tracy, Esq., of Toddington, in the county of Gloucester. On the same side is an ancient brick structure, certainly the first in this part of the town, and built prior to the year 1638, by Francis Ridley, Gent., who descended from an uncle of Dr. Nicholas Ridley, the first protestant bishop of London, who suffered martyrdom in the Cause of the reformation. This Street is terminated on the south, by the neat modern Church of St. Mary Magdalen, and on the north, leads into the West Castle Street, at which extremity are still to be traced the remains of the Barrier Gate Way, belonging to the castle, arched over, and lately forming a part of the "Hole in the Wall" publick house, but taken down in June, 1821. At the west side of this street stands a dissenting chapel, belonging to the Baptists. Many of the meanest houses are hewn out of the red sandy rock, under the brow of the hill, with several caves, formerly used as cellars, over which the inhabitants have gardens. There is a curious, but gloomy path, leading from the High Town to the end of the bridge, cut deep in the rock in some places, and made easy by steps and rails. On the north side a chapel presents itself, which belongs to the Independents. From the upper part of this avenue, a benutiful terrace walk leads along the summit of the Castle-hill. This walk wss much admired by King Charles the first, who was there three tunes during the civil war, and preferred it to all other terraces in the kingdom. Persons of taste universally consider it highly interesting. The town in general enjoys a profusion of water, which lows, not only from an extensive spring in the Conduit Field, about half a mile distant, and which is conveyed by pipes, but also, from the Severn. The water of this river is thrown into a cistern on the Castle-hill, by a water engine, worked by the stream. The town consists of two parishes, St. Mary Magdalen, and St. Leonard, the former comprising the whole extent of the Low Town, with a portion of the ancient forest of Morfe, the two Castle Streets, a part of High Street, and of Listley Street. St. Leonard's comprehends the remainder of the horough. At each extremity of the High Town, stand the Churches, which have a commanding and singular appearance, when approached from the Hermitage-hill. That of St. Mary, wss erected nearly on the site of the former edifice, (under an act of parliament passed for that purpose) at the expense of £8827 11s. 9d., the first stone being laid the 17th of Dec. 1792, by Thomas Whitmore, Esq., the present patron. It is a neat edifice, a hundred and twenty one feet long, and sixty broad, its roof being snpported by fourteen Ionia columns. At the north end is a conical tower, one hundred and thirteen feet, six inches in height, surmounted by a gilt cross, and containing a ring of six very musical bells. The Church of St. Leonard, which appears a very ancient structure, from the perishable red stone of whichit is composed, was built in the year 1448. The materials were given by Richard fiord, Esq., of Hord's Park, out of his quarry, near the Church Yard, called Pipper's Field. The Tower is ninety three feet high, and twenty six feet six inches, by twenty four feet, at the hase. The free school is situated on the west side of the cemetery of St. Leonard, and was founded about the eighteenth year of the reign of King Henry the eighth (1503,) by the bailiffs and corporation. See appendix. The town has many ancient privileges granted under various charters. The carpet trade, was a short time ago, brought to great perfection here. For a time it was discontinued, but is now going on, and is in an increasing state. The iron foundry was once carried on to a great extent. A short time ago it was at a stand; but is now reviving. A manufactory of glue was lately introduced by Mt. Robert Thompson, but is now discontinued. Near this manufacfory, is the tan yard, belonging to the family of the Sings, and occupied by them ever since the reign of Henry the eighth. Adjoining is the steam flour mill, in the occupation of Mr. John Jasper, and capable of grinding one hundred and eighty bushels a day. The pipe manufactory has, till lately, been very extensively employed. The nail trade is in very few hands. An immense quantity of excellent malt is made here, equal, if not superior, to any in the kingdom; the land, on the western side of the river, being admirably adapted to the growth of barley. Many vessels are constructed on the banks of the Severn. In addition to these concerns is the river trade, carried on from Welshppol, Shrewsbury, and Colebrookdale, through this town, to Bewdley, Stourport, Worcester, Gloucester, and Bristol; the Severn connecting itself at Stourport, with the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal. Monsieur de la Motto, a French spy, * introduced the lace making trade; which is at present carried on by a few of the lower order of females, at their respective houses, and is increasing. Bridgnorth is governed by two bailiffs,** John Roe, and John Dyer, Gents., a recorder, Thomas Whitmore Esq., a deputy recorder, Leek, Esq., Barrister at Law, tea clerk, John Smith Gent., twenty four aldermen, and forty eight common council men, two chamberlains, and two bridge masters. It is an ancient borough, and has sent members to parliament ab origitse. The first on record are Andrew Bolding, and Traward de Egerton, twenty third of Edward the first, 1294. Its present representatives are Thomas Whitmore, and William Wolryche Whitmore, Esqs.

Its population in 1801, was 4485; and in 1811, 4179. According to the last return the borough of Bridgnorth contained 988 houses, and 4345 inhabitants.

The venerable Dr. Percy was well known during more than half a century, by various learned and ingenious publications, and distinguished by the most active and exemplary publick and private virtues. In him literature lost one of its brightest ornaments and warmest patrons. His ardour of genius, his fine classical taste, his assiduity of research, and his indefatigable zeal in its cause, were such as were possessed by the distinguished few, such as will render his name dear to learning and science. He was the intimate friend of Shenstone, Johnson, Goldsmith, and Reynolds; and the last of that illustrious association of men of letters, which flourished at the commencement of the last reign. Dr. Percy was born at Bridgnorth, in 1728, and was educated at Christ Church, Oxford, where he took the degree of M.A.; and in 1756, was presented by his college to the vicarage of Easton Mauduit, in Northamptonshire, which he held with the rectory of Wilbye, in the same county, given him by the Earl of Sussex. He took his Doctor's degree in 1770; and in the list of graduates is styled of Emanuel college. June 12th, 1761, he entered into an agreement with Messrs. Tonson, to publish an edition of the works of George Villiers, the second Duke of Buckingham, for which he received fifty two guineas; March 24th, 1763, for an edition of Surrey's poems, twenty guineas. The translation from the Chinese, entitled Hau Kiou Chooan ***, or the pleasing History, (published in 1761,) was followed in 1762, by a collection of "Chinese Miscellanies," and in 1763, by "Five pieces of Runick poetry," translated from the Icelandick language. May 5th, 1764, he again engaged with Messrs. Tonson to furnish Notes for an edition of The Spectator, and Guardian, for which he had one hundred guineas. In 1764, he thus communicated to Dr. Ducarel his intended publication of the "Reliques of English Poetry," and the works of Buckingham," "What I chiefly want are old manuscripts or printed copies of the more fugitive remains ofancient genius; of such poems as are not to be found in our voluminous poets such as Chaucer, Lydgate, Gower; of such pieces as are left us by unknown authors, These are of various kinds, vir. Allegories, Romances in verse, Historical Ballads, &c. The following would be particularly acceptable - Pierce Plowman; Life and Death, (an old allegorical poem in the metre of Pierce Plowman;) Horn Child, an old metrical romance; Ippotire, (quoted by Chaucer,) ditto; Sir thy, (quoted by Chaucer,) ditto; Sir Rg lanaoure, ditto; Sir Tryanwure, ditto; Ipponsedon, ditto; The Life and Death, of Merlin, ditto; Sir Landrwell, ditto; The Spire of low Degree, ditto; The Mirk and the Bird, a fable, by Lydgate. I also want to see either the second or third edition, 4to, of the Rehearsal: the first edition was published in 1672, which I have: the fourth edition was published in 1683, which I have also: I want to see either or both of the intermediate editions; and should even be obliged by a perusal of any tracts written by or concerning George Villiers, the second Duke of Buckingham, who died in 1687." elhe Reliques of Ancient and English Poetry," first appeared in 1675; and this publication constitutes an era in the history of English literature in the eighteenth century. Perhaps the perusal of a folio volume of ancient manuscripts, given the Bishop by a friend in early life, (from which he afterwards made large extracts in the "Reliques,") led his mind to those studies in which he so eminently distinguished himself. In this work, he recovered from obscurity, and preserved from oblivion, many beautiful remains of genius. In some that were mere fragments and detached stanzas, Dr. Percy supplied the deficiences, and formed into a whole, by congenial taste, feeling, and imagination. The beautiful old Ballad of "A Friar of Orders Grey," upon which Goldsmith founded his interesting poem of "The Hermit," was among the remains of antiquity which Dr. Percy completed in this manner; and he is the avowed author of the tdrecting song of "Oh Nannie, wilt thou gang with me," A Key to the New Testament," a concise manual for students of sacred literature, which has been adopted into the Universities, and often reprinted;- was first published in 1765. After the publication of the "Reliques" he was invited by the late Duke and Duchess of Northumberland, to reside with them, as their domestick chaplain. In 1770, he conducted through the press, "The Northumberland Household Book;" and a translation of Mallet's "Northern Antiquities," with notes. In the year 1769, he was nominated Chaplain in ordinary to his Majesty. In 1778, he was promoted to the Deanery of Carlisle; and in 1782, to the Bishoprick of Dromore, in Ireland, where he constantly resided, promoting the instruction and comfort of the poor, with unremitting attention, and superintending the sacred and civil interests of the diocese, with vigilance and assiduity; revered and beloved for his piety, liberality, benevolence, and hospitality, by persons of every rank, and religious denomination. Under the loss of sight, of which he was gradually deprived some years before his death, he steadily maintained his:habitual cheerfulness; and in his last painful illness, displayed such fortitude and strength of mind, such patience and resignation to the divine will, and expressed such heartfelt thankfulness for the goodness and mercy shewn to him, in the course of a long and happy life, as were truly impressive, and worthy of that pure Christinn spirit, so conspicuous in his character. His only son died April 2, 1783. Two daughters survived him: the eldest was married to Samuel Isted, Esq., of Ecton, in Northamptonshire; and the youngest to the Hon. and Rev. Pierce Meade, Archdeacon of Dromore. A fine mezzotinto portrait of him, in a cap, holding in his hand a thick volume, labelled "MSS." was engraved February 2, 1775, from a painting by Sir Joshua Reynolds; under which is "Thomas Percy, S.T.P." To this, in some impressions taken of it in 1778, was added, "Dean of Carlisle;" which, in 1782 was again exchanged for "Bishop of Dromore." Dr. Percy died in 1811. His works are, 1. Hau Kiou Chooan,. a translation from the Chinese. 2. Chinese Miscellanies. 3. Five Pieces of Ituniek Poetry, translated from the Icelandick Language. 4. A Bew translation of the Song of Solomon. 5. Reliques of Ancient English Poetry, 3 vols. 6. A Key to the New Testament. 7. The Northumberland Household Book. 8. The Hermit of Warkworth, a Poem in the ballad style. 9. A translation of Mallett's Northern Antiquities. 10. A Sermon preached before the Sons of the Clergy, at their Anniversary Meeting, at St. Paul's, May 11, 1769. 4to.

Bridgnorth has fairs on the Thursday before Shrove Tide, March 14, May 1, June 30, August 2, October 29. The last is a very considerable mart for horses, especially two year old colts of the draught kind, and for weanling calves. Quantities of cheese and salted butter, are there exposed to sale: much of these articles is brought down the Severn from Montgomeryshire. Hops are another article; they are bought by the Welsh, who attend there with hutter and cheese, and by the shopkeepers of that county.

* This gentleman, after having been long employed by the French government as a spy, was at length apprehended, and on Friday, the 13th of July, 1781, was brought to the bar of the Sessions house, in the old Bailey, and being found guilty, was executed shortly afterwards.

** The Bailiffs are chosen every year, on St. Matthew's day, out of the twenty-four aldermen, and in the following remarkable manncr. The court being met, the names of twelve aldermen, seniors of those than present, being separately written upon small bits of paper, all of the same size, and rolled up chose by the town clerk, are thrown into a large purse which, after being well tossed and shaken by the two chamberlains standing upon the chequer, (a large square table in the middle of the court, encompassed with seats,) is held open betwixt them before the bailiffs, when each bailiff, according to seniority, putting in his hand, takes out a scroll. By these scrolls the callers are fixed, who, immediately mounting the chequcr, albirnately call the jury out ofsuch persons as are burgesses, and then present them to the court, to the number of fourteen. These being all sworn, neither to cat nor drink, till they, or twelve of them, have made choice of two fit persons who have not before been bailiffs for three years. are locked up until they have agreed: a regulation which has sometimes occasioned very long and tedious fasting., even to the injury of their health. In the year 17S9, at the election of bailiffs, the jury fasted no less than seventy four hours. When they have agreed, they make report of the persons they have elected, who are sworn into office on Michaelmas day. The bailiffs for the time being, are justices of the peace, and lords of the manor for the said town and liberties, which are very extensive; extending one way, six or seven miles.

*** "Hau Kiou Omani," or the pleasing History, a Chinese Romance in 4 vols. duodecimo, is a translation from the Chinese language, revised from a manuscript (dated 1719,) found among the papers of a gentleman, who had large concerns in the East India company, and who occasionally, resided much at Canton."

[Transcribed information from A Gazetteer of Shropshire - T Gregory - 1824] (unless otherwise stated)

[Description(s) transcribed by Mel Lockie ©2015]

" BRIDGNORTH, comprises the parishes of St. Leonard, St. Mary Magdalen, and is a market and borough town, having separate jurisdiction, locally in the hundred of Stottesden, county of SALOP, 20 miles (S.E.) from Shrewsbury, and 140 (N.W.) from London, containing 4096 inhabitants, but including the liberty of Romsley in the parish of Alveley, and part of the parish of Quatford. This place, anciently called Brugia, Brug, and (including Little Brug) Bruges, derives its name from a bridge over the river Severn, built by the Saxons, which, after many sanguinary conflicts with the Danes, they finally destroyed, to prevent the future incursions of these marauders. Upon the erection of a new bridge, about a mile and a half to the north of the former, it obtained the appellation of Brug North, whence its present name is deduced. Bridgenorth is supposed to have been founded by Ethelfledaj daughter of Alfred the Great; it was afterwards enlarged by Robert de Belesme, Earl of Shrewsbury, who erected, or probably rebuilt, the castle, and fortified the .town with walls and six strong gates, some portions of which are still remaining. On the earl's rebellion against his sovereign, Henry I., in 1102, the town and castle were besieged, and, after an obstinate defence, were surrendered to the victorious monarch, who gave them to Hugh de Mortimer, which grant was confirmed by Stephen; but it appears to have been little more than nominal, since that king appointed " Prtspositi," or provosts, to collect the revenue for the Crown. Mortimer having risen in rebellion against Henry II., that monarch laid siege to the castle, and nearly demolished it, and in this state it lay until the reign of John: he afterwards confirmed to the inhabitants all the privileges and franchises which they had enjoyed under Henry I. In 1216, King John passed a day in this town, on his march to Worcester, where he was soon afterwards interred. During the civil war in the reign of Charles I., Bridgenorth, being a royal garrison, was, in 1646, attacked by the parliamentarians, whose infantry forced an entrance on the south side of St. Leonard's churchyard, that part being not so well defended as the rest of the town, and a sharp skirmish ensued. Another party of them broke through a narrow defile in the rock leading to the north gate, where many of their men were killed, not only by the fire of the garrison, but by great stones rolled down upon them from the summit of the rock. The infantry having gained an entrance through the churchyard, opened the gates to the cavalry, and the royalists retiring into the castle, set fire to the town, which was nearly consumed. The parliamentarians having made the church of St. Leonard their magazine, the royalists planted cannon on the round tower of the castle, and setting fire to the church, the flames spread to an adjoining college, and entirely consumed it. The castle was now closely invested, but being strongly fortified both by nature and art, it sustained a siege of three weeks without receiving any material injury. The besiegers, despairing of success, had begun to undermine the rock on which it was built, when the garrison, having exhausted all their ammunition, capitulated on honourable terms, and retired to Worcester. The town is most romantically situated on the banks of the river Severn, which divides it into two parts, called the Upper and the Lower Town. The Upper Town is built on the summit and steep acclivities of a rock, rising abruptly to the height of one hundred and eighty feet from the western bank of the river, and presents an appearance singularly picturesque. Crowning the summit of the rock, at the southern extremity, are the small ruins of the square tower of the castle, declining considerably from the perpendicular line, and the handsome modern church of St. Mary Magdalene; and at the northern extremity is the venerable church of St. Leonard, with its lofty square embattled tower, adorned with pinnacles. About half-way between the churches, and forming a conspicuous object, is the reservoir, a capacious flat square tank, supported on lofty pillars of brick, and assuming at a distance the appearance of a handsome portico. On the side 01 the rock rising from the river are several successive tiers of detached houses, many of them handsome modern buildings, the chimneys of the lower tier being below the foundation of the next upper tier, in regular gradation from the base of the rock to its summit. These are intermixed with caverns and rude dwellings excavated in the rock, with brick window and door-cases in front, and interspersed with gardens, shrubberies, and lofty trees. A road for carriages wina round the rock, and a nearer approach is afforded foot passengers by several flights of steps, of almost perpendicular ascent, formed of pebbles, and secured by a framing of iron-work, leading through the rock into the interior of the town. A wider road for carts, from the several wharfs on the quay, has been constructed on the north side of the bridge. The walk round the castle hill is defended by a palisade, and commands a most extensive view of the surrounding country, which abounds with picturesque scenery, being richly diversified by cultivated fields, well'-watered meadows, wood-crowned eminences, and barren rocks. Several streets, containing handsome well-built houses, lead from the church into the High-street, parallel with which are others of a similar character. Over the river is a handsome stone bridge of six arches, leading into the Lower Town, the streets in which contain some modern and several ancient houses. Among the latter is Canhall, an antique structure in the Elizabethan style, wherein Prince Rupert resided, in 1642, when, he addressed a letter-to the jury empannelled for the choice of town officers, entreating them "to select such men for their bailiffs as were well affected to his Majesty's service." The town is partially paved, and the inhabitants are supplied with soft water raised by machinery from the river into the reservoir in the Upper Town, and thence conveyed by pipes into their houses; and with spring water brought from Oldbury, at the southern extremity of the town, into several public conduits. The public library, in St. Leonard's churchyard, a handsome octagonal brick building lighted by a dome, was founded by the Rev. Mr. Stackhouse, to whose memory a marble tablet has been erected over the fire-place: it has been extended by subscription from a theological' to a general library, and contains more than four thousand volumes. The theatre, a neat and commodious edifice of stone, was erected in 1824, on part of the site of the ancient moat of the castle, accidentally discovered 5 this being from thirty to forty feet deep, it became necessary to build strong piers, and to turn arches, to form a foundation: it is opened every alternate week for three months ' during the winter. The races are held in July, but they are not so well supported as formerly, the course having become damaged by being divided by moveable fences, and let out to different tenants during the interval. The trade principally arises from the navigation of the river, which affords every facility for the transit of goods, and has made this town a thriving inland port: many vessels are built, and a great quantity of malt of very superior quality, and of grain, is sent to various parts of the country. The iron trade has greatly declined, but. nails are made to a small extent: a large carpet-manufactory has been lately established, and there is a considerable manufactory for tobacco pipes. The market, held on Saturday, is abundantly supplied with wheat, barley, and beans, to the growth of which the land in the neighbourhood is particularly favourable: the fairs are on the Thursday before Shrove-Tuesday, and the nearest Thursday to March 15th, for horned cattle and sheep; May 1st, a pleasure and statute fair; June 30th, for wool and cattle; August 2nd, for lamb's wool and cattle; September 15th, for cattle, sheep, and cheese; October 29th, a great fair for salt butter, cheese, hops, and nuts; and December 15th, a large fair for cattle and general merchandise. The government, by a succession of charters from the reign of Henry I. to that of James II., is vested in two bailiffs, a recorder,deputy-recorder, twentyfour aldermen, forty-eight common council-men, two chamberlains, and two bridge-masters, assisted by a town-clerk, two Serjeants at mace, and subordinate officers. The bailiffs, who are justices of the peace, and the senior of whom acts as coroner for the borough, are chosen, on the 21st of September from among the aldermen not having served that office for three years preceding, by a jury, who are sworn not to eat or drink till they have made choice of proper persons; this bath has frequently compelled them to long abstinence, and, in 1739, subjected them to fast for seventy-four hours. The aldermen are chosen, as vacancies occur, either from the common council-men, or'from such of the burgesses as have filled the pffices" of chamberlain and bridge-master two years previously, who are thus qualified to become either common councilmen or aldermen. The recorder, who holds his office for life, appoints the deputy-recorder, who must be a barrister; all other officers are appointed .by the bailiffs and burgesses in common council assembled. The freedom of the borough is inherited by birth; acquired by servitude for seven years and a fine of £ 1; by residence, paying scot and lot and a fine of £5; and by purchase, on paying a fine of £10. The corporation hold a court of petty session every alternate Monday, at which the bailiffs preside; and on the same day, a court of record, for the recovery of debts to any amount, is held by the bailiffs and deputy-recorder: as lords of the manor, they also hold courts leet in May and October, at which the town-clerk presides as their steward. The borough received the elective franchise in the 23rd of Edward I., and from that time has continued to return two members to parliament: the right of election is vested in all the burgesses, whether resident or not; the bailiffs are the returning officers. The town-hall, erected about the-year 1646, is a spacious building of timber frame-work and plaister, supported on pillars and arches of brick, forming a covered area for the use of the market; above this is a large room, wherein the public business of the corporation is transacted/ besides two smaller apartments, in one of which the several courts are held. Bridgenorth comprises the parishes of St. Mary Magdalene and St. Leonard, which, with Claverley, Bobbington, Alveley, and Quatford, are within the jurisdiction of the court of the royal peculiar of Bridgenorth, belonging to Thomas Whitmore, Esq. The living of St. Mary Magdalene's is a perpetual curacy, endowed with £200 private benefaction, and £ 1500 parliamentary grant, and in the patronage of T. Whitmore, Esq. The church, formerly the chapel belonging to the castle, and exempted by King John from all ecclesiastical jurisdiction, was made parochial in the 4th of Edward III., and rebuilt of freestone in 1792: it is a handsome edifice in the Grecian style of architecture, with a lofty tower, surmounted by a cupola; the interior is divided by two ranges of loftypillars of the Ionic order, supporting the roof. The living of St. Leonard's is also a perpetual curacy, endowed with £600 private benefaction, £400 royal bounty, and £700 parliamentary grant, and in the patronage of T. Whitmore, Esq. The church, formerly collegiate, was erected in 1448, on the site of a structure raised in the reign of Richard I.: it was originally a very magnificent and spacious edifice, comprising seven different chapels, the arches leading into which from the present nave, and now walled up, are still discernible. It suffered greatly while in the possession of the parliamentarians, during the civil war, and now consists only of a nave, one aisle, and a chancel; the last, parted from the nave by a screen, is used only as an entrance: its modern ceiling still exhibits vestiges of the ancient roof of pannelled oak, and some of the corbels on which its supporters rested are still remaining on the walls. There are places of worship for Baptists and Independents. The free grammar school, founded in 1503, by the corporation, in whom the management is vested, is supported partly by an endowment of £34, and partly by contributions from the corporation and others, producing about £,160 per annum, which is paid to the master: it has three exhibitions to Christ Church College, Oxford, founded by Mr. Careswell, in 1689, who endowed eighteen in that college, for the benefit of six free grammar schools of this county; viz., four for that of Shrewsbury, three for that of Bridgenorth, four for that of Newport, three for that of Shiffiaall, two for that of Wem, and two for that of Donnington, in the parish of Wroxeter. The management of the augmented property, which is chiefly in land situated near this town, has, since 1741, been vested in the court of Chancery; and, in 1820, the estate, including property in the funds, produced an annual income'of nearly £1500, subject to certain deductions. The sums allowed to the exhibitioners, according to successive decrees of the court, are £ 60 to each under-graduate, £70 to each undergraduate being a commoner, £21 to each bachelor of arts, £60 to each bachelor of arts resident, and £27 to each master of arts, leaving a considerable surplus at the end of the year. The Blue-coat charity school, kept in an old castellated brick building, over an archway at the northern extremity of the town, which was one of the ancient gates, was established in 1720, and is supported partly by a small endowment arising from benefactions vested in the funds, and partly by subscription; there are thirty boys in this establishment, nominated by the subscribers in rotation, who are clothed annually, and, on leaving the school, receive £4. 2. as an apprentice fee, and £2 for clothing. There is also a National school, supported by subscription, in which two hundred boys and one hundred and fifty girls are instructed. The hospital in St. Leonard's churchyard, for ten aged widows, who have an apartment and £10 per annum each, was founded, in 1687, by the Rev. Francis Palmer, rector of Sandby in Bedfordshire. The almshouses in Church-lane, endowed with estates producing £158 per annum, under -the- direction of the corporation as trustees, are for twelve widows of burgesses, who have each an apartment, two shillings-and sixpence per week, with occasional additions, according to the state of the funds. At the southern extremity of the High-street, is part of an arch which formed the entrance to the castle, also some portions of the walls which enclosed an area of fourteen acres; and at the northern extremity of the town, on the western bank of the river, are the remains of a convent of Grey friars which have been converted into a malt-house: the great hall, or refectory, is still nearly in its pristine state: the pannelled oak ceiling, the stone fire-place, and many of the windows, though the lights are stopped with plaister, are still in entire preservation. About a quarter of a mile south of the Lower Town was an ancient hospital for lazars, converted, in the reign of Edward IV., into a priory, and now a private mansion. In making the shrubberies to the north of the house, in 1823, thirtyseven bodies were discovered lying in rows, within eighteen inches from the surface, having evidently been buried in winding sheets and without coffins; they were in good preservation, the teeth still retaining their enamel: some slight vestiges of the church may be traced in the walls of the out-buildings. There are re^ mains of several fortifications in this neighbourhood, .it having been the scene of frequent battles between the Saxons and the Danes. About a mile south of the town, on the eastern bank of the river, is a large mount, with a trench on all sides except the west, on which it is defended by a rocky precipice overhanging the Severn, where Robert de Montgomery had a strongly fortified palace. About half a mile eastward lay the ancient forest of Morfe, which, in Leland's time, was " a hilly ground, well wooded; a forest, or chase, having deer," and for which a forester and steward were appointed from the time of Edward I. to that of Elizabeth, The brother of King Athelstan is stated to have passed the life of a hermit here, and a cave in a rock, still called the Hermitage, is supposed to have been his solitary abode. On a portion of this tract are five tumuli in quincunx, under some of which the remains of human skeletons have been discovered. The sylvan features of the place have long since disappeared, and the whole, comprising between five and six thousand acres, was enclosed in 1815. Dr. Thomas Percy, Bishop of Dromore in Ireland, and compiler of " Reliques of Ancient English Poetry," was born here, in 1728.

[Transcribed information from A Topographical Dictionary of England - Samuel Lewis - 1831] (unless otherwise stated)

[Description(s) transcribed by Mel Lockie ©2015]

"BRIDGNORTH, comprises the parishes of St. Leonard and St. Mary Magdalen, and is a market town, parliamentary and municipal borough, and locally situated in the hundred of Stottesdon, in the county of Salop, 10 miles from Shiffnal railway station, 20 miles to the S.E. of Shrewsbury, and 139 miles to the N.W. of London. The railway from Shrewsbury, along the upper valley of the Severn, is now completed, and has a station at Bridgnorth. This town is very ancient, having been founded, probably, before the Norman Conquest, and the earliest form of its name was Brigge, Brug, or Bruges, which denoted its situation at the bridge which crossed the river Severn. The foundation of the town is by some ascribed to Ethelfleda, daughter of Alfred the Great. At the commencement of the 12th century, Robert de Belesme, Earl of Shrewsbury, built, or perhaps rebuilt, the castle, and at the same time strengthened the town with walls and gates; so that when King Henry I., in 1102, besieged it, it was only taken after a long and stout defence.

It was again besieged by Henry II., in 1156, on occasion of the rebellion of Hugh de Mortimer, to whom it had been given by Henry I., and the castle was almost destroyed. During this siege the life of the monarch is said to have been saved by the heroic self-sacrifice of one of his followers, who, seeing an archer aim at his master, sprang forward and received the arrow in his own body. The town does not appear in history from that time till the 17th century, when during the civil war it was garrisoned for the king. The parliamentary forces having effected an entrance by the church of St. Leonard's, a large part of the town was burnt down, and the castle, into which the royalists retired, sustained a siege of three weeks, and was then surrendered to the parliament, by whose orders it was dismantled. Bridgnorth is noted for its picturesque situation and pleasant neighbourhood. It stands on both banks of the Severn, principally on the western, and a stone bridge of six arches connects the two parts of the town, which are distinguished as the Upper and Lower town. The west bank is a rock of red sandstone rising sharply from the river to the height of 180 feet. Many handsome houses form terraces one above another on the front of the rock, which is also pierced by several caverns, and on the highest ground are seen the two parish churches and the ruins of the castle. For the convenience of foot passengers a path has been constructed from the upper part of the town to the bridge, by cutting through the solid rock to the depth of 20 feet, and forming several flights of steps, with handrails. The top of the hill commands a striking and delightful prospect over the river, the town, and the rich and varied scenery of the surrounding country,-rock and meadow lands, fields and wooded hills. During the last ten years great improvements have been effected in the town; the chief approach by Underhill-street has been widened, and the Wolverhampton-road improved. The streets are paved with Broseley bricks and lighted with gas, and the inhabitants are well supplied with water by the new water-works. There is a large reservoir on the summit of the hill, from which soft water, obtained from the river, is supplied to the houses: A spacious townhall and market-house was built about 1646, and new markets were erected in 1855, as also a colmodious workhouse. The town contains the borough gaol, erected in 1823, a theatre, built abouT the same time on part of the ancient castle-moat, a dispensary, an infirmary, a savings bank, a mechanics' institute, a circulating library (containing upwards of 4,000 volumes), a theological library (founded by Dean Stackhouse), subscription reading rooms, and several book clubs. The Agricultural Society has an annual show of cattle, fruits, vegetables, and implements of husbandry, and the Cottage Garden Society awards prizes to the best gardeners. Bridgnorth is the seat of a thriving trade, chiefly in connection with the navigation of the Severn, the building of vessels, and the export of corn and malt. There are several flour-mills, tanneries, and an extensive malthouse; several manufactories of carpets and rugs, and two worsted mills, besides a sack and linen factory. The manufacture of tobacco-pipes and of nails is carried on, but the latter only to a small extent. The market, the annual fairs, and the general trade with the neighbouring places, contribute greatly to the prosperity of the town. Various privileges and franchises were conferred on the town by Henry I. and Henry II., but the earliest charter of incorporation is said to have been granted by King John, in 1215, the year in which Magna Charta was signed. The elective franchise was first received and exercised in the 23rd year of Edward I., since which time the borough has continued to return two representatives to parliament. The government of the borough is vested, by an Act passed in 1835, in a mayor, 4 aldermen, and 12 councillors, the style of the corporation being the 11 bailiffs, aldermen, and burgesses of the borough of Bridgnorth." The limits of the parliamentary borough were considerably extended by the Reform Act, and how comprise, besides the town, the several parishes of Quatford, Oldbury, Tasley, and Astley Abbot's, with the liberties of Romsley, in the parish of Alveley, and of Quatt-Jarvis, in the parish of Quatt-Malvern, containing altogether 1,891 inhabited houses, with a population of 7,892, against 7,610 in 1851, showing an increase of 282 in the decennial period; while the municipal borough contains 1,629 houses, inhabited by a population of 6,569, against 6,172 in 1851, showing an increase in the decennial period of 397. The municipal borough has a revenue of about £1,320. Bridgnorth is the seat of a Poor-law Union, and contains the Union poorhouse. It is also the head of a County Court district, and a polling place for the south division of the county. Petty sessions for the borough are held once a fortnight, and quarter sessions are held by the recorder. There is a local jurisdiction in ecclesiastical matters, a court for the probate of wills and granting letters of administration, being part of the old royal peculiar of the deanery of Bridgnorth. The town consists of two parishes, St. Mary Magdalene and St. Leonard, the livings of both being perpetual curacies* in the diocese of Hereford, in the patronage of T. Whitmore, Esq. The value of St. Mary's is £250. The church, which is of the Ionic order of architecture, with a tower and cupola, was built at the close of the last century, and occupies the site of an ancient one, which was originally the chapel of the castle, but became the parish church about the year 1330. The value of St. Leonard's is £308. The church, once a large and stately structure, was built about 1450 on the site of an earlier one. It was occupied by the parliamentary troops during the Civil War, and only a small portion of it escaped destruction. It has a noble tower, with battlements and pinnacles, and forms a conspicuous object from its situation on the summit of the rock. It contains a screen, and some remains of the ancient ceiling of oak. This church was once collegiate. The Baptists, Independents, and Irvingites have places of worship in the town. Here is a free grammar school, established by the corporation in 1503, and supported partly by an endowment producing £50 per annum, and partly by subscriptions. Three exhibitions to Christ Church College, Oxford, are connected with the school, which were founded, with 15 others in the same college, by Mr. Careswell, in 1689. There are also a blue-coat school, two National, and one infant school. The first was founded about 1720 with a small endowment, one of the ancient gates of the town being converted into the school-house. The divinity library, founded by the Rev. Hugh Stackhouse, has been since enlarged, and is kept in a handsome building near St. Leonard's church. The charitable endowments of Bridgnorth are numerous and valuable, producing altogether above £2,200 per annum, the larger part of which sum consists of the endowment for the exhibitions at Oxford University, already mentioned. The other principal charities are a hospital for 10 widows, founded and endowed by Francis Palmer, in 1687, with a revenue of about £130; and almshouses for 12 widows or daughters of burgesses, with a revenue of about £160 per annum. Nothing is left of the castle but a portion of the square tower, which, from being undermined, has long leaned from the perpendicular to a considerable extent. The walls originally enclosed about 14 acres. A monastery of the Grey Friars formerly existed here, founded by the Talbots, the remains of which, including the refectory in good preservation, are now used as a malthouse. Here was also, at an early period, a lazars' hospital, which, after being occupied as a priory for some time, was made a private residence. In the Lower town is an interesting old mansion, named Canhall, in which Prince Rupert resided for a short time during the Civil War. To the east of the town was anciently a forest or chase, called the Forest of Morfe, long since enclosed. It contains a cave called the Hermitage, the retreat, according to tradition, of Athelstan's brother. In the vicinity of Bridgnorth there are remains of several military works, forts, and entrenchments. Apley Park, the fine seat of the Whitmore family, is on the banks of the Severn, 3 miles to the N. of the town. Bridgnorth was the birthplace (1729) of Bishop Percy, to whom we are indebted for a collection of the 11 Reliques of Ancient English Poetry;" and of Francis Moore, the originator of the medico-prophetic almanac which still passes under his name. The market, principally for corn and beans, is held on Saturday. The annual fairs take place on the Thursday before Shrove-Tuesday, the nearest Thursday to the 15th March (for the sale of cattle and sheep), the 1st May, the 30th June, the 2nd August (for wool and cattle), the 15th September (for cattle and cheese), the 29th October and two following days (for butter, cheese, hops, &c.), and the 15th December (for cattle and general goods). Races are held in July."

[Transcribed from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland 1868] by Colin Hinson ©2015

"BOSCOBEL, (Salop) near White-Ladies, in the p. of Tonge, whose grove is noted for the oak, in which Cha. II. was hid, and saw the Pt. soldiers pass by, in quest of him, after the battle of Worcester; but they were diverted to the other side of the grove by the chace of an owl, which flew out of a neighbouring tree, and fluttered as if it had been broken wing'd. The tree was enclosed with a brick wall, but is almost cut away by travellers. Boscobel-house, which stands a bow-shot from the oak, was then the seat of the Pendrils, who gave the shelter above-mentioned to K. Cha. and have ever since had a pension of 200 l. a year. The garret of the house, which is a popish chapel, was formerly a nunnery in possession of the family of Ccoksey, whose descendant still keeps the gloves and garters, which his Majesty left behind him. The chapel is yet standing, and has some painted saints upon the wall."

[Transcribed information from England's Gazetteer - Stephen Whatley - 1750](unless otherwise stated)

[Description(s) transcribed by Mel Lockie ©2015]

An extract of Shropshire from Leonard's Gazetteer published in 1850. It provides a list of places, with a location for each in terms of relative distance and direction from nearby places, and a population count taken from the most recent census. County and market towns are marked and market days listed.

SHROPSHIRE is bounded, North by a detached part of Flintshire and Cheshire; East by Staffordshire; South by Worcestershire and Herefordshire; and on the West by Radnorshire, Montgomeryshire, and Denbighshire. It is about 44 miles long, and 28 broad; and is divided into 15 divisions - Bradford (North), Bradford (South), Brimstrey, Chirbury, Condover, Ford, Munslow, Oswestry, Overs, Pimhill, Purslow, Stottesden, Bridgnorth, Shrewsbury, and Wenlock. RIVERS; the Severn, the Camlet, the Terne, and the Clun. It has 16 MARKET-TOWNS. Is in the PROVINCE OF CANTERBURY, partly in the DIOCESE OF HEREFORD, and partly in that of LITCHFIELD AND COVENTRY; and it is in the OXFORD CIRCUIT. It contains 1341 square miles, or 856,240 acres. POPULATION, 239,041.

(c) - County Town.
* - Market Town.

"ABTON, (Salop) near Wenlock, is a manor which bel. heretofore to the Lovels, and Burnels, and came afterwards to the Norfolk family."

" ALDENHAM, (Salop) or AWDENHAM, near Bridgnorth, a noble seat of the Actons, whose family kept their station and estate for many Rs. one of whom was sheriff in the R. of Edv. I. and another was created a Bt. in the R. of Ch. I."

" ARCOLE, (Salop) 3 m. S.W. of Hinstock, a hamlet of Pullid, formerly the Lp. of Mortimer, ancestor of the Es. of March."

" ASTON-PIGOT, (Salop) near Chirbury, formerly the manor of Edward, Ld. Burnel; from whom it passed to John, Ld. Lovel; and from him it went, by marriage, to Sir Brian Stapleton, and Sir Edward Norris."

" AVELEY-UPPER, (Salop) a fine, old seat of the Littletons, Barts. with pleasant walks, on the E. side of the Severn, almost over against Higley on the W. side."

" BRADFORD, (Salop) tho' now an inconsiderable village, gave name to 2 Hs. viz,. N. and S. Bradford, in the former of which it stands, and gives title of Viscount and Earl to the family of Newport."

" CAER-CARODOCK, (Salop) a hill near the conflux of the Clun and Teme, where are still some vestiges of the fortification created by the famous British K. Caractacus, and gallantly defended by him against Ostorius and the Roman legions, but at last he took it; for which the senate of Rome decreed him a triumph. This is call'd in some of our maps Cradock-Hill."

" CAUS-CASTLE, (Salop) on the b. of Montgomeryshire, 4 m. E. of Powis-Castle, was anciently the Lp. of the Corbets, one of whom, in the R. of K. John, obtained a Mt. here. It afterwards passed, by marriage, to the Staffords; who held it down to Cha. I. when Sir William Howard inherited it, by marrying Henry Ld. Stafford's only daughter and heir, and was created Visc. Stafford. It came lastly to the Thynnes family, by the marriage of Sir John Thynne, an ancestor of Ld. Visc. Weymouth, to a daughter of Sir Rowland Hayward."

" CHERLTON-CASTLE, (Salop) under Wreken-Kill, bel. anciently to the Cherltons, Lds. of Powis, and was afterwards settled on Mrs. Jane Orwell, and her children."

" CLAY-HILL, (Salop) or BROWN-CLEE-HILL, on the N. bank of the r. Temd, bet. Clee-St.-Marga-ret and North-Clebury, produces the fceft pit-coal, has some veins of iron,and certain remains of an ancient camp."

" CORSHAM-CASTLE, (Salop) bet. Alcaston and St. Margaret's-Clee, is called Corvesham, because it stands on the r. Corve. This manor was given by Hen. II. to Walter, Ld. Clifford; and went afterwards, by marriage, to Sir John Giffard of Brimsfield."

" DALALY-CASTLE, (Salop) on the N. E. side of Wrekin-Hill, near the Watling-Street, was, in the R. of Rich. II. annexed, by act of Pt. to the principality of Chester."

" DELALEY-CASTLE, (Salop) near Wrekin-Hill, bel. anciently to the Earl of Arundel, on whose attainder it was forfeited to K. Rich. II. who. annexed it to the principality of Chester."

" DRAYTON, (Salop) 118 cm. 149 mm. from London, has a Mt. on W. and Fairs on the W. before Palm-Sunday, and Oct. 13. The Corbets family had a seat here, some of whom were sheriffs of this Co. from the 33d of Hen. III. in most of the succeeding Rs. to the 11th of Cha. I."

" DUDMASTON, (Salop) on the E. side of the Severn, and a little to the S. of Bridgenorth, was the ancient seat of the Wolriches, Bts. and is a noble structure, on a rising ground, that gives it a delightful prospect. Here was formerly a chantry."

" WENLOCK-GREAT, (Salop) 114 cm. 143 mm. from London, 10 from Shrewsbury to the S. E. in the road to Worcester, is an ancient corp. governed, pursuant to a charter of Cha. I. by a bailiff, recorder, and 2 other justices of the peace, and 12 bailiffs peers, or capital burgesses. The bailiff, who is justice of the quorum, is chose at the common- hall on Michaelmas-day, by 13 electors, who chuse another justice, the preceding bailiff being one for the year ensuing. In the Saxons time it had a nunnery, which was endowed with this manor, and it was afterwards turned into a convent for monks. It had in the R. of Richard II. a copper-mine. 'Tis now noted for lime-stone, and clay for tobacco-pipes, which are its chief mf. The Mt. is on M. Fairs Trinity-M. June 24, each 2 days, and Oct. 6, for 3 days. The manor bel. formerly to Sir John Winell, who, for his great services to Hen. VI. was created Baron of Wenlock, and Kt. of the Garter, but dying without issue, his estate fell to his cousin and heir, Lawley, from whom the Lawleys of this Co. are descended. The members of Pt. for this Bor. are chosen by the burgesses, who are about 100, and the bailiff returns them. 'Tis remarkable, that K. Edward IV. empowered this Bor. by charter to send one member to Pt. which is the first precedent of any such privilege inserted in the charter of any Bor."

" HOLGOT-CASTLE, (Salop) or HOULDGATE-CASTLE, anciently bel. to the Mauduits, who obtained a Mt. here, long since disused. In the R. of Edw. I. it was the Ld. Burnel's. In the R. of Hen. VII. it was Francis Visc. Lovel's, who forfeiting it, it was granted to Jasper D. of Bedford."

" HOWGATE-CASTLE, (Salop) N. W. of Brown-Clee-Hill, bel. formerly to the Mauduits; then to Burnel, Bp. of Bath; and afterwards to the Lovels."

" ISLE, (Salop) 2 m. from Shrewsbury, is a peninsula formed by the Severn, where those floats, called coracles, are much used; wherein only one man can fit, who rows very swiftly with one hand, while with the other he manages his fishing- tackle. They are of a form almost oval, and made of split fally twigs interwoven, and that part under the water is covered with a horse's hide. 'Tis about 5 foot long and 3 broad, round at the bottom, and so light, that they carry them on their backs to and from the water."

" KNOCKING-CASTLE, (Salop) on the S. E. side of Oswestry, was the manor and seat of the Lestranges, from the R. of Hen. II. to Edw. IV. when it went, by marriage, to Geo. Stanley, son to Thomas E. of Derby."

" LANTERDEN, (Salop) near the conflux of the rs. Temd and Colun, not far from Munslow; where are 2 burrows, in which were found, not long ago, burnt bones and ashes; and in the neighbourhood is a perfect Roman camp, called Brandon, and a British camp, called Coxall."

" NESS-CLIFF, (Salop) on the N. W. side of Shrewsbury, has a noted cave, and bel. formerly to the Le Stranges."

" PICKFORD, (Salop) on the S.E. side of Shrewsbury, near Condover, bel. anciently to the Pichfords, then to the Lds. Burnell. It was afterwards, for at least two centuries, the estate of the Oatleys. It is noted for a spring of pitchy water (from whence some derive its name) on the top of which there always flows a sort of liquid bitumen. Over most of the coal-pits here-abouts there lies a stratum of blackish rock; of which, by boiling and grinding, they make pitch and tar, and also distil an oil from it."

" REDCASTLE, (Salop) not far from Wem, is the decayed seat of the Audleys, on a rocky hill, anciently called Radcliff."

" ROSSAL-UP and DOWN, (Salop) N. W. of Shrewsbury, where the Severn fetches such a com. that it almost returns into itself, and incloses a tract of several miles round, which is therefore called the Isle."

" ROWTON-CASTLE, (Salop) on the S. W. side of Shrewsbury, not far from the Severn, belonged formerly to the Corbets, and afterwards to the L'Stranges of Knockin; out of ill will to whom, Leolin Pr. of Wales razed it to the ground. It is now the seat of Rich. Lyster, Esq; to whose ancestors it came from the L'Stranges of Knockin."

" STANDFORD, (Salop) in the p. of Edgmond, in a fine sporting country, 2 m. from Newport, in the road from London to Chester."

" WREKIN-HILL, (Salop) to the E. of Shrewsbury, is by some called Gilbert's-Hill. It stands bet. Watling- Street and the Severn, and within 1 m. of Wroxeter, the famous Roman station. It ascends gradually for a great length, till it becomes the highest ground in the Co. and is well adorned with trees. The toast in these parts, To all friends round the Wrekin, is as common as that to these round St. Paul's is at London, &c."

[Transcribed information from England's Gazetteer - Stephen Whatley - 1750](unless otherwise stated)

[Description(s) transcribed by Mel Lockie ©2015]

"BLODWELL. See LLAN YBLODWELL, county of SALOP."

" BOSCOBEL, a district (extra-parochial), in the Hales- Owen division of the hundred of BRIMSTREE, county of SALOP, 7 miles (E.) from ShifFnall, containing 30 inhabitants. Boscobel House is celebrated in history as the place where Charles II. concealed himself in September, 1651, after the disastrous battle of Worcester, secure in the incorruptible integrity of five brothers, named Penderell: the house has been considerably modernised, but the place of concealment, called the Sacred Hole, is carefully preserved, and in front of the house is a Latin inscription, traced with white pebbles in the pavement, recording the circumstance. The Royal Oak, thought to have sprung from an acorn of the parent tree, among the branches of which the unfortunate monarch retired for greater security, when his .pursuers were searching the house and out-buildings, stands near the middle of a large field adjoining the garden; it is surrounded by an iron railing, and has an inscribed brass plate affixed to it."

" CARWOOD. See SIBDONCARWOOD, county of SALOP."

" HAGHMON ABBEY (or HAUGHMOND ABBEY), a liberty (extraparochial), in the Wellington division of the hundred of BRADFORD (South), county of SALOP, 4 miles (N.E.) from Shrewsbury. In 1110, William Fitz-Alan, of Clun, founded an abbey here for canons regular of the order of St. Augustine, and dedicated it to St. John the Apostle and Evangelist, the revenue of which, at the dissolution, amounted to £294. 12. 9. It forms part of the demesne of Sundorn: the remains consist of the chapter-house, which is entire, the south doorway of the nave of the church, and a range of building supposed to have been the abbot's lodging and hall, partly in the Norman, but chiefly in the early, style of English architecture. The Rev. William Clarke, Chancellor in the Cathedral Church of Chichester, and an antiquary of no mean repute, was born at this place in 1696."

" HALSTON, a liberty (extra-parochial), in the hundred of OSWESTRY, county of SALOP, 3 miles (E.N.E.) from Oswestry, containing 39 inhabitants. There is a domestic chapel belonging to John Mytton, Esq., who appoints the minister. The Ellesmere canal touches on the boundary of the liberty, which is crossed by a small stream called the Perry; this, by a diversion of its channel, has been made to resemble a large river, called Halston Pool, covering about forty acres. The Knights Templars had a preceptory here, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, which subsequently belonged to the hospitallers, and was valued, in the 26th of Henry.VIII., at £160. 14. 10. per annum; in the reign of Mary it was re-granted to the order of St. John of Jerusalem, and in that of her successor Elizabeth it was possessed by "William Home."

" HORDERLEY, a liberty (extra-parochial), in the hundred of PURSLOW, county of SALOP, 6 mile's (E. by S.) from Bishop's Castle, containing about 150 inhabitants."

" KYNNERSLEY. See KINNERSLEY, county of SALOP."

" POSENHALL, a district (extra-parochial), within the liberty of WENLOCK, county of SALOP, 1 mile (W.) from Broseley, containing 14 inhabitants."

" SHINETON. See SHEINTON, county of SALOP."

[Transcribed information from A Topographical Dictionary of England - Samuel Lewis - 1831](unless otherwise stated)

[Description(s) transcribed by Mel Lockie ©2015]

"SHROPSHIRE, (or Salop), an inland county in the W. of England, is bounded on the N. by Cheshire, E. by Staffordshire, S. by Worcestershire and Herefordshire, and W. by the Welsh counties of Radner, Montgomery, and Denbigh. It lies between 62° 18' and 53° 0' N. lat. and between 2° 14' and 3° 12' W. long. Its extreme length from N. to S. is 48 miles, and its greatest breadth from E. to W. is 40 miles. The area of the county is 1,343 square miles, or 859,520 acres, of which 790,000 acres are arable, meadow, and pasture. The population at the commencement of the century was 169,248; in 1851 it was 229,341; and in 1861, 240,959, or 42 per cent: over the number in 1801.

At the time of the Roman invasion the county was chiefly inhabited by the Ordovices and Cornavii, whose territory was divided by the Severn, and was subsequently included in the Roman province Flavia Cæseriensis. The Romans appear to have been stoutly opposed by the Britons in this part of the country, as evidenced by the camp called Caer Caradoc, supposed to be that of Caractacus, and the earthworks at Caer Ditches, near Clun, where Camden and others are of opinion the great battle was fought between this chief and Ostorius Scapula, which effected the subjugation of the W. of the island. The principal Roman station was at Wroxeter, on the Severn, called by Latin writers Uriconium, where a wall, rampart, and ditch still mark the extent of the Roman city. There are besides Roman remains at Rowton, Market-Drayton, The Walls, Bury Ditches, and other places in this county.

For many centuries it formed part of the kingdom of Powisland, with Pengwern for its capital, but the Saxons under Penda succeeded in conquering it in 626, and it became incorporated with the kingdom of Mercia, which extended to the base of the Welsh mountains, and was known as Myrcna-rice, the kingdom of the borderers; this was Latinised into Mercia, and finally was corrupted into the Marches of Wales. For the protection of his territory from the inroads of the Welsh, Offa made a dyke or rampart 100 miles long, which still bears his name, and extended along the confines of Wales, from Flintshire on the N. to the Bristol Channel on the S., with the Severn for an inner boundary.

Shortly after the union of the Saxon kingdoms under Egbert, this part of the country became a prey to the ravages of the Danes, who arrived here in great force in 849, and pushed on to Wales. At Cleobury Mortimer is a camp, supposed to have been formed by this people, and near Bridgnorth are traces of a fortification. When Alfred the Great had expelled the Danes he formed this district into a county under the name of Scrobbesbyrigshire, after its capital, then a city of much importance, of which its present name is a corruption.

During the two following centuries the county was frequently invaded by the Welsh, and at the Norman conquest was given by William I., with the adjoining county of Montgomery, and the title of the Earl of Shrewsbury, to Roger de Montgomery for his services in the reduction of Edric the Forester. About this period most of the castles in the county were erected by the Norman nobles, who obtained grants of land on condition of maintaining their castles garrisoned against the Welsh, and were appointed Lords Marchers, with power to decide all questions of grievance between the English and Welsh, establish courts of judicature, build towns, &c., but the Welsh continuing to harass the border, Edward I. determined on their subjugation, and having taken David-ap-Llewellyn, the last prince of Wales, summoned a parliament to meet at Shrewsbury in 1283, by which the prince was declared guilty of treason, and condemned to be hanged and quartered, which was accordingly done. A parliament was again appointed to meet here by Richard II. in 1397.

During the revolt of Owain Glyndwr in the reign of Henry IV., the county was the scene of many lesser conflicts, and the final battle was fought at Shrewsbury in 1403, when the Prince of Wales, afterwards Henry V., with a portion of the king's army, defeated the joint forces of Glyndwr and the Percys, and slew Harry Hotspur, son of the Earl of Northumberland, which terminated the war. In the struggle between the rival houses of York and Lancaster the county was again engaged, and many important events took place. On the landing of the Duke of Richmond in 1485 he was proclaimed as Henry VII., and joined by the tenants of the Earl of Shrewsbury, and many others, who rendered him signal service in the battle of Bosworth Field. When Charles I. became obnoxious to a portion of his subjects he retired to Shrewsbury, and many of the towns in this county declared in his favour, but in 1644 the parliamentarians gained the ascendency, and continued to hold it, notwithstanding the unavailing efforts of the royalists, who rose in arms in 1655, and again in 1659.

The county is remarkable for the variety and beauty of its scenery, which in some places displays itself in rugged mountainous districts, and in others in rich and well-cultivated tracts, diversified by gently rising elevations with intersecting valleys. The county is divided by the Severn into two almost equal parts, the southern portion assuming the mountainous character of the adjoining counties of Montgomery and Denbigh, while the northern district is nearly level, relieved only by a few solitary hills and finely-wooded valleys. The elevated summits on the S.E. are for the most part extensions of the great western, or Welsh, range of mountains. The highest points are Brown Clee Hill, 1,805 feet above the sea-level, and Titterstone Clee Hill, 1,750 feet; W. of the Clee hills is the mountainous district called Clun Forest, formerly a wooded tract, but now well cultivated and divided into small freehold properties. Separating these two districts is a mountainous tract which stretches to the N.W. in a range of hills, the loftiest of which is Longmynd, 1,674 feet high, and still further N. is Stiperstones, a very peculiar mass of rocks. The remaining most important mountain ranges are the Berwyn range, which enters from Montgomery and terminates in this county in Selattyn Hill, 1,300 feet high; the Breddin hills, extending for about 4 miles, but in no place of considerable altitude; and the Wrekin, an isolated elevation of 1,320 feet, near Wellington, which forms a conspicuous object, being much higher than the neighbouring hills. It is connected with the Caer Caradoc hills, which border on the Longmynd.

The principal river is the Severn, which is noticed in a separate article. Its course through this county is winding and navigable through its entire extent of 70 miles, during which it receives from the E. the waters of the Tern, and its tributary the Roden, and of several small streams from the W. The S. is also watered by the Teme, which is joined by a number of small tributaries, and after forming part of the boundary between Herefordshire and Shropshire, falls into the Severn below Worcester. The Dee washes the N.E. corner of the county, separating it from Cheshire. The only lake of any size is Ellesmere, near the town of that name, which covers an area of 116 acres. The canal accommodation is very excellent, all the lines being to the N. of the Severn; the principal are the Donnington, which extends from Donnington Wood to the neighbourhood of Newport, where it is joined by the Shropshire canal of about the same length, which runs into the Severn below Coalbrookdale; a branch communicates with Ketley. The Shrewsbury canal, starting from the Severn at Shrewsbury; runs along the left bank of the river, and then, turning to the N.E., joins the Shropshire and Donnington canals near Wellington. It is 17 miles long; at Atcham it passes through a tunnel 970 yards in length, and it crosses the valley of the Tern by the first cast-iron aqueduct that was ever made; besides several other minor canals.

The county is well supplied with railways; Shrewsbury, its capital, being in direct communication with Chester and Liverpool by Crewe, Stafford, Birmingham, and Gloucester and South Wales by Hereford. Coach roads were formerly very bad, but have of late years been much improved. The principal is the London and Holyhead road, which enters the county between Wolverhampton and Shiffnal, and, passing Shrewsbury, leaves it near Chirk.

Shropshire is as important from the richness and variety of its minerals as it is interesting from the beauty of its scenery and the numerous remains of antiquity which may yet be seen there. The New Red sandstone formation occupies the whole N. of the county, and the Old Red sandstone extends over most of the S., the Severn being in most parts the boundary between the two systems. The northern limit of the older formation is the coalfield of Coalbrookdale, and on the E. it extends to the Wyre, or Bewdley coal district which passes into the adjoining county of Worcester. Its south-western boundary consists of an extensive tract comprising nearly one-fourth of the entire county, and composed of stratified rocks of the Silurian and Cambrian systems, but there is a considerable outlying district of the Old Red sandstone nearly 100 square acres in extent, separated from the larger portion of the Silurian rocks, which reaches into Radnorshire, and includes nearly the entire of Clun Forest. The Ludlow hills belong to the Silurian system, and rise from the Old Red sandstone at Corvedale to elevations of 1,000 to 1,100 feet, and from these to Coalbrookdale extends an unbroken escarpment called Wenlock Edge, consisting of Wenlock limestone. W. of this rise the Caradoc, or Church Stretton hills, where Ostorius is said by some to have defeated Caractacus, and which are formed of amorphous trap; Longmynd, which belongs to the Cambrian system, and raises its square-topped head to a height of 1,674 feet; and Stiperstones, rough and ragged, in which is a rich lead mine. The New Red sandstone formation in the N. of the county is broken towards Market Drayton by a bed of lias containing fossils corresponding to those found in the great lias formation of Warwick and Worcestershire, from which it is distant upwards of 60 miles. The plain of Shrewsbury is in most parts formed of the newer sandstone, but several patches of coal are scattered through it, and they are also found at intervals between the transition chains which indent this same plain.

The important coalfield of Coalbrookdale, the most extensive and most productive in the county, extends from Wormbridge to Coalport on the Severn. It is 8 miles in length and 2 in breadth; the coal is of the kind called slate coal, and contains from 1 to 3 per cent. of ash. Some of the beds are very sulphurous, and the coals are only used in making lime on account of the foetid odour which they emit when burning. The most productive parts of the field are about Hadley, where 16 seams have a total thickness of 15 yards; Dawley, where the coal seams are 14 yards in depth; and Madeley, where the beds are narrower, and 24 of them only measure 10½ yards. The entire field is much faulted, some of the dislocations amounting to 600 or 700 feet. Coal is found at every part of the district at varying depths, and alternating with ironstone, sandstone, and other substances. The ironstone is not rich, but being accompanied by the coal and flint supplies all the requisites for smelting, which is extensively practised. The ores of iron are peroxides in sandstone, argillaceous carbonates in shale, and sulphurets in coal. Brown Clee Hill and Titterstone Clee Hill, a few miles S. of Coalbrookdale, have their summits covered with overlying masses of granite, but coal is worked midway from the base. In the former it is found only in their strata, but in the latter the principal bed is 6 feet in depth. At Cornbrook there is a very valuable field 1 mile long and a quarter of a mile in breadth. The Billingsley tract, to the E. of the Clee hills, stretches from Dense Hill on the N. to the borders of Shropshire and Worcestershire, a distance of 8 miles, but it is doubtful whether this is one continuous field, or consists of several smaller ones adjacent to each other. The rocks which bound or separate these coal fields consist principally of sandstone, limestone, trap, and schists, containing lead and calamine, the most important of which, as already mentioned, are in Stiperstones mountain. The matrix is crystallized quartz, with sulphates and carbonate of barytes, and carbonate of lime. The ore is sulphuret of lead, carbonate of lead, red lead, ore, and blends, which contains besides calamine, or zinc, and the rock at Pimhill is strongly tinctured with copper. Mineral pitch exudes from the red sandstone at Pitchford. Freestone, marble, slate, and pipe-clay are raised. Saline springs are found among the New Red sandstone and coal measures in the N. and there is one also at Saltmoor, near Ashford, on the banks of the Tern, where salt is said to have been manufactured before the Norman conquest. Chalybeate springs also occur near Wenlock, at Moreton Bay, and in other places, and on the W. side of Longmynd, on Prolley Moor, there is a spring containing chloride of lime.

The climate is generally salubrious, but varies much according to the elevation above the sea and the nature of the soil, the lands in the E. being level, are dry and warm, so that the harvests there are frequently ripe a fortnight earlier than in the W. and middle. The soils are too varied and intermixed to admit of any general description, but the land is for the most part fertile and well cultivated, except the elevated districts, which are generally too rugged and barren to admit of much use being made of them except as sheepwalks. Agriculture is improving, grass lands receiving less attention than arable. The meadows near the Severn are very fertile, and are often enriched by the overflow of the river.

The county is not remarkable for dairy produce, but a fine quality of cheese is made and sold as Cheshire. The cattle are generally of the improved Hereford, Lancashire, Leicester, and Cheshire breeds. The horses are of good quality, but of no particular kind. The sheep are remarkable for the excellence of their wool. In many parts there is a species of horned sheep peculiar to this county and resembling South Downs. They are small and hardy, weighing about 10 lbs. the quarter, and yielding fleece of about 2½ lbs. Pork and bacon are much used by the people. Large flocks of turkeys are raised, and there are fine orchards, particularly in the S., where hops also are grown.

China of delicate and elegant pattern is made at Coalport and Caughley; earthenware at Coalport, and a coarse quality is also made at Broseley. There are glass works at Brockwardine, and porcelain is made at Bridgnorth, also carpets and cloth. Flannels are manufactured at Oswestry, Shrewsbury, Worthen, and Church Stretton, and linens and linen thread at various places. Gloves and paper are made at Ludlow, and there are paper works also in different parts of the county.

The principal industry, however, is devoted to coal and iron. The collieries under inspection number 59. The yearly produce is estimated at upwards of 300,000 tons, most of which is consumed in the iron furnaces at Coalbrookdale, Lightmoor Ketley, Donnington, Madeley Wood, and Snedshill on the N. of the Severn, and Calcot, Willey, Broseley, and Benthall S. of that river. Seven-tenths of the iron produced in the county, or 7 per cent. of that in the entire kingdom, is raised at Wellington, Dawley, and Madeley. The manufacture at Wellington and its neighbourhood is yearly increasing by the establishment of iron foundries, saw mills, new workshops and forges for the making of bar iron, which is there extensively carried on.

The county is divided into North and South Shropshire, the former containing the hundreds of Oswestry, Pimhill, North Bradford, South Bradford, and the liberty of Shrewsbury; and the latter the hundreds of Brimstrey, exclusive of Halesowen parish, Chirbury, Candover, Ford, Munslow, Overs, Purslow, including Clun, Stottesdon, and Wenlock franchise. It comprises 231 parishes, distributed among the dioceses of Hereford, Lichfield, St. Asaph, and Worcester, but all in the province of Canterbury. The civil government is entrusted to the lordlieutenant and custos rotulorum, high sheriff, and about 138 deputy-lieutenants and magistrates.

The county is in the Oxford circuit; the assizes and quarter sessions are held at Shrewsbury, where the county gaol, lunatic asylum, and Shropshire infirmary are situated, and there are 14 market towns. The county returns 12 members to parliament, two for the northern and two for the southern divisions, constituency 5,315 and 4,170 respectively, in 1865, and two each for the boroughs of Shrewsbury (1,505), Bridgnorth (647), Ludlow 382), and Wenlock (999). The detached district of Halesowen is included for elective purposes with the county of Worcester. The election for the northern division is held at Shrewsbury, and for the southern at Church Stretton."

[Transcribed and edited information from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland - 1868]

Search the GENUKI Gazetteer. [Click the Gazetteer link at the top of any page, not the search box which searches GENUKI pages.] 
The GENUKI Gazetteer covers the whole of England, Wales and Scotland and can be searched by place-name (or part of a place-name) or Ordnance Survey Grid Reference (six-figure, eg NZ183848). If there are multiple place-names matching the name you enter, you will initially be presented with a drop-down list of the matching place-names with their distances and bearings from London, England.

The GENUKI Church Database. [Click the Churches link at the top of any page, not the search box which searches GENUKI pages.]
This covers the whole of the UK and includes facilities for listing other churches and parishes within any specified distance of the parish church.

• The Vision of Britain site provides: A vision of Britain between 1801 and 2001. Including maps, statistical trends and historical descriptions. 
  - read the guide to searching places, units and locations 
  - check the sources on which this excellent site is based
• The downloadable PARLOC program is available from Dave & Chris Bennett's site.
• The Open Domesday project enables you to locates places (and their details) from the Domesday book.

GENUKI Gazetteer maintenance - Ireland

Basic information

All the Irish Civil Parishes and Townlands appear in the gazetteer, but for many we do not have an actual location. So as a starting point it uses the centre of the county when we have no location. Where we have a parish location we use that as a starting location for the townland. All very approximate but it helps guide reasearchers to the appropriate area and as we add locations it gets nearer and nearer to the real value. So most of this work is to achieve that. There is also other documentation describing how it is achieved.

• The status of each county section can be seen on the statistics page which helps identiy the amount of work required for each county.
• Details of the format of the source files and basic techniques are described in the Gazetteer maintenance page.
• Work already mostly done on developing the Irish counties is a useful adjunct.

Work required

The starting point for each county is to take a look at the Parishes column on the statistics page. If you hold the mouse over the numbers it explains what they represent. We want to get to the stage where there is just single number here where we've created a web page for each parish. If there is a name other than Phil Stringer in the Maintainers column then somebody is already working on this county.

In the end we want to get to the stage where there is nothing in the Approx column, and nothing in the No links column but it is easiest to do some of the tasks in a particular order.

Exact location for parish

In the Approx column, if there is a number marked Parishes with an approximate location this is the simplest one to resolve first. It is those parishes that had a location in our original data and location should be nearly right. Click the number for the names of the parishes, and click each name to see a page with links to online maps. Select This place shown on a Google map. Zoom the map appropriately and drag the icon to where you think the centre of that place is. You then have the correct value to go the csv file and can change the Approx field (column C)from Y to N. If you find the Google map does not take you to a place and ther is none nearby on the map, then perhaps then perhaps an error was made in the past. So use the instructions in the next step for finding the centre location of the parish.

Parishes where we need a location

These can be identified in the Parishes column, and are labelled Civil parishes for we don't yet have a location. Click the number and see the list of names. Click a name to take you to links to online maps, the ones in the south are much easier to do.

• North - the Irish Times site is your friend as it shows where they all are on a map. It is not always easy to relate this to the modern Google map as it does not show place names. But you need to open a Google map in another browser tab and pan it and move the marker to then centre of the area shown on the Irish Times. You then have the centre location of the parish.
• South - follow the link to the Irish Ordnance survey site. Use the search menu on the right, and select the county and then Historic parishes. That shows you a historic map of the parish along with its boundaries. Pan the map until the red cross is in the centre of the parish. Don't pan it again on subsequent clicks as it changes the location that you've just found!. I find it best then to go to the 'Preview map series' menu on the right and select 'Wind report' it changes to a modern map which is much easier to relate to the Google map. Zoom, without, panning so that you can see place names that you can relate to a Google map that you've open in another tab. So look at that the OS map with one eye and move the marker on the Google map to the same location. You then have the centre location of the parish.

Cut and paste the location (Lat/Lon) into column B in the csv file for that parish entry. Change the Approx field (column C) from Y to N. Now for all the townlands without a location in this parish, change the Approx field (column C) to P, and add the parish centre location to column B. This makes the most significant improvement to the gazetteer.

Places with no location at all

As updated versions of the csv file are updated the entries that need attention in the statistics file thankfully drop. At this point the Places with no location at all in the Approx column should now have disappeared. If not it is worth fixing these now as there will be very few left for this county. Sometimes you may see Market Town in column K with the name of a description in column L. Search the gazetteer for this place to read the description. It may tell you this is also a parish. If so copy column L into column L for the parish where it is missing and then you can probably just delete the duplicate Market Town entry. For others a Google search can help identify it and lead to a location.

Townlands with a parish centre location

We are now getting to the more tedious work, but once done it makes it much more useful for researchers. In the Approx column there is probably a significant number entitled Places with a parish location. This gives list of all the names which can be clicked to link to maps, such as Google centred on the parish centre, the value in that entry in the csv file. However going through this alphabetically can be slow and it isn't as easy to spot mistakes.

The easiest method I've found is to look in the csv file at all the entries in a parish, the smaller parishes being easier. Use the gazetteer to search for the entry for the parish and ask it to display all the places in the parish on a Google map. There will be townland names on the Google map which should match the ones you need to find. If none match then the parish location may be wrong! There do seem to townlands in other parishes with the same name as actual parishes. In the rare event that this has happened, then fix the parish centre location as described above. Drag and drop the marker on the map to find the location of the townlands and change the location field in the csv file and also change the Approx to N.

Start with the ones where we already have an approximate location as they show up reasonably easily to start with. Then compare the unknown townland names nearby on the Google map with the csv file. Where they match, drag and drop and you have another answer. Google does at times have two identical names close by. I tend to use the one in the larger font as that seems to be the older one. If both are the same size I drag to point mid-way between.

So what about the townlands that don't seem to be on the Google map? Well we can go to the Irish OS site and search for the townland and see where it is on the map. Be careful that the one you get is the one you want as there can be multiple townlands with the same name. Again a useful check is to look at adjacent ones on the map and see if they are in that parish in the cav file. The Irish OS technique can only be used for counties in the South as it doesn't have the countties and townlands in the search menu for the north. If it is a county in the North try the map provided by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. We haven't found a way to link into a location so you will need to zoom and pan to the parish location and then search for townland names. There does seem to be better coverage than Google, and it appears to have more accurate locations.

There will be some very small townlands that the Irish OS site doesn't have in the menu. If it is an island, then browse the Irish OS 6" historic map for the parish and pan and zoom across the wet areas. It is easy to find island names there. For tiny townlands that aren't islands, try a Google search as somebody may have described the location. Otherwise you are left with panning the historic 6".

There is also a technique that will find the townlands plotted on a Google map. Go to https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@?dg=dbrw&newdg=1 and put the place and county in the search bar. It normally finds it and shows a marker on a map with a rough outline of the townland. What you want is the location of the marker. So right click next to the marker and a menu will appear. Select What's here? and the lat/lon is placed in the search bar. I tend to compare that with other places in the parish to make sure it is nearby and so the right one.

In the larger parishes I find it useful to put in a framework of townlands, upload the csv file, and wait for the nightly update. Things are then clearer on the map the next day. There is less clutter and it is easier to finds ones that still need doing. You need to zoom in for Google to make some visible.

The remaining places with approximate locations

That ones that are left with approximate locations come from the CIA World Fact Book. Some will be duplicates of existing places, some geographic features and some places smaller than townlands. So take each one in the list, and select nearby places on a Google map.

• Look at nearby places marked on the map, and if a duplicate, remove it from the csv file.
• I look at all Cross Roads and tend to remove any that match the name of a nearby townland. If it is a new name check on the Irish OS map and zoom in when it usually becomes visible. You then know the exact location and can drag/drop the Google marker. It is also useful loohing at the historic 6" to see which parish it was in, and put that name in the Parish field. The CIA didn't always get the spelling right, so make any adjustments that are needed.
• If it is a named bridge, then I keep these setting the exact location, and filling in the Parish name.
• Then any small places I treat in a similar way.

It is during this phase that the towlands with parish boundaries running through them become visible as we have two or more markers at the same spot. Zoom in to make it clearer and perhaps drag one to the side to check the names and the parishes.

We only want the user to be presented with a single place at that location. We don't multiple gazetteer entries for any of these as we are trying to specify where they are, not to document an administrative hierarchy. But we can do our best to tell the user that it is in multiple parishes. So for the first entry for the townland put the names of the parishes it lies in, in the parish field separating the names with a colon ':' character (without quotes). Then delete the entries from the other parishes. We then have a single place listing all the parishes it is in.

Gotchas

There do seem to be some parishes split across counties. If you find one, get in touch with Phil as he has devised a technique to handle it but has not yet implemented it.

The Post Office's Postcode Finder

The Post Office no longer supports their postcode finder tool. Instead they advise: for the most up-to-date address and postcode details, please use your preferred mapping service such as Google Maps or Apple Maps, or use a search engine.

• The GENUKI Gazetteer covers the whole of England, Wales and Scotland and can be searched by place-name (or part of a place-name) or Ordnance Survey Grid Reference (six-figure, eg NZ183848). If there are multiple place-names matching the name you enter, you will initially be presented with a drop-down list of the matching place-names with their distances and bearings from London, England.
• A Gazetteer of British Place Names provided by the Association of British Counties. This comprehensive place-name index for Britain lists more than 50,000 places and gives the Ordnance Survey grid reference, the ancient or geographical County, and current local government information for each place name. There is comprehensive coverage of alternative spellings (including Welsh and Gaelic versions) and detailed notes specifically aimed at historians and genealogists. Appendices relate present day registration districts to local government areas and list those places which lay in a different "registration county" to their ancient County in the 19th century.
• The GB1900  Project - a crowd-sourced historical gazetteer based on the 1:10560 Ordnance Survey mapping of Great Britain
• GENUKI Church Database provides an online Parish Locator covering the whole of the UK. This includes facilities for listing other churches and parishes within any specified distance of the parish church.
• UK Placename Finder from Popular Archaeology includes details of 160,000 UK places.
• The archived copy of the BBC Domesday Project Reloaded website provides a method of searching the contents of the original BBC Domesday Gazetteer disk - a huge crowd-sourced description of the UK, dating from 1986 - by using the TNA Discovery Catalogue's results filtering facility.

Some historical gazetteers:

Lewis, Samuel. A Topographical Dictionary of England. 4 vols. London: S. Lewis and Co., 1831

Southall, Humphrey; Aucott, Paula; Fleet, Christopher; Pert, Tom; Stoner, Michael. GB1900: engaging the public in very large scale gazetteer construction from the Ordnance Survey “County Series” 1:10,560 mapping of Great Britain. Journal of Map & Geography Libraries, Vol. 13, No. 1, (2017), p. 7-28. [PDF]

Wilson, John M. The Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales. Six Volumes. Edinburgh, Scotland: A. Fullerton, 1870

The National Gazetteer: A Topographical Dictionary of the British Islands. Virtue and Co., London (1868) 3 vols. [Full text - vol 1 (A-E), vol. 2 (F-M), vol. 3 (N-Z)]

Gazetteer of the British Isles. Edinburgh, Scotland: John Bartholomew and Sons, Ltd., 1966.