The History of Haughmond Abbey and Mysterious Sundorne Castle
We inform viewers about the historic former Augustinian abbey at Haughmond Hill, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, it was extended in the 13th and 14th centuries.
Following the Dissolution of the Monasteries part of it was converted into a mansion, and after the Civil War (1642–1651), it became a farm.
Only ruins remain, the most substantial parts being parts of the infirmary and the abbot's lodging, the latter with a large three-sided bay window. Only the foundation stones of the church have survived.
Other remains include part of the cloister walls, three arches from the chapter house, and three chimneys from the kitchen.
From Haughmond Abbey, not far away downhill toward the outskirts of Shrewsbury some people are intrigued to see another "castle".
Sundorne Castle, a more modern country house that has been demolished.
It looks mysterious to many onlookers because a number of structures associated with the house have survived.
Other listed buildings include houses, cottages, farmhouses and farm buildings, in the nearby village of in Uffington, Shropshire.
The earliest of these are timber framed, there's also a pump in an enclosure, and a church.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listed_buildings_in_Uffington,_Shropshire
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Much Wenlock is a lovely small town in beautiful Shropshire countryside.
It has a number of historical associations going right back to Saxon England.
The priory ruins are open to visitors, and the town boasts a number of charming old wood framed buildings. From the town there are also some lovely walks, not least on the wooded Wenlock Edge.
Here is a Potted Introduction to Much Wenlock from Wikipedia
Much Wenlock is a small town and parish in Shropshire, England, situated on the A458 road between Shrewsbury and Bridgnorth. Nearby, to the northeast, is the Ironbridge Gorge, and the new town of Telford. The civil parish includes the villages of Homer (1 mile north of the town), Wyke (2 miles northeast), Atterley (2 miles southeast) and Bourton (3 miles southwest). The population of the civil parish, according to the 2001 census, was 2,605, increasing to 2,877 at the 2011 Census.
Much Wenlock was historically the chief town of the ancient borough of Wenlock. The "Much" was added to the name to distinguish it from the nearby Little Wenlock, and signifies that it is the larger of the two settlements. Notable historic attractions in the town are Wenlock Priory and the Guildhall.
The Wenlock Olympian Games established by Dr William Penny Brookes in 1850 are centred in the town. Dr Brookes is credited as a founding father of the modern Olympic Games, and one of the Olympic mascots for London 2012 was named Wenlock after the town. via en.wikipedia.org
The Local Tourist Website Says:
It is the home town of Dr William Penny Brookes, the inspiration for the modern Olympic Movement and founder of the Wenlock Olympian Society. In recognition of our sporting heritage, the 2012 London Olympic Games named one of their mascots Wenlock.
Dr Brookes instigated the Wenlock Olympian Games in 1850 and they still take place here every July. You can learn more about them by visiting our wonderful free Museum and taking a stroll around the Wenlock Olympian Trail.
Today, with a population of around 3,000 people, Much Wenlock feels much more like a village than a town. Try sitting on a bench in the Town Square and it won’t be long before the person sitting next to you is willing to talk of the old times and be just as interested in you as you are in the town.
Stroll around the town centre and it may seem you have stepped back fifty or more years. You won't find any ‘big names', but you will find a great selection of traditional shops, all offering good old-fashioned personal service. Much Wenlock is a place where folk still have time for you. via www.visitmuchwenlock.co.uk
The Pubs And Surroundings of this Town
The historic town of Much Wenlock is surrounded by country pubs, cafes and fine dining restaurants. Shropshire County Hotels and Inns offer a range of modern British food. Their Much Wenlock Hotel, The Raven Hotel, has a particular passion for food and has been awarded 2 AA Rosettes. So, whether you're looking for a relaxed atmosphere with some classic country food, a sophisticated evening out or even a quick bite to eat, stop by the Raven Hotel.
With transport links to Shrewsbury, Telford, Birmingham and Cannock, via bus, car and train, Much Wenlock is situated in the perfect location for a day out. Whether it's shopping or with the family, Much Wenlock is central to Shrewsbury, Telford, Birmingham and Kidderminster.
Renowned for its breath-taking scenery, Wenlock Edge surrounds the town. A 15-mile-long limestone escarpment offering a long history of quarrying and industry. Wenlock Edge has inspired countless artists, poets and composers. In 2007 the beautiful landscape was listed as one of the ‘seven wonders' of the West Midlands. via www.visitshropshirehotels.com
Wenlock Olympian Games
The Wenlock Olympian Games, dating from 1850, are a forerunner of the modern Olympic Games. They are organised by the Wenlock Olympian Society (WOS), and are held each year at venues across Shropshire, England, centred on the little market town of Much Wenlock. One of the two mascots for the 2012 Summer Olympics was named Wenlock in honour of the Wenlock Olympian Games. via en.wikipedia.org
Conclusion
Much Wenlock is well worth a visit. Its long and colourful history is only part of its appeal.
Set in the beautiful countryside of Shropshire with Wenlock Edge (home to many rare orchids) nearby, it is also a must for nature lovers.
The town itself is a stunning medieval "black and white" town with many beautiful buildings, including the Guildhall that is open in summer months. via www.historic-uk.com
Dry summer revealed historic and archaeological sites across Shropshire Archaeology
Last summer SAW the recording of a wide range of archaeological sites, including Bronze Age burial monuments, Iron Age farms and Roman ‘marching’ camps.
22 sites recorded during aerial surveys in 2018 have never been seen before, and significant new detail has been recorded at previously known archaeological sites.
This adds to aerial photography taken over the last 10 years, which has recorded a wide variety of archaeological sites, historic buildings and landscape features.
The imagery has been catalogued and recorded within the Council’s Historic Environment Record, to support the work of the team in ensuring the rich heritage of the county is effectively protected and managed by working constructively with farmers, land owners and developers.
The drought conditions of early summer 2018 put many crops under stress, with the result that buried archaeological remains rapidly became visible as ‘cropmarks’.
These are created when ditches buried below the ploughed soil cause the overlying crop to grow taller and ripen more slowly.
In addition, ‘parchmarks’ have developed where buried stonework causes stunted grass growth above archaeological features.
For more information about Shropshire Council’s Historic Environment Record, and the wide range of archaeological sites and features it records.
Sites shown in video: Roman buildings at Wroxeter, an enclosure near Gobowen, a ditched enclosure near Much Wenlock, a Prisoner of War Camp near Oswestry, Ring ditches near Cound, a long pit alignment near Hodnet, features at a field near Whittington.
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The Middle Ages were full of kings, but there are hardly any strong defining women we know much about. There are, of course, notable exceptions such as Elizabeth I, and Hildegard of Bingen.
It now seems that those may be just the tip of the iceberg, and that many more have been recorded in old manuscripts and need to be researched, their stories published and brought out into modern culture.
This article is about one such woman. We are beginning to be told about Aethelflaed, Queen of Mercia, and it seems there may be many more. The rest of this article is devoted to our local female Aethelflaed:
Aethelflaed - The Warrior Queen who was the first Shropshire town planner.
Aethelflaed, the daughter of Alfred the Great, was the first Saxon woman to rule a kingdom.
Many of the urban centres we know today, including Shrewsbury, Bridgnorth, Chester and Stafford, are Aethelflaed's gift to the Midlands.
Aethelflaed, Lady of the Mercians, is the subject of a new book by Margaret Jones, who says that in recent years her story has been rediscovered by historians.
Aethelflaed lived over 1,000 years ago, and she was powerful.
She did what no Anglo-Saxon woman before her had done – she led her army in battle, says Margaret in her book, "Founder, Fighter, Saxon Queen," published by Pen & Sword.
Shrewsbury had been founded between 901 and 912, to keep watch from a hilltop over a bend in the River Severn.
St Alkmund's Church, Shrewsbury is unusual in having retained the name and dedication of the original Aethelflaedan church.
This is where Aethelflaed is said to have brought the remains of St Alkmund – Ealhmund – from Derby, to keep them safe from the Danes and to bless the newly established town.
Margaret says while locals in Bridgnorth insist on dating the town from 1101 when a Norman lord built a castle there, but it is almost certainly the place referred to in the Anglo Saxon Chronicles, where Aethelflaed built a burh – a fortified settlement – on a hill overlooking the river in 912.
In 896 the marauding Danes had wintered near Bridgnorth, but were to find it impossible to do so again.
Both Shrewsbury and Bridgnorth were entirely new towns built from scratch, she says, although Bridgnorth was in effect re-founded in the 12th century when the layout of the main streets probably changed.
As a warrior queen defending her realm against invasion, and as the founder of strategic towns like Runcorn, Stafford, Shrewsbury and Warwick, she brought peace to the Midlands and paved the way for the unification of England.
Throughout all-time, and until the end of the medieval period it was believed that the only way to keep order was to make sure that the people were scared of the punishments given for crimes committed.
For this reason all crimes from stealing to murder had harsh punishments. Although there were goals, they were generally used to hold a prisoner awaiting trial rather than as a means of punishment. Fines, shaming (being placed in stocks), mutilation (cutting off a part of the body) or death were the most common forms of punishment. There was no police force in the medieval period so law-enforcement was in the hands of the community.
If you fancy exploring a bit of England's rich heritage then there is no better place to start than the historic Shropshire Castles. The stormy past of Shropshire has left the county with many hillforts, castles and abbeys, many which saw .
1. Acton Burnell Castle:
Acton Burnell Castle is located in a small village of the same name, and it is in fact a fortified manor house.
2. Bridgnorth Castle:
Bridgnorth Castle, set in the town on a cliff by the side of the River Severn, is no more than a ruin.
3. Chirk Castle:
Chirk Castle is an wonderully romantic place, it's 700 years-old, and a fortress of the Marches area between England and Wales, in lovely grounds.
4. Clun Castle:
Now a ruin Clun castle was built around the 1100’s by the Norman, Robert de Say.
5. Ludlow Castle:
Built in the late 11th Century as the border stronghold of one of the Lords of teh Shropshire Marches, Roger De Lacy.
6. Moreton Corbet Castle:
Moreton Corbet Castle is a magnificent and unusual, ornate ruin that is, disturbingly atmospheric.
7. Powis Castle & Garden:
Powis Castle and Gardens, built around 1200 houses textiles, and bronzes, plus ivory and jade from India.
8. Shrewsbury Castle:
Shrewsbury castle in its current form, is a Norman red sandstone construction built by Roger de Montgomery in 1070.
9. Stokesay Castle:
Stokesay Castle, near Craven Arms, nestles in peaceful South Shropshire countryside near the Welsh Border.
10. Whittington Castle:
Whittington Castle is very impressive and picturesque, situated in the heart of Whittington village.
For more videos on Shropshire History visit our channel.
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Oh! Ruts! Roman Ruts! Craven Arms, Shropshire History
Who would have thought that Craven Arms was once an important place, which suffered from a lack of council road repairs just like today!
In Roman times it was.
It was on a Roman cross-roads.
It was a junction and stopover for marching legionaries, with at least one temporary fort or encampment, a temple, farms, houses, and at least one Roman villa.
It was a part of the nation-wide road system from the Midlands in the East to Wales in the West, where it was crossed by a Roman road known as an extension of Watling Street.
Watling Street which starts on the Kent Coast, was a major thoroughfare on the Roman road running all the way from Rome.
The Craven Arms section would take you from Wroxeter (9 miles east of Shrewsbury) in the north to South Wales in the south.
But, sometimes it is the discovery of little everyday details which make events of over 1,500 years ago seem so real.
And, for me it's the Craven Arms ruts!
With government cuts our big worry is potholes, but cartwheel ruts worn by metal wheel rimes, were the problem in those days.
Here on this slide are the ruts which were found near Ludlow in another excavation to the one for excavations for a Highways Department extension, just south of Craven Arms Business Park carried out in 2013. See end of video for attribution.
Excavation at Overton Road, Ludlow
Copyright Transactions of the Shropshire Archaeological and Historical Society, Vol 91, 2016
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Shrewsbury Centre and High Street 2018 Shop Closures and Health of the High Street
High Street in Shrewsbury Shrewsbury is known for its many independent cafes and has few town-centre bookmakers compared to most UK cities, although there are William Hill and Coral branches on High Street. In general, the town is symbolic of what many other county towns are experiencing on their high streets.
There have been a number of shop closures in 2018. House of Fraser in Shrewsbury is one of 31 stores shutting nationwide The drastic plan will also see branches closed in Wolverhampton and Birmingham in a bid to rescue the rest of the struggling business.
But, losses were not limited to the town centre with the closed down former Toys R Us store in Shrewsbury still empty, but there is news that it has been snapped up by an unnamed retailer.
It is surrounded by a big river so it makes many people more concerned about what will happen if people take walks at night so close to a dangerous river. It is being said that rough sleeping in Shrewsbury has reached epidemic proportions for a variety of reasons, impacting negatively on business, on visitors and those of us who wish to be able to be proud to be part of the county town.
The UK's Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) has published a league table ranking 70 of Britain’s major towns and cities by the impact of their high streets on the public’s health and well-being.
Shrewsbury came 4th in the national list for having a high street which relatively free of off-licences, fast food outlets and empty shops.
Grimsby was ranked the unhealthiest high street in the country.
The league table features in the new RSPH report, Health on the High Street: Running on empty, which follows on from the announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer of a package of measures designed to reinvigorate the nation’s high streets. This is a follow up report to the original RSPH Health on the High Street published in 2015, and assesses changes in British retail areas over the past three years.
The report updates the methodology used in 2015, to reflect the changing face of the British high street, adding off-licences and empty shops to the negative influences on health, and cafes and vape shops to the positive influences. via Shealthiest high streets
Shrewsbury Business Improvement District (BID) has entered the town in the Great British High Street Awards 2018 to celebrate its achievements and gain wider recognition.
It has put Shrewsbury forward in the Champion High Street category on behalf of members and partner organisations. The category is judged on successes in community, customer experience, environment and digital transformation criteria.
Seb Slater, Executive Director of Shrewsbury BID, said: “We have a thriving community spirit and passionate organisations who work together to ensure our high street maintains a strong appeal and adapts to meet changing consumer demands.
“We believe we have something for everyone with our mix of independents and well-known retailers, an interesting heritage and charm, lively events and festivals programme along with a safe and welcoming night time economy.
“Entering the Great British High Street Awards is a chance for us to showcase all we offer and build on Shrewsbury’s reputation as an original one-off destination.” via High Street accolade
Shrewsbury has plenty of choice in the mid-market sector. It’s well served by local independents, many of which are fighting for the same dollar, with a number of big name multiples offering bargain eats for those seeking an informal night out. Against such tough competition, simple errors are enough to make alternatives seem desirable. via Harvey's
