{126} At this Parliament, held Sept. 30th, the patriotic and unhappy David, the last Prince of Wales, was tried, and condemned to an ignominious and cruel death, which, to the disgrace of Edward, was permitted to be carried into execution. To this convention two knights were summoned from each county, and two deputies from certain of the principal cities and towns, (of which Shrewsbury was one,) and thus was laid the foundation of the British House of Commons. After the trial of David the Parliament adjourned to Acton Burnell, where the famous statute of that name received the royal assent. {127} Henry VIII. had previously by an Act of the twenty-sixth year of his reign appointed twenty-six suffragan or assistant bishops, to whom he assigned twenty-six borough towns dispersed over the kingdom as their sees. Shrewsbury was judiciously selected as one. This useful law was however seldom enforced, one only suffragan Bishop of Shrewsbury being known; Lewis Thomas, late Abbot of Cwmhîr, consecrated suffragan Bishop of the see of Salop by Archbishop Cranmer, 24th June, 1537. He died 1560 or 1561. {133} The engraving represents the eastern end previous to the alterations. {153} A short walk along the retired and shady lane opposite St. Giles’s church brings us to a small but highly picturesque wood, covering the ragged bank of the Meole Brook; embosomed in which is Sutton Spa, the water of which has been found by experience to be highly serviceable in scrofulous disorders. The attendant resides on the spot, in a neat cottage, near to which are hot and cold baths, with suitable accommodations. {154} Continuing our walk for three miles along the London-road, we arrive at the little village of Atcham, with its picturesque church on the margin of the Severn, which river is here crossed by an elegant stone bridge, designed by the architect Gwyn. The village of Atcham is memorable as the birth-place of Ordericus Vitalis, one of the best of our earliest Historians, who was born 16th February, 1075. Within sight of the village, on the confluence of the rivers Tern and Severn, is the noble edifice of Attingham Hall, the seat of the Right Honourable Lord Berwick, built from designs by the celebrated Athenian Stuart. The mansion consists of a centre and two wings, connected by corridors, and is adorned by a handsome tetrastyle portico of the composite order.