During the reign of Queen Elizabeth, Sir Henry Sidney, President of Wales and Lord Deputy of Ireland, visited this town almost annually, and was always received with the highest respect; his celebrated son, Sir Philip, was educated at our Free Schools. Sir Henry, as Knight of the Garter, kept the feast of St. George here, in 1581, with great splendour. He marched in state from his residence, the Council House, to St. Chad’s Church, the stalls of which were decorated with the arms of the knights, divine service being “sung by note.” On the 1st of May, the four masters of the schools entertained his lordship with a costly banquet, and on the following day three hundred and sixty of the scholars assembled in the “Gay,” several of whom addressed him in speeches. He departed on the 8th, by water, “taking his bardge under the Castle,” when another pageant took place on the island near the Horse Ferry. Shrewsbury was a favourite retreat for Charles I. during the troublous period of his reign, and he was frequently received by the inhabitants with every feeling of loyalty and attachment. He established a mint here, and kept his court at the Council House. In the year 1642, he drew up his army on a spot afterwards called the “SOLDIER’S PIECE,” and which is now used as a race ground, where he delivered an harangue to them and the chief gentlemen of the county, who had in his time of need rendered him pecuniary assistance and service. The town was taken by storm in 1644–5, under the command of Colonels Mytton and Bowyer, of the parliamentary army, the inhabitants experiencing all the vicissitudes of a siege, in the plunder of their goods and destruction of property. An attempt was made, in 1654, to surprise it, in favour of the restoration of monarchy, by Sir Thomas Harries, but the scheme, although deeply planned, was frustrated. James II. in the month of August, 1687, kept his Court at the Council House, and was attended by many of the nobility and gentry of the county, on which occasion, it is said, “the conduits ran with wine,” and other most liberal entertainments and rejoicings welcomed the royal guest. At the same time he graciously received a purse of one hundred guineas, which was presented to him by the munificence of the corporation. The inhabitants on many occasions have been thus foremost to testify loyalty to their sovereign. In 1715 their adherence to the House of Hanover was strongly manifested by voluntarily raising a body of horse and foot for the protection of the town, and placing the walls and gates (then entire) in a position of defence. At the time also apprehensions were entertained of the Pretender and the Scottish invasion in 1745, a regiment of foot was raised here for the service of government; and, subsequently, a militia and cavalry have been embodied.