The Stranger in Shrewsbury: or, an historical and descriptive view of Shrewsbury and its environsHowell, Thomas J.
History
The Stranger in Shrewsbury: or, an historical and descriptive view of Shrewsbury and its environs
Howell, Thomas J.
Shrewsbury (England) -- Description and travel
The house of the Franciscan or Grey Friars, stood under the Wyle Cop, on
the banks of the Severn. A part of this friary still remains, converted
into houses. A large stone coffin lies in the garden of an old timber
house, erected soon after the dissolution.
Dominican Friary.
Scarcely a fragment of this friary now remains. It is supposed to have
occupied nearly the whole of the meadow between the Water-lane-gate and
the English Bridge.
The lady of king Edward IV. twice lay in at this convent, and was
delivered of Richard and George Plantagenet. The former perished in the
tower with his unfortunate elder brother, in the subsequent reign, by the
machinations of his cruel uncle Richard. Prince George died young.
PLACES OF AMUSEMENT.
The Theatre.
THIS building, if we may credit the affirmation of Phillips, is part of
the ancient palace of the princes of Powisland; who in their frequent
transactions with the sovereigns of England, often resided at Shrewsbury.
John de Charlton, who married an heiress of the line of Powis, obtained a
license in 1308, to embattle this mansion, and hence it acquired the name
of Charlton Hall. In 1445, Henry Gray, Earl of Tankerville and of Powis,
granted the premises to Thomas Bromley; from whom, twenty-five years
after, they were demised to Nycholas Warynge, of Salop, merchant of the
staple of Calais. After various changes and transfers, it became the
property of the Waring family.
The ancient boundary walls of this mansion, inclosed all the space
contained between Cross Hill, St. John’s Hill, Murivance, or Swan Hill,
and Shoplache. The house doubtless formed one, if not two quadrangles,
which may still be traced. The most considerable remnant is a building
of red stone, in length 100 feet, and in breadth 31 feet, which is the
present Theatre. The side next the street has been plastered and washed
with stone colour, to give it the semblance of a modern front; but
surely, nothing was ever so disgraceful to the town as its present
appearance, especially when considered as a public building. The other
side exhibits the original walls with some blocked-up pointed arches, and
other features of high antiquity. It is probable, that in the old
edifice, this part was the great chamber, appointed according to the
usage of the times, for receiving company, and occasionally for
exhibiting shows and interludes. The interior being now fitted up as a
modern Theatre, retains few of its original appurtenances, except the
remains of a small spiral stone staircase. It consists of a pretty roomy
pit, a ground tier of boxes, with upper side boxes, and a tolerably
spacious gallery. The stage is well adapted to the size of the place,
and the decorations are in the usual style of provincial playhouses. The
same remark may apply to the performers, who are, generally of that
middling class, which consists of persons in their first career to
excellence, and of others that have got half-way, and remain stationary.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account