  The Substance of the following pages was given in two lectures, which I delivered last year to the Members of “The Society for Promoting Religious and Useful Knowledge.” Since then I have collected a few more facts relating to the early history of Bridgnorth, which I have here given to the reader, and I have also added an Appendix, containing some matter not altogether, I hope, undeserving of attention, although some of it is only remotely connected with my subject. The public documents relating to the town, such as the Terms of Capitulation, and the Proclamation of Charles II., it has been thought desirable to give entire, as but few copies of them, especially of the latter, are extant. It would seem superfluous for me, after the many quotations which I have taken from his learned work on “The Antiquities of Shropshire,” to make any acknowledgement of my obligations to the Rev. Robert Eyton. But I owe him much more than is indicated by these quotations. He very kindly directed my attention to sources of information respecting Bridgnorth, which have been of the greatest service to me, particularly the Blakeway Papers, in the Bodleian Library, besides allowing me to refer to his better judgment and more extensive information, on any difficulty that occurred to me. I am very much indebted also to Mr. Whitmore, of Apley, for his kindness in giving me the free use of his own collection of historical notices of our town and neighbourhood, from the MSS. in his possession. I would gladly avail myself of this opportunity of expressing my thanks likewise to the Town Clerk, for allowing me to consult the Common Hall Order Books, and other documents belonging to the Corporation; and to |
|
