  Clun is a parish in the hundred of Purslow—the market town, which was a borough, incorporated by the Lords Marchers, in the thirteenth century, is 157 miles N.W. from London, 26 S.S.W. from Shrewsbury, and 16 W. by N. from Ludlow; pleasantly and rather romantically situated on a gentle eminence surrounded by hills of bolder elevation. It takes its name from the river Colun or Clun (by the Welsh called Colunwy), which passes through the town, and is crossed by an ancient bridge of five arches. The castle, according to Camden, was built by William Fitz-Alan, Earl of Arundel in the reign of Henry III, and is supposed to have been demolished by Owen Glyndwr, in his rebellion against Henry IV.: it continued in the line of Fitz-Alan until the reign of Elizabeth, when, by the marriage of Mary Fitz-Alan to Philip Howard, son of Thomas, Duke of Norfolk, it became vested in that noble family. It is now a most magnificent ruin; the remains consist of the lofty and massive walls of the keep, the banquet-hall, and part of two round towers. This castle and neighbourhood is conjectured to have been the scene of Sir Walter Scott’s much admired tale of ‘the Betrothed.’ In the parish are the Caer Ditches, or Caer Carodoc, the station of the renowned British hero, Caractacus, and the scene of his last efforts against the Roman general Ostorius; and about two miles west of the town passes the great dyke thrown up by the Saxon king Offa in the eighth century. The government under its ancient incorporation was vested in a high steward, two bailiffs, a recorder, and the burgesses, assisted by a town clerk, two serjeants at mace, &c. The steward is now the principal governing officer, but the court of record for adjudicating claims has been superseded by the new County Court, which sits at Bishop’s Castle, and takes cognizance of debts to any amount not exceeding £50. The Earl Powis is lord of the lordship or honour of Clun, and holds his courts for the same at certain periods; and Clun is a polling station at the election of members to represent South Salop. The parish church of Saint George is a venerable pile, partially destroyed by Fleetwood, one of Cromwell’s generals, and never since perfectly restored. The most ancient part is the nave, which is of a very early date, probably anterior to the Norman conquest. The side aisles are purely in the early English style, and one of them has a very handsome roof and canopy. In the interior are some neat monuments, and it possesses an organ and a choir of singers. The church is surmounted by a low tower, containing a peal of six fine bells. It formerly was connected with Wenlock abbey, and at the dissolution of religious houses the great tithes were alienated from the church, and are now in the possession of the Earl Powis, who is the POST OFFICE, Clun, Eliza Thomas, Post Mistress.—Letters from London and all parts arrive (from Shrewsbury) every morning at nine, and are despatched thereto every afternoon at five. GENTRY & CLERGY.Creswell Rev. James, Newcastle Evans Mrs. Elizabeth, Clun Evans Thomas, Esq. Castle Cottage Haighway Mr. Thomas, Clun Herbert Honourable Rev. George, Vicarage Clan Langford Mr. John, Clun Matthews Mr. Thomas, Clun Morgan Rev. John Jenkins, Clun Morris Philip, Esq. the Hurst Owen Mrs. Mary, Clun Rogers Mrs. Ann, Clun ACADEMIES & SCHOOLS.Davies Margaret (day) Downes Ann (day) Free School—Henry Steuart; Sarah Tallis, mistress Rawlings Mary (day) BAKERS & FLOUR DEALERS.Baker John Davies Mary Harris Richard Jackson Thomas BLACKSMITHS.Evans John, Newcastle Jones John, Chapel lawn Jones Thomas Morgan James, Whitcott Price John BOOT AND SHOE MAKERS.Addis John Chelmick Francs. Cottrell Richard Francis John Francis Thomas Giddings Thos. Hinse William, Clunton Jones James Price Edward Rawlings Fras. Whiston Edwd. Whittall Thos. BUTCHERS.Davis Thomas Sarkey Richard GROCERS & DEALERS IN SUNDRIES.Haighway Harriet James Sarah Jones Richard, Newcastle Jones William & Harley (& drapers) Moore Jane (& draper) Rawlings John (&. draper) Thomas Eliza Vaughan Richard INNS & PUBLIC HOUSES.Buffalo (commercial and inland revenue office), Jeremiah Bright Crown, John Farmer, Clunton Crown, Richard Jones, Newcastle Crown, Morgan Williams Six Bells, Edwin Taylor Sun, John Whiston While Horse, William Lloyd Woodcock, Samuel Baldwin, Chapel lawn RETAILERS OF BEER.Chelmick William Davies John Evans Daniel Jones James, Whitcott Luther William Pritchard Edward, Newcastle Williams Richard Williams William JOINERS.Chelmick William Cooke John Davies John Davies John, cooper Hamar James (and builder and iron monger) Haynes John MALTSTERS.Baldwin Samuel, Chapel lawn Bright Thomas Evans Daniel Jones Francis, Clunton Luther William MILLERS.Davies John, Castle Mill Green William, Hurst Mill Luther John, Birches Mill Southern Robert, Newcastle Watkins Evan Williams John, Clunton MILLINERS & DRESS MAKERS.Beamond Mary Blight Susanna Hamer Elizabth Roberts Elzbth. SADDLERS.Parry Thomas Williams Morgan STONE MASONS.Davies John Faulkner John Jordan Edward Speake Samuel Vaughan Richard William William SURGEONS.Jackson William, M.D. Shield Robert de la Fosse TAILORS.Addis Richard Harris Richard Home John Jones Richard Mold Benjamin, Clinton Tudor William WHEELWRIGHTS.Francis John Francis John, Whitcott Francis Richard Hinse Thomas, Clunton Pitchford Francis, Newcastle MISCELLANEOUS.Breese Hyla, painter Clun Hospital—Jas. D. Lewis, warden Davies John, cooper Davies Thomas, painter, plumber, glazier and ironmonger Downes William, relieving officer Edwards Edward, fellmonger Hamar James, agent to the Royal Farmers’ Insurance Company Lloyd Edward, fellmonger Thomas Richard Wall, chemist, druggist and veterinary surgeon Walters William, watch mater PLACES OF WORSHIP, |
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