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History of Shropshire

Cradle of industry

Quite why this remote, rural county on the Welsh border became the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution is mystifying to many people. The reason, however, is mainly due to Shropshire's diverse geology. Shropshire is the "geological capital" of the UK, as just about every rock type in Northern Europe is found within its borders, as are coal, lead, copper and iron ore deposits. In addition to this, the River Severn flows through the county and has been used for the transportation of goods and services for centuries.

Salop

The origin of the name "Shropshire" is the Old English "Scrobbesbyrigscīr" (literally Shrewsburyshire). However, the Normans who ruled England after 1066 found both "Scrobbesbyrig" and "Scrobbesbyrigscir" difficult to pronounce so they softened them to "Salopesberia" and "Salopescira". Salop is the abbreviation of these.

When a council for the county was set up in 1888, it was called "Salop County Council". The name was never popular, and the council renamed itself "Shropshire County Council" in 1980. However, the term "Salopian", derived from "Salop", is still used to mean "from Shropshire". The latin motto of "Floreat Salopia" (may Shropshire flourish) is also used for Shropshire on crests and emblems.

Salop can also mean the county town, Shrewsbury, and in historical records Shropshire is described as "the county of Salop" and Shrewsbury as "the town of Salop".

Regional

Shropshire is part of the West Midlands region of England, though it is also described as being in the Welsh Marches. Both Shrewsbury and Ludlow have held the position of capital of the Welsh Marches, at a time when it was a political entity (with the Council of Wales and the Marches). Historically Shropshire was part of the Kingdom of Mercia and the name exists to this day in the police force which the county comes under - the West Mercia Constabulary.

The county today

The ceremonial county of Shropshire is now split up into the administrative county of Shropshire and the unitary authority of Telford and Wrekin. The administrative county is then split up into five districts - Shrewsbury and Atcham, Oswestry, North Shropshire, South Shropshire and Bridgnorth. The county, including Telford and Wrekin, is then further sub-divided into parishes, except for the town of Shrewsbury which is unparished. Shrewsbury and Telford have no town councils.

The area covered by the county has not changed substantially since the county's creation in the 11th Century. The modern day ceremonial county is the same as the traditional county, except for the removal of several exclaves and enclaves, and other minor alterations along the border with Herefordshire and Worcestershire. The largest of the exclaves was Halesowen, which became part of Worcestershire in 1844, and the largest of the enclaves was Herefordshire's Farlow in South Shropshire, transferred to Shropshire in 1844 too.

 

Places of interest

Attingham Park, (Atcham)

Blists Hill, (preserved 19th century industrial/victorian age community)

Boscobel House, (on border with Staffordshire)

Brown Clee Hill, (highest peak in Shropshire)

Burford House

Caer Caradoc, (near Church Stretton)

Cardingmill Valley, (Church Stretton)

Flounder's Folly, near Craven Arms

Haughmond Hill, (forest park on the edge of Shrewsbury with the medieval Haughmond Abbey ruins)

Hawkstone Park, (large rural park and follies in north Shropshire)

Hopton Castle, (scene of a Civil War massacre)

The Ironbridge, (the world's first iron bridge)

Langley Chapel

The Long Mynd, (means "long mountain", overlooks Church Stretton) 

Ludlow Castle

Mitchell's Fold, (a bronze age stone circle)

Moreton Corbet Castle

Offa's Dyke Path, a long distance footpath

Shropshire Hills AONB

Shropshire Union Canal

Snailbeach, (a historic lead mining village)

The Stiperstones, (mountainous ridge near Pontesbury, including the "Devil's Chair")

Stokesay Castle

Titterstone Clee Hill, (hill near Ludlow, ex-coalmining and famed for the unusual accent of the locals)

Wenlock Edge, (a long wooded ridge and the geological capital of the UK)

Whittington Castle

Wroxeter, (a ruined Roman city and legionary fortress)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Abdon  Ackleton  Acton  Acton Burnell  Acton Pigott  Acton Reynald  Acton Round  Acton Scott  Adderley  Adleymoor  Admaston  Alberbury  Albrightlee  Albrighton  Albrighton - Shrewsbury Alcaston  Alderton  Aldon  Alkington  All Stretton  Allscott  Alveley  Anchor  Angelbank  Annscroft  Argoed  Arleston  Arscott  Ash Magna  Ash Parva  Ashfields  Ashford Bowdler  Ashford Carbonel  Asterley  Asterton  Astley  Astley Abbots  Aston - Wem Aston Botterell  Aston Eyre  Aston Munslow  Aston on Clun  Aston Pigott  Aston Rogers  Atcham  Atterley         Babbinswood  Bache  Badger  Bagginswood  Bagley  Ball  Balmer Heath  Barkers Green  Barnsley  Barrow  Baschurch  Basford  Battlefield  Baucott  Baveney Wood  Bayston Hill  Bearstone  Beckbury  Beckjay  Bedstone  Benthall  Bentlawn  Berrington  Besford  Betchcott  Betton - North Shropshire Betton - South Shropshire Betton Strange  Beveley  Bicton - Clun Bicton - Shrewsbury Bicton Heath  Billingsley  Bings  Binweston  Birdsgreen  Birtley  Bishop's Castle  Bitterley  Bletchley  Bloomsbury  Bomere Heath  Boningale  Booley  Boraston  Bouldon  Bourton  Bowbrook  Bransley  Breaden Heath  Bridges  Bridgnorth  Broadstone  Brockton - Bridgnorth Brockton - Kemberton Brockton - Lydbury North Brockton - Worthen Bromfield  Bromley  Bromlow  Brompton  Broncroft  Bronygarth  Broome  Broomfields  Broseley  Broughall  Brown Moss  Brunslow  Bryn  Bucknell  Buildwas  Burcote  Burford  Burley  Burlton  Burwarton  Buttonbridge  Bwlch y Plain         Calcott  Callaughton  Calverhall  Calvington  Cantlop  Cardeston  Cardington  Castle Pulverbatch  Catherton  Catteralslane  Caynham  Cefn Einion  Chadwell  Chapel Lawn  Chelmarsh  Chelmick  Cheney Longville  Cherrington  Chesterton  Cheswardine  Chetton  Chetwynd  Chetwynd Aston  Child's Ercall  Chipnall  Chirbury  Chirk Bank  Chorley  Choulton  Church Ashton  Church Preen  Church Pulverbatch  Church Stretton  Claverley  Clee Downton  Clee Hill  Clee St Margaret  Clee Stanton  Cleeton St Mary  Cleobury Mortimer  Cleobury North  Clive  Clun  Clunbury  Clungunford  Clunton  Coalbrookdale  Coalport  Cockshutford  Cockshutt  Cold Weston  Colebatch  Colemere  Colemore Green  Commonwood  Condover  Coppicegate  Coreley  Corfton  Cosford  Coton  Coton Hill  Cound  Crackley Bank  Craignant  Craven Arms  Creamore Bank  Cressage  Crickheath  Crosemere  Cross Houses - Bridgnorth Cross Houses - Shrewsbury Cross Lane Head  Crosslanes  Crowsnest  Cruckmeole  Cruckton  Crudgington  Culmington  Cwm Head  Cwmgilla Lane         Dallicott  Danesford  Darliston  Dawley  Dawley Bank  Decker Hill  Deuxhill  Diddlebury  Ditherington  Ditton Priors  Doddington  Donnington  Donnington Wood  Dorrington - Shrewsbury Dorrington - Woore Doseley  Dovaston  Draycott  Dryton  Duddlewick  Dudleston  Dudleston Heath  Dudnill         Eardington  Eardiston  East Wall  Easthope  Easthope Wood  Eaton  Eaton Constantine  Eaton Mascott  Eaton Under Heywood  Eaton Upon Tern  Edge  Edgebolton  Edgeley  Edgerley  Edgmond  Edgmond Marsh  Edgton  Edstaston  Ellerdine  Ellerton  Ellesmere  Elson  Enchmarsh  English Frankton  Ensdon  Ercall Heath  Eudon George  Evelith  Ewdness  Exfordsgreen  Eyton - Lydbury North Eyton - Shrewsbury Eyton on Severn  Eyton Upon the Weald Moor         Faintree  Farden  Farlow  Farmcote  Fauls  Felhampton  Felton Butler  Fitz  Ford  Ford Heath  Forton  Frodesley         Gadlas  Garmston  Gilberries Lane  Glazeley  Gledrid  Gobowen  Golding  Goldings  Goldstone  Grafton  Gravelsbank  Great Bolas  Great Lyth  Great Ness  Great Ryton  Great Soudley  Great Sutton  Great Wytheford  Greete  Gretton  Grimpo  Grindle  Grindle Forge  Grindley Brook  Grinshill  Guilden Down  Gwern y Brenin         Habberley  Hadley  Hadnall  Halford  Halfway House  Hamperley  Hampton Loade  Hanley Childe  Hanwood  Harlescott  Harley  Harmer Hill  Harnage  Harpswood  Harton  Hatton  Haughton - Bridgnorth Haughton - Shrewsbury Haughton - West Felton Haughton Hill  Haven Hills  Hawkstone  Haybridge - South Shropshire Haybridge - Wrekin Hayton's Bent  Haytons Bent  Heath Common  Heath Hill  Heathbrook  Heathcote  Heathton  Hengoed  Henley - Bishop's Castle Henley - Ludlow Henley Common  Heyope  Higford  High Ercall  High Green  High Hatton  Highley  Hightown Hill  Hilton  Hindford  Hinnington  Hinstock  Hinton  Hints  Hobarris  Hoccum  Hodnet  Holdgate  Hollinswood  Hollinwood  Homer  Honnington  Hookagate  Hope - Gravels Hope Bagot  Hope Bowdler  Hopesay  Hopstone  Hopton  Hopton Cangeford  Hopton Castle  Hopton Heath  Hopton Wafers  Horderley  Hordley  Horsebridge  Horsehay  Horton  Howle  Hughley  Hungryhatton         Ifton Heath  Ightfield  Ightfield Heath  Iron Bridge  Isombridge         Jackfield         Kemberton  Kempton  Kenley  Kenwick Park  Ketley  Ketley Bank  Kingslow  Kinlet  Kinley  Kinnerley  Kinnerton Green  Kinton  Knockin  Knockin Heath  Knowbury  Knowle  Kynaston  Kynnersley         Lawley  Lea - Bishops Castle Lea - Cruckmeole Lea Cross  Leamoor Common  Leaton  Lee  Lee Brockhurst  Leebotwood  Leegomery  Leigh  Leighton  Lightmoor  Lightwoods  Lilleshall  Lilyhurst  Linley  Linley Brook  Lipley  Lismore  Little Bolas  Little Brampton  Little Dawley  Little Ness  Little Ryton  Little Soudley  Little Stretton  Little Wenlock  Little Wytheford  Llanfair Waterdine  Llanshay Lane  Llanyblodwel  Llanymynech  Llawnt  Lloyney  Llwyn y Maen  Llynclys  Lockleywood  Long Meadowend  Longden  Longdon Upon Tern  Longford  Longmeadow End  Longnor  Longslow  Longswood  Longville in the Dale  Longwood  Loppington  Lostford  Loughton  Lowe  Lower Allscott  Lower Bryanston  Lower Dinchope  Lower Down  Lower Frankton  Lower Hayton  Lower Hordley  Lower Rillaton  Lower Upton  Lower Walton  Ludford  Ludlow  Lydbury North  Lydham  Lyneal         Madeley  Maesbrook  Maesbury  Maesbury Marsh  Mainstone  Malinslee  Manor  Marchamley  Marchamley Wood  Market Drayton  Marshbrook  Marton  Maydown  Meadowtown  Medley Park  Meeson  Melverley  Melverley Green  Meole Brace  Meretown  Merrington  Middlehope  Middleton - Chirbury Middleton - Ludlow Middleton - Oswestry Middleton Priors  Middleton Scriven  Millgreen  Milson  Minsterley  Minton  Monkhopton  Montford  Montford Bridge  Morda  More  Moreton Corbet  Moreton Mill  Moreton Say  Moreton Wood  Morton  Morville  Morville Heath  Mose  Moston  Much Wenlock  Muckleton  Muckley  Munslow  Muxton  Myddle  Myndtown         Naird Lane  Nant y gollen  Nantmawr  Nash  Neachley  Nedge Hill  Neen Savage  Neen Sollars  Neenton  Nesscliffe  Netchwood  Nether Skyborry  Netherton  New Hall  New Invention  New Marton  New Works  Newcastle  Newington  Newnes  Newport  Newton  Newton on the Hill  Newtown  Nobold  Noneley  Norbury  Nordley  Northwood  Norton - Atcham Norton - Bridgnorth Norton - Craven Arms Norton in Hales  Nox         Neen Savage  Oakengates  Oaks  Obley  Old Churchstoke  Old Marton  Old Park  Oldbury  Oldfields  Oldington  Oldwood  Ollerton  Onibury  Oreton  Osbaston  Oswestry  Overdale  Overley  Overton  Owlbury         Paddolgreen  Pant  Pant Glas  Park Hall  Patton  Peaton  Pell Wall  Pennerley  Pentre  Pentre clawdd  Pentre Hodrey  Pentrecoed  Peplow  Perthy  Petton  Picklescott  Pickstock  Pipe Gate  Pitchford  Plaish  Platt Lane  Plealey  Plowden  Ploxgreen  Pontesbury  Pontesford  Porth y Waen  Posenhall  Poynton Green  Prees  Prees Green  Prees Heath  Prees Higher Heath  Preesgweene  Prescott - Baschurch Prescott - Bridgnorth Presthope  Preston  Preston Brockhurst  Preston Gubbals  Preston Montford  Preston Upon the Weald Moors  Priest Weston  Priors Halton  Priorslee  Puleston  Pulley  Pulverbatch  Purlogue  Purslow         Quabbs  Quatford  Quatt  Queen's Head  Quina Brook         Ragdon  Ratlinghope  Red Lake  Rednal  Rhosygadfa  Rhydycroesau  Rindleford  Rock Green  Rockhill  Roden  Rodington  Romsley  Rorrington  Rosehill  Roughton  Rowley  Rowton - Crudgington Rowton - Ludlow Rowton - Westbury Ruckley  Rushbury  Rushton  Ruthall  Ruyton XI Towns  Ryebank  Ryton         Sambrook  Sandford - Oswestry Sandford - Wem Seifton  Seifton Batch  Selattyn  Shavington Park  Shawbank  Shawbury  Sheinton  Shelderton  Shelton  Shelve  Sheriffhales  Shifnal  Shipley  Shipton  Shirlett  Shirlowe  Shoot Hill  Showell  Shrawardine  Shray Hill  Shrewsbury  Sibdon  Sidbury  Siefton  Silvington  Skyborry Green  Sleap  Sleapford  Smethcott  Snailbeach  Snitton  Sodylt  Somerwood  Spoonley  Spunhill  St Martin's Moor  St Martins  Stableford  Stanage  Standford Bridge  Stanford  Stanley  Stanton Lacy  Stanton Long  Stanton Upon Hine Heath  Stanwardine in the Field  Stanwardine in the Wood  Stapleton  Steel Heath  Stiperstones  Stirchley  Stockton - Montgomery Stockton - Norton Stoke Heath  Stoke on Tern  Stoke St Milborough  Stoke Upon Tern  Stokesay  Stonewall Hill  Stoney Stretton  Stottesdon  Stowe  Street Dinas  Strefford  Stretton Heath  Stretton Westwood  Styche  Sugden  Sutton - Oswestry Sutton - Shrewsbury Sutton - Woodseaves Sutton Heath  Sutton Hill  Sutton Maddock  Sutton Wood  Swancote  Sweeney         Tasley  Telford  Tern Hill  Tetchill  Tetchill Moor  The Bank  The Corner  The Dean  The Down  The Fouralls  The Hem  The Hobbins  The Home  The Wyke  Tibberton  Ticklerton  Tilstock  Tong  Tong Norton  Totterton  Tref Ar Clawdd  Treflach  Trefonen  Trench  Tuckhill  Tugford  Turleygreen  Twitchen  Twyford         Uckington  Uffington  Upper Affcot  Upper Battlefield  Upper Cound  Upper Dinchope  Upper Farmcote  Upper Hayton  Upper Ludstone  Upper Millichope  Upper Walton  Uppington  Upton Cressett  Upton Magna         Vennington  Vernolds Common         Walcot - Lydbury North Walford  Walford Heath  Walkmills  Wall Under Heywood  Walton - High Ercall Walton - Ludlow Waters Upton  Wattlesborough Heath  Weirbrook  Wellington  Welsh End  Welsh Frankton  Welshampton  Wem  Wentnor  Wern  Wern Ddu  West Felton  Westbury  Westhope  Westley  Weston - Bridgnorth Weston - Oswestry Weston - Wem Weston Heath  Weston Lullingfields  Weston Rhyn  Wheat Leasows  Wheathill  Whitbatch  Whitchurch  Whitcot  Whitcott Keysett  Whitemere  Whittingslow  Whittington  Whitton  Whixall  Wiggington  Wigwig  Willcott  Willey  Wistanstow  Wistanswick  Withington  Wixhill  Wollaston  Wollerton  Wolverley  Wood Lane  Woodbatch  Woodcote  Woodseaves  Woofferton  Woolstaston  Woolston - South Shropshire Woolston - West Felton Woore  Wootton  Worfield  Worthen  Wotherton  Wrekin  Wrekin Course  Wrentnall  Wrickton  Wrockwardine  Wrockwardine Wood  Wroxeter  Wyke  Wyken  Wykey 

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