MADELEY and MUCH WENLOCK (q.v.). The .parish of Madeley includes Ironbridge and Coalport, with part of COALBROOKDALE (q.v.). The district contains limestone quarries, some coal-mines and iron-works.
Wenlock (Weneloche) is said to be of pre-Roman origin, but owed its early importance to the nunnery founded c. 68o by St.
Milburg. This was destroyed by the Danes but refounded as a priory by Earl Leofric in 1017. It was again deserted after the Conquest until Roger de Montgomery founded a house of the Cluniac order on its site. The town was a borough by prescrip tion, and its privileges began with the grants made to the priory and its tenants. It was incorporated by Edward IV. in 1468 and
the charter was confirmed in 1547 by Henry VIII. and in 1631 by Charles I. In the report of 1835 the borough is said to consist of 17 parishes and to be unfit for corporate government. By the charter of Edward IV. the town obtained the right of sending two members to parliament, but was disfranchised in 1885. The first grant of a market and fair is dated 1227. The right is still valid.