Bridgnorth

BRIDGNORTH, municipal borough, Shropshire, England, situated on a high, red sandstone rock bounded on the east by the River Severn. Pop. (1931) 5,151. The approach from all sides involves steep ascents or descents. The early history of Bridg north is connected with Aethelfleda, lady of the Mercians, who raised a mound there in 912 as part of her offensive policy against the Danes. William I. granted the manor to Earl Roger of Shrewsbury, whose son built a castle on the sandstone rock in 110 1. The castle was finally destroyed by the parliamentarian forces in the Civil War, with the exception of part of the keep. Early charters were confirmed by several later kings, and the town was incorporated in 1546.

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"Low Town" has grown at the foot of the cliff beyond the Severn, here crossed by a bridge which is the successor of others dating back probably to Saxon times. The name of the town may refer to the former existence of another bridge at Quatford to the south. There are numerous half-timbered buildings, in cluding Bishop Percy's birthplace (158o) and the town hall (re moved from another site in 1652) ; and many houses have cellars cut in the rock. The chief industries of the town are now carpet weaving, worsted-dyeing and malting, but lace and stockings were formerly made, and boat-building flourished in connection with barge traffic on the Severn with Shrewsbury and Bristol. The town was also a rival to Shrewsbury in the cloth and hide trades. Of the two parish churches St. Mary's was erected by Telford about 180o, while St. Leonard's was practically rebuilt in 1862.

The borough returned two members to parliament from 1295 to 1867. It now forms part of the Ludlow parliamentary division of Shropshire. It is governed by a mayor, four aldermen and 12 councillors. Area 3,018 acres.