by
John Neill
Rural, yet the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. Steeped in history yet with one of the most modern towns in England. The largest inland county yet one of the least populated, Shropshire is a county of contradictions and surprises.
Since earliest times Shropshire has played an important part in the history of England. The Roman town of Viroconium (perhaps pronounce Wrekonium) was the fourth largest in ancient Britain and is proving a fascinating excavation for the University of Birmingham. Initially a camp for the Fourth Legion the excavation site at Wroxeter is well preserved because the town of Shrewsbury was built a few miles away leaving the site undeveloped.
The proximity to Wales has meant that Shropshire was often the first line of defence in times of conflict and as a result the main county town, Shrewsbury, has played an important part in English history. In 1403 the Battle of Shrewsbury confirmed Henry IV as the new king of England and in the English Civil War the loss of the town was a severe blow to the fortunes of Charles I. In more recent times Robert Clive (Clive of India) was born locally and it was also where Charles Darwin was born and educated. Today Shrewsbury is one of the finest medieval towns in all England. The busy streets and modern shopping malls mixing happily with century old buildings.
It is however as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution that Shropshire claims its place in world history. In the deep, heavily wooded valley of the River Severn the production of iron and its use for both bridge building and ship building were perfected. In modern day Ironbridge , a World Heritage site, the museums show both the industrial and the artistic history of the area. The Coalbrookdale Warehouse, the Museum of Iron, the living museum of Blist Hill and others provide a vivid and stirring insight into the past.
The other major towns, Ludlow and Telford, show the old and new faces of the county. Ludlow is a fine example of a medieval town with its Castle and market. On the other hand Telford is the epitome of a modern town, both in appearance and infrastructure. Several hi-tech companies have factories around Telford and the major employers in the town are based on Information Technology. The centre of the town is a large shopping mall which, together with a number of retail parks, provide ample and varied shopping for the local inhabitants.
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