LUDLOW, a town of Shropshire in England, situated at the conflux of the Teme and Corve, 18 miles from Shrewsbury, and 138 from London. The president of the council of the marches, established by Henry VIII. generally kept his courts in it, by which the town was much benefited, these courts not having been abolished till the 1st of William and Mary. Its neighbourhood to Wales makes it a great thoroughfare, and engages many of the Welsh to send their children of both sexes to it for education. It was incorporated by Edward IV. and among other privileges has that of trying and executing criminals within itself. It is one of the neatest towns in England, with walls and seven gates. It is divided into four wards; and is governed by 2 bailiffs, 12 aldermen, 25 common-council men, a recorder, a town-clerk, steward, chamberlain, coroner, &c. From the castle on the top of the hill on which the town stands is a most delightful prospect. In an apartment of the outer gatehouse
Samuel Butler is said to have written the first part of Hudibras. Of this castle, which was besieged and taken by King Stephen, some of the offices are fallen down, and great part of it turned into a bowling-green; but part of the royal apartments and the sword of state are still left. The walls were at first a mile in compass, and there was a lawn before it for near two miles, of which much is now enclosed. The battlements are very high and thick, and adorned with towers. It has a neat chapel, where are the coats of arms of abundance of Welsh gentry, and over the stable-doors are the arms of Queen Elizabeth, the earls of Pembroke, &c. This castle was a palace of the prince of Wales, in right of his principality. The river Teme has a good bridge over it, several wears across it, and turns a great many mills. Here is a large parochial church, which was formerly collegiate; in the choir whereof is an inscription relating to Prince Arthur, elder brother to King Henry VIII. who died here, and whose bowels were here deposited, though it is said his heart was taken up some time ago in a leaden box. In this choir is a closet, commonly called God's House, where the priests used to keep their consecrated utensils; and in the market-place is a conduit, with a long stone cross on it, and a niche wherein is the image of St Laurence, to whom the church was dedicated. On the north side of the town there was a rich priory, whereof there are few ruins to be seen except those of its church. Here are an almshouse for 30 poor people, and two charity-schools where 30 boys and 30 girls are both taught and clothed. It has a market on Monday, and three lesser ones on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Its fairs are on the Tuesday Easter, Whit-Wednesday, August 21. Sept. 28. and Dec. 8. Provisions are very cheap here; and at the annual horse races there is the best of company. The country round is exceedingly pleasant, fruitful, and populous, especially that part called the Corvedale. Ludlow sends two members to parliament, and contained 4150 inhabitants in 1811.