LUDLOW, a parliamentary and municipal borough and market-town of England, Shropshire, on the left bank of the Teme at its junction with the Corve, 36 miles W. by S. of Birmingham. It stands on a gentle acclivity, and is overlooked by an old castle, situate on a wooded eminence. The streets are spacious, the houses well built, and the town is well supplied with water. It contains a parish church, a cruciform edifice in the perpendicular style, erected in the beginning of the fourteenth century; chapels belonging to the various religious denominations; and several schools, one of which, the Free Grammar School, was founded by Edward VI. Besides these, there are a mechanics' institute, and a natural history society with a good museum. On a bold rock overhanging the river is the old and now ruined fortress of Ludlow, erected in the twelfth century by the lords of Montgomery, for the defence of the English border against the Welsh inroads. It was afterwards frequently honoured by the residence of royalty. The Duke of York held it for some time during the wars of the Roses, until he was forced to give it up in 1459 by the advance of the king's forces against him. Henry VII. made it his residence, and his son held court within its walls. In later times, Prince Charles, afterward Charles I., visited it; and in 1634 Milton's Comus was performed for the first time in its hall.
Ludlow is governed by a mayor, 4 aldermen, and 12 councillors, and returns 2 members to parliament. Markets on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Pop. (1851), parliamentary borough, 5376; municipal borough, 4691.