a parliamentary and municipal borough and market town of England, in the county of Salop, on both sides of the Severn, 18 miles S.E. of Shrewsbury. The river, which is here crossed by a handsome stone bridge of six arches, separates the upper from the lower town. The former is built on the acclivities and summit of a rock rising abruptly from the river to the height of 180 feet. On the summit is the tower of the old castle, leaning 17 degrees from the perpendicular, two parish churches, and a large public reservoir. It has a grammar-school, with three exhibitions to Christ Church, Oxford; blue-coat, national, and infant schools, mechanics' institute, public library, savings bank, infirmary, dispensary, jail, theatre, and a considerable number of charities. It has manufactures of carpets, worsted, nails, and tobacco-pipes, and some trade in agricultural produce by the river. It is governed by a mayor, four aldermen, and twelve councillors, and returns two members to parliament. Pop.(1851) of parliamentary borough 7610; of municipal, 6172.