a municipal borough and market-town of England, Shropshire, on the borders of Wales, 20 miles N.W. of Shrewsbury, and 171 miles N.W. by W. of London. It was formerly surrounded by walls, portions of which still remain. Some of the houses are of great antiquity; but the greater number are of modern erection, built chiefly of brick. The streets are clean and well paved. Of the public buildings, the principal are—the church with its high ivy-covered tower, the town-hall, theatre, and small jail. Another church has been recently erected; and there are several dissenting places of worship. Oswestry has several schools, a savings-bank, dispensary, &c. Flannel and coarse linen cloth are manufactured in small quantities; and in the vicinity there are coal mines, and paper and corn mills. Races are held annually in September; and there are several yearly fairs. A considerable retail trade is carried on with the surrounding country. Oswestry is supposed to derive its name (originally Oscaldstree) from Oswald, King of Northumbria, who was killed in battle here in 642. It was of great importance in early times, as one of the keys of Wales. On a hill to the west of the town are the remains of a castle, supposed to be as old as the Norman Conquest. Pop. (1851) 4817.