Bridgnorth

Bridgnorth
High Town from the River Severn
Coat of arms of Bridgnorth
Motto: Fidelitas Urbis Salus Regis
In the town’s loyalty lies the King’s safety
Population12,079 (2011)
OS grid reference[SO716927 SO716927]
Civil parish
  • Bridgnorth
Unitary authority
Ceremonial county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townBRIDGNORTH
Postcode districtWV15, WV16
Dialling code01746
PoliceWest Mercia
FireShropshire
AmbulanceWest Midlands
UK Parliament
List of places
UK
England
Shropshire

Bridgnorth is a town in Shropshire, England. It is on the River Severn.

History

The ruins of Bridgnorth Castle

Bridgnorth is named after a bridge over the River Severn. A Saxon defencive mound existed in Bridgnorth as early as 912. Earliest names for Bridgnorth include Brigge, Brug and Bruges, all referring to its position on the Severn.

In 1101, the town was founded when Robert of Bellême, 3rd Earl of Shrewsbury built a castle and a church here. The town was attacked and burnt in 1322.

During the English Civil War, in 1646, Oliver Cromwell and his cavaliers attacked roundhead Bridgnorth. By the time the castle was in ruins, the entire town was on fire. After a three-week siege, Cromwell was successful and he ordered that the castle be demolished in 1647.

References

  1. ↑ "Civic Heraldry Of England And Wales-Severn Valley And The Marches". Civicheraldry.co.uk. Archived from the original on 4 May 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
  2. ↑ "Bridgnorth (Parish): Key Figures for 2011 Census". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 Raven, Michael (2005). A Guide to Shropshire. Michael Raven. p. 32. ISBN 0-906114-34-9. Retrieved 14 May 2008.[permanent dead link]
  4. ↑ "Bridgnorth". Shropshire Routes to Roots. Archived from the original on 8 September 2008. Retrieved 14 May 2008.
  5. ↑ "Bridgnorth, Shropshire". The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland 1868 transcribed by Colin Hinson ©2012. GENUKI UK and Ireland Genealogy. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  6. ↑ Parliamentary Writs Alphabetical Digest, vol. II, London: National Archives, 1834
  7. ↑ "AboutBridgnorth: Lavington's Hole". AboutBridgnorth. 23 February 2019.[permanent dead link]
  8. ↑ Bridgnorth Castle Archived 2018-09-30 at the Wayback Machine, ShropshireTourism.co.uk, accessed May 2010