*BRIDGENORTH, (Salop) or BRUGES, 108 cm. and 135 mm. from London, is a very ancient, large and populous T. on the Severn,
which flows among the rocks here with a very steep fall; and consisting of the upper and lower Ts. separated by the r.
over which it has a stone bridge, that has a gate and gate-house on it, besides some houses. The T. was built by the widow
of Ethelred, K. of the Mercians. Its situation is pleasant, as well as commodious for trade; its air healthy, and its
prospect delightful. Many of the houses are founded upon a rock, and most of the cellars are hewn out of it; on the roof
of which, are gardens made without much cost, or art; and pathways made over them, so that one may walk over the tops of
several houses, without danger or difficulty. On the S. side of the hill, where it is very steep, a castle stood once,
since demolished, and part of it converted into one of the finest bowling-greens in the Km. for its prospect. Upon the
brow of this hill there is a walk, which K. Ch. I. said he thought the pleasantest in his dominions. The T. consists
chiefly of three streets, well paved with pebbles, and well built; one of which, called Mill-street, because it leads to
the town mills parallel to the r. on the W. side, is adorned with stately structures. It is a place of great trade both by
land and water, and had many great privileges granted to it by charters from Hen. II. and K. John. It is governed by 2
bailiffs, elected yearly out of the 24 ald. (who are such as have gone through all the offices of the T.) by a jury of 14
men; together with 48 C.C.men, a recorder, town-clerk, &c. Its Mt. which is on S. is well stocked with all sorts of
provisions; and its Fairs, which are on the Th. before Shrove-Sunday, June 19, July 22, Ocf. 18, are resorted to from most
parts of the Km. for cattle, sheep, butter, cheese, bacon, linen-cloth, hops, and most other merchandize. The last, which
holds three days, is the biggest. The first holds also three days, and the others two days each. The T. is well furnished
with artificers of all sorts, who deal in making and selling cloaths, leather, iron tools, and the common mfs. of the Km.
Here are also gun-makers, joiners, and carpenters both for houses and vessels; and it is as famous a place, as any in
England, for making stockings. Here were formerly several mons. besides a popish college and chantry; but now only two
Chs. one of which, from its situation on the highest part of the hill, is called the High-Ch. which was so damaged by
fire, when the T. was burnt in the late civil wars, that it was afterwards quite pulled down, and rebuilt. The ps. are
both large; and here is a fr. s. for the sons of the burgesses, which is as ancient as the R. of Q. Eliz. and an endowment
of one Mr. Carswell for maintaining 18 scholars at the U. of Oxford, which are sent from this place, Shrewsbury, Newport,
Wem, and Dunnington. The T. is not only supplied with good water by leaden pipes from a spring half a mile off, but the
water of the Severn is thrown up by an engine to the top of the Castle-hill, the contrivance of those who erected the
water-works at London-bridge. There are good mills also bel. to the T. built on a little r. called Werfe, which falls into
the Severn, There is a hos. in the High-Church-yard for 10 poor widows of the upper T. A hollow way leads from this high
part of the T. to the bridge, which is much admired by strangers, it being hewn through a rock to the depth of 20 foot on
the W. side; and though it is a very great descent, it is made easy by steps and rails.