File:The counties of England, their story and antiquities (1912) (14578242989).jpg

Identifier: countiesofenglan01ditc (find matches)
Title: The counties of England, their story and antiquities
Year: 1912 (1910s)
Authors: Ditchfield, P. H. (Peter Hampson), 1854-1930
Subjects: Great Britain -- History England -- Antiquities
Publisher: London : G. Allen
Contributing Library: University of California Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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ife.Espousing the cause of Robert Curthose on the deathof William Rufus, Belesme raised a formidable rebellionagainst Henry. He was besieged by the king in his castleof Bridgnorth, but escaped to Shrewsbury. Havingreduced the garrison left behind at Bridgnorth, the kingfollowed him to Shrewsbury, making his way overWenlock Edge by a new road which he caused to beformed for the purpose, and so arriving before Belesmewas prepared. Henry accepted his submission, and con-tented himself with banishing him from the kingdom;but he carried his turbulent spirit with him, and a fewyears later the king seized an opportunity of arrestinghim, and he ended his days a prisoner in the castle ofWareham. Henry paid other visits to Shropshire later on in hisreign. Two documents issued by him bear date atNorton, in the parish of Condover, and Shrewsburyreceived from him privileges which are alluded to andconfirmed in an extant charter of King John. It is 1 Social England (First Edition), vol. i., p. 243.
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:Sfiiiiiiiii:;miia^ia K MR. CoNDovER Hall. 296 Shropshire almost certain that the country also benefited in anotherway by his administrative ability. A comparison of theHundreds of Shropshire, as they appear in Domesday,and as they existed a century later, shows that there hadbeen wise revision and re-arrangement of their boundaries,by which their administration was rendered more easy.It cannot, indeed, be proved that this was actually thework of Henry, but it was at least work which wouldbe congenial to one who gained the name of Beauclercby his learning and acquirements; and he knew the countyso intimately that he might well choose it for the exerciseof his administrative skill. In 1135, however, Henry died, and twenty years ofanarchy followed, in which Shropshire bore its share ofsuffering. The right to the throne was contested betweenMatilda, or Maud, the daughter of Henry, and Stephenof Blois, the grandson of the Conqueror through thefemale line, and this disputed succession gave

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