Berwick House
Berwick Houseis aGeorgianCountry Houseon the banks of theRiver Severnnorth ofShrewsbury,in theUnited Kingdom.
The house dates from the 1700s, and is listed atGrade II*.[1]
There was once a fine pair of fine wrought-iron gates byRobert DaviesofWrexhamin the park to the south-east of the house, which are now atNewnham PaddoxinWarwickshire.[1]
Battle of Shrewsbury and Hotspur Legend[edit]
The land associated with the house is linked with theBattle of Shrewsbury,which is commemorated byWilliam ShakespeareinHenry IV, Part 1,in Acts IV (Scenes 1 and 3) and V (Scenes 1–5)[2]
It is understood thatHotspurand his forces slept overnight near Berwick. A legend says that when the forces were marshalled on the morning of battle, he suddenly discovered that he was without his favourite sword which was left behind at Berwick, upon hearing this he became agitated and exclaimed, "I perceive that my plough is drawing to its last furrow, for awizardin Northumberland told me that I should perish at Berwick, which I understood to refer to Berwick in the north.” The Wizard's prophecy appears to have been fulfilled, for the gallant soldier fell a victim to his enemies and died on the field of battle.[3]
Notable former residents[edit]
- Basil Feilding, 7th Earl of Denbigh(1796-1865), was born there.
- James Watson(1817-1895), MP forShrewsbury1885-92,[4]bought the estate in 1875 and moved into the house in 1879. Raised the Berwick Jersey cattle herd on the estate, one of the earliest such herds in England.[5]
Current use[edit]
The house today is used as a wedding venue.[6][7]
References[edit]
- ^ab"BERWICK HOUSE, Pimhill - 1055164 | Historic England".historicengland.org.uk.Retrieved2023-07-14.
- ^Henry IV, Part 15.2,Folger Shakespeare Library
- ^Leach (Ed.), Francis (1891).The County of Shropshire: a series of descriptive sketches, with Historical and Antiquarian Notes of the Principal Family Mansions.Shrewsbury: Shrewsbury Journal. p. 5.
- ^Craig, F. W. S.(1989) [1974].British parliamentary election results 1885–1918(2nd ed.). Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. p. 188.ISBN0-900178-27-2.
- ^Some old Jersey Herds Worldwide
- ^"Berwick House & Gardens".Berwick House & Gardens.Retrieved2023-07-14.
- ^Humphreys, Nick (2023-03-07)."Shrewsbury mansion owners want to 'make it official' as plans for wedding venue submitted".shropshirestar.Retrieved2023-07-14.