Shropshire markpoints: where do they exist?

Shropshire Notes and Queries.

OLD VIEW OF SHREWSBURY.

Recently I was shown in the Print Room of the British Museum, a print measuring about 20in. by 12in. “Prospect of Ye Ancient and Beautiful Town of Shrewsbury, dedicated to the Earl of Bradford, published by Thomas Bakewell, Printer and Map Seller, corner of Johnson’s Court, Fleet Street, London.”

The Arms of the Guilds (22 in number) are shewn at the top of the print, and the following note is made:—

“Placed in the order as they go to Kingsland.”

Newport House is shewn very clearly, and a Bowling Green is shewn below the Walls somewhere near the site of the present King’s Hall.

The officer in charge of maps at the British Museum told me that he thought this would be published about 1750 as he had other prints by Bakewell.

In this print the margin had been cut.
F. J. HARPER.

EARLY TRACKWAYS.

A most interesting little book was published in 1922 by Mr. Alfred Watkins, called “Early British Trackways, Moats, Mounds, Camps, and Sites.” I believe he once lectured to the Photographic Society, but he does not mention many of the Shropshire ones, the book being chiefly concerned with Herefordshire. In a private letter he alludes to the old “Markstone” close to the English Bridge. He does not mention the one in the Quarry at all, and says he only heard of the “Bellstone” after his visit to Shrewsbury.

There are so many “Mounds” (no doubt sitingRead ‘sighting’ ?-mounds) and odd stones in Shropshire that no doubt marked the old trackways of the Ancient Britons that it would be of interest to all if someone well up in the subject would write to “Notes and Queries” for the benefit of those less learned.

Is not that large stone at the cross-way on the Hope Bowdler road just above Church Stretton possibly an important specimen?

I hope someone will be able to enlighten us.
M.C.

Contributions invited. They should be addressed to the “Antiquarian Editor,” “Shrewsbury Chronicle” Office.

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