Churchwardens Accounts Of Ludlow Shropshire 1574-1750

Unlock the Secrets of Ludlow: The Churchwardens' Accounts, 1574-1750

Step through the archway of time and walk the cobbled streets of a Tudor and Stuart market town. Within the pages of this meticulously transcribed volume lies the raw, unfiltered heartbeat of Ludlow life for nearly two centuries. More than just a list of income and expenditure, the Churchwardens' Accounts of St. Laurence's, the magnificent "Cathedral of the Marches," is a key that unlocks the doors to your ancestors' world.

From the solemn tolling of a funeral bell to the price of repairing the church roof after a great storm, these records provide an unparalleled, intimate glimpse into the community that shaped your family's story.

What Genealogical Treasures Await You?
Names, Names, Names: Discover the names of your ancestors who served as churchwardens, constables, and overseers of the poor. Find the tradesmen—masons, carpenters, glaziers—who were paid for their work, often listing their occupations.

Social Standing & Relationships: See who received alms from the parish, revealing the stories of the poor and infirm. Witness the interconnectedness of families as they stand surety for each other or work together on parish projects.

A Window into Daily Life: Read entries detailing the purchase of communion wine, the "paying for the destruction of foxes and vermin," the cost of bell-ringing for royal celebrations, and the wages paid to the sexton for digging graves.

History as it Happened: Feel the impact of national events on a local level. Find entries that may allude to the turmoil of the English Civil War, when Ludlow was a garrison town, or the fear and financial strain of the plague years.
Beyond the Ledger: Where History Meets Legend

Ludlow is a town steeped in myth and folklore, and these accounts provide the factual bedrock upon which those legends stand. While the ledger may not record the ghostly whispers, it details the very world in which these stories took root.

The Ghost of Ludlow Castle: The accounts detail payments for maintenance and repairs within the formidable Ludlow Castle, the ancient seat of the Council of the Marches. It is within these very walls that the legend of the Grey Lady (or Dame Alice) is said to haunt. A jilted noblewoman, she was supposedly walled up alive in a chamber of the castle, her restless spirit seen drifting through the ruins. Your ancestors knew these stories; they walked past the castle gates every day, hearing the whispers on the wind.

The Devil's Chair & Cuckoo's Nest: Just outside the town lies a rock formation known as the Devil's Chair. Local legend warns that anyone who sits there and makes a wish will have it granted by the Devil himself—at the cost of their soul! The churchwardens' accounts, in their entries for "pagan practices" or "morality," offer a fascinating counterpoint to the enduring folk beliefs that coexisted with formal religion.

The Tragic Prince Arthur: The heart of Prince Arthur, Henry VIII's older brother, is buried in a splendid tomb within St. Laurence's Church itself. His sudden, mysterious death at Ludlow Castle in 1502 cast a long shadow. These accounts, beginning in 1574, cover a period when the memory of the prince was still a powerful part of the town's identity, a source of both pride and sorrow, and a constant reminder of the castle's regal—and tragic—past.