Rare Old Map of Shropshire by Samuel Lewis, 1844: Telford, Shrewsbury, Oswestry, Bridgnorth, and Wellington

Dive into the grandeur of Shropshire's past with this splendid 1844 map by Samuel Lewis. Celebrate the rich history of one of England's most picturesque counties, intricately charted on a canvas that captures the essence of the era. This carefully preserved map not only embodies the precision and detail of 19th century cartography but also provides a fascinating insight into the evolving landscape of a county that has been the setting for a tapestry of historical events.

You'll be enthralled by this historical gem, displaying the network of settlements that have since developed into some of today's bustling cities. Telford, a modern city which does not appear on this map, intriguingly came into existence later in the 20th century. Other towns like Dawley and Wellington, are seen under their old names, before they amalgamated into Telford. For enthusiasts of history and cartography, this is an opportunity to connect with the past, seeing how the seeds of modern Shropshire were sown.

List of Settlements:

• Telford (1968): This town did not exist during the time the map was made. Telford is a modern town that came into existence in the 20th century. It is now known for its modern shopping centers, and historic Ironbridge Gorge.
• Shrewsbury (800s): The county town of Shropshire, Shrewsbury was a significant place in medieval England. It features a largely unspoilt medieval street plan and over 660 listed buildings, including several examples of timber framing from the 15th and 16th centuries.
• Oswestry (1190): Known for its strategic position on the border of Wales and England, it has a mix of cultures. It has a rich history of conflict due to its border position.
• Bridgnorth (895): Founded by Alfred the Great as a defensive stronghold against the Danes, Bridgnorth sits high on a cliff above the River Severn. The town is split into High Town and Low Town, named on account of their elevations relative to the River Severn, which separates the upper and lower parts of the town.
• Wellington (1244): This market town became a part of modern-day Telford. The Old Hall, a 14th-century building, is one of its notable historical sites.
• Ludlow (1085): Known for its castle and old market square. The town has nearly 500 listed buildings, including examples from the 13th century.
• Newport (963): This market town is one of the best preserved medieval towns in Shropshire.
• Market Drayton (1245): The town is renowned for its gingerbread cookies, which have been baked there for over 200 years.
• Whitchurch (70 AD): Known as Mediolanum in Roman times, it is one of the oldest continually inhabited towns in the country.
• Shifnal (728): Originally a market town, Shifnal has many historic buildings, including Shifnal Manor House, Park House, and Saint Andrew's Church.
• Broseley (16th century): Known for its iron deposits, the town played an essential role in the Industrial Revolution.
• Bayston Hill (prehistory): A large village south of Shrewsbury, Bayston Hill has been inhabited since prehistoric times.
• Albrighton (11th century): Known for its hunting forest which was used by royalty in the Middle Ages.
• Church Stretton (60 AD): Nestled within the South Shropshire hills designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), it was founded by the Romans as a market town.
• Wem (1202): Known for its brewing, weaving and basket-making industries in the past.
• Ellesmere (1114): Known for its scenic location near 'The Mere' lake, one of the largest natural lakes in England.
• Craven Arms (1800s): Named after the Craven Arms pub, this town is home to Stokesay Castle, one of the best preserved fortified manor houses in England.
• Pontesbury (1227): Known for its historic Saint George's Church and Pontesford Hill.
• Much Wenlock (680): Famous as the birthplace of Dr William Penny Brookes, the inspiration for the modern Olympic Games.
• Cleobury Mortimer (1086): The town is home to the twisted spire of the Church of St Mary.
• Bishop's Castle (1249): Known for its traditional breweries, it also hosts an annual Real Ale Festival.
• Madeley (pre-8th century): This town is home to the historic Madeley Court, which was built in the 16th century.
• Highley (1086): The village is known for the Severn Valley Railway.
• Ironbridge (18th century): Named after The Iron Bridge, it is often referred to as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution.
• Shawbury (prehistory): This village has been inhabited since prehistoric times and is now known for its Royal Air Force station.
• Gobowen (1840): Known for its railway station, which was one of the earliest in Shropshire.
• Prees (prehistory): Known for its Whixall Moss, a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
• Clun (1138): Known for the Clun Castle, a Grade I listed building.
• Westbury (1086): The village is home to the Grade II* listed St Mary's Church.
• Rodington (1086): Known for Longdon-on-Tern, which hosts the world's first large-scale cast iron navigable aqueduct.

Notable Features:

• The River Severn, the longest river in the UK, flows through Shropshire, adding a scenic beauty to the region.
• The Ironbridge Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an iconic symbol of the Industrial Revolution.
• The Shropshire Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, provides a serene and picturesque backdrop.
• Historical landmarks like the Ludlow Castle, Stokesay Castle, and the Shrewsbury Abbey offer glimpses into the county's rich medieval history.
• Shropshire's ancient market towns like Ludlow, Oswestry, and Market Drayton exhibit timeless charm.

In conclusion, Samuel Lewis' 1844 map of Shropshire serves as a window to an intriguing historical landscape, marked by ancient settlements, historical landmarks, and a past that is intertwined with the story of the Industrial Revolution.

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at all sizes: 8x10in (20.5x25.5cm), 12x16in (30.5x41cm), 18x24in (45.5x61cm), 16x20in (40.5x51cm), 24x36in (61x91.5cm), 30x40in (76x101.5cm) and 37x50in (94x127cm), but it looks even better when printed large.

I can create beautiful, large prints of this map up to 50in (127cm). Please get in touch if you're looking for larger, customised or different framing options.

The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45.5x61cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my main collection of UK and Ireland maps.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and custom made maps take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes a day or two.

Please note that for larger framed orders (over 40in/100cm), and some other framed sizes, the delivery time will be closer to 7-10 days.

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps in 22 countries around the world. This means your map will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and reduces the chance of your map being damaged during delivery. There won't be any extra taxes or duties to pay, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all maps within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks or mugs) can take longer to make.

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We can sometimes do next-day delivery if you order before 10am. But usually it's best to contact me first before you order.

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My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps are also available as a framed canvas. The map is printed on matte (not shiny) canvas, stretched over a box frame, and then 'floated' within a simple wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing in front of your map.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map size guide first.