The battle of Shrewsbury, fought on 21st July 1403, is perhaps best known from Shakespeare's Henry IV part 1. In 1399 Henry had come to the throne with the aid of the powerful Percy family from Northumberland. The alliance was not to last however. Feeling that Henry had failed to reward them adequately, the Percy's with their allies marched south in rebellion. A hurriedly raised Royal army set off westwards from Nottingham and met them at Shrewsbury, where a bloody battle was fought just north of the town. Thousands lost their lives and although the King emerged victorious, his losses exceeded those of the rebels.
Soon after, a chantry chapel was established on the battle site as a memorial to those who had died. The chapel was endowed so that chaplains could offer prayers for the souls of those who had lost their lives in the battle and for the King. Today, Battlefield church still stands on the site as undoubtedly the oldest and most impressive war memorial in Shropshire. The building of such a chapel was a common medieval response to a local battle but few if any examples have remained as complete and well preserved as Battlefield's. Though it stands isolated in a field off the A49 road, regular services are still held there and, as if to bring it up to date in 'war memorial' terms, a marble plaque in the church remembers those parishioners who fell in the two world wars. Make a visit if you can. I understand the key is available from a nearby house.
