to this the place had been called Hampton, but in honour of this act of liberality the name was changed to Wulfrunas-hampton; it appears, however, more probable that at first this was only a local term, but gradually becoming general, it was, after a series of years, corrupted to the present cognomen, Wolverhampton. Nor must we entirely lose sight of the part it took in the Civil Wars: it early declared for the King, in 1645. It became the head.quarters of Prince Rupert, and was visited by King Charles in his retreat after the disastrous battle of Naseby, immediately after which it succumbed to the overwhelming power of Parliament. (Races, see Index.)
Shiffnal, a market town and parish in the hundred of Brimshey, county of Salop, situated in a country abounding with coal and iron ore. Pop, 4,779; An. As. Val. £20,662. Market on Friday; fairs, first Monday in April, August 5, for horned cattle, horses, sheep, and pigs; November 22, for the same. Its chief manufacture is of paper; it, however, depends principally upon its situation and the custom of the gentry and farmers in its neighbourhood. The church, dedicated to St. Andrew, is an ancient edifice; the living is a vicarage, in the archdeaconry of Salop and diocese of Lichfield and Coventry; K.B. £15 6s. 8d., patron, Geo. Brook, Esq. Here is a free school, some bequests for the benefit of the poor, and a savings bank, the Baptists, Independents, and Methodists have chapels in the town.
