Clun Genealogical Records

Clun Birth & Baptism Records

England & Wales Birth Index (1837-2006)

An index to births registered throughout England & Wales. Provides a reference to order copies of birth certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

Clun Baptisms (1889-1900)

Digital images of baptism registers, searchable by a name index. They essentially record births, but may also include places of residence and occupations.

Bishop's Castle & Clun Methodist Circuit Baptisms (1885-1900)

Digital images of baptism registers, searchable by a name index. They essentially record births, but may also include places of residence and occupations.

Clun and Bryn Baptisms (1653-1900)

Digital images of baptism registers, searchable by a name index. They list parents' names - their occupations, residence and sometimes other details.

Shropshire Baptisms (1538-1900)

A searchable database of 1,159,976 records, linked to original images of baptism registers. The records provide proof of parentage, occupations, residence and other details.

Clun Marriage & Divorce Records

England & Wales Marriage Index (1837-2008)

An index to marriages registered throughout England & Wales. This is the only national marriage index that allows you to search by both spouse's names. Provides a reference to order copies of marriage certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

Clun and Bryn Marriages (1657-1900)

Details of those who were married at the church between 1657 and 1900. Information given may include parents' names, ages, marital status, abode and more.

Clun and Bryn Marriage Banns (1653-1872)

Banns registers list the names of people who intended to marry by the system of calling banns, in which the bride and groom's name were called for three weeks at church. At these callings objections could be made to a marriage. They record the bride and groom's parish of residence, which may be recorded differently in the marriage register.

Shropshire Marriage Index (1837-1935)

An index to Marriages registered in Shropshire. This index lists sub-registration district, which helps to narrow down your search.

Shropshire Banns Registers (1760-1900)

A searchable database of 57,849 records detailing intentions to marry. Includes digital images of the records and may contain information not included in marriage registers.

Clun Death & Burial Records

England & Wales Death Index (1837-2006)

An index to deaths registered throughout England & Wales. Provides a reference to order copies of death certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

Clun and Bryn Burials (1653-1857)

Digital images of burial registers, searchable by a name index. They record the date someone was buried, their age & residence.

Shropshire Burials (1538-1900)

A searchable database of 800,793 records, linked to original images of burial registers. The records may include date of burial and/or death, residence, age and other details.

Shropshire Burial Transcripts (1538-1813)

Transcripts of burial registers for over 100 parishes in Shropshire.

Shropshire Burial Transcripts (1538-1812)

Covering around 100 Shropshire parishes, these records essentially record deaths. The residence of the deceased is often given. Occasionally their age, occupation and names of relatives may be given.

Clun Census & Population Lists

1939 Register (1939)

An index to and digital images of records that detail 40 million civilians in England and Wales. Records list name, date of birth, address, marital status, occupation and details of trade or profession.

England, Wales, IoM & Channel Islands 1911 Census (1911)

The 1911 census provides details on an individual's age, residence, place of birth, relations and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows searches on for multiple metrics including occupation and residence.

1901 British Census (1901)

The 1901 census provides details on an individual's age, residence, place of birth, relations and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows searches on for multiple metrics including occupation and residence.

1891 British Census (1891)

The 1891 census provides details on an individual's age, residence, place of birth, relations and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows searches on for multiple metrics including occupation and residence.

1881 British Census (1881)

The 1881 census provides details on an individual's age, residence and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows for searches on multiple metrics including occupation and residence.

Newspapers Covering Clun

Cardiff Times (1858-1910)

A Welsh newspaper that circulated throughout most of Wales and The Marches. Editions can be searched and images of pages viewed.

Salopian Journal (1835-1862)

A searchable newspaper providing a rich variety of information about the people and places of the Shropshire district. Includes obituaries and family announcements.

The Salopian Journal (1810-1831)

A great run, but with gaps for some years. This paper covers the county of Shropshire and its borders. Original images, searchable by an OCR index.

The Daily Herald (1926)

A London newspaper that later became The Sun.

Daily Herald (1914-1918)

A left-wing, British daily that sold up to 2 million copies a day at its peak.

Clun Wills & Probate Records

England & Wales National Probate Calendar (1858-1966)

Searchable index and original images of over 12.5 million probates and administrations granted by civil registries. Entries usually include the testator's name, date of death, date of probate and registry. Names of relations may be given.

Lichfield and Coventry Diocese Probate Index (1650-1760)

An index to wills, administrations and inventories proved by the Diocese of Lichfield and Coventry. Copies of wills can be ordered or viewed at the record office in Lichfield.

Prerogative Court of Canterbury Admon Index (1559-1660)

An index to estate administrations performed by the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. The index covers the southern two thirds of England & Wales, but may also contain entries for northerners.

Lichfield Diocese Probate & Administration Index (1516-1652)

A searchable database providing brief details of surviving probates and administrations granted by the Diocese of Lichfield, which covered parts of Derbyshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire and Warwickshire. Contains a reference to order the original documents.

Prerogative Court of Canterbury Probate Abstracts (1630-1654)

A searchable database of mid-17th Century probates performed by the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. Supplies details of testator and executor.

Clun Immigration & Travel Records

Passenger Lists Leaving UK (1890-1960)

A name index connected to original images of passenger lists recording people travelling from Britain to destinations outside Europe. Records may detail a passenger's age or date of birth, residence, occupation, destination and more.

UK Incoming Passenger Lists (1878-1960)

A full index of passenger lists for vessels arriving in the UK linked to original images. Does not include lists from vessels sailing from European ports. Early entries can be brief, but later entries may include dates of births, occupations, home addresses and more. Useful for documenting immigration.

Victoria Assisted & Unassisted Passenger Lists (1839-1923)

An index to and images of documents recording over 1.65 million passengers who arrived in Victoria, Australia, including passengers whose voyage was paid for by others.

Alien Arrivals in England (1810-1869)

Details on over 600,000 non-British citizens arriving in England. Often includes age and professions. Useful for discerning the origin of immigrants.

17th Century British Emigrants to the U.S. (1600-1700)

Details on thousands of 17th century British immigrants to the U.S., detailing their origins and nature of their immigration.

Clun Military Records

Shropshire Militia Buried at Yarmouth (1804)

The names of Shropshire militia men who were buried in Great Yarmouth.

Prisoners of War of British Army (1939-1945)

A searchable list of over 100,000 British Army POWs. Records contains details on the captured, their military career and where they were held prisoner.

British Prisoners of World War II (1939-1945)

Details on around 165,000 men serving in the British Army, Navy and Air Force who were held as prisoners during WWII.

British Army WWI Medal Rolls (1914-1920)

Index and original images of over 5 million medal index cards for British soldiers It can be searched by individual's name, Coprs, Unit and Regiment. Due to the loss of many WWI service records, this is the most complete source for British WWI soldiers

British Army WWI Service Records (1914-1920)

This rich collection contains contains records for 1.9 million non-commissioned officers and other ranks who fought in WWI. Due to bomb damage in WWI, around 60% of service records were lost. Documents cover: enlistment, medical status, injuries, conduct, awards and discharge. A great deal of genealogical and biographical documentation can be found in these documents, including details on entire families, physical descriptions and place of birth.

Abstracts of Quarter Sessions Rolls for Shropshire (1696-1800)

A searchable transcript of Shropshire legal records. They include matters relating to militias, alcohol, agriculture, coroners' inquests and much more.

Shropshire Eyre Roll of 1256 (1256)

Transcriptions of pleas brought before a court. They largely concern land disputes.

Act Books of the Archbishops of Canterbury (1663-1859)

An index to names and places mentioned in act books of the Province of Canterbury. It records various licences and conferments, such as marriage and physician licences.

Shropshire Eyre Roll of 1203 (1203)

Translations of pleas brought before a court. They largely concern land disputes.

Home Office Prison Calendars (1868-1929)

Records of over 300,000 prisoners held by quarter sessions in England & Wales. Records may contain age, occupation, criminal history, offence and trial proceedings.

Clun Taxation Records

Tithe Apportionments (1836-1856)

An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.

Land Tax Redemption (1798-1811)

This vital collection details almost 1.2 million properties eligible for land tax. Records include the name of the landowner, occupier, amount assessed and sometimes the name and/or description of the property. It is a useful starting point for locating relevant estate records and establishing the succession of tenancies and freehold. Most records cover 1798, but some extend up to 1811.

Duties Paid for Apprentices' Indentures (1710-1811)

An index linked to original images of registers recording apprenticeship indentures. Details are given on the trade and nature of apprenticeship. Many records list the parents of the apprentice.

Red Book of the Exchequer (1066-1230)

A compilation of records from the Court of the Exchequer primarily dealing with taxes and land. These records are in Latin.

Index to Death Duty Registers (1796-1903)

An index to wills and administrations that incurred a death duty tax. The index can be used to order documents that give a brief abstract of the will and details on the duty. It can be used as a make-shift probate index.

Clun Land & Property Records

Eyton's Antiquities of Shropshire (1085-1299)

A sprawling work detailing Shropshire's early historical records. It is particularly useful for the study of medieval Shropshire families.

The Red Book (1240-1274)

An account of the Hereford bishopric estates in the 13th century.

Tithe Apportionments (1836-1856)

An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.

Land Tax Redemption (1798-1811)

This vital collection details almost 1.2 million properties eligible for land tax. Records include the name of the landowner, occupier, amount assessed and sometimes the name and/or description of the property. It is a useful starting point for locating relevant estate records and establishing the succession of tenancies and freehold. Most records cover 1798, but some extend up to 1811.

UK Poll Books and Electoral Rolls (1538-1893)

Poll books record the names of voters and the direction of their vote. Until 1872 only landholders could vote, so not everyone will be listed. Useful for discerning an ancestor's political leanings and landholdings. The collection is supplemented with other records relating to the vote.

Clun Directories & Gazetteers

Kelly's Directory of Shropshire (1934)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.

Kelly's Directory of Shropshire (1917)

A directory of settlements in Shropshire detailing their history, agriculture, topography, economy and leading commercial, professional and private residents.

Kelly's Directory of Shropshire (1913)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key historical and contemporary facts. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions. Also contains a list of residents and businesses for each place.

Kelly's Directory of Shropshire (1909)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key historical and contemporary facts. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions. Also contains a list of residents and businesses for each place.

Nooks and Corners of Shropshire (1899)

Details of a travel through Shropshire, describing towns, monuments and other areas of interest. Contains sketches of buildings, views, interiors etc.

Clun Cemeteries

Shropshire Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of Shropshire's most illustrious church monuments, often featuring effigies, medieval inscriptions and heraldic devices.

Deceased Online (1629-Present)

Images of millions of pages from cemetery and crematoria registers, photographs of memorials, cemetery plans and more. Records can be search by a name index.

Billion Graves (1200-Present)

Photographs and transcriptions of millions of gravestones from cemeteries around the world.

Mausolea and Monuments (1500-Present)

Profiles of several hundred mausolea found in the British Isles.

Maritime Memorials (1588-1950)

Several thousand transcribed memorials remembering those connected with the nautical occupations.

Clun Obituaries

iAnnounce Obituaries (2006-Present)

The UKs largest repository of obituaries, containing millions of searchable notices.

United Kingdom and Ireland Obituary Collection (1882-Present)

A growing collection currently containing over 425,000 abstracts of obituaries with reference to the location of the full obituary.

Quakers Annual Monitor (1847-1848)

A collection of 364 obituaries of Quakers from the British Isles. The volume was published in 1849 and includes obituaries of those who died in late 1847 through 1848.

Musgrave's Obituaries (1421-1800)

This transcribed and searchable work by Sir William Musgrave contains 10,000s of brief obituaries. The work is a reference point for other works containing information on an individual.

British Medical Journal (1849-Present)

A text index and digital images of all editions of a journal containing medical articles and obituaries of medical practitioners.

Clun Histories & Books

Nooks and Corners of Shropshire (1899)

Details of a travel through Shropshire, describing towns, monuments and other areas of interest. Contains sketches of buildings, views, interiors etc.

Victoria County History: Shropshire (1086-1900)

A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.

Eyton's Antiquities of Shropshire (1085-1299)

A sprawling work detailing Shropshire's early historical records. It is particularly useful for the study of medieval Shropshire families.

Shropshire Church Photographs (1890-Present)

Photographs and images of churches in Shropshire.

Shropshire Churches (2010-Present)

Descriptions and photographs of Shropshire Anglican and other denominational churches. Also provides details for those wishing to visit the church.

Clun School & Education Records

National School Admission & Log Books (1870-1914)

A name index connected to digital images of registers recording millions of children educated in schools operated by the National Society for Promoting Religious Education. Records contain a variety of information including genealogical details, education history, illnesses, exam result, fathers occupation and more.

Teacher's Registration Council Registers (1870-1948)

A name index linked to original images of registers recording the education and careers of teachers in England & Wales.

Oxford University Alumni (1500-1886)

A name index linked to original images of short biographies for over 120,000 Oxford University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.

Cambridge University Alumni (1261-1900)

A transcript of a vast scholarly work briefly chronicling the heritage, education and careers of over 150,000 Cambridge University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.

Cambridge Alumni Database (1198-1910)

A searchable database containing over 90,000 note-form biographies for students of Cambridge University.

Clun Occupation & Business Records

Midlands Mines Index (1896)

Profiles of coal and metal mines in the Midlands region of England.

Lost Pubs of Shropshire (1750-Present)

Short histories of former public houses, with photographs and lists of owners or operators.

British Trade Union Membership Registers (1870-1999)

An index to and images of registers recording over 3.7 million trade union members.

UK Medical Registers (1859-1959)

Books listing doctors who were licensed to operate in Britain and abroad. Contains doctor's residencies, qualification and date of registration.

Railway Employment Records (1833-1963)

A rich collection of records documenting those who worked for railway companies that were later absorbed by the government. Records include: staff registers, station transfers, pensions, accident records, apprentice records, caution books, and memos. Records may include date of birth, date of death and name of father.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Clun

Victoria County History: Shropshire (1086-1900)

A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.

British & Irish Royal & Noble Genealogies (491-1603)

Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Debrett's Peerage (1923)

A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1902)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Clun Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

Victoria County History: Shropshire (1086-1900)

A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.

Eyton's Antiquities of Shropshire (1085-1299)

A sprawling work detailing Shropshire's early historical records. It is particularly useful for the study of medieval Shropshire families.

Shropshire Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of Shropshire's most illustrious church monuments, often featuring effigies, medieval inscriptions and heraldic devices.

British & Irish Royal & Noble Genealogies (491-1603)

Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Clun Church Records

Shropshire Parish Registers (1538-1900)

A facility to browse digital images of registers recording births/baptisms, marriages and deaths/burials. To search these register by a name index, use the links in the above sections.

Shropshire Parish Register Transcripts (1538-1813)

Transcripts of baptism, marriage and burial registers for over 100 parishes in Shropshire.

Shropshire Parish Register Transcripts (1538-1812)

Registers of baptisms, marriages and burials from around 100 parishes in Shropshire.

Hereford Diocese Clergy (1275-1900)

Lists of the Bishop of Hereford and position holders of its subordinate bodies.

Hereford Bishops' Registers (1275-1387)

A transcription of registers that record the affairs of the diocese, such as governance, ordination, judicial matters, visitations, confirmations etc.

Biographical Directories Covering Clun

Debrett's Peerage (1923)

A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1902)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1885)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Crockford's Clerical Directories (1868-1914)

Brief biographies of Anglican clergy in the UK.

The Concise Dictionary of National Biography (1654-1930)

A directory containing lengthy biographies of noted British figures. The work took over two decades to compile. Biographies can be searched by name and are linked to images of the original publication.

Clun Maps

Maps of Shropshire (1600-1900)

Digital images of maps covering the county.

UK Popular Edition Maps (1919-1926)

Detailed maps covering much of the UK. They depict forests, mountains, larger farms, roads, railroads, towns, and more.

Ordnance Survey 1:10 Maps (1840-1890)

Maps showing settlements, features and some buildings in mainland Britain.

Tithe Apportionments (1836-1856)

An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.

Parish Maps of Britain (1832)

Maps of parishes in England, Scotland and Wales. They are useful in determining which parish records may be relevant to your research.

Clun Reference Works

England Research Guide (1538-Present)

A beginner’s guide to researching ancestry in England.

Parish Register Abstract (1538-1812)

Compiled in 1831, this book details the coverage and condition of parish registers in England & Wales.

Building History Research Guide (1066-Present)

A comprehensive guide to researching the history of buildings in the British Isles.

Surname Origins (1790-1911)

A service that provides advanced and custom surname maps for the British Isles and the US.

British Family Mottoes (1189-Present)

A dictionary of around 9,000 mottoes for British families who had right to bear arms.

Historical Description

CLUN is a small market and union town and parish, partly in Welsh Shropshire, on the river Clun, 6 miles north-west from Broome station on the Craven Arms and Builth Road (Central Wales) section of the London and North Western railway, 6 from Bishop's Castle, 29 south-west from Shrewsbury and 159 from London. The parish comprises the following townships: —Bicton and Weston, Clun, Edicliffe, Guildendown, Hopebendrid, Menutton, Newcastle, Hobarris, Pentrehodre, Purlogue, Shadwell, Spoad, Treverward, Whitcot Evan and Whitcot Keyset; it is in the Southern division of the county, partly in the Clun division of Clun hundred and partly in Purslow hundred, Clun and Purslow petty sessional division, Bishop’s Castle county court district, Clun rural deanery, archdeaconry of Ludlow and diocese of Hereford. The church of St. George is a venerable pile, consisting of chancel, clerestoried nave of four bays, aisles, north porch and a western tower containing a clock and 6 bells; the most ancient portion is the nave, which is of a very early date; the aisles are Early English; the chancel retains piscina and sedilia; the church was thoroughly restored in 1877 at a oast of £8,000, under the direction of the late G. E. Street esq. R. A. the Earl of Powis. undertaking the repair of the chancel at a cost of £1,802, besides giving nearly £500 to the restoration fund; the balance of the money which had been collected for a like purpose under a brief of Charles I. and amounting at interest to £2,221 12s. 1d. was also made available; the east end was entirely rebuilt, and a canopy formerly over the east window, was removed and replaced; a traceried screen of oak with carved cornice divides the nave from the chancel, and there is another across the north aisle, forming a vestry; the organ chamber is also divided from the chancel by a similar screen; the north doorway is a fine example of Norman work; amongst the special gifts presented to the church are an exceedingly handsome altar-cloth and cushions by the Lady Harriet Herbert and a brass eagle lectern which cost £80; there are sittings for 600 persons; at the entrance to the churchyard is an old Lychgate, which has been carefully repaired. The present register dates from March 25th, 1681; the earlier records are supposed to have been lost in the confusion of the fire during the Civil Wars. The living is a vicarage, average tithe rent-charge £736, net yearly value £318, including 51a. 4r. of glebe (out of which the chapel of ease at Chapel Lawn is provided for), with residence, in the gift of the Earl of Powis, and held since 1868 by the Rev. Charles Warner M. A. and late fellow of Worcester College, Oxford, and prebendary of Hereford. There are Primitive Methodist and Wesleyan chapels. The former was erected in 1878, at a cost of about £1,000, and has sittings for 250 persons; a preacher's house was erected, adjoining the chapel in 1887. By order in Council the churchyard has been closed. A cemetery of ¾ acre was formed in 1891-2, at a total cost of £650. There are no mortuary chapels; it is under the control of the Parish Council. The Town Hall, in the Market place, erected in the year 1780, is a plain building of freestone. The Temperance Hall, in Church street, erected in 1870, is used as a news and reading room, which is well supplied with daily papers, periodicals &c. and is also available for public meetings and entertainments, and will hold 200 persons. The inland revenue office is at the Ferns. In 1272 the weekly market produced £10, and the two yearly fairs £6. The market day is Tuesday. The fairs are held on the last Friday in January, third Monday in March, 11th of May (for hiring servants), 15th of June, 23rd of August, 23rd of September and the 22nd of November. Charities—Mrs. Sarah Like, of Whitcot Keyset, in 1725, left £60, the interest of which should be applied to the education of 15 poor children of Clun, Guildendown, Bicton, Whitcot Evan and Whitcot Keyset; William Sturchley, of Hopebendtid, and his wife, in 1730, left 18 acres, the rent to be expended in bread to be given away on Sundays to such poor persons as give the best attendance at church; Francis Brown, of Whitcot Keyset, in 1795, left £100, the interest to be given in bread on Sundays; there is also a sum of £80, the interest of which is given in bread also on Sundays; Randle Tonna, of Clun, gave in 1779 £100, the interest for 20 poor persons not in receipt of parish relief; Thomas Luther, of Clun, in 1869, gave £200, the interest to be given to the poor at the discretion of the vicar and wardens. Adjoining the town is the Hospital of the Holy and undivided Trinity in Clun, founded in the year 1614, by the Right Hon. Henry Howard, Earl of Northampton, of Greenwich, in the county of Kent, for the support of 18 poor men, each of whom receives 10s. weekly, together with hat and gown; they are also partially supplied with food and medical attendance, and have the use of a garden and other privileges; the original foundation was for a warden and twelve inmates, poor men, but as the funds of the institution have accumulated the number has been increased to eighteen, by a decree in the Court of Chancery, and may be yet further increased to twenty; the income is about £1,600; out of the surplus funds two National schools have been erected, one at Clun, another at Newcastle township; these schools are principally supported out of the income and are the property of the hospital; the wardenship, which is in the gift of the Earl of Powis, has been held since 1890 by the Rev. John Bourne Eccleston M. A. of Hertford College, Oxford. There is also a hospital at Greenwich belonging to the same charity, and managed under a scheme approved by the Court of Chancery; there are 30 pensioners, and the trustees have power to contribute to hospitals or dispensaries and other local charities. A cottage hospital, for the relief of six patients, was built in 1893. by Mrs. Darrell Brown of Hastings, by whom it is supported.

Clun, possesses the remains of a fine Norman castle, built soon after the Norman invasion, by the Fitz-Alans, and supposed to be the scene of Sir Walter Scott’s novel ‘‘The Betrothed:” in the time of King Stephen, when Helias de Say was baron of Clun, this place and Obley were converted into an independent jurisdiction, known as the honour, or hundred, of dun, which was not amenable to English law; during the time of William Boterell, third husband of Isabel de Say, Clun Castle was stormed and reduced to ashes by Prince Reese, or Rhys, about the year 1166 A. D.; in A. D. 1272 the castle is said to have been small, but had an outer bailey, containing a grange, a stable and a bakehouse—all inclosed by a fosse or ditch; on the division of the Fitz-Alan property Clun and its castle was assigned to the king, at the value of £82, who made them over (with other revenues) to Roger Mortimer, afterwards Earl of March; in 1302, when the estates of John Fitz-Alan, 4th Earl of Arundel and, Lord of Clun, who married as his 1st wife, Isabel, daughter of William (de Albini), 3rd Earl of Arundel, were valued, Clun Castle was found to be worth no more than the expense of its maintenance at £20, and at this time there were no more than 85 burgesses, although, in 1272 they numbered, 183; in 1317, Edmund Fitz-Alan, 8th Earl of Arundel, being at Clun, received a complaint of the excessive number of bailiffs employed by him in the district, and accordingly he reduced the number of them by charter; in 1326, however, the earl fell a victim to Mortimer's treachery, and perished on the scaffold at Hereford; Mortimer enjoyed the forfeited estates for a while, but at length met with a similar fate, being hanged at Elmes, near Smithfield, 29 Nov. 1330; his successor, Richard, 9th Earl, confirmed to the burgesses the lands, liberties and customs they had formerly possessed, and at the same time he pardoned and exempted them from any retaliatory measures which might arise from their having recently adhered to Roger Mortimer when he visited Clun and took fealty of them; in 1333 this Richard was restored to his seigniory at Clun, and at the present time the place gives the title of baron to the Duke of Norfolk K. G. as representative of the Fitz-Alan Earls of Arundel, by the marriage of Mary, daughter of Henry (Fitz-Alan), 18th and last of the Earls of Arundel of this line, with Thomas (Howard), 4th Duke of Norfolk K. G. whose son Philip was summoned to Parliament, 16 Jan. 1580, as Earl of Arundel. The Castle has lately passed into the hands of the present Duke of Norfolk, who is proceeding with the careful restoration. The earthwork called Offa’s Dyke, the ancient boundary between Mercia and Wales, thrown up by Offa, is in an excellent state of preservation, about 2 miles west of the town; at Chapel Lawn, in this parish, are also the Caer ditches, or Caer Caradoc, an entrenchment formed by the renowned British Caractacus, at which he is supposed to have made his last stand. The Earl of Powis is lord of the manor of Clun, including the whole parish. The chief landowners are the Earl; of Powis, Captain Morris, Mr. p.m. Matthews, Mrs. Francis Brown, Mr. Thomas Price, the Rev. William Bishton Garnett-Botfield M. A. of Decker Hall, Shifnal, Walter M. Jones esq. Mrs. Thomas Herbert Williams, Mr. Richard Edwards, Mr. Thomas Brown Morgan, Mr, Thomas Middleton, Mr. Richard Sankey, Mr, George Price, Mr. Thomas Heighway and Mr. Richard Brown. The area of the parish is 20,535 acres; rateable value, £17,736; the population in 1891 was, 2,155 in the civil and 1,666 in the ecclesiastical parish.

Wall Letter Box, Cross, cleared 5. 35 p.m.; sun. 11. 45 a.m. Barfield was a Roman settlement.

Clun Union

The union comprises the following places: —Bishop’s Castle, dun, Clunbury, Clungunford, Edgton, Hopesay, Hopton Castle, Hyssington (Montgomery), Lydham, Mainstone, Myndtown, More, Norbury, Lydbury, North, Ratlinghope, Shelve, Snead (Montgomery), & Wentnor. The population of the union in 1891 was 9,366; area, 86,553 acres; rateable value in 1895 £79,945.

Board day, every alternate Friday at the dun Union workhouse, at 11 o’clock.

Schools

Clun was made a contributory district to Mainstone School Board, Aug. 16, 1892, electing one member Parochial, built in 1860, for 292 children; average attendance, boys 54; girls & infants, 86, with an endowment of £100 from Clun Hospital.

National (mixed), Chapel Lawn, built in 1866, out of the surplus funds of Clun Hospital & from the subscriptions of the principal inhabitants, and enlarged in 1894 for 70 children; average attendance, 49.

Kelly's Directory of Shropshire (1895)

Most Common Surnames in Clun

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Purslow Hundred
1Davies1551:152.22%2
2Jones1191:190.90%1
3Price801:283.06%8
4Edwards781:292.00%5
5Evans751:301.33%3
6Gough681:338.87%34
7Williams501:451.07%4
8Pugh481:474.02%22
9Francis451:5011.81%82
10Hamar431:5356.58%571
11Griffiths391:581.63%9
12Thomas311:731.38%11
12Morris311:730.92%6
12Owens311:7311.23%126
15Lloyd281:811.28%12
16Lewis271:841.25%13
17Fletcher261:874.81%53
18Hudson251:9116.67%266
18Cadwallader251:9110.37%153
20Morgan231:991.52%17
20Gwilliam231:999.91%164
22Watkins211:1085.11%75
23Brown191:1191.26%18
23Gittins191:1194.67%78
25Adams181:1263.03%48
25Luther181:12617.31%412
27Collins171:13318.28%459
27Meredith171:1333.62%63
29Jordan161:1427.41%175
29Bright161:1424.58%92
29Powel161:14223.88%643
32Phillips151:1511.66%24
32Edmonds151:15123.81%682
34Wellings141:1624.79%114
34Luscott141:16221.21%649
36George131:1753.29%80
36Hatfield131:17521.67%706
36Huits131:175100.00%1,978
39Harris121:1891.35%25
39Powell121:1890.80%19
39Matthews121:1893.60%97
39Miles121:1895.77%184
43Roberts111:2060.39%7
43Goodwin111:2068.80%336
43Vaughan111:2061.87%50
43Watkin111:2065.26%183
43Lancett111:20678.57%1,889
48Hughes101:2270.43%10
48James101:2271.07%23
48Bowen101:2271.17%26
48Lunn101:22790.91%2,205
48Reese101:22724.39%948
53Smith91:2520.42%14
53Pritchard91:2521.16%31
53Rawlings91:2526.67%303
53Venables91:2526.72%309
53Tudor91:2522.76%100
53Bufton91:25210.11%486
53Weale91:2529.78%468
53Heighway91:2526.77%312
53Beamond91:2528.33%386
53Cadwalader91:25230.00%1,166
63Rogers81:2840.54%20
63Middleton81:2846.06%315
63Bayliss81:28417.02%860
63South81:28440.00%1,510
63Mantle81:2847.62%404
63Minton81:2843.60%169
63Creswell81:28480.00%2,352
63Burrough81:284100.00%2,782
63Whittall81:2845.56%285
63Gwilt81:2845.48%280
73Taylor71:3240.46%16
73Mason71:3241.50%64
73Parry71:3241.08%44
73Cooke71:3242.60%131
73Hamer71:3244.09%229
73Philips71:3247.29%446
73Preece71:3240.89%30
73Pierce71:3245.15%302
73Kinsey71:3246.86%421
73Breese71:32411.67%706
73Meacham71:32443.75%1,743
73Bounds71:32425.00%1,212
73Easthope71:3247.95%492
73Beadley71:32450.00%1,889
73Trayler71:324100.00%3,088
73Chelmick71:32441.18%1,679
73Hoskis71:324100.00%3,088
73Darroll71:324100.00%3,088
73Chelwick71:324100.00%3,088
92Robinson61:3781.08%51
92Harding61:3782.41%145
92Law61:37811.11%761
92Haynes61:3782.33%138
92Humphreys61:3780.90%41
92Hulme61:37810.91%749
92Chester61:3785.56%386
92Wilding61:3784.20%290
92Luff61:378100.00%3,445
92Bywater61:37816.67%1,046
92Moyle61:37825.00%1,339
92Willaims61:37875.00%2,782
92Cadwalladr61:37866.67%2,544
105Turner51:4540.63%29
105Owen51:4540.30%15
105Spencer51:4543.13%243
105Gardner51:4545.43%468
105Wheeler51:4545.38%459
105Morgans51:45423.81%1,465
105Dudley51:4542.89%226
105Wooley51:4549.43%776
105Frances51:45415.15%1,100
105Barden51:45462.50%2,782
105Bottrill51:454100.00%3,877
105Trumper51:45414.71%1,080
105Trowe51:45471.43%3,088
105Beight51:454100.00%3,877
105Gittas51:454100.00%3,877
120Lee41:5670.77%54
120Richards41:5670.30%21
120Ellis41:5670.55%35
120Jenkins41:5671.97%189
120Bradley41:5671.06%84
120Page41:5671.95%187
120Lawrence41:5673.42%364
120Glover41:5674.26%453
120McPherson41:56780.00%3,877
120Clements41:56710.53%1,001
120Weaver41:5671.07%85
120Langford41:5671.22%98
120Clee41:5673.85%412
120Beddoes41:5671.80%169
120Speake41:5671.67%155
120Cheese41:56710.81%1,024
120Huffer41:5678.33%837
120Highway41:56714.29%1,212
120Dulton41:567100.00%4,390
120Hints41:56730.77%1,978
140Webster31:7562.73%382
140Lister31:7564.41%635
140Groves31:7561.34%167
140Small31:7562.83%398
140Bedford31:75615.79%1,571
140Graves31:75642.86%3,088
140Squire31:75612.00%1,303
140Loyd31:7565.66%776
140Murdock31:75633.33%2,544
140Addis31:7566.12%825
140Meyrick31:7562.61%371
140Bubb31:75675.00%4,390
140Passey31:7564.17%601
140Disley31:75625.00%2,085
140Oldbury31:756100.00%4,996
140Lote31:756100.00%4,996
140Traylor31:75650.00%3,445
140Langslow31:75627.27%2,205
140Makelin31:75637.50%2,782
140Boddenham31:756100.00%4,996
140Swancutt31:756100.00%4,996
161Green21:1,1350.30%40
161Jackson21:1,1350.46%71
161Cooper21:1,1350.30%42
161Webb21:1,1350.62%101
161Hunt21:1,1351.68%354
161Watts21:1,1354.65%915
161Dunn21:1,1351.01%195
161Oliver21:1,1350.47%73
161Cross21:1,1351.13%222
161Barber21:1,1350.80%144
161Nicholls21:1,1350.70%121
161Nelson21:1,1357.41%1,250
161Mathews21:1,1350.74%131
161Warner21:1,1354.76%935
161Woodhouse21:1,1351.16%228
161Nicholas21:1,1351.48%303
161Hickman21:1,1352.06%444
161Edmunds21:1,1354.17%837
161Anthony21:1,1353.23%686
161Ricketts21:1,13511.76%1,679
161Cottrell21:1,13516.67%2,085
161Statham21:1,13516.67%2,085
161Robert21:1,1356.67%1,166
161Caswell21:1,1352.13%453
161Grindley21:1,1351.60%336
161Rickards21:1,1353.08%663
161Trow21:1,1352.30%498
161Hotchkiss21:1,1350.69%116
161Bason21:1,1353.70%761
161Brick21:1,1355.71%1,066
161Knill21:1,135100.00%5,670
161Vining21:1,135100.00%5,670
161Bauer21:1,135100.00%5,670
161Childe21:1,1354.00%817
161Gittoes21:1,13525.00%2,782
161Meachem21:1,135100.00%5,670
161Burgwin21:1,13511.11%1,614
161Higs21:1,13540.00%3,877
161Cad21:1,13566.67%4,996
161Whillingham21:1,135100.00%5,670
161Brieze21:1,135100.00%5,670