This is a fine spot for catching one’s breath after climbing Bishop’s Castle’s steep High Street. The bench sits on the footprint of a long gone market hall, built for the town by Edward, eldest son of Robert Clive (as in Clive of India) in 1781. At this time (and until 1926) the manor of Bishop’s Castle was owned by the Clive family, and above the bench is some surviving evidence. This is the Clive family’s (acquired) coat of arms: an Indian elephant and a griffin that once adorned the market hall, and so stood above the town, proclaiming the Clive wealth and power.
This, then, is the view from the bench in the Market Square. (I included it the other day on our walk around the town). All very picturesque. Except, even on a bright autumn afternoon, that Clive coat of arms sheds dark shadows that still linger.
Robert Clive (1725-1774), was the pugnacious offspring of a Shropshire land-owning family. He began his meteoric career as a clerk in the East India Company Madras in 1744. Once in India, he proved an able administrator and ruthless military commander, so efficient in fact, he is credited with securing the power of the East India Company and thus the establishment of British Rule in India.
He returned to England with a vast fortune, equivalent to some 30 million pounds by today’s values. That he was the subject of a parliamentary enquiry for corruption (including examination of his punitive policies while running the East India Company) did not stop him from securing an Irish barony and buying his way into government.
He lived in Mayfair, London and owned estates in Surrey and Ireland, but bought the Shrewsbury seat in 1761 and remained the town’s M.P. until 1774. (Shrewsbury is Shropshire’s county town and nowhere near London). He also deployed his wealth to secure the votes of Bishop’s Castle’s 150 burgesses, so ensuring that this town’s M.P. was also always a member of the Clive family fiefdom. The town already had the reputation as a ‘rotten borough’ i.e. votes for whoever could best bribe the burgesses. Now it became a ‘Pocket Borough’ ruled by Clive friends and relations, a situation that continued until 1832 when The Electoral Reform Act ended direct representation for the town and other ‘rotten boroughs.’
It’s astonishing perhaps to think how one man’s shadow can reach so far – through time and across the world. But then what about those among us today whose material ambitions and global reach affect the lives of millions; I wonder what future historians will have to say of them.
Jude’s Bench Challenge Anniversary
A few heavy thoughts in among the delights of this post. Heavy thoughts are where we’re at, unfortunately.
Yes, that’s my thought too, Margaret.
A bench with an amazing story Tish. Thank you!
Thanks, Anne.
A bench with quite a story, and nt an entirely appetising one…
Indeed, but then one can turn one’s back on the coat of arms.
But that won’t negate those sins
No, indeed, Sue.
🙁
A dark tale indeed. And yes what will history have to say about some of the ‘powerful’ players of today. It’s a sturdy looking bench what is the ER for? And I remember that hill.
The bench commemorates Eliz 2 coronation in 1952. The market hall was demolished in 1951 so perhaps the new square was thought to be good place for it.
It’s never been there since 1952? If so it’s done well.
Elizabeth Regina. Queen Elizabeth the 2nd.
Thanks. I did know what ER meant, just not what it represented on the bench.
Yes, I knew you did. I’m only guessing it’s a coronation bench. I shall go and peer more closely at it.
why oh why do we continually vote in rich people as politicians, don’t even haver the excuse of rotten boroughs any more
btw a fabulous shadows post
Good stuff, Tish. Think I’ll make myself comfy xx
A rather sombre reflection on the ability of the rich to buy their way into power. Rotten boroughs may have been abolished but there will always be a way, for someone determined to do so, to beat the system.
Yes, I’m sure playing the system (one way or another) is still a feature of UK politics.
Not just the UK!
The coat of arms is striking. I enjoyed this post.
Thanks, Jennie.
You’re welcome.
Hmm, rotten eggs.
Can’t post my comment. Grrr…
Now I did. Comment was “He was the so-called Clive of India, wasn’t he?”
(Will that be posted?)
Yes, that’s the man: ‘Clive of India’
I knew very little about him, but what I learnt from your post isn’t very positive… 😉
One of those individuals, the effects of whose self-interest rebounded on millions both in his own time and ever since.
Why does it sound familiar…
Ah! WP! 🙄
All well with you Memsahib?
All well here, Brieuc. Wishing you the same in your spot on the globe.
Thank you Tish. Let’s just hope the Christmas spirit will prevail everywhere, even for a mere few days? 🤞🏻
Cheers to that, Brieuc.