Old Man, Old River

 Once upon a time in the County of Shropshire, England, near the banks of the Severn River, lived a man who died at the astounding age of 152 years. His name was Thomas Parr, and he met his Maker in the year 1635.  He lived during the reign of ten kings and queens; he was buried in Westminster Abbey.  This piece of trivia is part of the long history of a relatively short river (210 miles) in England dating back to pre-Roman settlements in the area.

Frank Wakeman authored The Beauties of the Severn Valley, National Geographic Magazine, April, 1933, and tells many such true tales. Even poet William Shakespeare is linked with a tributary of the Severn River, Warwickshire.  Charles Darwin, proponent of the theory of evolution, hailed from the town of Shrewsbury.

Close to the village of Tong, "The Severn now enters a narrow gorge which Nature made the prettiest in the whole course of the river.  Unfortunately, in her bounty, she made it rich, also, in mineral wealth," (p. 432).  This is Coal Country!  The first large iron bridge, with a single arch of 100 feet, was built over the Severn to access coal from the ironworks at Coalbrookdale. It is still in use (1933) and claims a tribute from us of one half penny from every person crossing it," (p. 432).

Here's an interesting account of how early Christianity came to the British Isles.  "The Romans established Glevum at this important crossing of the Severn. . . in A.D. 43.  A Roman soldier named Pudens married a British Christian named Claudia, and their son was christened Linus.  Afterward they returned to Rome and St. Paul passes on their greetings to Timothy in his epistle of that name," (p. 451).

I love British architecture, history, but especially the friendly people who live there.  Daughter #7, Marie, and I visited England in 2008, to honor my deceased nephew, Justin, on Remembrance Day in November.  We caught one of the efficient British black cabs to the Victoria (train) Station.  From there we had a most pleasant ride through the beautiful countryside to Shrewsbury Station.  A sergeant from the British Army met us at the station.  The main event was the religious ceremony at St. Mary's Church in Market Drayton and town parade honoring all British soldiers killed in the line of duty in any war.  Since Justin had been killed the previous September in Afghanistan as a member of the Irish Regiment of the Royal British Army, his widow, Vilma, put a red poppy wreath on the centaph in the town square.  Then we went to a reception at the nearby Army installation.  Even though the occasion was sad, Marie and I were glad to see family members and meet some of our British cousins.

There was a sea of crosses on the lawn at Westminster Abbey in London to honor ALL soldiers killed in ALL wars.

A large red poppy wreath and more crosses in front of Westminster Abbey in London.  The entire country participate in Remembrance Day.

I would love to re-visit the quaint town of Shrewsbury in the summer.  I imagine it is quite lovely with blooming flowers everywhere!  Market Drayton was equally beautiful and interesting with very narrow streets.  I would seek out castles, old churches and ruins in the Severn Valley.