Bring on a birthday beer...

 
Apparently, Shropshire Hop beer (made at Joule's Brewery in Market Drayton, north Shrops) is back - after a while away.  It's a light, almost floral, beer - very suitable for the warm weather. Drinkable!

The design here pays obeisance to its titular county with a loggerhead in its presentation, though, sadly, only one such head, not three.  It also carries the traditional gold & blue colour combination of the loggerheads and even the ermine-spots (the things in this particular design which resemble Xmas trees) of the 'Shropshire loggerheads'.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if Joules produced a specific Loggerheads Beer this year - in honour of the loggerheads' 600th birthday?  I'd drink it...  

#ShropshireHop

A new book has now been published to celebrate 600 years of the loggerheads - click here to find out more.

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Helmet, swords and loggerheads

 
Surprisingly, not all Shropshire's military outfits adopted the loggerheads, but the Yeomanry Cavalry, one of the oldest, certainly did. 

In the official history of the regiment, written in 1953 by EW Gladstone, the first image in the book is of the unit's badge - which features the loggerheads (see pic right).  

#ShropshireYeomanry

A new book has now been published to celebrate 600 years of the loggerheads - click here to find out more.

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Heraldry at St Julian's

 
St Julian’s Church, at the top of Wyle Cop in Shrewsbury, has quite a few loggerheads - more than any other town church.  The trouble is: we don't know why they are there, as the sources on St Julian's are rather quiet.

This lovely heraldic window in the church could be showing a set of arms for a member of the Bennett family because the underlying motto, 'de bon vouloir servir le roi', appears to be theirs.  It could be that the Bennetts married into the Newports, as the Newports had arms based on a loggerheads with a gold chevron (as quartered in the top right-hand of the shield depicted). 
But it's a mystery for now.  (Maybe there's a connection with the historic Bennett's Hall?). 
If you have a suggestion, please complete the Comments Form below.  We'd be grateful!

A new book has now been published to celebrate 600 years of the loggerheads - click here to find out more.

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Second Chapter gives MOL a chance

 

'The Mysteries Of The Loggerheads', the book about the 600-year story of the emblem of Shrewsbury, is now on sale at yet another bookshop in the town.  As well as being on sale at Pengwern Books and the Bear Steps Gallery Shop, it is now at Second Chapter. Click here for details of the shops and their opening times (mail-order is available).

Second Chapter is an antiquarian bookshop specialising in all sort of curious and fascinating old books - especially anything to do with the local area.  It's to be found in the Parade Centre behind St Mary's Church.  It's worth going to just for the pleasure of browsing!

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Loggerheads book now on sale

 

As 2025 marks the 600th anniversary of the coat of arms of Shrewsbury (three leopards' heads, known familiarly as 'loggerheads'), it's only fitting that a book telling their centuries-old story, from 1425 to the present day, is being published.

It's on the shelves now at three bookshops in the town - Pengwern Books, Second Chapter Books and the Bear Steps Bookshop - at £7.99 a copy.  Click here for details of the shops and their opening times (mail-order is available).

Although it's hot on historical fact, the book is a lot of fun, being told in an easy and accessible way with lots of photos and even a joke or two.  
It's called 'The Mysteries Of The Loggerheads' because it purports to unravel almost all the myths surrounding their story. 
Get your copy before they are sold out!

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The Gild's pretty badge

 

The Gild of Freemen of Shrewsbury looks, from a distance, just like another exclusive club, but in fact it has an important role in monitoring the development of the medieval town.

 

The Gild has adopted as its badge an image of the ancient town Common Seal of 1425, which shows the loggerheads on the old town walls.
The Gild has taken a little artistic licence with the badge though, as the seal was not painted, so it had no colours.  The badge looks pretty though!  

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Happy loggerheads anniversary

It's the 600th anniversary of the loggerheads this year.  They first appeared in history on the Shrewsbury Common Seal, which is dated 1425.

So... here's a birthday card! Liz Mellor, a self-confessed Proud Salopian artist, created this rather lovely tribute to the loggerheads.

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