Changes

Following the end of Roman administration in Great Britain in the early 5th century, present-day Shropshire may have formed a part of the neo-Brittonic [[Kingdom of Powys]], but the immediately post-Roman era of British history is obscure, so this is far from certain.

Following the end of Roman administration in Great Britain in the early 5th century, present-day Shropshire may have formed a part of the neo-Brittonic [[Kingdom of Powys]], but the immediately post-Roman era of British history is obscure, so this is far from certain.

Britain was settled by, and came under political dominance from, Germanic-speaking peoples from present-day Germany and Denmark in the early-mid 5th century. [[Cheshire]], much of Shropshire and northern Wales formed a part of the territory of the ''Wreocensæte'' (an Old English name meaning "Wrekin-dwellers"), a people of early [[Anglo-Saxon]] England. The territory had been absorbed by the Anglian kingdom [[Mercia]] in the time of [[Offa|King Offa]] (reigned 757-796 AD). It is likely that, around this time, [[Shrewsbury]] was established as a fortified burh.

Britain was settled by, and came under political dominance from, Germanic-speaking peoples from present-day Germany and Denmark in the early-mid 5th century. [[Cheshire]], much of Shropshire and northern Wales formed a part of the territory of the ''Wreocensæte'' (an Old English name meaning "Wrekin-dwellers"), a people of early [[Anglo-Saxon]] England. The territory had been absorbed by the Anglian kingdom [[Mercia]] in the time of [[Offa|King Offa]] (reigned 757-796 AD). It is likely that, around this time, [[Shrewsbury]] was established as a fortified burh.

 

In the early 10th century, much of Mercia was conquered by [[Edward the Elder]] of the House of Wessex. At an uncertain date, Mercia was divided into shires (which would form the basis of many [[traditional counties]]), with Shropshire being the sole Mercian shire to not derive its name from its principal town.

Following the Battle of Hastings in 1066 and subsequent Norman conquest of England, the main estates in Shropshire were bestowed upon Norman landowners, the most notable being Roger de Montgomery, the 1st Earl of Shrewsbury, a title which still exists in the 21st century and one of the oldest extant peerages.

Following the Battle of Hastings in 1066 and subsequent Norman conquest of England, the main estates in Shropshire were bestowed upon Norman landowners, the most notable being Roger de Montgomery, the 1st Earl of Shrewsbury, a title which still exists in the 21st century and one of the oldest extant peerages.