We continue from last week when Wem boxer Joe Berks was in training for a match against Jem Belcher

The fight was postponed until October 12, 1801 where a huge crowd of boxing devotees gathered at Enfield with anticipation of a great bout. Unfortunately, this championship match did not take place. Jem Belcher was summoned to Bow Street that day involving police proceedings due to a riot that had previously taken place, also involving Lord Camelford under conspicuous circumstances.

However, by November of that year the two boxers were to contest the title at a venue near Maidenhead. There were apparently in the region of 20,000 spectators at this match in which Berks was defeated by Belcher in about half an hour. Some sources suggest that if Berks had listened more to the instruction of Mendoza, the outcome of this punishing contest may have been different.

In his true, determined way this was not to deter Joe Berks. He wanted a rematch. One was arranged with a winning prize of £3,000. However, due to a difference of opinion with officials, the two competitors declined to carry on with the contest. As a result, the spectators became very angry which almost accumulated into mob violence.

Joe Berks was to have two further meetings with Jem Belcher in the boxing ring but on both occasions, unfortunately, did not have the ability to beat his most formidable opponent. Not a long while after this match Belcher was playing the game of racquets. Fate was his adversary on this occasion. A thrown ball was to strike him in the eye, damaging his sight. Belcher had to give up his main sport of boxing. Joe Berks would never meet him in the ring again. There would now be the matter of who would be the next boxing champion of England.

Now that Jem Belcher was not on the scene it was obvious Joe Berks was a worthy contender for the championship. It seemed Berks could have been a champion if only he had not been so overconfident. Eventually, he was to fight a boxer from Bristol by the name of Henry Pearce, otherwise known as ‘Hen’ Pearce or ‘The Game Chicken’. This match took place in a private room of an inn. After 15 rounds, Berks was defeated by the Bristol boxer by being knocked to the ground by a punch to the face.

In January 1804, Berks was to meet Pearce again on Wimbledon Common. Pearce beat him again but it took no less than 24 rounds, equating to more than one hour and 15 minutes. It must have been quite a fight!

Joe Berks was to die fighting but not in the boxing ring. When England and France were at war in the 1800s, Berks enlisted in the British army to become a sergeant in the 33rd Light Infantry. While involved in the Peninsula Campaign he unfortunately lost his life during the assault on Badajoz in 1812.

To sum up, it seems to me that this man from Wem was so close, yet so far from winning the championship.

A Forgotten Castle

When I think of Ellesmere in Shropshire and its mere, the very first thing I think about is its presence as a small tourist attraction, mainly during the summer months. Many travellers passing through Ellesmere would probably not give any thought to the narrow road of St John close to Sandy Lane, the church and the meadow called Blackwater. Why would they? Castle Hill is also situated in this area of Ellesmere.

It appears there was once a castle at Ellesmere but historical records of this fortress are a little vague, with some unreliable evidence to hint it had possibly been terminated during the Wars of the Roses.

The castle does not appear to have been built during the reign of William the Conqueror, although it may have come into being shortly afterwards. (No definite proof here). Many years ago Ellesmere was apparently located in an area once known as Englefield.

The castle was possibly one of a string of border defences between England and Wales. Other castles, it appears (but not absolutely confirmed in some cases) were at Knockin, Oswestry, Whittington, Chirk and Overton. Apparently, a possible inner line of defences (including Ellesmere Castle) to aid these were based at Ruyton, Whitchurch, Shrawardine, Stretton and further south, Brampton Bryan.

However, according to records, it is not absolutely known how, or if, this defensive system (if fully completed) worked efficiently as it should have in the event of an attack when the Welsh were on the offensive.

I am of the assumption these forts or small castles etc were built at these locations but they would be more in the way of formidable strong points than a large castle. That is my opinion. Nevertheless, there were obviously many skirmishes between the Welsh and English along this border country. (I have already mentioned the small battles at Knockin).

It is not known what size the castle at Ellesmere was. Some evidence suggests it was not all that large. There is mention of it once being given to Llywelyn the Great (who gave it to the man, who gave it to him?!).

According to the article in my 1955 Shropshire Magazine they state there seems to be no record of the castle having the ordeal of having to withstand a siege or being involved in hostile actions.

However, I am of the assumption there must have been some hostilities involving the castle at Ellesmere at some time or other. Some records suggest the castle was in use for approximately 400 years by the Crown and other titled dignitaries. Judging by this, Ellesmere Castle must have been quite significant as a small fortress.

Many years ago Ellesmere was situated in what was known as the Saxon Mercia area. Records suggest the small outpost by the mere was some kind of settlement under the control of Saxon earls. At the time of William the Conquerer, the great Earl Roger was given the outpost of Ellesmere. However, the king later took repossession of Ellesmere following the rebellion of Robert de Belesme and gifted it to the Peverill family.

Years later during the traumatic years under King Stephen, the area of Ellesmere and its castle apparently did not enjoy too peaceful an existence.

Eventually in 1177, when England was ruled by Henry I, he gave it to his illegitimate sister, Emma, who was married to the Welsh prince, David ap Owen. Unfortunately for David, he was later taken prisoner by his nephew Llywelyn ap Iorwerth (family disagreement!) in 1195.

Yet again, the castle at Ellesmere and surrounding area etc was once more the property of the Crown. This time it was under the supervision of Shropshire sheriffs.

Emma was referred to as the Lady of Ellesmere and also of Hales(owen) with reference to her two main manors. Her husband, Owen, died in 1204. The sheriff then charged King John a total of 100 shillings (£5) for maintenance on the castle.

Shortly afterwards, the king gifted the manor to Llywelyn ap Iowerth who had previously married the king’s daughter by Agatha, called Joan. Incidentally, Agatha’s father was Robert Ferras, Earl of Derby. According to records I have, there is a certain connection to Henry III but this is a little sketchy and vague.