SHRINE

a case or reliquary in which the remains of some saint are preserved; hence any place hallowed by its a ociations. W.), county of western England, near center of Welsh border; surrounded by Flint, Cheshire, Stafford, Worcester, Here ford, Radnor, Montgomery, and Denbigh; area, 1342 sq. miles; surface mountainous in S. and W.; cro ed by Clee Hills, Caradoc Hills and other ranges; drained by Severn and a number of its tributaries; capital, Shrews bury. County was part of kingdom of Mercia in early times and suffered from Dan. invasions of IX. and X. cent’s; scene of hostilities in Civil War of XII. cent., Barons’ War, and Great Rebellion; has remains of several old castles, some of which date from Norman times, and ruins of many religious houses. Agricultu re is principal industry. There are several small detached coal-fields, of which Coal brook dale is most important. other minerals found include iron, lead, limestone, and small quantitie s of zinc and barytes; blast furnaces, iron mManufactures. Pop. 1921, 242,959. before Ash Wednesday, and thus belongs to the days of preparation for Lent. The name refers to the fact that it was the time for shrift or confe ion before the Easter communion. The pancakes appropriate to the day are the sole survival of the merrymakings with which it was once celebrated.