The Steeplejack’s last descent

Almost 300 years ago, steeplejack and stuntman Robert Cadman wowed crowds with his daring performances by performing gravity-defying descents from towers and church spires.

But in 1739, during a performance at St Mary’s Church in Shrewsbury, Cadman’s stunt went tragically wrong.

Ironbridge Museum Collections Curator, Kate Cadman, tells the tragic story of the notorious Shrewsbury dare devil.