Often described as ‘quaint’, Wem is the home of the sweet pea which was developed here by a local nurseryman in the 19^th century. The town’s annual sweet pea show is both unique and world-famous. Largely destroyed during the War of the Roses, the town suffered a terrible blow when a fire broke out in the 17^th century. Its most famous ‘son’ was the bloodthirsty Judge Jeffreys. In the late 17^th he was made Baron of Wem after sending numerous rebels to be hanged. Essayist William Hazlitt (1778-1830) lived here as a boy.