p^ \y ':j-^ -sx^ ^ % ^' % --,. v^' ' .0 o "OO^ : ■ X*" '■>-. ,•>?- ■•-.. , '^^' ■% %^ OB .^<^^■ \ ' . .^^' ^ O ^ ^u 'i^ / a li "^ <* •0^ s^- y J- ■X •.^ O V *■ ^ ^^. 'M , \ I 1 // > c ■\^. -^^ ■K} CO'- H - 1 .• '^ ,x^^' ^-^- N^^' "•^ -^^ .i^€''%4.. ' ./. 'X A CONCISE OF THE CITY AND CATHEDRAL OF WORCESTER; COMPRISING ALSO A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF ALL MARKET AND BOROUGH TOWNS, AND PRINCIPAL . ^tm of t!;e llobilit^ mti <&tntvy) IN THE COUNTY, AND ' BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES OF EMINENT CHARACTERS CONNECTED WITH THE CITY AND COUNTY BY BIRTH OR RESIDENCE : TO WHICH IS ADDED AN APPENDIX. contAni% a %i^t of all Official ^n-^oniS, Cibil mti (Bcdt&ia^ticjd, Connected with the Citj-'j -Xie Cathedral; ^'v*."- * ' ' * ' ^ " WORCESTER: PRINTED BY AND FOR T. EATON; SOLD ALSO BY LONGMAN, REES, ORME, BROWN, AND GREEN, LONDON; ^ And other Booksellers. 1829. b54 'OE 3>7- PREFACE. Two editions of "A Concise History of Worcester'' having been required by the public, a respectful acknow- ledgment of the patronage already enjoyed is due from the publisher. This he now desires gratefully to offer. The result of the encouragement given to his former undertakings, has been a diligent and persevering effort, continued through many years, to collect every particular relating to the history, antiquities, and present state of Worcester, which could contribute to correct and improve the volume he had formerly given to the public. This accumulation of materials, augmented by the suggestions of many judicious friends, has led to the present publica- tion, which appears before the public as an entirely new work. An attempt has been made to compress within a small compass all the historical, de^riptive, and statistical details, which residents of the city and county might wish to possess, and visitors to consult. In the general accuracy of the statements here presented, the Author and Publisher feel the utmost confidence. In every instance in which il was practicable, original sources of information and official authorities have been consulted. The mistakes of many former works have been discovered and corrected, much additional information has been brought to light, and every particular noticed which could contribute to the utility and completeness of the work. The arrangement of the whole under distinct and comprehensive chapters, as an entirely new feature of the present work, will, it is hoped, prove conducive to the facility of consulting, and the pleasure of perusing it. The Plan of the City, herewith given, is the result of an official survey made by the late Mr. Mainley. The accuracy of the other plates will approve itself to the observant reader. TABLE OF CONTENTS. Chap. I. Page History of the City of Worcester 9 Chap. II. Modern Description 65 Chap. III. Government and Municipal Regulations 85 Chap. IV. The Cathedral and its Appendages 101 Chap. V. Parochial Churches, Chapels, S;c 147 Chap. VI. Charitable Establishments, Benevolent Institutions, S^c. 1 63 Chap. VII. Commercial Affairs 188 Chap. VIII. Royal Visits, Memorable Occurrences, S^c 200 Chap. IX. Eminent Characters connected with the City and Neighbourhood by Birth or Residence 215 Chap. X. Towns, Villages, Seats, Remarkable Places, S^c. in the Vicinity of Worcester 229 Appendix — Corporation, Clergy, Inns, Post Office, Roads, 8ic 249 INDEX. Page Abingdon, T. - - 219 Adult School - - 180 Alban's, Saint - - 149 Aldred - -16,52 Alfred - - - - 16 All Saints - - - 151 Andrew's, Saint - - 149 Antiquity of the City - 9 Architecture of Cathedral 110 Arthur, Prince - - 120 Assizes - - - - 96 Asylum, Female - - 184 Audit Hall - - - 141 Banks - - - - 197 Baptists - - - 158 Baskerville, J. - - 225 Battle of Evesham - 29 Worce s ter 33 — 5 1 Beauchamp, William de 22, 24 Earl 217 Sir J. (^tonib) - 135 Bedwardine, Michael, St. 156 St. John - 157 Bells, St. Helen's - 148 Berkeley, Sir R. - - 220 Sir H. - - 33 Hospital - - 171 Bevere, Hamlet - - 231 Island - 17, 33 Bible Society - 187 Blandford, Bp. {mon.) - 136 Block-house - - 59 Blois, Bp. - - - 115 Books, early - - 188 Bridge - - - - 76 BuUingham, Bp. (mon.) - 126 Burnet, Eliz. - - 223 Butler, Samuel - - 220 Canal, Wor. and Birni. 199 Page Cannon in Guildhall - 74 Cantilupe, Walter de, Bp. 117 Carpet Trade - - 192 Castle - - - - 51 Cathedral - - - 107 Catholics - - - 160 Chapel, Arthur's - 120 Our Lady's - - 115 St. Oswald's - 165 Baptist - - 158 Catholic - 160 Lady Huntingdon's 161 — Independent's - 159 Wesleyans' - 161 Chapter House - - 139 Charity, Lying-in - 183 Charles I. - - - 33 IL - - 41 Charnel House - - 113 Charters - - - 88 Choir - - - - 111 City Plundered - 17,20,30 burnt twice - - 19 Clement's, Saint - - 154 Cloisters - - - 136 Clothing Trade - - 191 Coaches and Inns - - 197 Coins - - - 57 College Green - - 143 Hall - - 140 School - - 177 Commandery - - 163 Constables of Castle - 85 Constantiis, Bp. {tomb) 117 Corn Market -^ - - 98 Corporation - - 88 Cromwell • - - 41 Letter tcf Parliament 48 Crypt - - - 112 Customs - - - 93 Danes - - - 17 Danegelt resisted Deanery Dei'ham, Dr. - Dispensary Dissenting Chapels Distillery - Dominicans - Doomsday-book - Dorcas Society Dormitory, College Dunstan, St. - - 17 141 - 223 177 - 158 195 - 62 18,86 184 138 - 215 Eades', Dean, {tomb) - 116 Earl's Post - - - 57 Earls of Worcester - 87 Edgar's Tower - - 142 Edward IV. - - 30 Ellis, Sir W. {mon.) 134, 228 Establishments, Charitable 1 63 Ethelfleda - - - 16 Ethelred - - - ib. Etymology - - - 10 Fairs - - - - 98 Fishery - - - 99 Fleetwood, Bp. {mon.) - 135 Colonel - 41 Florence of Worcester - 216 Friars, Grey - - - 61 Black - - 62 Trinity - - ib. Friends - - - 159 Gaol, the County - 79 the City - - - 80 Gas Lights - - 82 Gates, the Ancient - - 55 Gauden, Bp. {mon.) - 126 George III. - - - 203 George IV, his visit, when Prince of Wales - 205 Glendwr, Owen - - 30 Gloucester, the See of ■ 105 Glove Trade - - 191 Godfrey Giifard, Bp. {tomb) 127 Goldisburgh, Bp's wife mon. 126 Goulding's Hospital - 173 Government of City - 85 Governors of Castle Green, Mr. V. Grey Friars - Guesten Hall Guildhall, Ancient - Modern Gwynn, Mr. - 85 - 227 - 61 141 - 56 73 - 227 41,47, Hamilton, Duke Hardicanute Harris, Mr. his M. S. Hartlebury Castle Haynes, Thomas, Esq. Helen's, Saint - Hemenhale, Bp. {tomb) Hemingus - - - Henwick Hill - Henry, First, Charter - Third, Charter -; Prisoner at Wor. VII. - VIII, School 23, History of the City - Hooper, Bp. Hop Trade Hospital, St. Oswald's Inglethorpe's Nash's Wyatt's - Trinity Berkeley's Moore's Shewring's Goulding's - Hough, Bp. {tomb) Huntingdon, Lady, Con. Hurd, Bp. - ■ {tomb) {mon.) James II. - - -; Jarvis's Houses - Jewry - - - - Improvements - Independents - - - Infirmary, College City and County 125 17 91 146 166 147 115 217 138 88 ib. 28 32 177 9 219 194 165 167 169 170 171 ib. 172 173 ib. 221 127 161 226 238 116 202 174 28 73 159 138 Industry, House of - - 97 Inglethorpe's Hospital - 167 Monument - 133 Institution, Friendly - 186 John, King - - - 23 Tomb - 118 John, Saint, Bedwardine - 157 Johnson, Bp. (mon.) - 132 Johnstone, Dr. - - 228 Iron Foimderies - - 196 Kings {see Christian navies) King's, or College School 177 Kitchen, Ancient - 144 Lampreys - - - Latimer, Bp. - - - Lavatory, Ancient Laws of the City Leicester, Earl of Leland's Ancient Descrip. Library, College City, Public - Littleton, Thomas - Lord George Judge [tomb) - Sir J. and Lady {tomb) - - - Lying-in Charity Maddox, Bp. {tomb) Manufactories - Manuscript, Mr. Harris's Markets Market Place Marquis of Worcester Martin's, Saint - Mary's, St., Monastery and Cathedral - - - Massey, General Maud, Empress Maurice, Prince - Members of the College - Methodists Michael's, Saint Mintage - - - Monasteries Dissolved 100 218 138 93 28 62 139 82 218 226 134 ib. 183 224 130 191 91 98 77 87 153 107 42 19 34 106 161 156 58 106 Montford, Earl of Leicester Monuments Mound, Castle Nash, Dr. - Nash's Hospital Monument Will - Nave of the Cathedral - Newspapers Nicholas, Saint Occurrences, Remarkable Officers of Cathedral City - Organ, Cathedral Osric, or Oshere Oswald, Bp. - - - {tomb) St., Hospital - Chapel - Cemetery Oswen, John Packington, Lady - Paintings in Guild-hall Parry, Bp. {tomb) - Pavement - - - Penda, Saxon Prince Pendrill, Mr., & Charles Penitents - - - Perambulation, Ancient Peter's, St. Cathedral - — Parish - 28 115 54 227 169 149 169 132 189 152 27 106 88 112 16 215 115 165 167 ib. 188 n. Philip of France • Plague - Population Porcelain Presbyterians - Printing Priory Register Prisons Pulpit, Cathedral Queen Elizabeth Margaret - Anne - 220 74 117 29 15 47 62 - 93 107 - 156 23 29,33 69 - 192 - 159 188 - 29 79 - 112 61,202 30 - 56 vni INDEX. Race Ground Rectifier . . . Refectory - - - Richard III. River, Customs of - Romans and Roman Roads Rupert, Prince - Russel, Sir J. - - Saints, All, Parish Salmon - - - - Salubrity of Worcester Savings' Bank - School, the King's - Queen Elizabeth's Bishop Lloyd's Mrs. Hook's - National Adult, Female of Industry, Girl's Subscription Boys' Infant Seats of Nobility, &c. See of Worcester Gloucester - Bristol 83 195 140 31 99 13 34 33 151 100 71 185 177 J 78 ib. 180 ib. ib. 181 ib. ib. 229 101 105 ib. Senatus - - - - 217 Sessions - - - 96 Severn ... - 99 Floods 211,213,214 Navigation - 1 98 Sheriff of Castle and City 52, 85 Shewring's Hospital . 173 Shewring and James II. - 202 Shows, Horticultural - 84 Sieges of Worcester - 38,41 Snell, Hannah - - 211 Society, Bible . - 187 Dorcas - - 184 of Friends - 159 Humane - - 185 Worcester and Worcestershire - - 186 Somers, Lord - . 222 Stafford, Sir H. - - 32 Statues at Guildhall - 73 Stephen, King - - - 19 Stillingfleet, Bp. - - 221 {tomb) - 116 Street, Judge {mon.) - 130 Surrey, Countess {tomb) - 127 Synod held by King John 23 Swithin's, Saint - - 152 Theatre - - - 83 Thomas, Bp. (mow.) - 132 Thornborough, Bp. (fomft) 116 Throne, Bishop's - 111 Tithing of Whiston - - 158 Tombs - - . 115 King John's - . 118 Prince Arthur's - 120 Topographical Account - 65 Towns and Villages - - 229 Trading Companies - 196 Treasure seized - .37 Trinity, Friars of - 62 Hospital . - 171 Vicinity of Worcester - 229 Villages .... ib. Visits, Royal - - 200 Urso - - - - 52 Waerfred, Saxon Bishop - 16 Wakefield, Bp. {grave) - 136 Wall, Dr. . . - 225 Walsgrove's Houses - 174 Warmstry, Mrs. {mon.) - 126 Washington, Governor - 40 Waterworks - - 80 Wesleyans - . .161 White, Sir T's Gift . 175 White, Thomas . 7(), 224 White Ladies - - 60 Whitgift, Bp. . - - 33 Wickliffe - - - 217 Wilkinson, Mr. - - 150 William of Worcester - 217 " Conqueror. - 18 Worcester, See of - 101 Leland's Account 62 Wulfere - - .15,85 Wulstan, Bp. - - - 216 {tomb) - 115 Wyatt's Hospital - . 1 70 Yarranton . - - 14 A CONCISE HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF THE CITY AND CATHEDRAL OF WORCESTER, &c. CHAPTER J. History of the city of Worcester. — Etymology of its Name — The Romans and Roman Roads — The Saxons — The Danes — King Stephen and the Empress Maud — King John and Philip of France — Remarkable and Disastrous Occurrences — Commence- ment of the Civil Wars — First Battle at Worcester, 1642 — Last Battle, \61}\—The Castle— The Block House— The Walls— The Gates — The Ancient Guild Hall — Coins and Tokens — Leland^s Ancient Description. The antiquity of the City of Worcester is conceded by all writers upon British topography. Although the period of its foundation cannot be precisely determined, yet there is reason to think it may vie in age, as well as in romantic interest, with the most venerable cities of England. It is difficult to decide, whether the Ancient Britons or their Roman conquerors, first fixed upon this station as the site of a permanent settlement. It is but a faint and doubtful light, which glimmers through the obscurity and distance of bye-gone ages, to guide us to the true history of its origination. Etymology, mostly a questionable, and some- times a delusive interpreter, is here almost our only clue. 10 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. ETYMOLOGY. Antoninus, or the author whose work passes under that name, and which is dated about the middle of the fourth century, is generally supposed by learned antiquaries, to include Worcester among his list of Roman stations. The name which it is supposed he applied to this station, in his Itinerary, is Branonium, and in some manuscripts Bravo- niiini. Ptolemy is supposed to write the same name Bran- nogenium. Whether the Romans might not have found a British settlement here, and borrowed the first part of this name from the British name, or whether the title they gave the place was subsequently corrupted by the Welch, cannot now be decided. It is, however, certain, that there is a remarkable affinity between the name which Worcester has retained among these descendants of the aboriginal inhabitants of Britain, and the name which occurs both in Antoninus and Ptolemy. The name of Worcester in the Welch language, from the earliest times to the present, has been Wrangon or Gwrangon, varied Gwyr-elangon and Guorangon. It is, however, beyond the reach of etymological ingenuity to discover the root of the present name of this city in either of these ancient words. Worcester is evidently of Saxon formation, but indicating, as we shall presently show, that these early conquerors of Britain, when they became masters of this part of the island, found here either a town or a Roman military station. There is abundant evidence that the Romans, in the course of their military occupation of Britain, had ex- tensively subdued the country on the eastern side of the Severn, and had even penetrated still farther west. The severe and protracted contests, however, which the ancient Britons maintained, viewed in connexion with the fact HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 1 1 that their retreat was to the west of the Severn, render it highly probable, that the Romans would fortify many strong positions on the eastern bank of this river. Such a line of defence against the tribes they subdued, was not only a favourite article of their policy, but, as warfare was then conducted, appeared to be the most natural and effi- cient mode of defending the frontiers of the subdued pro- vinces. But we are not left to conjecture and analogy as to the application of this feature of Roman policy to the conquered parts of Britain, Although the Romans may be said to have virtually conquered the whole island when they had driven the natives into the mountains of Wales, yet it is certain, that for a considerable period, they look- ed upon the Severn as the chief boundary and defence of their province. There exists abundant evidence that their fears of irruptions from the conquered natives, always looked westward of this river, and therefore prepared its defence, in a line of forts or encampments along its eastern bank. There is local evidence that such was the case in several places on the Severn j and were there no other evi- dence, the name of Worcester would sufficiently indicate, that such was at least, the case here. Upon no other sup- position can we explain the adoption by the Saxons of the Roman word for camp, as the termination of the name by which they designated this place. W Igor a or Wigracester or ceastre, is thought to be a corruption and abbreviation of Wic-wara-cester. The inhabitants of this county, and a large adjacent tract of country, were denominated by the Saxons Wiccii. This title is supposed, and not without plausibility, to have originated in the name of Wiches or Wics* the briny * Wic also signifies a reach or turn of a river, and according ta some authors a port and a castle. So Junius Rhenanus and Alfricke, as quoted by Camden in his Remaines concerning Brittaine, p. 100. 12 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. springs in which this county is well known to have abound- ed from the earliest times. The Wiches are said to derive their name from the Saxon word which signifies holy. These salt springs were known to the Saxons, and hence the probability arises, that the Saxon name of the city was derived from this circumstance, so characteristic of the county, in connexion with the fact of the place being already distinguished as a Roman camp. There is little reason to doubt that the earliest Saxon name of this city was Wic-wara-cester. The corruption of this into Wigracester, may be readily admitted ; and from thence, in the lapse of ages, and by the well known license of spelling, prevalent in the rude and dark ages, the trivial alteration into Wirecester and Wircester may be readily traced. The changes which the language has undergone in most of its Saxon words, and especially in Saxon names of places, would prepare us to expect such an alteration. Euphony and ease of enunciation may, in the present case, be detected as the chief innovators, which have by degrees transmuted the first rough sounds of Wic-wara- cester into the softer and more harmonious syllables of Worcester. The ancient Latin name Wigornia and Vigornia is most probably of Monkish origin. It is evidently derived from Wigorne, and that from Wiga-erne, which learned etymolo- gists have pronounced to signify The Warrior s Lodge, in allusion possibly to the retired and enclosed situation of the camp which the Saxons found here. The name Wiga-erne- cester or Wigorne- cester , might have been abbreviated into Wigracester, and this by successive mutations into Wir- cester, which, with some trivial varieties, is certainly the predominant mode of spelling the word in ancien|i docu- ^ments. The preference is, however, generally given to the former etymology. HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 13 ROMANS AND ROMAN ROADS. There is no positive evidence tiiat any town existed here before the establishment of the Roman station^ but the evidence is considered conclusive both that Worcester was a Roman station, and that a town has existed here from the period of their military settlement. The name which, on all hands, is now allowed to be of Saxon origin, clearly indicates that those who gave it, found here a Roman station. The termination cester, caestre, or Chester, which is derived from the Latin castra, is a sufficient proof that there existed here the same traces of a Roman settlement as in the other places which were designated by the same word. When the Saxons erected or continued tovi^ns and settlements at these places, they usually prefixed some word of their own, to designate the particular castra ; and hence the great number of towns in England whose names retain this termination.* It had long been considered a formidable objection to the existence of a Roman station at Worcester, that no satis- factory traces of Roman roads had been discovered near it, or in a direction that seemed to include it. It has however been ascertained that there was a Roman road from Al- cester to Kenchesier, and again from Wroxeter (Shrews- bury) to Gloucester, by Droitwich. It is moreover satis- factorily ascertained that there have been Roman roads at no very great distance from the city. A fuller account of them than we can admit may be found in Mr. Green's His- tory of Worcester, p. 5. It appears upon the authority of Gough and others, that Worcester must have been the centre of several Roman ways, since it lay directly in the road from * The reader may find authority to prove that such a termination of a name indicates a Roman origin, in Burton's Comment on An- toninus, p. 4] : also in Philipot's Villm-e Cantianum, p. 384. 14 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. GlcEvum (GloucesterJ to Mancunium (Manchester), and also in that from MagncB (Kenchester) to Alauna Castra (Al- cesterj. Another branch of Roman road has been found to the north-east. There is indeed some considerable un- certainty attending the precise line which these roads are supposed to have taken -, but when we find that Droitwich on the one side of Worcester, and Upton on the other, were included in the Roman station from Manchester to Gloucester, we can scarcely suppose that Worcester could have been omitted : it lies in the direct line between them. Upon the authority of an author of the name of Yar- ranlon, who wrote in 1698 " England's Improvement by Sea and Land," it is stated that he had discovered the hearth of a Roman foot blast (or smelting furnace"^) adjoin- ing the city, and also a pot of Roman coin. Many other Roman coins have been dug up at different times ; and though none have been found of any great rarity, yet a sufficient number exists to supply collateral evidence that Romans have resided here. THE SAXONS. It is now little more than the bare existence of Wor- cester under the Romans and Ancient Britons that can be ascertained. Whether it was merely a military station founded by our classic conquerors, or one of the humble towns built by our rude forefathers, prior to the Roman conquest, is involved in impenetrable obscurity. It is not till the time of the Saxons that any thing very definite can be stated respecting the history of this city. The state of the whole country of England presented many formidable * In sinking a well in the year 1827, adjoining the north end of the Grand Stand, in Pitchcroft, near to Cinder point, cinders were found at a considerable depth. The earth being loose, and the water very bad, the well was abandoned. HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 15 obstacles to the arms and ambition of that people ; and it will be readily believed, that a considerable period must have elapsed, before they could have pushed their conquests as far west as the Severn. It was near the end of the sixth century before the Britons were driven from the possession of Gloucester. Worcester, during the Saxon times, fell within the boundaries of the kingdom of Mercia. Penda, who began his reign in 625, was a bold and warlike prince. He made himself independent of the king of Kent, and is said to have stretched his conquests to the Severn. It is cer- tain that in 628 he made war upon the West Saxons, and attempted to take Cirencester : but in this attempt he was unsuccessful. It is, however, thought that Worcester, being then in the possession of the Britons, a people less able to resist his arms, fell into his ruthless hands. It is stated upon the authority of Roger de Hoveden and others, that at this period Worcester was the seat of an ancient British bishop, suffragan to the metropolitan of Meneu (St. David's). Inimical as the Saxon conquerors were to Christian- ity, and certain as it is that the extension of their con- quests was accompanied with the most violent measures against the native Christians, we may infer that Worcester, when it fell into the hands of the Mercians, experienced the usual persecutions. The residence of a British bishop being fixed here in those early times, is a sufficient testi- mony both of the importance and population of the place. But the persecuted religion made effectual and rapid inroads upon the superstitions and idolatries of the victo- rious Saxons. For in 658 we find Wulfere, the son of Penda, already a convert to the Christian faith. With a military reputation superior to his father, he combined distinguished zeal for the faith he had imbibed. His ter- 1 6 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. ritories were of course all declared Christian, and over the lands which he conquered he spread the same faith. His brother Merwald became his viceroy for Herefordshire, and Osric or Oshere, one of his distinguished captains, he made viceroy of the Wiccians. This viceroy it is thought had his residence at Worcester. The next Saxon prince who resided at Worcester was Aldred ; he signs himself Deputy King of Worcester. He flourished about 778, and appears to have been governor of Worcestershire by authority of King Offa. The castle of Worcester was no doubt the seat of these Saxon viceroys, but no part of the primitive structure has survived to modern times. Only one of the appendages to the castle still remains, but it is nearly entire, and is no doubt of the age denoted by its name — Edgar s Tower. It was formerly the entrance to the castle, and not to the College precincts as at present. See further particulars under the article Edgar s Tower. In the time of the immortal Alfred, the first Saxon prince who united the whole heptarchy in himself, the Mercian kingdom was governed by Ethelred, a prince descended from their ancient nobility. Duke Ethelred was allied to Alfred by marriage with his daughter Ethelfleda. A char- ter was granted by this prince and princess, during the reign of Alfred the Great, to enable the inhabitants, with Waerfred their bishop, to improve the city and bulwarks. They accordingly granted half the royal dues or tolls arising from the market, and a moiety of all forfeitures and fines accruing to the crown, to St. Peter's church and see. This charter was granted before the death of Alfred, there- fore prior to the year 900. Ethelred died in the year 912, and Ethelfleda in 919. It was most probably prior to this grant, that the Danes had plundered and ruined the city, in one of those deso- lating incursions which they were then in the habit of HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 17 making. Possibly the suflerings of the town on one of these disastrous occasions led to the grant in question. THE DANES. The growth of this power of the Danes, and its hateful nature, are too well known to need any remark here. It is only necessary to observe that the very antipathy of the people to these predatory incursions^ was abused to the pur- poses of oppression and exaction. Under pretence of rais- ing money to expel the Danes, taxes were imposed and en- forced in the most unjustifiable and violent manner. It was in an attempt to enforce this tax of Danegelt, that the two huscarles or domestics of King Hardicanute were resisted by the inhabitants of Worcester. The result of the tumult was the capture and death of these officers. The rebel- lion of the inhabitants was, however, visited with the severe indignation of their prince. This commotion is recorded to have taken place on the 4th of May, 1041 ; and in the November following a body of forces was sent hither by the king. Fearing the approach of this force, the inhabitants, conscious of their inability to defend the city, resolved to abandon it, and fortify themselves in a small island about two miles up the Severn, which seemed to promise them the opportunity of successful resistance, or of selling their lives at the dearest cost to their enemies. The inhabitants appear to have acted with perfect unanimity and great caution in this retreat to Bevere. After the royal troops had sacked the city and spoiled it of every thing deemed valuable, they sought the last gratifi- cation of their vengeance by setting it on fire. Four days had, however, been spent in these excesses when they bethought themselves of the inhabitants. These had improved the interval to fortify themselves in the best manner they could, at the little island to which they had c 18 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. retreated. It appears that they had previously sought terms of peace by proposing to make reparation for the outrage committed upon the king's servants. They had even gone so far as to offer to deHver up the ringleaders of the riot to the vengeance of the king. But these terms had been rejected. Desperation, therefore, now made them doubly courageous. When the king's army ap- proached their fortification, it was warmly received by the townsmen. Several assaults were made upon the en- trenchments, but so well were they defended, that the royal troops could make no impression. Finding them- selves incapable of forcing this courageous band to sub- mission, and having been defeated in several assaults, and compelled to retreat, they wisely granted the inhabitants honourable terms of capitulation. In consequence of this agreement, the king's troops were withdrawn from the town, and the people returned to rebuild it. This catastrophe was no doubt severely felt by the inhabitants. Their industry and zeal, however, soon re- paired the desolation, and placed their city once more in a flourishing condition. At the time of the survey made by William the Con- queror, though only forty years after this event, Worcester had so far recovered its former importance and wealth, as to be accounted a considerable city, possessed of the privilege of coining money. It was taxed in Doomsday at fifteen hides, and paid for the right of coining its own money, twenty-three pounds five shillings, besides the burgage money which every householder paid to the king for his own dwelling. In the commotions w hich were so often felt during the early period of the Norman dynasty, Worcester frequently was compelled to take part. In the reign of William and of Rufus his son, we find the inhabitants of Worcester HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 19 embarking in the royal cause. In the year 1074, this city, under the influence of Bishop Wulstan and other distinguished characters of the neighbourhood, was the means of crushing a conspiracy which had been formed and headed by the Earl of Hereford. In the year 1088, also, several powerful barons of Herefordshire and Shrop- shire led an army against Worcester, on account of its decided attachment to the reigning monarch. Bishop Wulstan is reported to have excited the inhabitants to a resolute defence. The powerful army of the besiegers reduced the city to great distress, and spread desolation over all the surrounding country. These assailants, how- ever, soon fell a prey to their own licenciousness. They were not the first besiegers who have fallen by their own rapacity. The garrison made a sally upon one of their principal divisions, as they were employed in spoil- ing the bishop's lands at Wick, took prisoners and killed five hundred men, put all the rest to flight, and completely freed the city from the siege. Between the years 1 113 and 1133, this city was twice burnt down : once it is thought by treachery, and once by accident ; but in both cases extensive injury was sus- tained by the castle and the cathedral. KING STEPHEN AND THE EMPRESS MAUD. In the severe contentions for the crown of England which followed the death of Henry I, Worcester partici- pated with most of the other considerable town and cities, in the calamities attendant upon civil commotion. The Empress Matilda or Maud, the daughter of Henry the late King, was excluded by the treachery and artifice of Stephen, his nephew ; but being a woman of uncommon vigour and ability, she resolved to make a desperate struggle for her rights. From Germany, France, and Normandy, she drew 20 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. a considerable military force, and being aided by many of the most powerful English barons, she commenced those hostilities which continued for many years to lay waste the finest districts of the kingdom, and which, after the coronation of Maud, and the captivity of Stephen, ter- minated in the continuation of Stephen's reign up to the period of his death, but in an agreement, that the crown should then revert to the family of Henry I, whose grand- son's right was thereby restored. It was by this extraor- dinary empress,"* in her wars against the usurper of her throne, that Worcester was reduced to a state of ruin. Few places in the kingdom suffered more severely for attachment to the cause of the usurper. The following narrative of the fearful ravages which took place in 1 139, is given by a monk, who was an eye- witness. " The clergy and citizens of Worcester had often re- ceived King Stephen with great joy and kindness. They were told that their enemies from Gloucester would sud- denly come and burn, waste, and plunder their city : they were much terrified at the report, and consult what to do. The result was, they should betake themselves to the pro- tection of Christ, and his most blessed mother : commit themselves to the tuition of St. Oswald and Wulstan, sometime bishops of that city. Those that were present might see all the citizens goods carried into the cathedral. There was scarce room in the monastery for the clergy. All the hangings and ornaments of the church and altars were taken down and laid aside. The clergy sang within the church, and mothers and children lamented and cried * The ingenious epitaph on the Empress Maud's tomb will amuse our classical readers. " Ortu magna, viro major, sed maxima partu, Hie jacet Henrici filia, sponsa, parens." HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 2\ without. On the seventh of November^ (on which day began a great frost) the city of Gloucester came with a great army of horse and foot_, to take, spoil_, and burn the city of Worcester. Nos autem, (saith the monk) timentes ornamentis sanctiiarii, benignissimi Patroni Nostri Oswald, reliqidas albis induti tota sonante classe, &;c. But we, fearing for the ornaments of the sanctuary, carried abroad in our surplesses the reHques of our most benigne patron Oswald^ with humble procession, the Avhole quire and company singing aloud, and walking with them in the church yard from one gate to another, to the terror of our enemies, who attacked a strong fortress on the south side of the city, and were beaten off : from thence they go and assault the north side, where they enter, and fire it in many places, and burn a good part of the city, but the greater part stood. They had a very great prey of the citizen's goods^ and of oxen, sheep, cows, and young cat- tle, and horses of the country. They took very many in the lanes and streets, and coupled them together like dogs, and carried them away ; and had they or had they not wherewithal to pay the price put upon them, they were compelled to pay such ransom, as by oath they had promised." "^ On the 30th of November, the Earl of Worcester came to the city, and v/hen he saw how it was burnt, was much grieved ; and perceiving what injury he had receiv- ed, gathered together some forces, and went to Sudley, in Gloucestershire, to be revenged on John Fitz Harold, who had deserted the king and gone over to the earl. There he stayed two days, and rendered evil for evil : bringing many men with their goods and live cattle to Worcester. Not long after, the king came from Oxford to Worcester with a great army, and saw what had been reported con- cerning the destruction of it j from thence he went to 22 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. Oxford again, and from thence to Salisbury, where he kept his Christmas." '^'^ After that solemnity he came to Reding, and there lay awhile, and recruited his army, and marched toward the Isle of Ely, the bishop whereof he always suspected ; there he found some resistance, but the bishop seeing he could not defend it against the force of the army, fled to Glou- cester, to the earl. The king placed a garrison in the isle, and returned to Worcester with the earl thereof, and a great army, with which he went to reduce Hereford. In the meantime, while he remained before that place, the earl, mindful of the injuries his citizens had received, with a great multitude of armed men, set upon Tewksbury, and burnt the magnificent house of Robert Earl of Gloucester, and all things round about, with the houses of others, and their goods, within a mile of that city -, he spared only the goods of the church of Tewksbury, being overcome with the importunity of the abbot and friars. The spoils taken were great, as well of men as of goods and beasts -, but after awhile, such as were led captive were unbound, and had liberty to go home. The earl, the next day, when he returned to Worcester, protested to all men, that he, neither in Normandy, or England, had burnt more places and houses at one timeS' — Brady's Hist. Vol. 1. p. 280. About ten years after this event, and during the con- tinuance of these furious contests, we find Worcester again involved in calamity. William de Beauchamp, who was Lord of the City and Castle of Worcester, was at- tached to the cause of the empress, and on this account Stephen expelled him from his dignity, and bestowed his station upon Waleran, Count of Mellent, This Waleran soon after incurred the king's displeasure ; in consequence of which the city was plundered and again burnt, but without effectually reducing the castle and its rebellious HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 2o governor to obedience. It is evident that Stephen con- sidered it of great importance to subdue this obstinate baron, and obtain possession of his castle ; for he reared two forts, or more properly mounds, for the purpose of confining the garrison, and thereby bringing them to sub- mission. One of these mounds was upon Henwick hill, on the north-west of the city, having a command of the Ludlow road J and the other on part of Red hill, near Diglis, which had the complete command of the road from Bristol to Gloucester. But it does not appear that these efforts were successful, for the Earl of Mellent or Meulant continued in possession of the castle, and suc- cessfully defended it against Eustace the son of Stephen, who is said to have again fired the city in revenge for the complete failure of his attempts to reduce the fortress. In the following reign of Henry II, and in the year 1157, Worcester fell into the possession of Hugh Morti- mer, who was engaged in those incursions which the Welch, in that age, were in the constant habit of making. It was during the absence of Henry, who had gone to set- tle his possessions in Anjou and Maine, that Mortimer had fortified Worcester against his sovereign ; but it ap- pears that on the return of Henry, and the approach of his army towards this city, the rebel submitted without resistance, and was pardoned. KING JOHN AND PHILIP OF FRANCE. Nothing of material importance again occurred at Wor- cester till near the end of the reign of King John. In 1214, when that monarch held a synod here, many of the nobles presented themselves and demanded relief from the grievances of which they complained. The king contrived for a time to quiet their complaints, but at length they made a resolute stand against his oppressions. 24 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. and determined to obtain his signature to Magna Cluirta, or proceed to the last extremities. In this noble struggle, which laid the foundation of British liberty, they were at length successful. It was shortly after the signing of Magna Charta, when they still found this monarch but ill-disposed to act in the spirit of his late concessions, that they renewed their efforts. The civil wars were recom- menced with increased barbarity and fury. The barons, however, were resolute in their purpose of restoring the ancient liberties of the people, and invited to the crown of England Prince Lewis, the eldest son of PhiHp King of France. William de Beauchamp, Lord of Worcester, and Earl of Mellent, took a decided part with the other barons, and Worcester was delivered up to William Mareshall, son of the Earl of Pembroke, who took possession as governor of the city, in behalf of Lewis. King John subsequently recovered the city to his interest, and several efforts were made by the inhabitants and the country ad- jacent to support his cause. William Mareshall, son of the Earl of Pembroke, appears to have been as warmly attached to the cause of the French Prince Lewis, as his father, the earl, was to that of King John. When the Earl of Pembroke foresaw that the king's cause would prevail, he is said to have forewarned his son to relinquish his post at Worcester, and save himself by a timely retreat. It appears that he did so, but that the city still adhered to Lewis 3 for on St. Kenelm's day in the same year in which King John died, Ranulf, Earl of Chester, came upon the city of Worcester with a considerable body of the king's troops, but meeting with a stout and unex- pected resistance on the north side, which they first attacked, a party was detached to the south, probably by stratagem, to seize the castle. This object they com- HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 25 pletely effected, and then, through the castle, made their way into the town. The inhabitants were surprised by the enemy coming up from behind against them, whiles they were defending the ramparts. The town, the cathe- dral, and the convent were plundered of every thing valuable, and the inhabitants put to great tortures for the purpose of compelling them to discover their treasures. A hne of three hundred Marks was imposed upon the monks, for the share which they had taken in the rebellion. For the payment of this sum, they were under the neces- sity of robbing St. Wulstan's shrine of its embossments. The king soon after died at the abbey of Swineshead, in Lincolnshire. He had lost all his baggage, treasure, and regalia, in attempting to cross the Wash, between Norfolk and Lincolnshire, and himself with his army very narrowly escaped. Matthew Paris states that he fell into a fever at the abbey, through distress of mind ; and that this was increased by eating peaches and drinking new bracket, the same night. The next morning he de- parted from the abbey, and with great difficulty reached Sleford castle. The next day he could scarce get on horseback to go to Newark castle, a distance of only ten or fifteen miles. The fever increasing there, he died on the 19th of October. According to his own particular direc- tion, his body was brought to Worcester, and interred with due solemnities in the cathedral. A very ancient and curious volume in the Spetchley library has been often cited upon this subject ; and though we do not imagine that much credit will be given to the details of the story, yet as a relic of antiquity, and a speci- men of the style of one of our early historians, it is not undeserving of the reader's attention. The work in the Spetchley library is one of the finest specimens of Wynken de Wordes productions : it is dated 1497, and states that 26 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. it is a reprint of a worke by a '' Schole Maister of St. Alhons,'' entitled "^ The CromjcLe of Englond with the Frute of Tymes.'' By the obliging politeness of R. Berk- ley, Esq. we have been permitted to take an exact tran- script of the original. — " Tho yede the monke in to a gardeyn, and founde a grete tode therein, and toke her up and put her in a cuppe, and pryckyd the tode thrugh with a broche many tymes tyll that the venim came out of every syde in y cuppe. And tho toke the cup and fylled it with good ale and broughte it before y kyng knelyng, sayd, Syre sayd he Wassayll, fgood health) for never the dayes of your lyfe dronke ye of so good a cuppe. Begyn monke sayd the kynge. And the monke dranke a gret draughte, and toke the kyng the cuppe, and the kyng dranke also a grete draught and sette downe the cuppe. The monke anone ryght went in to the farmarye and there deyed anone, on whoos soule God have mercy (Amen). And V. monkes synge for his soule specyally, and shall whyle the abbay stondeth. The kyng arose up anone ful evyll at ease and comaunded to remeve the table, and axyd after the monke. And men tolde him, that he was deed, for his wombe was broken in sondre. Whan the knyge hcrde this, he com- aunded to trusse, but it was for nought, for his bely be- gan to swelle for the drynke y he had dronke, and win two dayes he dyed, on the morowe after saynt Lukes day." It states in addition, that the king was buried at Win- chester. The whole story is deserving of little credit, since it stands in contradiction to the reasonable account of the king's death given on the authority of Matthew Paris. It is suited indeed to the taste of those times, and savours of the romance which gives a colouring to all the monkish narratives. Matthew Paris himself, in his recital of King John's misfortunes on the sands of the Wash, is not free HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 27 from the same vice. He says that *' the earth opened in the midst of the floods, mid they passed into the gidfe of the abysse with men and horses; only the king with his army hardly escaped." This appears to us a rather extra- vagant vi'-ay of describing an occmrence quite natural, and not unusual, in crossing quicksands and flats which are covered by the tide, but passable at low water. It is not improbable, that the intimation of poison and the death of the monk, by drinking of his own cup, are creations of the author's own imagination, designed to give an air of wonder and horror to the fact of the king's death, the nar- rative of which would have appeared tame and uninterest- ing without some incident of wonder. The statement appears, moreover, quite incompatible with the fact, that the king continued his march northward on the two suc- ceeding days to that on which he rested at S wineshead abbey. Worcester had been a favourite abode with John. He had often resided here for a considerable space, and held great meetings of his clergy and barons. During these periods he regulated the form of government in most of the boroughs in this county, Bromsgrove and Droit^vich in particular received special rights and privileges from his royal charters.* To the priory and church of Wor- cester he also gave many benefactions and privileges. These circumstances may have attached the clergy, and other persons connected with the various religious houses, to his interest during the civil wars, and this may also account for his desire to be interred in our cathedral. REMARKABLE AND DISASTROUS OCCURRENCES. After the death of John, the Earl of Pembroke, Great Marshal of England, became the main pillar of the young * See Nash's Worcestershire, p. 302, vol. 1. ib, p. J58, vol. 1. 28 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. king's cause. William, the son of the earl, who had been engaged as Governor of Worcester for Prince Lewis, to- gether with the bishop and clergy of Worcester, warmly espoused the cause of Henry the Third. The neighbour- hood of Worcester, Gloucester, and Bristol, appears to have been the strong hold of Henry's friends, Lewis being in possession of London. During this period, the young king is said to have resided much in the neighbourhood of these three cities ; and after the death of the Earl of Pembroke, his son, the late Governor of Worcester, be- came the chief stay of Henry's cause. In the contentions and civil wars which subsequently marked this king's reign, Worcester and its neighbour- hood was destined to be the scene of several fierce en- counters. The renowned Montford, Earl of Leicester, who had combined with Lewellyn Prince of Wales, and many other barons, having seized upon Gloucester, came with a powerful army to the siege of Worcester. In those days we apprehend Worcester was considered a formid- able place, and of considerable importance to the respec- tive parties who might gain the possession of it. For Montford, though one of the bravest soldiers of his day, could not subdue it for some time. After repeated assaults, however, it fell into his hands. The houses of the inha- bitants were given up to plunder, and the Jews especially, who then resided in a part of the town called Jewry, are said to have suffered great cruelties. The Earl of Leices- ter, who had a great reverence for the clergy, and was a remarkable favourite with the ecclesiastical body, preserved the cathedral from spoliation. This distinguished nobleman subsequently gained a great battle against his sovereign Henry III, at Lewes, where he took the king prisoner, with his son Prince Ed- ward, and many noble barons. These he brought with HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 29 him to Worcester, and detained them prisoners for a con- siderable period. The division of counsels, however, be- tween the Earl of Leicester and the Earl of Gloucester, with the escape of the Prince Edward from Hereford, speedily brought about a change ; and Montford, who con- tinued strong in the neighbourhood of Worcester, though Worcester itself was now in the possession of Prince Edward, ventured a great battle at Evesham, when he fell with many other nobles, and many thousands of his troops. King Henry, who had been placed in the front of the battle, in a suit of Leicester's own armour, and who had almost miraculously escaped the slaughter of the day, was by this event set at liberty, and by his own son restored to his crown and kingdom. After this period a long interval passed without any public occurrence in which Worcester or its inhabitants, or its interests, were peculiarly concerned. Several circumstances, however, connected with our local history, deserve to be mentioned. In the year 1281, Godfrey Giffard, Bishop of Worcester, laid the first stone of the pavement of the town. This was long prior to the paving of Canterbury or Southampton. A partial fire, which consumed a whole street leading to the water gate, happened in the year 1299. This event is recorded prin- cipally on account of its supposed connexion with the erection of the stone bridge across the Severn, which was completed and opened fourteen years after. There is lit- tle doubt that the former bridge had been constructed of wood, and that it suffered in the conflagration of the street that stood immediately connected with it. This is, how- ever, matter of inference, and not of record. The priory register states only the fact of the erection of the stone bridge, in the year 1313. In the year 1342, the plague made its appearance in 30 HISTORY OF WORCESTER, Worcester, and is said to have been veiy fatal to the in- habitants. Seven years after, it again appeared, and raged vrith such violence, that Bishop Wolstan de Braunsford forbad the interment of the dead in the cemetery at the cathedral, but granted license to the citizens to have a burial ground adjoining St. Oswald's hospital, then with- out the city gates. In the reign of Henry IV, Worcester again became the scene of bloody contentions. Owen Glendwr, who had been provoked by outrages committed against him by Regi- nald, and Lord Gray of Ruthyn, on account of his attach- ment to Richard, the lawful heir to the crown, now took arms and roused up a formidable body in Wales. These were joined by French auxiliaries, and together laid siege to Worcester. The city was taken, plundered, and burnt; but the force of Henry's arms being directed against Glendwr, he was expelled from Worcester, and beaten back again into Wales. King Henry, after this successful expedition, returned to Worcester, where he disbanded his troops, and returned privately to London. It appears that Henry was again at Worcester about two years after, and that John of Lancaster, Duke of Bedford, was made Constable of England, by letters patent, dated at Worces- ter, 10th September, 1403. In the struggles between Henry VI, or more properly between his Queen Margaret, on behalf of her son Ed- ward, and Edward the Fourth, Worcester is stated to have been the place to which Margaret and her son were brought after the total defeat of her friends at Tewkes- bury. The Queen, transported with rage against Edward IV, is said to have imprecated the vengeance of heaven upon him ; and that when she was seized by Lord Stan- ley, and brought to Edward at Worcester, he was near consigning her to death on the spot. But a moment's HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 31 reflection induced him to send her to London, to be com- mitted to the tower. Hume says, that when she and her son "^^ were taken prisioners and brought to the king, he asked the prince in an insulting manner, how he dared to invade his dominions ? The young prince, more mindful of his high birth than of his present fortune, replied that he came thither to claim his just inheritance. The un- generous Edward, insensible to pity, struck him on the face with his gauntlet -, and the Dukes of Clarence and Gloucester, Lord Hastings, &c. taking the blow as a signal for further violence, hurried the prince into the next apartment, and there despatched him with their dag- gers."* In the reign of Richard the Third, the Duke of Buck- ingham had raised an army of Welshmen to dispute the throne against Richard on behalf of the Queen Dowager and her family. This body of troops under Buckingham was on its march into England, when it was suddenly stopped by a very remarkable occurrence. Mr. Hume says, " There happened at that very time to fall such heavy rains, so incessant and continued, as exceeded any known in the memory of man ; and the Severn, with the other rivers in that neighbourhood, were swelled to a height which rendered them impassable, and prevented Bucking- ham from marching into the heart of England to join his associates. The Welshmen, partly moved by superstition at this extraordinary event, partly distressed by famine * Hume, vol. 4, p. 262, 8vo. 1762. — There is some discrepancy between this account and that given by Mr. Green in his History of Worcester, vol. 1, p. 267. Green states the prince to have been murdered before the battle of Tewkesbury, and makes this one of the causes of Queen Margaret's rage against King Edward. But it does not appear that the Prince Edward was a prisoner till after the battle of Tewkesbury, when he was most probably taken with his mother, and brought to the king at Worcester. 32 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. in the camp, fell off from him."* The battle of Bosworth Field, which issued in the death of the execrable Richard the Third, and the establishment of the Earl of Richmond's title, thenceforth denominated Henry VII, was an event by which the inhabitants of Worcester became severe sufferers. Whether they had shown special loyalty to Richard, or enmity to his successor, is not now determin- able. But it appears that Henry VII seized the city into his own hands, and caused many persons to be beheaded at the High Cross. The characteristic exactions by which his reign was distinguished, were here felt in great severity. Lord Bacon has observed of him, that though he was the Solomon of England, like Solomon he was too heavy in his exactions upon his people. (Life, p. 231.) The city was compelled to pay five hundred Marks for the redemp- tion of its freedom, whereof three hundred went to the king, and two hundred to the Duke of Bedford, on what account does not appear. The subsequent loyalty of this city to the king, had nearly drawn upon it the miseries of another siege ; for in 1486, Sir Humphrey Stafford, with other nobles, raised a body of forces, and with them marched to attack Wor- cester. The defeat of another body of insurgents under Lord Lovel, so dispirited this army, that they dispersed just as they had made arrangements for attacking and plundering Worcester. Sir Humphrey Stafford was soon after taken prisoner and executed at Tyburn for his treasons. In 1534, on the 15th of September, there occurred a violent earthquake at Worcester j the particulars of which are not recorded. In 1558, a dreadful sickness, said to have been the sweating sickness, occurred in this county, but its symptoms were considered quite strange and new. * Hume, Vol. 4, p. 302. HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 33 Whilst Whitgift was Bishop of Worcester, which was from 1577 to 1583, Sir John Russel and Sir Henry Berk- ley having a violent quarrel, came to Worcester to decide their differences at the sessions, each having with him a considerable number of friends and armed servants. It was expected that this dispute would end in a dreadful af- fray in the city. But the bishop, by a vigorous and timely movement, arrested them and their adherents at the city gates, had them all conducted to his palace, to the num- ber of four or five hundred, when he first enforced the surrender of their arms, and then proceeded to expostulate with each of them. His authority prevailed to produce a reconcihation, and they afterwards both attended the bishop to the town- hall, and were amicably engaged in the service of their country. A most destructive pestilence appeared in the city in the year 1637, which raged from June that year to April in the next. It is stated that 1551 persons perished by its ravages. The inhabitants fled in great numbers to the island of Bevere, at a short distance up the Severn, where they were supplied by the neighbouring gentry with pro- visions, till they could return with safety to their desolated and afflicted city. This event, and especially the gener- osity displayed by the surrounding gentry, was celebrated by J. Toy, M. A. Master of the College School, in a poem entitled Worcester s Elegy and Eulogy. Another poem was written at the time, entitled Worcester s Afflic- tion, by Phihp Tinker, Gent. Extracts from it were subsequently published. THE CIVIL WARS, 1642. In the unhappy and calamitous contentions which oc- curred under the reign of the two Charleses, this city became the scene of several sharp skirmishes, and twice E 3<4 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. underwent the miseries of a siege. It is observable also, that the first important blow of those protracted strifes, as well as the last, were both struck at Worcester. Some skirmishes had taken place in Warwickshire and at Ports- mouth, before the sharp conflict which here commenced the misfortunes of Charles the First. When the king had resolved upon hostilities against his parliament, he first set up his standard at Nottingham, in the month of August 1642. From thence. Lord Claren- don informs us, he sent Prince Rupert with his brother Maurice, at the head of a strong detachment, to take pos- session of the city of Worcester. This was accordingly effected, the city being itself well-disposed to the king's interest. The fortifications were in consequence strength- ened, and the whole put into a complete state of defence. The importance of Worcester, both in reference to com- munication with South Wales, its command of the Severn, and of the main road between the north and the west, made the parliamentary generals early perceive the great importance of securing it to their interest. They might not, however, so early have directed their troops hither, had not the city already declared for the king, and set itself in an attitude of defiance to his enemies. On the 21st of September, Lord Say, Colonel Fiennes, Colonel Browne, and others, presented themselves before the gate of this city. In the name of the parliament they demanded entrance, but were formally refused by Lord Coventry and Sir William Russell. The assailants then gave orders to force an entrance, and Colonel Browne is said to have first struck a hole in the gate with a pickaxe, and fired the first shot with a musket. The garrison im- mediately answered the assault, by opening the gate and rushing forth against the enemy. A sharp skirmish ensued, in which several were killed^ but nothing im- HISTORY OF WORCESTEU. 35 portant followed. The garrison retreated within the gate in safety, and were not followed by the besiegers. It is stated that Col. Browne had as many as COOO troops under his command ; but that having no cannon, he resolved for the present to remain on the defensive, until he should re- ceive sufficient reinforcements to subdue the high-minded and courageous garrison. Two days after this skirmish. Prince Rupert and Mau- rice entered the city with fifteen troops of horse. They are said soon after to have marched out of the city with most of the garrison, into Pitchcroft, a large and level meadow north of the city, on the bank of the Severn. The only object of this movement appears to have been provocation. They hung in effigy the chiefs of the oppo- site party, making the soldiers shoot at these effigies, and challenging the parliamentary troops, who occupied some part of the opposite bank of the river, from whence, on account of its elevation, they could readily discover all that was transacted in Pitchcroft. These taunts roused the resentment of the besiegers, who, without waiting to collect their scattered troops from different sides of the town, immediately made a spirited charge upon the cava- liers. This was conducted by Colonel Sandys, Colonel Fiennes, and Captain Wingate. This conflict continued through the whole of the afternoon with various success -, but at length, the Prince being informed of a reinforcement of horse which was coming up to aid the enemy, thought it prudent to draw his troops within the walls of the city. But this could not now be effected with safety. He had no means of covering his retreat, and the enemy in con- sequence pursued with fresh spirit^ and followed the royal troops into the city, where the fight was renewed for many hours, with great fierceness on both sides. At length, the royal party finding it useless to resist the force and intre- 36 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. pidity of the assailants, resolved on saving themselves by leaving the city in their hands. The Prince accordingly withdrew, and was followed by his soldiers over the bridge towards Herefordshire. Lord Clarendon* represents the Prince as withdrawing his troops with the utmost order, and as having rather gained an advantage over the enemy ; but the general testimony is the reverse of this -, and the fact indeed speaks but too clearly for itself. It is incredi- ble that the city should have been abandoned, had not the garrison been worsted in this encounter : nor can it be supposed for a moment that a victorious army would have relinquished so important a post to the enemy, or have felt indifferent to the issue of a conflict, the effects of which were likely to be subsequently felt in the spirits of the men through the vv^hole campaign. It is certain that the Prince made no further attempt to recover possession of the city, but moved oft' as speedily as possible towards Shrewsbury, where the king was collecting a large body of forces. During the conflict, however, a manoeuvref was practised by the royal party which gave them a tem- porary advantage, and upon the report of which Lord Clarendon may have founded his representation. A detach- ment of 1000 horse had been sent from the parliamentary army to Powick, with a view of surrounding the Prince's army, or of intercepting them in case of their retreat to- wards Herefordshire. To this detachment at Powick, a spy, personating an attendant of the Earl of Essex, was * Hist. Rebel, vol. 2, pp. 16, 22. folio. f John Vicars, the author of a very rare and curious book, entitled " Jehovah Jireh ; God on the Mount, or England's Parlia- mentarie Chronicle," represents the battle as commencing in this stratagem, and the issue of it as most decidedly favourable to the popular cause. His recital of the whole battle he says he had re- ceived from Mr. Fiennes, who was an eye-witness of the whole. It is minute and curious, but too long for insertion here. HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 37 sent in seeming haste to announce that the Lord General had entered Worcester^ and that if the detachment at Powick would advance, the retreat of the Royalists might be effectually cut off. Following this advice, they moved forward towards the cityj but before they reached St. John's, a powerful ambuscade of horse and foot attacked them with great fury, and killed twenty-five of the men before they were aware of the stratagem by which they were ensnared. At the same time another manoeuvre was practised on the division of the parliamentary army that lay on the other side of the city. A rumour was carried to them that the Prince Rupert was advancing towards them with a body of 10,000 troops. This caused them to fall back to the distance of four miles from the city. By this means indeed the Prince prevented the junction of the whole body of assailants, and obtained a fairer opportunity of contending with the party which had first engaged him : but his stratagems only served to enhance the victory to his enemies. The Earl of Essex, with the main body of his army, reached the neighbourhood that night, but is said to have deemed it prudent not to enter the city till the morning, fearing a repetition of the treachery which the troops had already experienced. Various excesses are said to have been committed by the soldiery. The cathedral in particular was an object of their hatred and spoliation. The crypt, or vaults, con- tained considerable treasure and stores of provision. The treasure is said to have been committed to Dr. W. Smith, a prebendary, and Dr. Potter, the dean, by the University of Oxford ; and the provisions laid up for the service of the garrison. Of course the whole fell into the hands of the enemy. Edward Soley, Esq. the mayor, and Alder- man Green, were both sent prisoners to London. A wag- 38 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. gon load of plate, containing 22,000 pounds weight, was sent with them. A commission was immediately appoint- ed by parliament, consisting of Sir Robert Harlow and Mr. Sergeant Wilde, to examine delinquents and secure the city to the popular cause. The Earl of Essex, as a punishment upon the city for receiving the king's troops, caused them to purchase their ransom at the price of ^5000. The fortifications were repaired, and the city put in a state of complete defence, with all possible de- spatch. The citizens were required to lend the parliament ^3000. These operations being completed by the middle of October, and the army before Worcester being increased to the amount of 24,000, the general moved his forces in three brigades towards London, to oppose the king's march to that city. Soon after this followed the fatal battle of Edge Hill. The attachment of this city to the royal cause, was not, however, to be subdued by these sufferings. We find that the magistracy and corporation still maintained intercourse with the Royalists, and in the year 1 643 gave indications of their determination to appear in defence of the royal cause. Money was raised for the king's use, cannon provided for the walls, men employed to improve the for- tifications, and every preparation made to attest their de- termination to sustain the terrors of another siege. SIEGE OF 1646. In March 1 646, a body of troops, led by Sir W. Brere- ton. Colonel Morgan, and Colonel Birch, approached this city. They first sent a trumpeter, to summon the place to surrender to the parliament. Finding the garrison dis- posed to resist, the enemy made no attack, but removed towards Droitwich, and passed on to the siege of Litch- HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 39 field. The 28th of May following. Colonel Whalley, with another body of troops, approached the town, and encamp- ed upon Rainbow Hill, and the rising grounds on the east. An insignificant sally and a skirmish, were the only movements that followed for some days. On a review of the garrison. May 29th, the total amounted to 1507 regular troops, besides the city bands, and numerous gen- tlemen who were volunteers in the royal cause. The whole, after surrender, were found to amount to above 3000 troops, and many distinguished persons. The sur- render of Ludlow castle, on the 27th of May, enabled the parliamentary generals to increase the body of troops be- fore Worcester, and to pursue the siege with more spirit. About the beginning of June, affairs wore a more alarm- ing aspect. Frequent assaults and sallies were made by the respective parties. On the 12th of June, a spirited sally was made by the garrison, upon a strong detachment in Cripplegate and St. John's. The main force was dis- lodged, and about one hundred killed. Several prisoners, and three stand of colours, were taken, and brought into the town. Notwithstanding the intrepid conduct of the gar- rison, every day rendered their situation more desperate. They had no hope of succour, their provisions were nearly exhausted, and the stock of ammunition insufficient to sustain an hour's contest. Added to all this, the common defect which was complained of in all the king's armies, was grievously felt here. The want of discipline among the troops every day increased, and the utmost disorder and clamour prevailed through the whole city. On the 10th of July, Major-general Rainsborough took the command of the besieging army, which was greatly reinforced -, and a few days after, the following letter was addressed to him by the governor. — 40 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. '' To Major-general Rainshoiirow, Commander in Chief of the forces before the city of Worcester. " Sir, '' This city was first summoned by your General (Fairfax) upon promise of honourable terms, and hath been since invited to a treaty by Colonel Whalley. In order to which, (upon assurance of the rendition of Oxford, and cre- dence of his Majesty's printed letter) we of this city offer- ed propositions, with the reservation, that if any demands on our parts might seem too high, or any denial on yours, to trench too much upon our honours, neither side should so insist upon their own sense, as not to submit to better reason, which was mutually assented unto. On this foot we left them, being assured upon the word and honour of your commissioners, we should receive an account of them within a few days. If that resolution be altered, we shall desire to have a clear and perfect answer -, that the world may be the judge between us, upon whose score the effu- sion of so much innocent blood shall rest : since, in con- formity to his Majesty's command, we do not decline the rendering of this city upon honourable and equal condi- tions. So I remain. Sir, your humble servant, Henry Washington." Worcester, 16 .Tuly, 1646. The result of this letter was a parley conducted by gentlemen from each side, who drew up articles of sur- render, which were signed three days after by the governor and the major-general. In consequence of this treaty, passes and protection were granted to a great number of very distinguished persons, who were allowed to remove out of the city. Among these were the Earl of Shrews- bury, Lord Talbot, Lord Brereton, Sir Edward Lyttleton, HISTORY OF WORCESTEK. 41 Sir Rowland Berkeley, Sir Martin Sandys, Sir William Russell, and Sir Barnabas Scudamore, the intrepid gover- nor of Hereford. Thus, for a time, these dreadful commotions subsided. But in the struggles made by Charles II, Worcester was doomed to be the scene of the last fatal conflict, in which for a time the royal cause was completely wrecked. Only five years elapsed, however, before a third siege in the cause of monarchy was sustained by this devoted city. When Charles II. drew near with the forces he had col- lected in Scotland, Worcester was garrisoned by only a small body of parliamentary troops. The king appears to have had several inducements for fixing upon it as the first place in which to give challenge to the republican army. LAST BATTLE, 1651. In August, 165 1, with an army from Scotland, accom- panied by the Dukes of Hamilton and Buckingham, and various other noble persons, Charles II. entered Worcester, after a slight opposition by the forces then in possession of the town. Cromwell, who had closely watched the king's movements, soon followed him, and on the 28th of August arrived at Red Hill, only one mile to the east of Worcester, with an army of about seventeen or eighteen thousand troops. His head-quarters were fixed at the seat of Judge Berkeley, at Spetchley. Soon after his ar- rival, a junction was formed with the troops under Fleet- wood, Lambert, and Harrison, amounting altogether to thirty thousand. Hostilities were commenced on the very day of Cromwell's arrival. The royal army was stationed on the western side of the Severn, and reached nearly as far as Malvern, and down to Upton, where they commanded the pass, after breaking down the bridge. A regiment of horse under Lambert had, however, succeeded 42 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. in getting possession of the pass, and also of Upton Church, before their enemies had time to oppose them. This successful enterprize terminated in the total defeat of Massey's detachment, Avhich retreated in the utmost confusion upon Worcester. The bridge was soon repaired by the republican party, and a body of ten thousand men posted there, to keep possession of that important station. After this unsuccessful rencontre, the royal troops were drawn within about two miles of the city ; and posted at Powick, which appeared a most important point, and es- sential to the security of the city on the western side. A fort denominated the Royal Fort, near the Commandery, was repaired and opened upon the assailants with great fury. A select number of horse and foot, to the amount of fifteen hundred, were directed to pass out at Sidbury gate to attack one of Cromwell's positions on the east, and thence to proceed against his camp. But Cromwell was informed of this movement, and it was in consequence completely frustrated. Another party of Royalists, who made a similar assault, were in like manner defeated. On the following morning, September 3rd, Fleetwood had orders to advance from Upton with his whole detach- ment. A bridge was constructed over the Teme, and another bridge of boats over the Severn, near the confluence of these two rivers, by which means a complete communi- cation was realized between the two great divisions of the besieging army, and the city may be said to have been thus surrounded both on the east and the west. These skil- ful movements were watched by a council of war from the top of the cathedral, but no effectual means were used to defeat or impede them. The king is said to have gone himself to Powick bridge to charge his troops to defend that last important pass, and to endeavour to prevent the completion of the bridge of boats over the Severn. But HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 43 though the royal troops were still in possession of Povvicli bridge, yet it was too late to prevent the enemy from effecting the passage of the Severn. The work was done 3 and the army under Fleetwood, which had advanced from Upton, prevented all effectual annoyance. Part of Fleetwood's troops had crossed the Teme by their own temporary bridge, and the remainder soon drove in the Royalists from the defence of Powick bridge. The royal party now drew up in one main body in Wick-field, near Powick bridge. A general action ensued, in which, after a conflict of about two hours, Fleetwood was completely victorious. Major-general Montgomery, of the Royalists, was severely wounded, and Colonel Keyth was killed. Cromwell himself is said to have been the first man that crossed the Severn and landed on the western side. Here he led on his men on foot 3 and after the defeat of the royal troops, and their flight towards the city, he is said to have recrossed the Severn, and returned to the eastern side of the city. Here the main body of his army was posted, under a line of entrenchments running northward, and commencing at Perry Wood ; at the southern end ot which they had constructed a battery, designed to act against the fort-royal, which commanded the main eastern entrance to the city. It was now resolved by the royal party to make a grand attack upon the enemy at this point, imagining, it is said, that the principal part of the Cromwellian army had crossed the river, and gone to the western side of the town. They were, however, greatly mistaken ; for Cromwell was here at the head of his troops, waiting to give battle as soon as the royal leaders took the field. The contest commenced rather late in the day ; but it was commenced on both sides with great intrepidity and eagerness. The Dukes of Hamilton and Buckingham, Lord Grandison 44 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. and Sir Alexander Forbes, with other generals, com- manded in the king's army. Green, in his History oF Worcester, vol. 1, p. 282, following many other writers, represents the king as leading on his troops in person, to this great battle. Some have even gone so far as to as- cribe to him on that day the most valorous exploits. But it does not appear, upon any good evidence, that he was at all personally engaged till his cavalry were beaten and repulsed with disorder. From Lord Clarendon it may be inferred, that he was not in the battle. He says — '' His Majesty, a little before noon, retired to his lodging to eat and refresh himself : where he had not been near an hour, when the alarm came that both armies were engaged, and though his Majesty's own horse was ready at the door, and he presently mounted, before, or as soon as he came out of the city, he met the whole body of his horse run- ning in so great disorder, that he could not stop them, though he used all the means he could, and called to many officers by their name ; and hardly preserved himself, by letting them pass by, from being overthrown, and overrun by them." (Hist. vol. 3, p. 237, folio.) From this it seems that the cavalry were completely routed before Charles mounted his horse, and that he met his troops, and was obliged to retreat with them at Sid- bury gate : here, it is said, he escaped by dismounting and getting under a loaded waggon, which had been drawn into the road, most probably, to prevent the rush of the enemy into the town. The king having thus entered the town by creeping under the cart or waggon, and having relinquished his horse, a cry was made to remount him. A loyal gentleman of the name of Mr. William Bagnal, who resided in Sidbury, immediately presented his own horse, ready saddled. It was by means of this horse that the king finally effected his escape. HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 45 But to return to the description of the battle : — Fortune is said at first to have been in favour of the cavahers. The parhamentary troops were worsted in several of their positions, and compelled to abandon some of their great guns. But reinforcements were speedily marched over the Severn, and victory began to incline towards the Re- publicans. The Scottish troops in general appear to have shown little zeal in the royal cause. The horse in the town failed to support the main body, at the juncture when they were most wanted, while many of the infantry threw down their arms, as soon as they beheld the success of their enemies. Lesley is said to have foretold that they would not fight, though they looked well. It is reported that when the king saw his troops retreating in disorder, he endeavoured to rally them, but all in vain ; and that when he found every effort to rouse them to their duty ineffec- tual, he exclaimed, " I had rather you would shoot me, than keep me alive to see the sad consequences of this day ! " Cromwell himself is reported to have led on his troops to the attack of the fort-royal, on foot, marching up to the very mouth of the cannon. This fortress was at length carried, and all the garrison put to the sword, be- cause they had refused to capitulate. The guns of this fort were soon turned against the city, which completed the victory, and threw the whole army and inhabitants into the utmost consternation and dismay. While these decided successes attended the besieging army on the east, those on the west pursued with similar good fortune the successes they had gained in the morn- ing. After some continued skirmishes, they got posses- sion of the village of St. John's, and took prisoners a whole regiment of foot. The Castle Hill was defended by the Earl of Rothes, Sir William Hamilton, and Colonel Drum- 46 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. mond, supported by a party of Scots, till terms of capitu- lation were granted them. The king perceiving the day lost, and his army com- pletely broken and dispirited on every side, consulted only the means of flight. He had inhabited a house in the south-eastern corner of the Corn Market,* to which he immediately fled, with Lord Wilmot ; and though closely pursued by Colonel Cobbet, he made good his escape at the back door of the house just as his pursuer entered it. Notwithstanding the disastrous issue of the day, many of the nobles made a resolute and magnanimous effort to rally their troops at Sidbury, and in the High Street, near the guild-hall. Among these appear the names of the Earl of Cleveland, Sir James Hamilton, Colonels Wogan, Carlis, and Slaughter. They were, however, equally * The house at the north end of New Street, on the eastern side, in the Corn Market, is reported by general tradition in the city, as well as by the successive proprietors of the house, to have been the king's lodging while he remained in Worcester. The person who inhabited the house at the time is said to have been Mr. R. DURANT. The room in which the king slept was in the front of the house. Over the entrance the following inscription was placed : " LOVE GOD. [W. B. 1577. R. D.] HONOR THE KINGE." This house being now in part rebuilt, and likely at no very remote period to be altogether removed, we have subjoined a view of the entire building, as it stood in the year 1799. The date which ap- pears over the door, was most probably the true date of the erec- tion ; at which period it is said to have belonged to W. B., that is William Berkeley. Judge Berkeley was born here, July 26, 1584. R. Durant was most probably the person who put up at least the latter part of the inscription — " Honor the Kinge," in allusion to the entertainment and protection he himself had afforded to his sovereign. But it is probable, that this inscription was subsequent- ly erected ; as it is scarcely credible, had it been there, that it would have escaped the hands of the Cromwellian troops, or been allowed to remain during the Commonwealth. The view we have annexed is from an original drawing by the late Mr. J. Ross, taken in the year 1799, when the greater part of the house was taken down. The reader may depend upon its minute accuracy. indent flousic in t!)e Cont piarlfett, asl it ^tootJ in t\)t pear 1799. HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 47 iinsuccessful, as in all their former efforts. Many of the nobles were slain in the several encounters of that fatal day ; among whom were the Duke of Hamilton, Captain Erwyne, Major Knot, Sir J. Douglass, and Mr. Coningsby Colles. Among the chief prisoners were the Earls of Derby, Lauderdale, Shrewsbury, and Lord Wentworth, with many others of inferior note. All the stores and treasures of the king and his army fell into the hands of the enemy. The fortunes of the king after the events of this day were various and romantic* After many diffi- culties he obtained a safe retreat in Boscobel House, the seat of Mr. R. Pendiill, and for some time was concealed in an oak tree in the adjoining wood. After lying hidden for some weeks, he made his way out of the kingdom to France, evading, by various ingenious stratagems, the vigilance and eagerness of his pursuers. Thus terminated these fierce and calamitous conflicts, which had so long agitated and shaken the kingdom, and in which this city had borne so conspicuous a part. Dur- ing the whole struggle no battle had been fought at once so decisive in its character, and so momentous in its re- sults. In one day the great question of monarchy or a republic was settled. By one blow were annihilated all the hopes of the king and his friends, while the power of Cromwell was established and increased, and an impulse given to his ambition, which possibly he never before felt. His letter, written at ten o'clock on the night of the battle, to Lenthall, Speaker of the House of Commons, is worthy of insertion, as containing in few words a de- scription of the battle, and as eminently characteristic of the writer. * They are fully detailed in a small work entitled Boscobel, which has been frequently reprinted. 48 history of worcester. " Sir, *' Being so weary, and scarce able to write, yet I thought it my duty to let you know thus much. That upon this day, being the third of September, (remarkable for a mercy vouchsafed to your forces on this day twelve- month in Scotland) we built a bridge over Severn, be- tween it and Thame, about halfe mile from Worcester, and another over Thame within pistol shot of the other bridge. Lieut, generall Fleetwood, and Major generall Deane, marched from Upton, on the south-west side of the Severn, up to Powick, a town which was a passe the enemy kept. We past over some horse and foot, and were in conjunction with the lieutenant-generall's forces. We beat the enemy from hedge to hedge, till we beat them into Worcester. The enemy then drew all his forces on the other side of the town, all but what he lost, and made a very considerable fight with us for three hours space ; but in the end we beate them totally, and pursued him to his royal fort, which we tooke, and indeed have beaten his whole army. " When we took this fort, we turned his owne guns upon him. The enemy hath had a great losse, and cer- tainly is scattered and run severall ways : we are in pur- suite of him, and have laid forces in severall places, that M^e hope will gather him up. " Indeed this hath been a very glorious mercy, and as stiffe a contest ioi'four or Jive houres, as ever I have seen : both your old forces and those new raised, have behaved themselves with very great courage, and he that made them come out, made them willing to fight for you. The Lord God Almighty frame our hearts to reall thankful- nesse, for this which is alone his doing. I hope I shall within a day or two, give you a more perfect account ; in the mean time I hope you will pardon. Sir, your most humble servant, O. Cromwell." ''Near Worcester, 3 Sept. 1651, 10 at night." HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 49 The following letter, written the day after the battle, having never appeared in any previous History of Wor- cester with which we are acquainted, will no doubt be esteemed curious and interesting. It is given literally from the official document. " For the Right Honorable William Lenthal Esq. Speaker of the ParUament of the Commonwealth of England. " Sir, '' I am not able yet to give you an exact Accompt of the great things the Lord hath wrought for this Com- monwealth, and for his People, and yet I am unwilling to be silent, but according to my Duty shall represent it to you as it comes to hand : This Battel was fought with various Successes for some hours, but still hopeful on your part, and in the end became an Absolute Victory, and so full an one as proved a total Defeat and Ruine of the Enemies Army, a Possession of the Town, (our men en- tring at the Enemies heels, and fighting with them in the streets with very great Courage) and of all their Baggage and Artillery ; what the Slain are I can give you no Ac- compt, because we have not taken an exact View, but they are very many, and must needs be so, because the Dispute was long and very near at hand, and often at Push of Pike, and from one defence to another ; there are about Six or seven thousand prisoners taken here, & many Offi- cers and Noblemen of very great quality, Duke Hamilton, the Earl of Rothes, and divers other Noblemen, I hear the Earl of Loutherdail, many Officers of great quality, and some that will be fit subjects of your Justice : We have sent very considerable Parties after the Flying Enemy -, I hear they have taken considerable numbers of Prisoners, and are very close in the Pursuit : Indeed I hear the Countrey riseth upon them every where, and I believe the 50 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. Forces that lay through Providence at Bewdley, and in Shropshire and Staflbrdshire, and those with Colonel Lil- hiirn, were in a Condition as if this had been foreseen, to intercept what should return. A more particular Accompt then this will be prepared for you as we are able : I heard they had not many more then a Thousand Horse in their Body that fled, I believe you have near Four thousand Forces following and interposing between them and hame : Their Army was about Sixteen thousand strong, and fougjht ours on Worcester side of Severn almost with their whole, whilest we had engaged half our Army on the other side but with parties of theirs ; Indeed it was a stiff business, yet I do not think we have lost Two hundred men : Your new raised Forces did perform singular good Service, for which they deserve a very high estimation and acknowledgement, as also for their willingness thereunto, forasmuch as the same hath added so much to the reputa- tion of your Affairs ; they are all dispatched home again, which I hope will be much for the ease and satisfaction of the Countrey, which is a great Fruit of the Success. The Dimensions of this Mercy are above my thoughts, it is for ought I know a Crowning Mercy ; surely if it be not, such a one we shall have. If this provoke those that are concerned in it to Thankfulness, and the Parliament to do the will of him who hath done his will for it and for the Nation, whose good pleasure it is to establish the Nation and the change of the Government, by making the people so willing to the Defence thereof, and so signally to bless the Endeavors of your Servants in this late great Work. I am bold humbly to beg, That all thoughts may tend to the promoting of his Honor, who hath wrought so great Salvation ; and that the Fatness of these continued Mer- cies may not occasion Pride and Wantonness as formerly the like hath done to a chosen Nation ; but that the Fear HISTORY OF WOKCESTER. 51 of the Lord, even for his Mercies, may keep an Authority and a People so prospered and blessed, and witnessed unto. Humble and Faithful, and that Justice and Righteousness, Mercy and Truth may flow from you as a thankful Return to our gracious God 3 this shall be the Prayer of '' SIR, " Your most humble and obedient " Servant, " Worcester 4. September 1 65 1 ." '" 0. CromweV " Your Officers behaved themselves with ynuch Honor in this Service, and the Person who is the Bearer hereof, was equal in the performance of his Duty to most that served you that day." The scenes which followed this victory may be readily imagined. Some excesses were committed, and some rigours exercised 3 but, upon the whole, more order was observed, and more respect shewn to the persons and pro- perty of the Royalists, than could have been expected. Cromwell immediately dismantled the town, and laid it completely open. Since the period of this great and last battle, Worcester has participated in the general prosperity or common calamities of the country, without witnessing any occur- rence entitled to distinct detail. Such events in its history as require only a brief record or a date, will be included in a chronological arrangement. THE CASTLE. Although there is sufficient evidence that the viceroys of the Wiccii resided in this city, and in all probability maintained some military state, answerable to their dig- nity and power, yet there is no mention made of any 52 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. Castle till the time of Urso d' Abitot, about the year 1088. He is spoken of as Constable of the Royal Castle ; and probably he rebuilt and enlarged the Saxon Castle which he found on the spot. Part of the area which at present forms the College Green, formed the outer ward of the castle ; on the south of which stood the fortress itself. The inner ward is said to have been part of the fief of the sheriff hereditary of the county, while the outer ward was held under the king. The large mound, which has become private property, by purchase of the crown, and which has been partly re- moved, was probably the donjon keep of the old castle, and was surrounded by a deep moat, which evidently ran in the line of what is now called Frog Lane. The whole possession of the constable was formerly of considerable extent. Urso encroached with his buildings on the land belonging to the church. This caused great contentions at various times between the monks and the constables of the castle ; and these contests are believed to have ter- minated, not only in the restoration of the land, but in a corresponding encroachment in their turn by the monks. When Urso carried his buildings and moat nearer to the cathedral than was pleasant to the clergy, they complained to Aldred, Archbishop of York, who meeting with the sheriff sometime after, assailed him with fearful impre- cations in the affected style of prophetic denunciation : — " Highest thou Urse ! Have thou God's curse ; '*^ And mine, and that of all holy men, unless thou remove thy castle : and know assuredly, that thy posterity shall not inherit the patrimony of St. Mary." This curse, says Malmsbury, seemed to take effect ; for Urso died soon after. Roger his son was deprived of his patrimony, and of HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 53 the castle of Worcester, by Henry the First, for an out- rage upon one of that king's officers ; and the castle was given to Walter de Beauchamp, who had married the sister of the former proprietor. The castle continued in the possession of the Beauchamps till 1217 3 when a jmy of knights was impannelled under the authority of the Earl of Pembroke, the guardian of the young king Henry, to determine the dispute between the monks and the con- stable of the castle. Upon the decision of this jury, a moiety of the premises was surrendered to the church, as the king's own property, while the southern part of the castle is confessed to be the hereditary fief of the constable. This abridgment of the premises rendered the castle in- sufficient for the residence of a baron, since it included little more than the keep and the moat. The office of Castellan and Sheriff of Worcestershire, remained united in the family of Beauchamps, who be- came Earls of Warwick. But in the time of Richard H, 1397, Thomas, second Earl of Warwick, being impeached of high treason, the office of hereditary Sheriff of Worces- ter, and Constable of the Castle, was abolished, and the rights claimed by the crown. Sir Thomas Percy was advanced to the title of Earl of Worcester, which had long been dormant, but the custody of the castle was held by the crown. Thomas, Earl of Warwick, whose treason had brought upon him the for- feiture of his titles and estates, survived his troubles, and in the succeeding reign was restored to his liberty, to his honours, and to the greater part of his possessions. The custody of the castle of Worcester was not, however, restored to him or his family. The annual appointment of sheriffs tended to its com- plete alienation ; and having no estate connected with it, it formed no object of ambition to the candidates for royal 54 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. favour. For a considerable period, the crown leased the building and the adjoining premises to the magistrates of the county, for a county gaol. But the county, in the year 1814, having erected a new and commodious gaol on the north side of the town, and the lease of the old castle having expired, the whole was sold by the crown to the publisher of the present work. There being nothing very remarkable or interesting in the buildings, they have been nearly all taken down ; and soon scarce a trace will be left of the memorable fortress where so many fierce conflicts have been maintained, and where the kings and queens of England have held their courts, or sought asylum in times of civil commotion. The present proprietor has been gradually removing and levelling the large mound of earth which was raised between the old castle and the river, and which is supposed to have been intended chiefly to command a ford of the river, and probably the road from Gloucester. In removing this mound, which was certainly in part the work of very early times, several Roman coins have been found ; also on the north side was discovered a well curiously quoined with stone, bearing marks of antiquity. In removing the building a floor was taken up of com- paratively modern construction ; but under it another very ancient oak floor, three inches thick, was removed, in which were evident marks of the effects of fire. The castle is stated to have been several times fired when the city was besieged. The mound is said to have been raised in the reign of King Stephen. Its height from the level of Severn, was eighty feet j its circumference on the top was about fifty feet, and at the base about one hundred and eighty feet. The whole extent of land occupied by the castle, ward, and mound, was about four acres. HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 55 The entrance to the castle was formerly by Edgar's Tower, which having now become an appendage to the cathedral, will be described in that section of our work. THE WALLS, GATES, &C. This city was anciently fortified with a strong wall, which commenced on the south side of Edgar's Tower, at a gate called the Castle gate. It then proceeded nearly south-east to a small postern and tower at the back of St. Peter's Church : from thence in a straight line it stretched to Sidbury gate, which stood nearly opposite the street leading to St. Peter's Church, and at the point where the canal bridge is now erected. From Sidbury gate it pro- ceeded in a line curving a little outward to Friar's gate, which stood at the south-east corner of the present city prison. The wall then proceeded in a line, still curving outward, to St. Martin's gate, which was on the north- east side of the present Corn Market, forming the entrance into Silver Street. From thence it continued to the present military depot, formerly the site of the city gaol, near which was a small postern and tower ; from thence it curved round to the hop market, formerly the city workhouse. At the south end of the street now called Foregate Street, stood the Fore gate, continuing from thence nearly in a line parallel with Gardiner's Lane and the Butts, to the Water gate, or St. Clement's gate. Proceeding in a line curving gently outward along the river's bank, it came to the foot of the old bridge, built in 1313, situated nearly opposite to, but a few yards south- ward of the old St. Clement's Church, and opposite the end of Newport Street. On the centre of this bridge was a strong stone tower, to command the pass. The wall then proceeded along the bank of the river to a building called 56 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. the Water House, which stood about half way between the foot of the present bridge and the quay. From the quay it curved with the river to the Priory gate, and thence to the side of the mound adjoining the castle. On the exterior of the mound, and probably also round the whole of the wall, was a deep ditch, which it is thought received some small currents of water, by which was worked a flour-mill on the south side of the mound in Frog Lane. The wall of the city is still visible in several places at the back of the gardens belonging to the houses in New Street, and in the Butts, where some small buildings are erected upon it. It is long since most of the towers and gates were taken down. The last which remained was St. Martin's ; but that was removed in the year 1787. There were in all six gates, and each had a drawbridge j besides the tower on the bridge. ANCIENT GUILD-HALL. This was an old wooden structure standing in the High Street, adjoining the end of Cooken Street. It is said to have been of greater width than the present building, and to have had a piazza in front. The principal entrance to the guild-hall was at the south end of the piazza, down a flight of steps. The courts of justice were situated at the op- posite ends of the hall, facing each other, and elevated some feet above the floor of the hall. Adjoining one of the courts was the prison, the gaoler's house, and a public house kept by him, with a room for the juries. At the north end of the piazza was the mayor's court, council chamber, &c. &c. In a niche was placed a statue of Queen Anne, supposed to be that which now decorates the exterior of our guild-hall. HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 57 The EarVs Post is now understood to describe a house which stood in the High Street, on the south-eastern side of Cooken Street, on the site of the houses now occupied by Mr. Brooke, and Mr. Slade. Some very curious cellaring still remains, which indicate that a structure of consider- able magnitude and importance once stood there. This cellaring is thought to have been connected with a vaulted passage which was discovered long since under the High Street, running north and south ; but of whose use no particular account can be given. Tradition indeed reports that these subterranean passages were traced from the college to the Earl's Post, and thence to the nunnery of Whitstanes. But these passages have long since been filled up. No explanation can now be given of the origin of the title of Earl's Post. Some have supposed that the house was the residence of the Earls cf Worcester 3 but no posi- tive evidence has ever come to light to determine this point. It is, however, certain that subterraneous passages have been traced from the cathedral, and also from the White Ladies, both in a direction that might include the under ground buildings at the house called the EarVs Post. COINS AND tradesmen's TOKENS. To the Romans is to be ascribed the first introduction of coined money into this island. Their ambition of an imperishable name, and passion for immortality, are well known to have induced them to disperse considerable quantities of their coins over the countries they subjugated. Their burial places were usually at the side of the roads they constructed, and near these have frequently been dis- covered deposits of Roman coins. Although Worcester cannot be said to be rich in Roman remains, yet sufficient numbers of coins have been dug up to indicate that Romans 58 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. have resided here. Mr. Yarranton, of whom mention has been before made, (p^ge 14) dug up many, which were presented by him, part to Sir William Dugdale, and part to be deposited in the king's closet. Since his time various persons are said to have possessed Roman coins found at Worcester. Among whom are named Joseph Berwick, Esq. Mr. Helme, Mr. Sheriff^ &c. We have already noticed that Worcester was found possessed of the right of mintage when Doomsday-book was written, about the year 1 08 1 . The first coin, how- ever, which bears the name of Worcester, was struck in the latter end of the reign of ^Ethelstan, about the year 935 J so that it appears Worcester had long enjoyed this right. A series is preserved from this time down to the end of the thirteenth century. The first is in the British Museum. ENGLISH COINS. A half-crown of King Charles the First, bearing one pear on the obverse and three on the reverse, appears to have been minted at Worcester. It is of great rarity, and is known only in the cabinets of the most curious and choicest collectors. Another piece, said by Green to be in the library at Oxford, appears rather to have been a medal, though its own inscription states it to be worth a half-penny. We should not infer that it was minted at Worcester. On the obverse is an oak tree with a crown in it, and under the tree, the words '' Worth a hapenny." The inscription round is " God did presarve C. R. from fVoster, 1661." On the reverse an olive branch and sword crossed. Above these, ''War brings pece.'' — the capital letters in the centre, " C. R." — and underneath, " Worth soe mvch.'' The circumscription, ''god bles c. r. in minding the POOR FROM FRAD." HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 69 The Tradesmen s Tokens which commenced circulation as early as the reign of Elizabeth, and were in common use from the year 1648 till 1672, are too numerous to be here recited. They were struck for convenience, partly during the civil commotions and under the commonwealth, and were continued long after the restoration. All towns of any mercantile consideration had them, and many of the inferior towns are well known to have adopted the use of them. None coined at Worcester exceed the value of one half-penny j most are valued only at one farthing. The reader who wishes for further particulars, may consult Green's History of Worcester, vol. ii. p. 1 10. THE BLOCK-HOUSE. This term is no doubt derived from some military con- struction intended for the purposes of defence. It is now applied to those lands which were situated near the Friar's gate, or between that gate and St. Martin's. In the *' ground plot," which represents the city '^'^ as it stood fortified " in 1651, at the battle of Worcester, we find a fortification represented as raised outside St. Martin's gate, and another placed midway between that gate and Friar's gate, which commands the very lands which are now denominated the Block-house Fields. Indeed, from the situation of this fort, it must have had the command of the whole approach to the walls from Friar's gate to St. Martin's 3 and, in conjunction with the line of fortifi- cation from the fort-royal, commanded the whole of the eastern wall of the city. It has been suggested whether this term was not rather applied to the house which existed near this spot, for the purpose of receiving persons infected with the plague > Such receptacles were denominated Pest Houses, but we find no authority for calling them Block Houses. It is 60 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. possible,, that on account of access to them being prohibit- ed, they might have been considered blocked up ; but this title is not likely to have taken the place of the former description — one vrhich was in general use through the kingdom. We therefore see no reason for doubting that the Block-house Fields intended those flat fields which were completely commanded by a battery near the walls, and by which all access was blocked against an approach- ing enemy. It is probable that this block-house effectually prevented the access of Cromwell's army ; for though they were encamped opposite to that side of the town, they made no attempt against it, but directed their chief assault towards the bridge on the one side, and Sidbury gate on the other. There is a considerable extent of property in what is called the Block-house Fields, which is held of the Cor- poration, as extra-parochial. It is not subject to- parish rates, and of course the poor inhabitants have no claim upon parochial relief. This property is now mostly built on, and thickly inhabited. There is every reason to think that this was the property of the Grey Friars. It was given, on the suppression of these religious houses, to the bailiff and citizens of Worcester. (31 Hen. VIII.) THE NUNNERY OF WHITSTANE, OR WISTAN. What is now called the White Ladies, is a building north of St. Oswald's Hospital, and quite at the northern end of the town, formerly a place of considerable notoriety. It was the only nunnery ever founded at Worcester. A small part only of the old building now remains j this is said to have been the refectory, and is now used as a kitchen. It was founded by Walter de Cantelupe, Bishop of Worcester, for seven or eight sisters, who wore the white habit, and hence took the appellation of the White HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 61 Ladies. Bishop Godfrey Giffard, in 1269, gave to this nunnery the manor and patronage of Eston ; from which circumstance that village has derived the name of White- lady Aston, or Eston. There are premises about a mile east of Worcester, which are said to have belonged to this religious house, and which is called the Nunnery Farm. The nunnery and its property shared the fate of the other religious houses, at the suppression by Henry the Eighth. Although the house and chapel have been destroyed, traces still remain which indicate their former extent. A curious subterranean passage was traced to some distance by Dr. Nash. This is supposed to have been connected with the College ; but the fact has never been fully ascertained. There is an orchard which was no doubt the ancient cemetery. Human remains have been disinterred here. The property is held under the governors of a charity, founded soon after the Reformation by Queen Elizabeth, for the support of a blue coat school at Worcester. It is said to have been from the garden of this house that a large pear-tree in full fruit was removed and placed at the Cross, when Queen Elizabeth visited this city, and from whence she added to the city arms the black pear, in ad- miration, it is said, of the excellent government and order of the town, by which such beautiful and tempting fruit was preserved in so public a situation. The Queen was entertained at this house when she visited our city in the year 1585. GREY FRIARS. The street now called Friar Street, derives it name from an ancient establishment for Franciscans, which owed its origin to the Earls of Warwick and Castellans of Wor- cester. It is known to have existed before the middle of the thirteenth century. It was situated at the end of Friar Street, adjoining New Street, and was used as the city 62 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. prison, probably from the time that the old one under the guild-hall became untenantable. The house of the Grey Friars not being deemed commodious enough for the use of our city felons, it gave place to that substantial and elegant structure now called the City Goal, which is found to add so seriously to the burdens of the inhabitants. Not a vestige of the old building now remains. It was taken down in the year 1823. The Dominicans and Penitents formerly enjoyed each their separate establishments in this city 3 but no traces remain to indicate where they inhabited. The Black Friars had also their residences on the north side of the city, very near the city wall. It was founded by the Beauchamps of Powick, but is now utterly extinct. The Friars of the Holy Trinity had an establishment for the redemption of captives, founded, it is said, by John de Malta, about the twelfth century. It was situated near the bottom of Angel Lane, and between that and Broad Street. LELANd's ancient description of WORCESTER. We shall close this part of our work with the brief ac- count given by Leland above two hundred and fifty years ago. It contains an interesting description of the city, as it appeared to that intelligent and early antiquarian. — *' The towne of Worcester, called in Welch Caer Argo, standeth on the left ripe of Severne, upon a ground some- what condescending from the river. It is reasonably well wodded, and well maintained. In the wall be six gates j the Bridge-gate on Severne, having a goodly square towre over it : a posterne gate by St. Clem, church, hard by the north side of the bridge over Severne -, the Fore-gate, a fayre piece of worke, standing by north 3 Sudbury-gatc, standing east, in the way from Worcester to London ; St. Martin's-gate , Trinity-gate, this is but a posterne. HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 63 The castle stood hard on the south part of the cathedrall church almost on Severne. It is now cleane downe^ and half the base court, or area of it is now within the wall of the close of the cathedrall church. The dungeon hill of the castle is a great thinge, at this tyme overgrowen with brush wood. This castle fell to ruine soone after the Conquest, and halfe the ground of it was given to the augmenting of the close of the priorye. There be divers fayre streetes in the towne well builded with tymbre 5 but the fayrest and most celebrate street of the towne is from the bishop's palace gate to the Fore-gate, along by north. There be two places in Worcester where the markets be commonly kept 3 the one is a little within St. Martin' s-gate, the other is a little within Fore-gate. The cathedrall church standeth in the south syde of the towne. There be eight parish churches in the towne, whereof St. Hellen is counted the most ancient, and it was a prebend before King Edgar's dayes to the cathe- drall church of Worcester, and Bloxham, in Worcester- shire, was mother. And I have heard, that all the churches in Worcester, afore that King Edgar sette up monkes in the cathedrall church, were but chapells to the cathedrall church aforesayd. The Blacke Friar's house, of the foun- dation of Beauchampes, of Powick, stood in the north part of the towne, hard by the wall within it 3 and this ground is the highest plott in the towne, and hath a fayre prospect. There is a fayre suburbe beyond the bridge on Severne, and the inhabitantes thereof much resort to St. Clemente's church, cis pontem. The bridge is a royal piece of worke, high and stronge, and hath six great arches of stone. There is a long fayre suburbe by north, without the Fore-gate 3 and at the north-east part and very end of it, is an ancient and fayre large chapell of St. Oswald 3 which first was erected for monkes, then infected, or 64 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. should after be infected, with leprosie. After it was changed to an hospitall, and there was a maister, fellowes, and poore folkes ; but of latter tymes it was turned to a free chapell, and beareth the name of St. Oswald, as a thinge dedicated of ould time to him : and here were wont corses to be buried in time of pestilence, as in a public cemetry for Worcester. This chapell yet standeth, and a fayre mansion-house by it, much repayred of late tyme by one Parker, chancellour to the Bishop of Worcester, but the lands be alienated and taken awaye. There was a place of nunnes at the veiy north syde of the cemetry of St. Oswald J it was called Whilestan (Whitstan), now suppressed, the church cleane rased downe, and a farme place of the residew of the buildinges. There is a fayre suburbe without Sudbury-gate, and it was an hospitall, called St. Wolstan j some called it a Commanderye, where was a maister, priestes, and poore men. Some saye that it was originally of the foundation of the queene. One Carter, a merchant of Worcester, gave, of late tymes, landes unto it, and thereby renewed the ould foundation ; and in this almes were divers merchantmen of Worcester fallen in decaye, and also relieved. Mauresine hath sup- pressed this house, and now a clothier dwelleth in it. There is in this suburbe a chapell of St. Godwald. What this St. Godwald was, I could not certainely learne. Some said he was a bishop. There is a suburbe without St. Martin's-gate ; and hereaboutes, in a lowe marish ground, was a place of Grey Freres, of the foundation of the Earles of Warwike. There is a chapell of St. Ursula, a little by south, without the castle garth. The wealth of the towne of Worcester standeth most by drapering j and no towne of England, at this present tyme, maketh so many cloathes yearly as this towne doth." — Itinerary, vol. iv. p. ii. p. 83. — Hearnesed. Ox. 1711. N'^ ^,§^^ fe'^ ^1 1 1- II t s ^ :- -; -: .It s -s - ^ ? - ^^^ ^a 1 . c. 5. ^. ^' ^ ^ ^J^JJ - ^" ^15_,^. pi I ^ l->lt 1^^ lit! ?q -<'') --1 =2 S 3 'g ^- rt M ^^ J^ f« =1 I'^S ^ ^ ^ ^ 'S 2 fcS "^ ••-. .1^ ^ ~ ^ V 'N 5- ■$; -^ i p 1 1 -^ I ;3 :i ^ t I'.l'^ I'l l.l ^. 1 1 ;> ■:; k! K i H M r-: - o c t- 0? CT) c p^ ?iiiiiiiii?iiyiiiiii !? O 3- o- pi '■« Eh tJ CHAPTER II. Modern Description. — Tupographical Account — Population — Saluhrity — Modern Improvements-^Thc Gmld'hall — The Bridge — The Market-place — The City and County Infirmary — The County Gaol — The City Gaol — The Water Works — Gas Lights — Public Library — The Theatre — The Race Ground — The Horticul- tural Shows. TOPOGRAPHICAL ACCOUNT. Worcester is situated on the outer side of an easy cur- vature of the River Severn, and on a gently rising ground, which is bounded by a range of eminences taking their rise a little below the site of the ancient castle, and sweep- ing round from the south to the east, and thence to the north, leaving an area of about three quarters of a mile at their greatest distance from the bank '" '' .ne river, till they again approach it towards the norLli. From these beautiful and highly picturesque elevations, various interesting views may be obtained of the city, the cathedral, and the river. They command also many fine prospects towards the north and west, among which the view of Malvern hills, at the distance of only eight miles, is considered by travellers of taste and information, as exhibiting the most beautiful and striking outline of any ridge of hills in Great Britain. The town is situated in 52 deg. 9 min. 30 sec. north latitude, and 2 deg. 15 sec. (or 8 m. 1 sec. in time) west longitude, from Greenwich. It is 112 miles W. N. W. of London. 66 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. The road from London approaches and enters Wor- cester at its south-eastern extremity. Along this road coming into the city, are passed a considerable num- ber of houses, of all sizes and descriptions, but mostly of modern erection. The best are chiefly situated on the north side of the road, where are several which deserve the designation of elegant and substantial man- sions. The suburbs on the London road extend about a mile, and may be described both as highly respectable and populous. In advancing towards the city, many interesting and magnificent views are gained. The tower of the cathe- dral rises immediately in front 5 Malvern stretches its ridge of beauty far away to the south ; while the distant hills of Herefordshire form a most advantageous back- ground for the city, which spreads before the view with its elegant spires and towers. Within a very short dis- tance of the town, we come to the descent of a steep hill. Here is passed on the right, an elevated spot of ground, on which stood the royal fort, having a complete command of the main road. Leaving this, the traveller reaches the flat ground on which the city stands, and will observe, on the left, the road to Bath and Bristol. Passing this cor- ner, he is in what is now called Sidbury, and in a short time comes in sight of Edgar's Tower, showing one entrance to the College precincts. Going directly forward, he leaves Friar Street on the right, and proceeds up to- wards the gate of the College church-yard, leading to the principal entrance of the cathedral. One whole side of the cathedral is here open to view, with the exception of the north-eastern corner, which is concealed by the un- sightly obstruction of St. Michael's Church, and other buildings. The view of the cathedral is, however, from HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 6/ this point, the most advantageous that can be obtained, nearly the whole length being visible. At the top of College Street commences the High Street • turning to the right is Leech Street -, and oppo- site, on the left, at about fifty yards from the street, the entrance and principal front of the bishop's palace pre- sents itself to view. Continuing our course along the High Street, we come to the venerable church of St. Helen, situated on the western side of the street. A short distance further, and on the eastern side of High Street, stands the entrance to the market-place. Nearly opposite is seen the guild-hall, which is altogether one of the most showy and striking objects in our city. It will be more particularly described hereafter. Passing it, we arrive at the Cross 3 from which, on the west, branches off, at right angles. Broad Street, leading to the bridge, and affording an interesting view of the Malvern hills. The roads to Herefordshire and Ludlow lie down this street 3 that to Herefordshire being directly forward, and that to Lud- low turning at right angles to the bridge, and proceeding along the opposite bank of the river. Leaving the top of Broad Street, and advancing north- ward, we reach St. Nicholas's Church, which stands in a very commanding and advantageous situation. At a short distance beyond, on the same side of the street, stands the hop-market, which is a large enclosed yard, chiefly sur- rounded with warehouses. On the western side, imme- diately opposite, is the entrance to Berkeley's Hospital, the yard or open court of which, is used, when required, for the hop-fairs and market. Adjoining this is the site of the ancient Fore gate, or Forest gate, at which point commences the most elegant and imposing part of the city. It consists of one straight, wide, and handsome street of regular well-built houses 3 on the west side of 68 HISTORY OF V/ORCESTER. which stand the two principal inns. The street called Foregate Street, and beyond it, the Tything, extends nearly half a mile in one line ; at the extremity of w"hich, on the west, is a square of ncAV and elegant erections, called Britannia Square ; and on the east is passed Shew- ring's, Haynes's, Goulding's, and St. Oswald's Hospitals. Beyond the Tything, many excellent houses extend along the road, nearly to the turnpike, where the Birmingham and Kidderminster roads branch oft], the former to the right, the latter to the left, and which may be said to bound the northern suburbs of the city. We shall not here enter further into verbal description. Our map will show the relative localities of all the streets and buildings. The peculiar features of beauty and of interest which attach to particular scenes, every visitor of taste will best discover for himself. We particularly recommend a perambulation along the rising grounds on the east and north-east, which aftbrd many striking views of the whole plain on which the city stands, and where many elegant and commodious villas and houses are daily rising to view. The prospects from Rainbow and its ad- joining hills are very imposing. The road to Kempsey, also, on the south, affords many pleasing and picturesque landscapes, possessing every item of hill and vale, land and water, woods and fields, with the splendid towers and spires of the city at one extremity on the right, and the sublime outline of the Malvern hills in the distance on the left. The walk over the bridge, and towards St. John's, as it affords a complete view of the town and river, the cathedral and the churches, &c. is also much admired. The city and suburbs consist of many regular streets, and one square, of handsome and well-built houses. They comprise twelve churches, including the cathedral, two episcopal chapels, and a third in progress of erection ; HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 69 one Roman Catholic chapel, (lately rebuilt,) a Quaker's meeting-house, an Independent chapel, a Baptist ditto, two Wesleyan Methodists, one of Lady Huntingdon's, and one Independent Methodists ; in all eight places of worship not connected with the Established Church. There are twelve charitable establishments, including schools ; and fifteen trading companies. POPULATION. Worcester has participated with most of the other towns of England, in that increase of population which has taken place within the last thirty years. The result has been a rapid extension of the town on all sides. The Block- house Fields, and the adjacent hills, in particular, bear evidences of this growth of population. In the year 1563, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, a census of the in- habitants was taken, when there appeared to be 1025 families, containing, probably, between five and six thou- sand individuals. In the reign of Charles the First, the number of inha- bitants had increased to 7176 ; the garrison is stated to have been 2007 ; making a grand total of 9183. A sur- vey was made in 1779, by Mr. Young, of the extent of land and population. The following table will present a view both of the extent of area contained in each parish, and also of the two last population reports, taken from the parliamentary returns. ^Tt.Ci CO O W rr^ w o rt^O00'-0OOiOiO(M(M"^O (M CO o "^ oo •o OTJ'CO^COCO'OOIOCO^ l-H O — 1 ^ CO i—H H,-,— ( 2 ^QOOTtcOOOOC^t^WiO C/3 iO O O --I t>. CM c-swoit^co^ot-^ioaio w CM to t^ Oi -H ^ J>. CM O a^ to !>. 00 3.0COOCri — (MCOCOQOtO Tfi CM 00 ^ Tf 00 &hS— lOOOiOOO-^'-i'-iCOO ^ (N W CTi CTi o PScoioTr JO'^tNO'^'-H l^ r^ CM ^ CM PlH^ CO ^ £c^^TfO0O?0(M-Ht^ CO CTi W CO Oi CM S^O'-Ht^'ot^— ' l>» >^ ^ ) i 1 1 1 1 1 i 1 1 -4-9 • f-l >. 1 1 0) yj Q incts VhistoE ^ rea in 1 *6 A St. Clement All Saints St. Andrew St. Alban St. Peter - St. Helen St. Svvithin St. Martin St. Nicholas Block-house Claines,with 3 College Prec St. Michael Tything of \ 0) i HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 71 It appears from the whole_, that there has been a gradual increase in the inhabitants of the city since the time of Elizabeth. From 1563 to 1642, a period of near eighty years, the increase was from five to seven thousand. From J 642 to 1779, a period of one hundred and thirty-seven years, the increase was from seven thousand to eleven. From the year 1 779 to 1 80 1, a period of twenty- two years, the increase was small, not exceeding two hundred ; but from 1801 to 181 1, the increase was nearly two thousand five hundred. From 1 8 1 1 to 1 82 1 , ten years more, the in- crease was about six thousand. There is every reason to believe that the augmentation has been proceeding at much the same rate, during the last seven years. We have endeavoured upon this principle to form a general estimate of the present state of the population. By adding the township of St. John, and forming a circle round the city, of the extent of only half a mile on all sides, so as to include Henwick Hill, Pound Fields, Bar- bourne Terrace, Britannia Square, Sansome Fields, Rain- bow Hill, Tallow Hill, Catharine Hill, Green Hill, Bath Row, &c. &c. we presume the total population cannot be set down at less than twenty-four thousand. SALUBRITY. Various opinions have been entertained respecting the salubrity of this city. Some have deemed it liable to fevers, and others have alleged that its air is relaxing. We suppose the origin of these opinions may be discovered in the frequency with which, in early times, Worcester was visited by the plague ; but this, like all other infec- tious diseases, which are well known to have prevailed more extensively in ancient times, is rather to be ascribed to the uncleanliness of the inhabitants, and the closeness 72 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. of the streets and houses, than to any thing unfavourable in the soil, the water, or the air. Indeed, since Worcester has been modernized by the widening of the streets, and removal of the overhanging houses, a very few of which now remain, and those only in the obscure parts of the town ; since it has been well supplied with water, and well cleansed and drained, we believe there has been no occasion for complaints of unhealthiness. It has been considered of late years remarkably free from epidemics. Its situation is un- doubtedly warm and protected. It is sheltered on the east and north-east ; but we should presume this a cir- cumstance greatly in its favour, as calculated to diminish the effect of the least healthful winds 3 while the constant flow of the majestic Severn, not only brings a current of fresh and wholesome air constantly through it, but serves to drain the surrounding lands, and to remove every offen- sive accumulation. The streets are well cleansed, and the sewers kept in good order. Few cities in England present altogether a more cleanly exterior. Many eminent persons are of opinion that there are few large towns so healthful 3 and this opinion appears to be confirmed by the longevity of its inhabitants, in which particular Worcester is said to equal any town of its size in England. We quote with pleasure and confidence the following testimony upon this important subject, from the " Midland Medical and Surgical Reporter : " — " In conclusion, we feel ourselves warranted to say, that, notwithstanding these defects noticed in the suburbs, and others which might be pointed out in them, as well as in the city itself, it is quite clear, that for many years past, Worcester has been more healthy than in the earlier periods of its history, and than most other towns of equal extent." HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 7S MODERN IMPROVEMENTS. Though we are far from deeming every alteration an im- provement, and are disposed in some things to prefer the taste of our ancestors, yet in every thing relating to the arrangement of streets, the construction of houses, build- ing of bridges, and whatever facilitates the locomotion of the human being, and the transportation of the commodi- ties of life, the moderns may justly claim the pre-eminence. Many improvements have from time to time been effected in the general appearance of this city, which have proved conducive both to the interest of the inhabitants and the convenience of visitors. Among these we may name first — THE NEW GUILD-HALL. This is a handsome and imposing edifice, built in the most substantial manner, situated in a recess of twenty- four feet, in the High Street, and near the centre of the city, with a strong iron pallisading in front. The eleva- tion of the building has been much admired, though some persons consider its ornaments as bordering upon the showy. The entrance is by a flight of semicircular steps, to a well-proportioned door- way. In the pediment im- mediately over the door- way, appear the city arms, carved, viz. quarterly, sable and gules, a tower triple towered, argent 5 in the dexter chief, on a canton, argent j a fess between three pears, two and one, sable. Over an im- post moulding beneath the cornice, appears this motto : " Floreat semper fidelis civitas.'" — May the faithful city ever flourish. On either side of the entrance is a statue in a niche ; that on the left side is of King Charles the First, sustaining a church on his left hand, and holding a sceptre in his right. The niche on the right hand contains a similar statue of Charles the Second ; he is 74 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. represented as upholding regal government. One of these figures is stated to have formerly stood in a niche at the Cross, facing the top of Broad Street. In a similar niche over the door-way, is the figure of Queen Anne, vj^ith appropriate insignia. This figure also is said to have stood in front of the ancient guild-hall, on a pedestal. Over the whole centre compartment of the building is a semicircular coved cornice, and within it a large Roman trophy, ex- ceedingly well executed, with the imperial arms of Eng- land. The summit of the whole building is surmounted by five large statues, and four vases. Over the centre of the building is the figure of Justice, with Peace and her olive-branch on her right hand, and Plenty, with her cornucopia, on her left. At the north corner of the build- ing is represented Chastisement, and on the south Her- cules, or Labour. The entrance introduces us directly into the hall, which is a spacious room, 110 feet 6 inches in length, 25 feet 6 inches in breadth, and 2 i feet high. This occupies the whole front of the building. It contains at the north end two portraits— ^rsj^ of an Earl of Plymouth, recorder of the city ; a second of Sir John Packington, recorder of the city. At the soiith end are also two portraits— ^rsi of Lord Keeper Coventry ; second of Thomas Winnington, Esq. First Lord of the Treasury in 1 736, and a member of Parliament for this city in 1741. This painting is highly esteemed by connoisseurs : it was executed by Vanloo, in 1741 , This hall contains also some ancient armour, and two brass cannon j one left by Charles the Second, at the battle of Worcester : it has on it the following inscription, engraved on a brass plate : — " This Cannon and Nine Suits of Iron Armour were left by King Charles the Second, at the Battle of Worcester ; and were pre- sented on the 29th August, 1825, to the Mayor and Cor- HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 75 poration of this City, by Samuel Wall, Esq. late of Hal- low Park, in this County, (a Member of the Body,) but now of King's-Worthy House, in the County of Hants -, as a testimony of the respect he must ever entertain for the City of Worcester." The other cannon has the following inscription : — ''This Gun, taken by a detachment from H. M. Ship Berwick, in the Batteries of Cavalarie, near Toulon, 1 6th May, 1813, is presented to the Right Worshipful the Mayor, the Corporation, and the Capital Citizens of Wor- cester, by Capt. Edw. Brace, C. B. K. W. &c. &c. and Colonel of the Royal Marines, then commanding that Ship, as a mark of his esteem and grateful regard, Feb. 1826." At the south end, and upon the side of the hall, is the Nisi Prius Court ; and at the north end the Crown Court. They are both well - constructed for the purposes of business, although frequently found too small for the crowd of spectators, and liable to great interruption from having one side completely open to the public hall. Between the two courts is the staircase, with conve- nient rooms both below and above for the magistrates of the city and county. The upper part of the building contains one long and elegant room, called the Council Chamber, being of the same size as the hall below it. Since the erection of the building, this room has been altered and ornamented by the corporation, at the expense of ^1,000. There is an excellent whole-length portrait of King George IH, who honoured the corporation with his presence in that hall, August 8th, 1788. There is also a portrait of Queen Anne, sitting ; one of George William, Earl of Coventry, a recorder of the city ; one of Lord Sandys, and another of Mr. Aldprman Carden. This noble apartment is used for the purposes of civic enter- 76 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. tainment_, for public balls and assemblies, and on various other occasions. This building was commenced in the year 1721, and was finished two years after. The architect was Thomas White, a native of the town, and a pupil of Sir Christopher Wren. The first cost of the building was three thousand seven hundred and twenty-seven pounds. Another thou- sand pounds was laid out by the corporation, in altering and finishing the council chamber. Mr. White the archi- tect exercised the art of statuary. The figure of Queen Anne is said to have been his workmanship ; as also the Britannia on Britannia House, in the Tything. He superintended, as well as designed, the erection of the guild-hall, and accomplished the whole so much to the satisfaction of the corporate body, that they settled upon him an annuity of thirty pounds per annum. He died in the year 1738. THE BRIDGE. The bridge, and new road from St. John's, as well as the entrance to Bridge Street, are among the most useful and agreeable of those improvements which later times have made in our city. Towards the end of the last century, the old bridge had become inconvenient for the increased traffic of the town, and was found to be much out of repair. H. C. Boulton, Esq. and J. Walsh, Esq. members of Parliament for the city, gave three thousand pounds towards such improvements as might be deemed desirable. This noble subscription animated the corpora- tion, and a new bridge was the result. It was erected under the direction of Mr. Gvvynn, and was opened in the year 1 780. The whole length from bank to bank is two hundred and seventy feetj the width near twenty-five feet, out of which is taken a flagged path of four feet on HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 'T^ each side, for foot passengers. The ornaments on the keystone of the centre arch are, on the north side, Sabrina, on the south, Oceanus, with the city arms on a shield within a pediment over each of the allegorical heads. The span of the centre arch is forty-one feet, the others pro- portionably diminished. It cost thirty thousand pounds. The expenses were defrayed by tolls, both of foot and horse passengers. The act of Parliament directed, that when the debt should be reduced to five thousand pounds, the toll on foot passengers should expire. This desirable event accordingly took place on the 2nd of July, 1809, after having been paid for about twenty-eight years. Since this event, so agreeable to the inhabitants, and so calcu- lated to open to them the desirable walk along the new road to St. John's, the bridge has become altogether free. The last toll for horse or carriage was taken on the 31st of December, 1827, before twelve at night. Thus, in the space of forty-six years, the whole expense of its erection, with the additional improvements, in forming the approach both on the town and country side, has been defrayed. It is a very substantial and elegant structure, and forms, perhaps, the very best entrance to this city j and, with its appurtenances, proves as ornamental as it is useful. Few towns can boast so elegant a bridge, or so advantageous and commodious an approach. THE MARKET-PLACE. In the year 1804, a new market-place was opened for the use of the public. Its entrance, which is appropriate and ornamental, is in the High Street, nearly opposite the guild-hall. It is conveniently fitted up with benches, stalls, &c. The roof is elevated, and open at the sides. Its whole length is 223 feet, reaching from the High Street to the Butcher's Shambles, where an open continu- 78 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. ation of the market-place supplies a convenient space for the garden-market. This market-place cost the corpora- tion five thousand and fifty pounds. It is abundantly supplied with every article necessary for the use of the inhabitants. Butter, poultry, vegetables, and fruit of all kinds, are the chief commodities brought from the country for the use of the tovrn j while all sorts of light and small wares are sold here to the country people in return. The space before the guild-hall is also used on market- days, for the sale of fruit, vegetables, &c. CITY AND COUNTY INFIRMARY. This institution originated with the gentlemen of the faculty resident in the city and neighbourhood, in the year 1 744. A large house in Silver Street, now used by Mr. J. Colville, M. A. and formerly by Dr. Simpson, as a boarding school, was first appropriated to the service of this institution. It was opened for the reception of pa- tients, January 1 1th, 1745. The names of the following physicians and surgeons are recorded as its first projectors: — Drs. Attwood, Mackenzie, Cameron, Wall, and Messrs. Edwards, Russell, and Jeffreys. Bishop Maddox is also named as an early patron. About twenty years after the formation of the establishment, it was found desirable to seek a more airy situation, and to provide more ample accommodation . The present building, situated at the lower end of Salt Lane, and in view of Pitchcroft, was accordingly erected by voluntary contribution. If the structure cannot be ranked among the architectural ornaments of the city, yet its highly important and benevolent objects, as well as its manifold adaptation to those objects, cannot fail to afford pleasure to all who inspect it. The building was completed in the year 1770, at the HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 79 cost of ^6085 9s. 9d. Sir John Rushout, Bart, and M. P. for Evesham^ contributed five hundred pounds to- wards the erection -, and Edward Garlicky Esq. of Bristol^ two hundred pounds, for the purchase of the ground. The south Ward of the Infirmary is named after the former gentleman, and the north after the latter. A sermon is annually preached in the cathedral, on be- half of this institution, on the Friday of the week in which the races are held. The report for 1828, states the annual income arising from subscriptions and funded property, to be ^1698 155. 2d. -, the total receipts of the year, in- including legacies, &c. was ^3062 l2s. Id.; the total expenditure, ^2588 55. 9d. The funded property is ^1 7,000. The number of patients in the preceding year, was fifteen hundred and ninety-one. THE COUNTY GAOL. A new and very complete gaol for the county was erected in the year 1 809, on the north side of Salt Lane, a short distance from Pitchcroft, and nearly opposite the Infirmary. Up to the period of its erection, the castle had been used as a county gaol, and was rented of the crown for that purpose, by the magistrates. Being found in many respects insufficient and unsuitable, the present commodious building was erected at the northern extremity of the city. The wall is fifteen feet high, and encloses three acres of ground. The entrance to the outer gate is through a strong iron pallisading, which forms an open outer court. The gate, or entrance to the prison, is under a neat arch. The sides of the gate are built of rustic Bath stones. The interior presents on the one side a lodge, and on the opposite side the various cells, well arranged, and suited to the different purposes for which they are designed. The gaoler's house is situated in the BO HISTORY OF WORCESTER. centre of the ground, and commands a view of the various yards in which the prisoners are allowed to walk and exercise. The chapel is in the gaoler's house, and is con- nected with the different departments of the gaol by small bridges. The building cost the county about ^19,000. It contains a tread-mill, and all the other necessary appur- tenances. THE CITY GAOL. The new city gaol stands in Friar Street, at the comer of Union Street. It was commenced in the year 1822, on the site of the old monastery of the Grey Friars, which had been used as a prison from the time when the prison adjoining the guild-hall was found insecure. The prison- ers were first removed into it in July 1824. It is built upon the improved plan, and is altogether a very complete and secure building 3 having a tread-mill, and all other requisite appurtenances. It cost the city, for the purchase of land and conveyancing, ^2139 45. lOd. -, for the building,^10,439 85. Id.: the total, .^12,578 12*. lid. A rate is at present assessed upon the inhabitants generally. THE WATER-WORKS. This city was formerly supplied by water-works situate near the eastern end of the new bridge. A long narrow islet which stretched from near the old bridge to the site of the new one, divided the river, and formed what was then denominated the Little Severn. On this portion of the main stream the water- works were erected. We can- not state the period when these were first built, but we find that the first act of Parliament relating to them, was passed in the year 1770. Several acts were subsequently obtained 3 in consequence of which, since the year 1770, the water -works have been twice removed. The old works on the river were entirely removed, and the islet HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 81 on which they stood cleared away, to improve the naviga- tion of the river. The water-works were then erected on the Severn side^ about a quarter of a mile north of Pitchcroft, at an expense of about eleven thousand pounds. The small island still remaining there, was formed when the water-works were erected. In the year 1810, the works were removed to the south end of Pitchcroft, where they now remain. From the works the water is forced into a reservoir in the Trinity, behind the houses at the Cross, and thence it is supplied to all parts of the town twice a week. The last act of Parliament relating to these works, and for more effectually paving, lighting, watching, and otherwise improving the city, was passed in the year 1823. In consequence of this act, many improvements have been made. " There is no city in the kingdom, perhaps, more im- proved in regard to drainage, a good supply of water, and a fine circulation of air in the streets, than Worcester. This has been chiefly effected by the authority given under the paving, lighting, and water acts. Fifty or sixty years ago, the fronts of most of the houses consisted of a frame- work of timber, filled up with plaster 3 every story, from the basement upward, projected one, and sometimes two feet, beyond the front of the lowest floor. The shop windows also projected far into the street. Oriel or bow windows generally prevailed on the first, and sometimes were carried up to the second floor. The city gates, and the large swinging signs, which hung at right angles from most of the tradesmen's houses, concurred also in ob- structing a free current of air in the streets." — Midland Medical and Surgical Reporter, August 1828, p. 58. 82 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. GAS LIGHTS. This valuable and interesting improvement of modern times, was introduced into the city of Worcester by an act of Parliament dated June 5th, 1818. Extensive and commodious works for the purpose were erected on the eastern side of the city, adjoining to Lowesraoor/ and immediately contiguous to the Birmingham canal. The company consists of 750 share-holders of ^20 each. The success of the undertaking was for some time doubt- ful, and the space of seven years passed away before the proprietors received any interest upon their shares. They are now receiving four per cent. Most of the shops, many of the private houses, and some of the places of worship, are lighted with the gas. The whole is conducted with great regularity, and gives general satisfaction. It is universally considered a valuable improvement to the city and suburbs. The works are conducted by Mr. W. Hill. PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION LIBRARY. This institution was founded in 1 790. It is situated on the western side of Angel Street, opposite the sheep- market, and adjoining the Independent chapel. The col- lection of books is good, though not large ; it comprises about five thousand three hundred volumes. The property belongs to share-holders, whose number is about one hundred and eighty. The terms of subscription are two guineas and a half for a transferable ticket, and one pound annual subscription. The aflfairs of the institution are conducted by a president, treasurer, and a committee of fifteen persons, annually chosen. The library is open every day, except Sunday, from eleven o'clock till three. HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 83 THE THEATRE. This building is situated on the north side of Angel Street. It is sixty-six feet long by thirty-six wide. The money requisite for its erection was raised by twenty shares of fifty pounds each, at five per cent, interest. Each subscriber received also a transferable silver ticket, for the gratuitous admission of himself or friend. The building was completed about the year 1780. Prior to its erection, a stable or large room behind the King's Head Inn, opposite the guild-hall, and sometimes a room in the Golden Lion Yard, at other times the Trinity- hall, was appropriated to some of the most renowned pro- fessors of the histrionic art. The first public theatrical performance in this city, is dated in the year 1717. After this period it was only occasionally, and sometimes at long intervals, that such exhibitions were allowed by the civic authorities. The plan of the present establishment was formed and carried into execution by Mr. J. A. Whitley. Since his time it has been principally under the management of Mr. Hoy, Mr. Crisp, and Mr. Elliston. It is now in the management of Mr. Bennett. THE RACE GROUND. The extended and level meadow called Pitchcroft, is used for a race-course generally twice in the season. There is a commodious and substantial stand erected on the western side of the course, which commands a good view ; but the ground is not esteemed one of the best. The first races usually occupy three days, and are fre- quented by much fashionable company. They take place generally in August, and the second, in November. 84 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. THE HORTICULTURAL SHOWS. A society has been recently established^, denominated the Worcestershire Horticultural Society. It distributes prizes of different degrees for the finest productions in the various floral tribes, as well as in fruit and culinary articles. The period of these shows is regulated by the season. The Grand Stand on the race ground has been appropriated to the public exhibitions. The auspicious commencement of this society promises well in the de- partments to which it relates. The first public exhibition took place in 1828, and was numerously visited by the neighbouring gentry, as well as by the inhabitants of the city. CHAPTER III. Government and Municipal Regulations. — Ancient Gover- nors and Constables of the Castle — Earls and Marquises of Wor- cester — Charter of Henri/ the First — Constituted a Free Corpora- tion under Henry the Third — Made a City and County by James the First — Mr. Harris's Manuscript relating to the Corporation — Ancient Perambulation — Members of Parliament — Bye-Laws, Customs, ^c. — City Prisoners, Assises, and Sessions — House of Industry — Mai'kets, Fairs, Sfc. — Fishery, and Customs of the River. ANCIENT GOVERNORS AND CONSTABLES OF THE CASTLE. The establishment of a resident Viceroy of the Wiccians at Worcester, and the erection of a castle, were most probably the causes which, in those early and rude times, led to the enlargement of the town, and to the privileges which in the lapse of ages it gradually acquired by royal charters. In the year 658, Wulfere, the sixth king of the Mer- cians, became a convert to Christianity. His viceroy of the Wiccians was Osric. We have no direct evidence that Osric resided here, but the fact is highly probable, since it was in the reign of Wulfere that the royal charter was obtained which constituted this place a town or city, and gave it certain immunities. It was at that period a royal demesne. The viceroy had the government vested in himself, and he appointed a reeve or bailiiff. The inhabi- tants held their houses immediately under the king, and S6 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. all rents, tolls, and lines, were royal dues. The charter of Wult'ere laid the foundation of those municipal rights which this city has ever since enjoyed. The favour of this prince, there is little doubt, led also to the establish- ment of the see and bishopric of Worcester ; and most probably to the erection of the first cathedral church, dedicated to St. Peter. The second viceroy of the Wiccians was Aldred, who was styled Deputy King of Worcester. He held the office under Oft'a, King of the Mercians, who granted many other privileges to this city, by royal charter. The date of this latter charter was about a hundred years after the former. Austin first began to convert the Saxons about the year 600. Wulfere's first charter was granted to Worcester about sixty or seventy years after that event. This brings us down to 670 3 and a century after, that is, about 770 or 780, Aldred, the deputy king, obtained fresh privileges from Offa. King Edgar is also named as hav- ing contributed by his royal charter to the privileges of this city, and to the endowments of the church. It was most probably in honour of his royal munificence, that the tower erected by Ethelred and Ethelfleda, was designated by his name and graced by his own statue^ as well as by those of his two queens. Although during the times of the Saxon Heptarchy, many towns had acquired great privileges, yet it appears that Worcester remained an absolute royal demesne till long after the Norman conquest. The trading inhabitants were vassals under the king and the bishop. In Dooms- day-book, relating to Worcester, it is recorded, — '^'^Now King William fthe Conqueror) hath in demesne both the share of the king and the earl, from thence the sheriff re- turns twenty- three pounds and five shillings, by weight ; from the city and demesnes of the king's manor, he returns HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 87 one hundred and twenty-three pounds and four shiUings, by weight."* This amount appears to have been claimed from the houses of the burgesses, and other royal dues. EARLS AND MARQUISES OF WORCESTER. The title of Earl, in Saxon times^ expressed an office of civil authority, the highest under the king in the particular county to which it was attached. The office entitled the holder of it to what was then denominated the third penny, or the third portion of all fines, dues, and profits, accruing to the king. By the permission of King Alfred, Ethelred and Ethelfleda granted to the Bishop of Worcester one half of the king's dues arising from Worcester ; so that it appears from this fact, as well as from Doomsday, that the royal dues were here divided into three equal parts, which went severally to the king, the bishop, and the Duke of Mercia, the Deputy King of Worcester. The title of Earl was not, however, given to the Governor of Worcester and Constable of the Castle, till the reign of Stephen. William de Beauchamp and Walleran de Beaumont, who were contemporaries, but the former of vrhom was displaced from his dignity to make way for the latter, were both in their turn styled Earl of Worcester. We have given at page 1 9 and on- ward, some particulars of these transactions. The title of Earl of Worcester has been renewed at different, and sometimes distant periods. Once it laid dormant for two hundred years. After one of these inter- vals, it was renewed in the reign of Henry the Eighth, in the person of Charles Somerset, his chamberlain. The title either of Earl or Marquis has been retained in the family of Somerset ever since that period. Henry Charles * Nash's Worcestershire, vol. ii. Original Account, p. 172. 88 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. Somerset^ Duke of Beaufort, Marquis and Earl of Wor- cester, cajiie to his title October 1 Itli, 1803. He is the sixth Duke of Beaufort, seventh Marquis and eleventh Earl of Worcester. The title of Marquis of Worcester now appertains to Henry, the eldest son of the duke. He was born Feb. 5th, 1792. CHARTER OF HENRY THE FIRST. During the early Saxon times the government of the city was wholly in the hands of the constable of the castle, who was styled Earl, or Depuhj King, according to the fashion of those times. The rights and powers of these governors were not very accurately defined. The government of the city appears to have been first regularly and formally vested in its constable by charter of Henry the First. He became entitled thereby to all the royal dues, tolls, and baronial rights. To him appertain- ed the civil power and magisterial authority. In the successive reigns of King Henry the Second, Richard the First, and it is thought also in John's, suc- cessive charters were granted, for securing and extending the rights of the citizens ; but the constable or earl, as he was indifferently denominated, was still described as the governor of the city. CONSTITUTED A FREE CORPORATION UNDER HENRY III. The charter which made this city a free corporation, was granted in the forty-fifth year of Henry the Third, or about 1261. It vested the powers of government in two bailiffs, to be chosen out of twenty-four common council men, two aldermen, two chamberlains, with forty-eight assistants. This founded the corporation or guild. The whole city was divided by the same act, into seven wards ; viz. St. Helen's, St. Nicholas's, All Saints', St. Martin's, HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 89 St. Andrew's, St. Clement's, and St. Peter's. Each ward was placed under the jurisdiction of two constables. This charter also restricted the liberty of trading within the city to its own freemen, and empowered them to return writs and hear pleas before their own bailiffs. In many successive reigns these privileges were recognized and increased. The right to try and determine all causes within the city, with the exception oi felony, was granted by King Richard the Second, in 1396. MADE A CITY AND COUNTY BY JAMES THE FIRST. The city remained under the government of bailiffs until the time of King James the First, when a new char- ter was granted on the 2nd of October, 1621, which transfered the government from bailiffs to a mayor. In the Chamber Orders of the city is the following entry : — " CIVITAS WIGORN. " Att the guild-hall, the 1 6th of October, in the nine- teenth year of the King's Majestie's reign, the new char- ter for the alteration of the government of the citie, was brought from London, whereby hit pleased his Majestic to make the citie of Worcester a county of hit selfe, exempted from the county of the sheere, and to be governed by a mayor, recorder, and six aldermen -, which charter was read openly in the guild-hall of the said citie, first in Latin, by Mr. William Wyatt, then town-clarke, and after in Englishe, by Mr. Robert Barkeley, recorder -, who expounded the special branches of the said charter to the cittizens then present, being a great multitude of all sorts of people." This charter constitutes the corporation after the fol- lowing manner. Having allowed to the city a common seal, and right to break, change, and new make it, — the king goes on to say, — 90 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. '*^ And further we will for us^ our heirs and successors, of our special grace, certain knowledge and meer motion do grant and ordain that for ever hereafter there is and shall be within the said city aforesaid, one of the more wise and discreetest citizens of the city aforesaid, which is and shall be mayor of the same city ; and likewise ever here- after are and shall be within the said city aforesaid, six lawfull and discreet citizens of the said city, which shall be and be called aldermen of the said city ; and also for ever hereafter there be and shall be one lawfull and dis- creet citizen, which is and shall be called sherriff of the said city ; and that also for ever hereafter there be and shall be within the said city, two lawfull and discreet citizens of the said city, which be and shall be called chamberlains of the said city -, and that for ever hereafter there be and shall be in the said city, four-and-twenty men of the more better and lawfull citizens of the said city, which number, the mayor and aldermen of said city for the time being, we will to be seven, which shall be and ^ shall be called capital citizens and counsellors of the said city ; and that likewise for ever hereafter there be and shall be eight-and-forty other men of the more wise and dis- creetest citizens of the same city, which shall be and shall be called capital citizens, of the number of the eight-and- forty of the same city, of which number of the eight-and- forty we will that the chamberlains of the said city for the time being shall be two." The charter then goes on to constitute this body a com- mon council — to appoint the annual election of the mayor, on the Monday following the feast of St. Bartholomew, or 24th of August — the election of the six aldermen, of the sheriff, the chamberlains, the recorder, common clerk, auditors, two coroners, the escheator, &c. &c. Certain alterations were made in this charter by another HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 91 granted in the first year of James the Second, 1684. Both these charters may be consulted in the Appendix to the second volume of Green's History of Worcester. MR. Harris's manuscript. At the death of Mr. Harris, formerly Town-clerk of Worcester, there was found in his study an ancient manu- script, which appears to have been an abstract of some of the corporate rights, especially in reference to freemen. It does not appear to possess any authority, except as a species of official summary of the bye-laws. It is as follows : — " The city of Worcester is incorporated by the name of Major, Aldermen, and Citizens, by the Charter of King James I. "And the Court of Record is to be kept by the major, recorder, and aldermen, or by any three of them, whereof the major, recorder, or one of the two ancient aldermen to bee one. '' Some customes in this city in use formerly, and to be observed, viz. any widow to enjoy during her life all such lands within the city as her husband was seiz^ of, of an estate in fee simple or fee tail general after their intermarriages, so as no acte was done by him after to discontinue her right thereto. " The eldest sonne that a freeman had, if he require it, is to be made free, paying fifteen pence fees ; but it must be his eldest son borne after he was made free, for his sonne borne before cannot challenge it, but must have his freedom by service or composition, and not by birth : and heretofore freemans daurs had the priviledge, that such as married with them, paying 13s. 4d. to the citty, and other usual fees, they were to be admitted to bee freemen, but of latter time, about 30 years past, that custom was held 92 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. in chamber to be a hindrance to the cittyes good^ and to those that by birth or service ought to have the benefit of freedom, and are tyed to support and maintayne the citty ; wherefore it was ordered, it being so hurtful! and not for the common good, to be omitted and discontinued. And by our Charters our customes are approved and made good to us, if they shall be good and meet to be used, otherwise they are to be discontinued and altered as time and occa- sion shall require. It was anciently in custome and use, that any freeman of this citty, if he did depart from the citty to inhabit elsewhere, if he did not kepe in his power his house to resorte unto, or did not perform the duties and payments as a freeman is bound to do, if he did absent himself and had not kept a house for habitation ther for the space of one year, then by the chamber and council of the said citty he was to be ordered to repair unto the cittie, and to make his habitation there, and do the duty of a freeman withyn one yere then next ensuing, or else to stand and be after the yere ended absolutely disfranchisd, and loose the benefit of his freedom, and that he and his friends might take notice thereof, his name was to be entryed in a roll to be sett over a post in the Tolsey, to signify such his disfranchisment, if he did not within the yere retorn to inhabit there to do the duties and services of a freeman within the tyme limitted. '^ The custome is alsoe, that he that hath served his apprenticeship may not open his shop for his trade untill he shall be made free of the citty. " Antiquity in the places and offices of service, is to be preferred before seniority in age, although they be one society. " The custome hath been and is, that every one of this citty at his entering into his house, is on the right hand thereof to mainteyne the leaden gutter and the inclosures betwixt him and his next neighbour. HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 93 " By the custome of this citty the widow of every free- man may exercise her husband's trade, soe long as she continues his widowe. '^Examenat per me, Egid Trimnel, und. Coronatoru ejusdem Civitatis, Anno Dom. 1688." BYE-LAWSj CUSTOMS, &C. In the year 1785, the mayor and corporation passed a bye-law, imposing the penalty of twenty pounds upon per- persons not freemen of the city keeping any outward or inward shop for the sale of '^ goods, wares, or merchan- dizes," or for exercising any '' art, occupation, mystery, or handicraft." This act makes the forfeitures recoverable by action, in the name of the chamberlains, to be entered in any of his Majesty's courts of record at Westminster. The suit to carry costs. One-third of the penalty to go to the informer and prosecutor, and two-thirds to the poor of the city. There are many ancient customs and dues chargeable upon '^'^ foreigners," (strangers,) who traffic in this city; also various tolls claimed by the sivord-bearer. ANCIENT PERAMBULATION. A perambulation of the boundaries of the city was re- corded in the twelfth year of King Henry VII. (1497.) As it is an interesting and curious document, we shall give it entire. — " Wigorn. " Nott de Perambula O Wigorn et Suburbemse 12 Die April, A'' \2 H. Ith^ Tempe Thorn Birkin and Robt Style, Ball's. " Where at the furst begynyng Master Baillies and Richard Litelton, Recorder, byfore dy verse and meny per- 94 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. sons opynly in the Yeldhall deposid and swore upon a booke Willm Turner, Will' Garewey, John Roberts, John Grove, Ric' Careless, Thomas Glover, and Thomas Gold, referes, that they shuld be the leaders of the perambula- cion, and for no favor, love, nor aifection that they owe to the citie, nor for hate ne malice that they shuld owe unto the pryory or eny other partye, they shuld not otherwise goe then they have goon and knowen to be goon in tymes passed : and over that hit whas ordered that every person goyng in this perambulacion shuld walk as peaseable men, havying no armur ne wepyn defencible, but oonly small walkyn stalis and order. Furst, in ther goyng they went from the Highcrosse unto the Gress- crosse, and so directly to Severnbrydge -, and when they were over the bruge they turned over the lyfte hand into Wynnall strete, down unto Sevarnbank, unto the dyche beyend the furzbut, directly lying ageynst the utter parte of the Key, and so over a lesowe directly to a style, and into the Koferrers lesowe to a shorte croppd grete oke, levyng the oke on the lyfte hand, and from thens to the corner of a hege and ditche which strechith to the corner of the howse that byn set nyghe the hiewey ledyng toward Hardewicks Court, and from the mydd of that wey streite over into a strete callid the Bare yate, unto Leighton Court, levyng hoolly the court on the right hand, and keepyng the dytche on the right hand in the lane beyend the court unto Lyppers leseow, going in the seid leseow at a grete elme, levyng the elme of the right hand, and keypng styll the dytche under the hege side unto a watry lane callid Cutthrote Lane, otherwyse callid Froge Lane, and soe over the highe wey into a dytche at Amys acre yend, stretching to Sevarn, and so over Severn directly on Pitchcroft, into a lane callid Saltewey, and into a garden and throw a house of the White Ladies on the left hand HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 95 at the seid lane yend, and so over the highewey into a howse and garden of the commanders of Seynt Oswalds, in the which Raffe Laurance, tailor, dwell ith, and over a crofte of the White Ladies unto another elme, levyng the elme on the right hand into Whistonefylds, and so directly unto ij withies on Losemorebank, levyng the wethies on the right hand, and so over Losemore directly to a poplern growyng ageynst the said whethies, and over the hege into Losemore Furlong, kepyng the hege styll on the right hand, unto the overyend of Wood lesowe, and through Losemore yete ynto the Wynmyll wey, and to Lesemore crosse, levyng the crosse on the right hand, and kepyng the hege on the lyfte hand, tyll they com over ageynst the corner of Westbury fyld, and from that into Crowell wey to the over parte of a crofte callid Shennoke, into a crofte callid ^arsons crofte, and so directly over a style into Seynt Martyns crofte, and so foUowyngly by the hege, levyng the hege on the right hand into the grenefeld over Perybroke, and so directly over that fild through a yate into a wey callid the Commanders wey, and over the highewey ynto Tewksbury wey, levyng the crosse on the right hand, and kepyng the wey unto the Herren ditche in Duydeley, next to the ^Yynmyll hyll, and so over that leseow by the hege side tyll they come to the Sextens Duydeley, and then to Sevarn bank, levyng the pole on the lyft hand, kepyng Severn bank tyll they com to the Castell ditche, and so following that ditche till they come to Frogmyll, levyng the myll on the right hand, and so to the sign of a crosse made in a wall of the Priory, and so from that crosse full by the wallis sid to the Priory gate, kepyng the hole creste of the pavement at Knowle, and so compassing the Knowle unto Seynt Mary steyers and into the High strete, to the High Crosse agen. "J. w. bod; 96 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT. The right of returning members to Parliament was not granted to borough towns till the time of Edward the First. In the twenty-third year of the reign of that prince^ we find a royal summons calling upon every borough town to send its representatives to Parliament. The king en- joins the sheriflFs to send, besides two knights for the shire, two deputies from each borough within the county ; and these to be empowered to consent, in the name of their respective borough, to what the king and his council shall require of them. In the Parliament held at Westminster in consequence of this royal mandate, this borough, as it was then constituted, returned two representatives, Richard de la Bar, and Walter de Culverton. Dr. Nash, in his Worcestershire, (vol. i. p. 2P.) has preserved as accurate a list as could be obtained, of the members of Parliament returned from the beginning to the year 1 774. The present members were chosen in the year 1 826 : they are. Colonel Davies, of Elmley Castle, Worcester- shire ; and G. R. Robinson, Esq. of Fulham, Middlesex. CITY PRISONERS, ASSIZES, AND SESSIONS. We have mentioned in passing, that the prisoners for the city were anciently confined in a part of the guild-hall adjoining the courts of justice. In the early part of the last century it was found necessary to remove the prisoners to a place of greater security. Of the new city gaol we have given a brief account under the head of "Modern Improvements," at page 80. It is only necessary to state here, that the gaol is con- sidered a very complete and well arranged building. HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 97 The Assizes for the city and county are usually held in the months of March and July. The Quarter Sessions for the city and county are held also in the guild-hall, the first week after the Epiphany, the first week after the close of Easter, the week after the translation of St. Thomas a Becket, and the first week after old Michaelmas-day. In the year 1730, the magistracy of the city refused to the justices of the county the use of the guild-hall for the purposes of the quarter sessions, although this right had been distinctly reserved by the charter of King James I. This dispute led to the commencement of a law suit against the corporation, by the county justices. The disagree- ment was, however, adjusted before it came to trial. An order of the corporation dated October 1 1, 1731, conceded the privilege. This order was obtained in the mayoralty of Mr. Benjamin Lane ; and ever since that period the business both of the city and county, so far at least as the administration of justice is concerned, has been amicably conducted in the guild-hall. HOUSE OF INDUSTRY. The premises now used as a hop-market were erected for the use of the poor of the nine united parishes in the city, in virtue of an act of Parliament obtained in the year 1 703. By this act a corporation was formed called "^ The Corporation of the Poor of the City of Worcester." It consisted of forty-four guardians, among whom were the mayor, two aldermen, two out of the twenty-fouT, and six out of the forty -eight, of the city corporation. The very commodious and appropriate building now used for the reception of the poor of the eight united parishes, was erected in consequence of an act of Parlia- ment obtained for the purpose in the year 1792. It was 98 , HISTORY OF WORCESTER. first opened for the reception of the poor in November, 1794. The whole establishment is under the manage- ment of twelve directors, besides the mayor for the time being. The directors continue in office three years : they are renewable by removing four every year, and balloting for successors. They meet every Thursday for the man- agement of business. Connected with the institution, and under the appoint- ment of this board of directors, there is a chaplain, a governor, a matron, and a steward, who receive salaries. The building is situated on Tallow Hill, without the boundary of the city : but by the act of Parliament is deemed in the city for all the purposes of the act. The parishes united are — St. Nicholas', St. Swithin's, St. Helen's, All Saints', St. Andrew's, St. Alban's, St. Martin's, and St. Clement's. The present building cost the incorporated parishes a£7318 7s. lOd. The purchase of the land, which is stated to be about twenty-two acres, amounted to ^2273 3s. 3d. The total outlay at the commencement was, therefore, ^9591 11 5. Id. We believe the establishment is in all respects very complete, and under a system of admirable management. The whole presents to the eye a pleasing monument of the liberal benevolence of an enlightened and populous city towards its aged and destitute poor. MARKETS, FAIRS, &C. The regular weekly markets are held on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday : the Saturday market is, however, the principal. The corn-market is held on that day. The sales are chiefly by sample. The markets for all sorts of provisions are well supplied. Large quantities are regularly purchased here, and forwarded to Birming- ham and other manufacturing towns. HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 99 There are held in Worcester five annual fairs j viz. on the day before Palm Sunday, on the Saturday in Easter week, on the loth of August, on the 19th of September, and on the first Monday in December. The fair held on the 19th of September, is considered the hop and cheese fair. There are five cattle fairs, toll free 5 viz. the second Monday in February, and the Jirst Monday in May, June, July, and November. FISHERY, AND CUSTOMS OF THE RIVER. The River Severn, which, with the Wye and the Rhy- dol, takes its rise on Plinlimmon, a mountain of North Wales, becomes at Worcester an object of great interest and beauty. Its name, which in Latin is written Sabrina, has been variously derived. Some have traced it to Sabr, sand, or sabrin, sandy. Camden alludes to the fable of a virgin of the name of Abren being thrown into the river, to which some writers trace its name. But the most probable origin of its English name, from which the Latin has been evidently taken, is to be found in the two words Havren, which is the Welch name of the river near its source, and Si or Se, which is the name of a small river uniting its waters with those of the Havren at Llanidloes. Thus, after the example of the Thame and the Isis, unit- ing their waters and their name in the Thames, we have Se and Havren softened into one word, Severn. The fishery of the Severn at Worcester is greatly dete- riorated from the days of yore. Many laws have been passed for the purpose of protecting and improving it. One was passed in the first year of Queen Elizabeth, and another in the thirtieth of King Charles the Second. These acts were amended and in part repealed by another passed in the year 1 778. This act determines the fishing season, appoints the nets and other kinds of tackhng to 100 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. be used, as well as describes the parts of the river to which the fishing is to be restricted. The Severn has for many ages been remarkable for the superior quality of its salmon. Anciently it is said to have been so abundant, that it became usual to insert a clause in the indentures of apprentices, forbidding the use of salmon oftener than twice a week. The Severn salmon is now always dearer than that of any other river in this part of the kingdom j and is esteemed, in flavour and richness, superior to all others. Besides salmon, the Severn has long been famed for its lampreys and lamperns, a fish resembling small eels. When potted they are esteemed a delicacy, and are in great requisition. King Henry I. is said to have lost his life in consequence of eating too profusely of them. It is a fact remarked in the natural history of the salmon, the lamprey, and the shad, that though the Avon enters the Severn at Tewkesbury, none of these fish ever take their course up that river for the purpose of spawning. If they are conveyed into it, they have such an aversion to its water, that, unless they can get back into the Severn, they invariably die. The shad, which in the Severn is usually found from three to four pounds in weight, is taken in May and June. Besides these peculiarities, our river abounds with the usual fresh water fish, such as the roach, dar, flounders, carp, chub, trout, &c. &c. There is a water bailiff for the liberties of the city. Tolls and customs are taken upon the river for the repairs of the bridge, the quay, &c. No person can be arrested by writ of the sheriff, or held to bail on the river, within the liberties of the city, but under the protection of the water-bailiff^ whose presence and sanction, it seems, are necessary to the validity of the act of arrest. CHAPTER IV. The Cathedral and its Appendages, — The Ancient See of Worcester and Archdeaconry of Gloucester — Cathedral Church of St. Peter — College — Monaster?/ of St. Martj — The Cathedral of St. Mary, its History, Architecture, Sfc. — The Crypt — The Charnel Hotise — Tombs, Monuments, Sfc. — Cloisters — Chapter House and Library — College Hall — Edgar's Tower — The Dean- ery — The Palace — Hartlebury , Sfc. &jc. THE ANCIENT SEE OF WORCESTER, &C. Little is known respecting the Christian state of this city and county, prior to the Saxon times. There is no doubt that the Ancient Britons who resided here were Christians j and that they had their church and bishop long before those heathen conquerors had reached this part of the island. The conversion of Wulfere, King of Mercia, to the Christian faith, in the middle of the sixth century, led to measures for the extension and secular establishment of religion. Ethelred, the brother of Wul- fere, who succeeded to his kingdom, continued to uphold the Christian faith ; and being influenced by the per- suasions of Osric, or Oshere, the viceroy of the Wiccians, divided the large bishopric of Lichfield, which at that time comprehended an immense tract of country, into five bishoprics or diocesses. Worcester was one of these. This partition of the diocess of Lichfield was made at a council held at Hatfield, in the year 679 or 680. i02 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. The first person appointed to take charge of this see, or to reside here, as the Christian teacher of the people, was Tatfrith, who was esteemed in those days a man of great learning. Tatfrith, however, died very soon after his appointment, and before he could be formally inducted to the duties of his office. Boselus, or Bosel, or Boisill, was next appointed. He had been under the instruction of Theodore, Archbishop of Canterbury, and was conse- crated Bishop of Worcester in the year 679 or 680, by' Archbishop Theodore. In those early times the bishops had under their super- intendance no parochial clergy, but sent forth weekly a number of Christian teachers, or clergy, from the church over which they themselves presided. These clergy had their residence with the bishop, or were attached to his cathedral church, and itinerated in the neighbouring dis- tricts under his immediate control. Hence originated the College, which, at first, consisted of the bishop's as- sistants in the duties of his sacred functions. In the course of time the accumulation of property for the sup- port both of the cathedral, the bishop, and his clergy, became considerable, and many changes took place. The establishment of towns, and growth of the population, led, in connexion with the advancing influence of the nobles, to the erection of churches in other parts of the diocesses, as well as at the cathedral seat -, and hence the residence of the clergy at these stations, and under the sanction and control of the bishop, became a matter both of convenience and of policy. This change in the local arrangements of bishoprics, led to corresponding changes in the constitution of col- leges. Instead of being a society consisting of the bishop and his assistants, who itinerated for the purpose of in- structing the people, the college became a society con- HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 103 sisting merely of the bishop, and some few clergy neces- sary for the daily performance of the services in his cathedral. Monasteries were now frequently erected for the main- tenance of pious recluses ; and these naturally fell under the superintendance of the bishop in whose diocess they were erected. A monastery, with a minster or church of its own, was early erected at Worcester. It appears to have originated with one Alfred, who was a considerable thane of Mercia in King Ethelbald's time. His daughter. Lady Ethelburga, was constituted abbess of a religous house at Worcester, which was soon after endowed with large grants and possessions. After the decease of this Lady Ethelburga, however, the religious house and all its endowments devolved to the cathedral church and chair of St. Peter. It is supposed that, after this period, instead of receiving nuns, this house was occupied by Benedictine monks. It was denominated St. Mary's Minster, and is mentioned by that name in a charter of King Ethelbald, dated 743. In those ages, when the rage for religious seclusion was rapidly increasing, the superior clergy began to show a decided partiality for the monks j and, in consequence, promoted them to those stations which had hitherto been occupied only by the secular clergy. Hence, those clergy who refused a life of celibacy, were ejected from their stalls, and the monks, in consequence, usurped almost the entire control of the colleges and their endowments. The wealth thus transferred to their hands, suffered a far worse abuse in the succeeding age, than it had ever been exposed to while in the hands of the secular clergy. It would be but wearisome to the reader, to be led through the narrative of the various contentions, which were carried on between the monks and the secular clergy 104 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. of this cathedral. Gross and numerous were the corrup- tions which crept in. We cannot be expected to notice them further. Those who feel interested in such facts^ may find an ample detail in Green's History.* King Edgar, under the influence of Dunstan, Arch- bishop of Canterbury, and Oswald, Bishop of Worcester, was the principal agent in effecting the aggrandizement of the monks. Oswald gradually raised them to the most important stations, and bestowed upon them the most valuable livings. He even gave his attendance very fre- quently at the minster of St. Mary, and performed divine service there. Thus the people were attracted from the cathedral to the same place, for the purpose of worship- ping with so renowned a prelate, and of receiving his blessing. By thus gradually introducing the monks into the ca- thedral of St. Peter, Oswald effected, in the year 969, the surrender of the cathedral, its emoluments and territories, to the use of the monks of St. Mary's Minster for ever. Up to this period, the cathedral church of St. Peter had retained the episcopal throne established by Sexulphus, the last of the Mercian bishops ; but in 983, Oswald completed the erection of a more splendid cathedral, which was situated in the church-yard of the old cathedral. This of course led to the neglect, and finally to the utter extinction, of the cathedral of St. Peter, which was pro- bably an erection of a very plain and lowly character. By this transference of the bishop's seat and college to the new cathedral, Oswald accomplished his favourite project of excluding all the secular clergy from the offices of his church. The new edifice was dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and was furnished with twenty-eight altars. * See vol. i. p. 25, &c. HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 105 The see of Worcester included^ from the earliest times, as an archdeaconry, what is now the diocess of Gloucester. This archdeaconry had annexed to it the rectory of Durs- ley j and in 1534, some few years before it was made a bishopric, it was valued at seventy-four pounds. The first archdeacon of Gloucester whose name is preserved, was Thurstinus : he flourished about the year 1 122. The last archdeacon, while Gloucester was connected with the diocess of Worcester, was Nicholas Walton, in 1539 : he continued archdeacon after the bishopric was erected. The history of the separation of this archdeaconry from the see of Worcester, may be stated in few words. A nunnery was founded in the city of Gloucester, about the year 700, of which several of the queens of the Mercian kingdom were lady abbesses. The whole was, however destroyed by the Danes, and continued in desolation and neglect, until Aidred, Archbishop of York, undertook, about the year 1058, to rebuild it, and devote it to the service of a society of monks. It is doubtful whether the present edifice is the one reared by Aidred, or one subse- quently erected by Abbot Serlo. Part, at least, is attributed to Aidred. It is, however, certain that the present build- ing was designed for the monks, and not as a cathedral church. At the Reformation, the whole falling into the hands of King Henry VIII, he was pleased to dedicate the revenues to the support of a bishop, a dean, six prebend- aries, and other ministers. The first bishop appointed to the see of Gloucester, was John Wakeman, Abbot of Tewkesbury. He was consecrated, September 20th, 1 54 1 j and was succeeded by John Hooper, the martyr, who held also the see of Worcester, in commendam, by license of King Edward the Sixth. The bishopric of Bristol, also, which includes the city of Bristol and county of Dorset, was anciently within the 106 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. diocess of Worcester. It was created a distinct see in the year 1542, by King Henry the Eighth. The bishopric of Worcester embraces at present nearly the whole of the county 5 a few parishes and chapelries in the county of Hereford 3 about a third part of Warwick- shire ; the parishes of Brome and of Clent, in Staiford- shire ; and Halesowen, in Shropshire. It is subdivided into nine deaneries, containing one hundred and sixteen rectories, seventy -nine vicarages, twenty -six curacies, and forty-one chapels. When King Henry VIII. expelled the monks from their monasteries, he granted many of their revenues to the endowment of the various offices connected with the cathedrals. His charter, which bestows the principal part of the priory revenues of Worcester, upon the cathedral church, was dated January 24th, 1541-2. It states the endowment to be for a dean, ten prebendaries, ten minor canons, ten lay clerks, ten choristers, two schoolmasters, forty king's scholars, and seven subordinate attendants. The members of the church at present are, besides the bishop, the dean, archdeacon, ten major canons, or pre- bendaries, three of whom are annually chosen to the office of sub-dean, receiver, and treasurer j eight minor canons, formerly ten, among whom are included, the chanter, the sacrist, the head and second master of the school. Some of the original offices have been abolished. There is also an organist, eight lay clerks, ten choristers, usually king's scholars. Of the forty scholars in the king's school, ten are nominated by the dean, and three by each prebendary. The bishop is constituted visitor of this collegiate body. A list of the present collegiate body will be given in our Appendix. HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 107 THE CATHEDRAL. The ancient Saxon Cathedral which existed in this city at the time when Oswald became bishop, was most pro- bably very inferior to that which, under the auspices of this bishop and his monks, rose by its side. The ancient cathedral had been dedicated to St. Peter ; but the in- creased splendour of the new edifice, as well as the more popular name of the Holy Virgin, to whom it was dedi- cated, soon procured for it, in an age of increasing super- stition, a preference both with clergy and laity. St. Peter's, therefore, was forsaken, and most probably soon fell into ruin. The cathedral built by Oswald was completed in the year 983. About sixty years after, when the soldiers of Hardicanute plundered and burnt the city,* the cathedral shared the same fate, and most probably was rendered either wholly, or in a great measure, unfit for the sacred purposes to which it was dedicated ; for, in about forty years after this public calamity, we find Bishop Wulstan laying the foundation for a new cathedral. This great undertaking was commenced in 1084, and completed in 1089. The great improvements and amplifications in building, introduced by the Normans, made the architec- ture of the preceding age appear mean and tasteless. In consequence, the renowned Bishop Wulstan resolved to leave to posterity a noble and magnificent monument, worthy at once of the superior taste and piety of the age in which he lived. The church which he erected includ- ed also the monastery of St. Mary, to which the preced- ing cathedral might be said to have been transferred, and with which it had become identified. Wulstan, accord- * See page 17. 108 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. ingly, maintained the monastery as the stock on which the cathedral itself had been grafted, and the foundation on which it stood ; and, therefore, very significantly gave the monks their territory in cryptis, styHng it — " The Monaster!/ of the Holy Mary in the Crypt.'' It is believed that Bishop Wulstan built his cathedral without resorting to any of the modes then common with the clergy, for raising large sums of money for ecclesias- tical purposes, such as indulgences, &;c. His cathedral was chiefly, if not entirely, built out of his own resources, and those of his diocess. It may hence be inferred, that, at this period, this see must have been possessed of immense wealth. It is recorded of this renowned bishop, that on the day of the consecration and opening of his new church, he offered upon the altar for the service of the church, the manor of Alveston, in Warwickshire. He also made another valuable gift of lands on the altar of the Holy Virgin, on the day of her nativity, 1093, about four months before his own death. Of the building itself, the general opinion is, that Wulstan' s cathedral included a part of that which Bishop Oswald had erected in the preceding century ; and that the present cathedral is made up, not only of parts both of Wulstan' s and Oswald's, but also of large erections in subsequent ages. We find that St. Wulstan's cathedral was burnt in the year 1113, which was only twenty years after its erection. Again, in 1202, it experienced all the consequences of an extensive conflagration. It then re- remained for sixteen years in a state of dilapidation. It was, however, at length, repaired and consecrated afresh, on January 7th, 1218, in the presence of King Henry the Third, and a splendid assembly of nobles and prelates, by Bishop Sylvester. He dedicated it jointly to " Mary the Holy Mother of God, the blessed Apostle St. Peter, and HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 109 the Saints Oswald and Wulstan." The great altar being dedicated to St, Mary and St. Oswald^ and the middle one to St. Peter and St. Wulstan. Bishop Sylvester was succeeded by William de Blois, who undertook^ in 1224, to effect various repairs and alterations. To him is ascribed the honour of completing the original plan of Wulstan. It is now pretty well as- certained that the principal and more impressive parts of the cathedral, as it now appears_, are to be attributed to this age. The lower or great cross aisle, the choir, and lady's chapel, with their side aisles, and the lesser or upper cross aisle, are now by our best antiquaries ascribed to a later time than that of Wulstan, and are mostly attributed to the age of Bishop Blois. There are parts, however^ such as the arch at the north-west end of the vestry, and the rooms over the passage from the cloisters to the deanery, which may safely be attributed to Wulstan's age. Wulstan' s church, it is probable, was almost wholly de- molished; otherwise, the ceremony of re-consecration was not likely to have been performed, so soon after as we know it was, by Bishop Sylvester. The two arches at the western end of the nave, are generally considered the part which remained of Oswald's church when Wulstan erect- ed his, and with which he no doubt made his own to com- port. At this period the entrance was at the western end of the nave. It was not till the year 1380, that the structure received those improvements which made it appear one continuous and perfect edifice, and which gave complete effect to the interior aspect of the whole building. Up to the time of Bishop Wakefield, the windows were all small, according to the Saxon style, and by no means sufficient to admit the requisite body of light to give effect 110 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. to the architecture. It is stated that Bishop Wakefield raised the vaulting of the aisles, and especially of the middle aisle 3 that he united it to the vaulting of the nave, opened the great west window -, that he closed the great entrance at the west end, and opened the present more commodious one on the north side. These very important and tasteful improvements seemed to connect all the parts, contributed by different ages, or left after various disasters and many designers, into one homogeneous whole, and to impart to it the highest effect of which so vast and magnificent a structure is susceptible. The cathedral now assumes the form of the double cross, in which the lower, or greater cross westward, is made the vestibule to the upper cross, or the church, which is in itself complete and well proportioned. This is considered one of the most characteristic and highest distinctions in the proportions and arrangements of ancient church architec- ture. Whether such was the original plan laid down by the architects of Oswald's and of Wulstan's churches, and pursued to completion, in the present perfected form of the double cross, under Bishops Sylvester, de Blois, and Wakefield, or whether this perfected plan is the result ra- ther of successive plans, and accumulated ingenuity, which has no doubt been intensely awakened in all, who have vied, through successive ages, to give beauty and complete- ness to the building, it is not now easy, neither is it im- portant, to determine. It will satisfy general readers, to know that the present edifice is the work of several ages ; that it is principally to be attributed to the early part of the thirteenth century, but that some portions of it are thought to be as early as the tenth ; and, finally, that it contains at least three distinct styles of architecture — the early Saxon — a little of the Norman — but most of the light modern Gothic, or HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 1 1 1 Saracenic, which was not introduced into England till about the time of Henry the Second. " The internal measurement of the building is as follows : FEET. Total length from east to west . . 394 Length of the Choir 124 The breadth of Nave and Aisles . 78 Height of the Choir 68 Nave 66 The tower which rises from the centre of the great cross aisle, is 167 feet high, and is terminated by four pinnacles of open work. These pinnacles were erected about the end of the seventeenth century. The sides of the tower have been richly ornamented. The statue of the Virgin, with the infant Jesus in her arms, and those of St. Oswald and St. Wulstan, are still visible, though time has committed extensive dilapidations. It was finished in the year 1374. THE CHOIR. The bishoj^s throne is a handsome and appropriate erec- tion, formed of oak, and suitably ornamented. On the top is the mitre and cushion, and below them an olive and palm branch. It is not of great antiquity. It is placed on the south side of the choir, and at a short distance west of the pulpit, and opposite. The stalls, of which there are twenty-six on each side of the choir, reckoning two for the bishop's throne, and two for the archdeacon, were put up in 1397. The cornices and columns are of a much later date, and are made of fine Irish oak, excellently carved. The archdeacon's stall is a double one, opposite the bishop's throne. Adjoining the archdeacon's stall, on the north side of the choir, are seats appropriated to the mayor and corporation. 112 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. The pulpit is one of the most elegant and striking ob- jects within the choir. It is of an octagonal form, cut wholly in stone, and ornamented after the Gothic style. At the back is a very curious representation of the New Jerusalem 5 and in the front are symbols of the four Gospels. The top is a canopy of embroidered drapery, suspended by a hand at each angle of the octagon. The whole comports exceedingly well with the other surround- ing appendages of the choir. It is, however, not very ancient. The organ, which is situated over the main entrance to the choir, is well proportioned to the size of the building. It is a fine instrument, and consists of twelve stops. The trumpet-stop is highly esteemed. THE CRYPT. Under the choir of the cathedral, is a vault called the crypt, which is thought to have been certainly part of St. Oswald's cathedral. It has a semicircular end eastward, and propably in the centre had an altar, as there is still visible a semicircular step, six inches high, reaching from side to side. The superincumbent mass of the building here rests upon one hundred and twenty-eight massy pillars. The whole construction is purely Saxon, and bespeaks a very early age. The crypt consists of three aisles, run- ning east and west. The length of the north and south, sixty-two feet by sixteen j the middle, sixty-eight feet by thirty. The room or chapel under the vestry, fprty-three feet by fifteen. The height of the vaults, ten feet. On the south side of the crypt, nearly opposite its entrance from the great cross aisle, is an apartment sepa- rated from the body of the crypt. It is under the east or second vestiy, and on the south side of the crypt. On the north wall of this chamber, are still visible three coats of HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 1 13 arms, of the family of Clare, Earl of Gloucester. It is highly probable that this was a chapel, and that some members of that family were buried here. This crypt was deemed by the Dean and Chapter a very suitable place for interment, and was accordingly opened in the year 1817, and a regular notifications of rules and fees was affixed to the vestry-door. THE CHARNEL-HOUSE. A chapel was erected by Bishop Blois outside the wall of the cathedral, between the present north door and the entrance to the bishop's palace. It was called Capella Carnarii — the chapel of the charnel-house. Under it was a crypt, or vault, prepared for the reception of those re- mains which were dug up in the prosecution of the plan of enlargement, which Bishop Blois was carrying into effect. It was designed for the purpose of saying masses over the souls of those whose bones were there deposited. This was done in the thirteenth century. Chaplains were appointed from among the monks by the successive bishops, with stipends, for the performance of these services. This chapel of the charnel-house, received, through a long suc- cession of superstitious times, many valuable endowments. At the dissolution of the religious houses, &c. by King Henry VIII, the whole was granted to the dean and chap- ter, with all within the circuit of the sanctuary. About the year 1636, this chapel was used for the College School. Afterwards, it was leased out, was taken down, and a house erected upon its site. Part of the north and south walls enclose the garden of the house. The crypt is still entire. It is fifty-eight feet in length, twenty-two in breadth, and fourteen in height. It contains a vast quantity of bones, formerly kept in good order, but now they are said to be in confusion. The entrance is entirely stopped up. 114 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. REFERENCES TO THE PLAN OF THE CATHEDRAL. A. Consistory Court B. Lady's Chapel, including the side aisle, north and south C. The Bishop's Chapel D. The Altar or Communion Table E. Prince Arthur's Chapel and Tomb F. The Dean's Chapel G. The Choir H. The Great Cross Aisle H.* The Vestries 1, Jesus Chapel, and Baptismal Font K, Principal Entrance L. 'I'he Nave, with its north and south aisles M. M. Entrances to the Cloisters N. Plan of the Crypt, under the Choir N.* The Chapel of the Crvpt O. Audit Hall P. Chapter House and Library Q. Q. Q. Q. Cloisters R. The Ancient Refectory, now the College Hall and King's School S. The Charnel Vault MONUMENTS, TOMBS, AND TABLETS. 1 Mrs. Rae 2 Bishop Thornborough 3 St. Wulstan, supposed 3*Bishop Hemenhalc 4 St, Oswald, supposed 5 Dean Eedes f) Sir James Beauchamp 7 Lady (unknown) 8 Bishop Parry D Philip Hawford, last Abbot of Evesham 10 Bishop de Constantiis 1 1 Bishop Walter de Cantelupe 12 Mrs. Digby 13 Bishop Stillingfleet H Mrs. Cicel Warmstry 15 Bishop Bullingham 1 fi Bishop Gauden 16* Sir G. Rice and Lady 17 Sir R. Harcourt 18 King John 18*Prince Arthur 19 Bishop Hough 20 Bishop Maddox 20*Dean Hook 21 Dean St. John, and others of the family 22 Bishop Johnson 2.3 Judffe Street 24 Mrs. Hall 25 Bishop Thomas 26 Friar Baskerville 27 Unknown 28 Sir John Beauchamp 2y R. Wilde, Esq. 30 Col. Ellis 31 Judge Litelton 32 The Moore's Family 33 Sir T. Lyttelton and Lady 34 R. Solly, Esq. 35 R. Inglethorpe, Esq. 36 Bishop Hurd 37 Randolph Marriott, Esq. 38 Bishop Freake 39 Jas. Johnstone, M. D. 40 Jas. Johnstone, Jun. M. D. 4 1 Octavia Walsh 42 Catherine Palmes 43 Dean Onslow ' 44 J. Yates, Esq. 45 Dr. Wingfield 46 Mrs. Cazalet 47 Mrs. Brewer 48 Mr. J. Clifton, and two daughters 49 Bishop Fleetwood 50 Bishop Blandfovd yy : tfl -'.•',,■1 J I :^;^;^ ^ "•■•'• ••'•••'•••'^- -^ ,T.J{oft sciu FiLA?s" of VOIRCJESTJEK CaTHMBJRAI. , HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 115 TOMBS AND MONUMENTS. In offering a brief description of the principal tombs and monuments within the cathedral, we shall proceed according to the divisions of the building itself, in the following order : first, our Lady's Chapel, which includes the whole eastern end of the cathedral, from the back of the altar -, second, the Bishop s Chapel, or a recess on the north side, after leaving our Lady's Chapel down the aisle on the north side of the choir ; thirdly, the Choir, in which service is now performed ; fourthly, the Deans Chapel, or the recess answering to the bishop's chapel, on the op- posite or south side of the churchy fifthly, the Great Cross Aisle, or the space from side to side of the church, imme- diately after descending the choir-steps ; sixthly, the Nave, with its north and south aisles. TOMBS, &C. IN OUR LADY's CHAPEL. Commencing our survey at the upper end of our Lady's chapel, we find, first, three large stone coffins, with sculp- tured effigies, lying partly in the floor. The centre one is ascribed to Bishop Hemenhale,* who flourished about 1337. This coffin now occupies the place which it is supposed was occupied by King John's tomb. When we come to the choir, we shall give a full description of this tomb. The coffin of Bishop Hemenhale formerly lay in the bishop's chapel, or the recess north of the choir. The coffins which lie on the south and north of Bishop Hemenhale' s, have been attributed to Bishops Oswald and Wulstan, but by others to Sylvester and Blois. The only fact that can now be affirmed of them, is, that they are the coffins of bishops, certainly of a remote age. * His name in Godwin's Catalogue of Bishops is spelt Henniball. 116 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. Proceeding up to the consistory court, which is now held immediately under the great window, is to be seen against the wall in front, and on the right side, an elegant marble monument to Bishop Stillingfleet, with a very appropriate and ample inscription in Latin, from the pen of the celebrated Dr. Bentley. On the left side of the window, is a neat and expressive monument to Bishop Hurcl. His grave and tomb are in Hartlebury church-yard. The literary and theological eminence of these two prelates, has justly claimed for them this conspicuous place among the memorials of de- parted excellence. Adjoining to Bishop Kurd's, is a neat tablet to Ann Walton, the wife of the celebrated Izaak Walton. The inscription is highly characteristic. Near to this, between two large pillars, is the elegant tomb of Bishop Thornhorough, with a sculptured effigy. On the south side, between the pillars, is a very superb canopied tomb to Dean Eedes. At the back of the present altar, and in the centre of the skreen which divides the choir from our Lady's chapel, is a low arch, within which is seen the effigies of Philip Hawford, the last abbot of Evesham. This was brought from the abbot's grave, in the dean's chapel. Passing into the aisle on the north side of our Lady's chapel, and under the end window, is the monument of Margaret Rae. Going westward, we come to the monument of the Countess ofMiddleton ; and near it, a large tomb and effigy of a lady unknown. Opposite, on a pillar, is seen a tablet to Jane Rous. On the same side, and against the north wall, under the third window, is the tomb of Sir James Beauchamp. Passing on the north side out of our Lady's chapel, we arrive first at two arched recesses on the left hand side. HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 117 ill which appear two ancient sculptured tombs of bishops. That lying eastward is ascribed to Bishop de Constantiis, and that westward to Bishop Waiter de Cantelupe, or Cautilupe Above them, in the wall, is an ancient tablet, with a curious inscription to Bishop Bullingham ; which, as a duplicate appears over his monument within the choir, will be given in its proper place. Turning into the recess called the Bishop s Chapel, there appears under the eastern window, first, a monument to the Rev. H. Bright, Canon. Under the north window, the superb tomb of Bishop Parry, which has been recently im- proved and restored. In the centre of this recess, appears a very elegant white marble tomb, surmounted by an ex- quisite piece of sculpture, to Mrs. Digby, wife of the Rev. W. Digby, daughter to the Hon. Col. and Lady Lucy Digby. She was appointed a Maid of Honour to Queen Charlotte, in 1802 3 died September 3rd, 1820. The sculpture is the work of Chantry. The inscription is as follows : — Here, Christian, pause. Behold, to dust resign'd The earthly vessel of a heavenly mind ; Whose lamp so clear, so tranquil ever shone. Each heart esteem'd her faultless, save her own : For in the mirror of the perfect law Her nature's inmost stain with grief she saw, And knew in Him alone, whom she ador'd, Her Maker's image to her soul restor'd. As nearer death she drew, and her firm mind Through the dim passage mark'd the light behind, Her husband, kinsman, friend, she thus address'd : *' Though in my Saviour now assur'd of I'est," " I feel I cling to life, only to prove " " To God more piety, to thee more love." Oh, perfect heart I oh, lov'd yet dreaded word, That spake a soul departing to its Lord ! 118 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. The eye of faith beheld the angelic quire Waft her from earth to heaven's eternal Sire, As triumphing they sang through realms above, " Redeem'd, redeem'd, to multiply our love ! " Blest spirit hail ! live in thy Saviour's smile 1 Yet may thy sacred influence awhile Rest here ; and teach us in our course to be Pure, tender, meek, and without guile, like Thee. TOMBS, &C. IN THE CHOIR. We now pass into the Choir, in which are to be seen the following tombs and monuments. — KING JOHN'S TOMB is in the middle, before the steps leading to the altar. It is a magnificent altar-iomb, supposed, till lately, to have been a cenotaph, or mere monument, while it was conceived, that the body was deposited in an ancient stone coffin, which was placed before the east window, between those attributed to Os- wald and Wulstan, before described in our Lady's chapel. The tomb formerly presented the effigy of the king, crown- ed, and with the words "^ Johannes Rex Anglic." It is now impossible to determine from inspection, what was the appearance of the whole effigy. Our engraving here inserted, will, however, give the reader a correct idea of the appearance of the tomb. HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 119 The sculpture formerly exhibited an effigy of the king, holding a sceptre in the right hand, a sword in the left, the point entering the mouth of a lion couchant, at the feet. On the sides were small cumbent images, supposed of Oswald and Wulstan, censing the king. In consequence of the general opinion, that this was only a cenotaph, the Dean and Chapter had determined, in the year 1797, to remove it, and place it over the suppos- ed remains of the king, in our Lady's chapel. On com- mencing operations, upon Monday, July 17th, of that year, there was found within it a stone coffin, containing the remains of the king. The body, it was judged, must have been previously disturbed, as it presented, upon being opened, a confused state of the bones. This induced many to think, that it had been brought from our Lady's chapel, and enclosed in this monument, in very early and superstitious times, when miracles were so generally pre- tended to be wrought at the tombs of kings and other renowned persons. This point, however, cannot now be determined ; and we shall, therefore, indulge no further speculation, but proceed to give such a description of the appearance of the body, as may satisfy the curious reader. The inside of the stone coffin measured only five feet seven inches in length. The bones and other fragments were presented in a disordered state, evidently showing that the coffin had been moved or opened. The most perfect parts were the toes. The skull was nearly entire, but was lying on its top. There were some remnants of the dress, but they were all too much decayed to admit of any satisfactory determination respecting them. There appeared a vast quantity of dry skins, or shells of maggots, dispersed over the whole of the remains, especially over the abdomen, on which were several pieces of a substance like mortar, in which the maggots had been so mixed. 120 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. that on breaking it up, their skins appeared as thick in the middle as on the outside. It is well known that the body was disembowelled and embalmed, the bowels being buried at Croxton Abbey.^ This mortar-like material, was probably the substance in which the abdomen had been enclosed, or with which it was filled at the time of embalming. The influx of persons to inspect these remains, which were now made public, after being entombed six hundred years, was so great, as to render it jDrudent to order the immediate closing up of the coffin and tomb. Accordingly, on the day after it had been opened, access was prohibited, and the whole sealed up as before. King John died on the 19th of October, 1216, in the fifty-first year of his age, and eighteenth of his reign. He was buried in Worcester Cathedral, according to his own special direction, and, as was supposed, in a monk's cowl, according to the notion of the times, for the purpose of expediting his transit through the regions of purgatory. PRINCE Arthur's tomb and chapel. Prince Arthur, the eldest son of Henry VH. was the fruit of that union between the Houses of York and Lan- caster, by which an end was happily put to one of the most fierce and disastrous of civil contentions. This tomb and chapel, situated on the south side of the altar in the choir, was erected in 1504, by order of the king, and is considered one of the very first specimens of a Gothic mausoleum in the kingdom. The unknown sculptor has displayed consummate judgment and taste, both in the general design, and the particular execution of the several parts. The general subject was admirably chosen, and is * The Abbot of Croxton was the king's physician, and to him was committed the charge of embalmment. HISTOBy OF WORCESTER. 121 quite national. It represents the union of the white and red roses, and was evidently intended both as a monument for the prince, and a pledge of the cordiality of that union, on which the peace of the nation depended. The following brief description may give the reader some notion of the taste and skill with which the tomb is constructed, and of the import of the beautiful and elabo- rate sculpture with which it is ornamented. — On the north side, external, appear several statues of saints, with escutcheons supported by angels. On the south side, there are ranges of small images of virgins, bishops, kings, confessors, &c. in niches with canopies. Also, an angel holding a crown over the letters I. H. S. and the arms of England, as then borne, with the quarter- ings of de Burgh, for the Earldom of Ulster, and of Mortimer, Earl of March ; the supporters being a grey- hound collared, and a lion gardant. A rose in sunbeams for the House of York ; and a rose within a rose, to re- present the union of the two houses ; with various other armorial devices, too numerous to be detailed here. The inside is richly ornamented. The eastern end, in particular, presents to view, in the centre, first, a figure of the dead body of Christ, partly covered with a drapery held by angels. The figure is much mutilated. The head and hands are entirely gone ; the lower parts greatly injured. On the north side of this figure, and next to it, is a statue of a king, crowned, and in his regal vestments ; at his feet some animal unknown. Beyond this figure, on the left, is a statue of some religious character, with a cross or a T on the robe over the right shoulder. On the other side of the dead Christ, stands, first, another king crowned, and in royal attire -, and beyond that, a figure in armour, much mutilated ; at his feet, an animal which appears to have been a dragon. 122 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. It has been conjectured, that the two kings are meant to represent Edward IV. and Henry VI. If the royal figure on the north of the dead Christ, represents Henry VI, then we may suppose the meek and pious character attributed to him, may be signified by the religious per- sonage attending him -, and on the other side, if the royal statue is meant for the Fourth Edward, then the martial figure may be meant for St. George, with the dragon, and may not unfitly represent the martial character of this prince. Or the whole may be intended to express, what the mournful king would actually feel and wish to imbody on the occasion — that the two Houses of York and Lan- caster, represented by the two kings, accompanied by religion on the one side, and the national saint on the other, should weep over the ashes of the young prince. He was in his seventeenth year when he died, and had been recently married to Catherine of Arragon, Avho sub- sequently became the wife of Prince Henry, (afterwards Henry VIII.) Prince Arthur's death took place at Lud- low, April 2nd, 1502. It had long been supposed that the interior of this mausoleum had suffered dilapidation, during the period of the civil wars ; and the charge seemed of course to fall upon the Cromwellian troops, after the battle of Worcester. But in the year 1788, Mr. Valentine Green discovered, that what had been deemed an utter ruin, was, in fact, nothing but a coarse coating of mortar, laid over the beautiful sculpture of this splendid tomb. Having com- municated his discovery to the dean, a close inspection took place j the mortar was carefully removed, and when the Avhole was 'cleaned, it revealed to view the beautiful and significant sculpture already described. Mr. Green conceives that the dilapidation of this tomb was caused for the purpose of setting up Queen Elizabeth's HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 123 arms, when she assumed the government of the Church ; and that all the projecting parts of the statues were chip- ped off, in order to make a smooth surface to receive her Majesty's arms. That those arms were over this sculpture is attested by Mr. Abingdon, who describes them. It is also certain that the statues were injured at the time when the mortar was laid on j for a large quantity of the pieces was found among it, when the whole incrustation was removed in 1788. It is also obvious, upon inspection, that the dilapidation has not been eflFected by rude violence, such as that attributed to Cromwell's soldiers, but of calm purpose, and with a chisel, or similar instrument, by a workinan. The chapel was designed for the service of a priest, to say masses for the rest of the prince's soul. An altar was originally situated at the eastern end, under the figure of the dead Christ. The tomb in which the body is deposited within the chapel, is of granite, decorated with the royal arms of France and England. The inscrip- tion around the covering-stone is as follows : — ''^ Here lyeth buried Prince Arthur , the first begotten sonne of the righte Renowjicd King Henri/ the Seave7ithe, which noble Prince departed out of this transitory life att the castle of Ludlow e in the seaventeenthe yeere of his father^ s raygne, and in the yere of oure Lorde God on thousonde five hundred and two.'' The inscription is said to have been renewed since the time of Edward VI, and the words " or a pro anima " omitted. The heart of Prince Arthur was buried in the chancel of Ludlow Church. It is said to have been found in a silver box many years since j but the inscription which was put up on the north wall has been white-washed over, and thereby lost. An arched and ornamented recess at 124 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. the north-west end of the church, is now shown as the place where the heart was buried ; but there being no inscription visible, the only authority is tradition. The following account of the funeral of Prince Arthur, is given by an old writer, who speaks as an eye-witness of the afl'ecting ceremony. — '^ The funeral was conducted with much mournful pomp 3 and the Bishop of Lincoln, President of the Prince's court, bore a principal part in the sacred offices attending it. The corpse was inveloped in cerements, and lay in state in the castle, during the space of three weeks. Then on St. George's day, in the afternoon, it was re- moved in solemn procession to the church of St. Lawrence. The Earl of Surrey, as principal mourner, followed near to the corpse ; and after him a long train of noblemen and others ; among whom were many of the principal citizens of Chester, who had come thus far to attend the obsequies of their beloved Prince. His banner was borne before the corpse by Sir Griffiths ap Rice, who was pre- ceded by bishops, abbots, and others. When the corpse was conveyed into the choir, the dirge began ; and the Bishops of Lincoln, Salisbury, and Chester, read the three lessons. On the morrow^ the Bishop of Lincoln sung the mass of requiem. Doctor Edenham, almoner and confessor to the Prince, ' said a noble sermon, and took to his antyteme. Blessed are the dead, who die in the Lord.' " On St. Mark's day, the procession moved from Lud- low to Bewdley ; and (observes the narrator) * it was the foulest cold windye and rainey daye, and the worst waye, that I have seen.' The corpse was placed in the choir of the chapel ; and dirge and mass of requiem were perform- ed ; and every church where it rested was decorated with escutcheons. When they came to Worcester, the order of friars censed the corpse at the town's end ; and at the HISTORY OF WORCESTEK. 125 city-gate the bailiffs and corporation met them. At the entrance of the churchyard, the Bishop of Worcester hav- ing now joined the train, the four bishops in rich copes censed the corpse j which was then borne under a canopy through the choir, to a hearse illuminated with eighteen lights, and sumptuously garnished with arms. At dirge were nine lessons, after the custom of that church. The first five were read by abbots ; the sixth by the Prior of Worcester ; the rest by the bishops, the Bishop of Lincoln reading the ninth. That night there was a goodly watch of lords, and knights, and many others. " At eight in the morning the sacred rites were resum- ed 3 when the third mass of requiem was sung by the Bishop of Lincoln. Customary offerings were made at the mass j ' but to have seen the weepinge when the ofter- inge was done, he had a hard heart that wept not.' The sermon, ' by a noble doctor,' followed. After this, all the prelates censed the corpse ; and then, ^ with weeping and sore lamentation, it was laid in the grave,' at the south end of the high altar, where were all the divine services. The orisons were said by the Bishop of Lincoln, also sore weeping. He set the crosse over the chest, and cast holye water and earth thereon.' The comptroller of the Prince's household, his stew%n,rd, and others, brake their staves of office, and cast them into the grave. And thus concludes our author : ' God have mercye on good Prince Arthur's soule.' " The Duke of Hamilton, who fell in the battle of Wor- cester, 1G51, is stated by historians to have been buried within the altar-rails, between the distances of ten and thirteen feet from the north side wall, and one foot within the rails ; but no trace is now to be discovered of any tomb or grave. The floor no doubt covers the tomb. 126 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. On the north side, within the rails, and at the eastern end, is seen a monument to Mrs. Cicel Warmstry, which was removed, a few years ago, from a pillar of the nave. This monument is remarkable for a very superior piece of sculpture, about two feet long, representing the emaciated body of Mrs. Warmstry, partially wrapped in a veil. The sculpture has been formerly attached to some part of the monument, but is now lying loose upon it. Next to this, is the monument of Bishop Bullingham. The following curious inscription is placed in a tablet over it: — HERE BORNE HERE BISHOP BURIED HERE A BULLINGHAM BY NAME AND STOCKE A MAN TWISE MARIED IN CODES FEARE CHIEF PASTOR LATE OF LINCOLN FLOCKE WHOM OXFORD TRAYNED UP IN YOWTHE WHOM CAMBRYDGE DOCTER DID CREATE A PAYNFUL PREACHER OF THE TRUTHE HE CHAYNGD THIS LIEF FOR HAPPIE STATE 180 APRIL S 1576. Next to this is the tomb of Abigail, the wife of Bishop Goldisburghe, Bishop of Gloucester. She is represented kneeling and praying, and in the dress of the age. She died in 1613. Adjoining this, is the monument of Bishop Gauden, which was removed, in 1812, from the back of the altar- skreen in our Lady's chapel. In a concave oval wrought in the marble, is a half-length figure of the bishop, hold- ing in his right hand a book, supposed to be the " Eikon Basilike.* * This is a small volume of very elegant meditations and prayers, used by King Charles I. and long ascribed to him ; but which have been latterly, on better evidence, attributed to Bishop Gauden, and this book on the tomb seems to countenance the fact. HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 127 Passing now out of the choir, at its south side-door, we enter the south side-aisle ; in which, under the side of Prince Arthur's chapel, are seen, first, the tomb of Bishop Godfreij Giffard ; and east of it, that of the Countess of Surrey. We next enter a recess on the south side, correspond- ing with the bishop's chapel on the north j this is called the Deans Chapel. In it are the following tombs and monuments : first, one to Mrs. Mostijne ,- second, the tomb of Dean Willis ; third, the tomb of Dean Wilson ; fourth, the tomb of Sir R. Har court ; fifth, a ladij, un- known -J sixth, Sir Griffijth Ryce and Lady's tomb j seventh, Catherine Talbot. If we now pass westward, we come to the lower part or vestibule of the church 3 consisting of the nave, with its aisles, and the transept of the principal or lower cross. MONUMENTS IN THE GREAT CROSS AISLE. We shall commence the description of these monuments at the north end of the transept. Here appears, first, a very neat and appropriate marble tablet to the memory of the late Dean Hook. In the recess on the north wall, the principal object is the monument of Dr. John Hough, Bishop of Worcester. This monument, the work of Roubilliac, is considered the most exquisite piece of art in our cathedral. It represents the bishop in a reclining posture over a sarcophagus^ with his head turned upwards, and his hands clasped, as if in an act of devotion. On the top of the pedestal stands Religion, holding in her right hand the Bible open, and with her left holding back part of the drapery, which would seem to be falling over the basso-relievo on the front of the sarcophagus. The history so well told by the skill of the artist's chisel, in the basso-relievo, represents the 128 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. scene in the Commission-court at Magdalen College, Ox- ford, which took place October 21st, 1687 ; when Bishop Cartwright, of Chester ; Wright, Lord Chief Justice ; and Jenner, one of the barons of the exchequer, appeared as commissioners appointed by James II. for the purpose of removing Dr. Hough from the presidency of that col- lege. The group consists of the commissioners, with a secretary seated before them ; and Dr. Hough, followed by the fellow^s of the college, all in their academic robes. The bishop is represented as pleading the cause of Pro- testantism, and the rights of his College. The scene is exhibited with consummate skill, and the characters are well displayed. Under the sarcophagus in the centre, and upon the upper pedestal, appear the arms and mitre of the bishop -, while at the south end, in front, and rest- ing on the inferior pedestal, is a beautiful medallion, in demi-reUevo, of the bishop's lady, supported by a very admirable figure of a weeping boy, representing love. Around the oval medallion, is an appropriate inscription by the bishop himself. On the base of the monument is an inscription by Dr. Tottie, Archdeacon of Worcester. It is as follows : — SACRED TO POSTERITY Be the Vertues of the most excellent Prelate Dr. JOHN HOUGH ; The ever memorable President of Magdalen College O.ron, In the Reign of K. JAMES the lid. Called forth to this dangerous «& important Station For his Learning, Prudence, Piety, He maintained it in the Day of Trial With Ability, Integrity, Dignity : Firm in the Defence of the invaded Rights of his College, How Providentially for this Church «& Nation, He opposed the Rage of Popish Superstition and Tyranny — Let the ANNALS of ENGLAND testifie. HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 129 IN happier Times He was advanced to be a Guardian of tlie Religion and Liberties of his Counti'y In honourable Testimony of his eminent Services to Both ; Was made Bishop of O.rford A. D. 1690 ; Was translated to the See oi Lichfield 8f Coventry A. D. 1699 ; To the See of Worcester A. D. 1717. IN his faithfull Administration of the Pastoral Office, By prudent Government, by impartial Affection, By persuasive Example, He was Honoured and Beloved ; And left to each Successour a well-regulated Diocese. IN every Condition and Relation, From the Influence of a lively Faith, From the oA^rflowings of a Benevolent Heart, It was the Business and Pleasure of his Life To serve GOD and to do Good. His Benefactions to Magdalen College and to his Episcopal Housea Are illustrious and lasting Monuments of his Munificence ; Yet much were they excelled by the nobler Instances Of his diffusive, unbounded Charity. His courteous Affability & engaging Condescension were the Delight Of the numerous Partakers of his generous Hospitality. Grace was in his Address, and Dignity in his Deportment. In Conversation — Propriety and Purity of Language, In Writing — Exactness, Ease and Elegance of Style, Embellished The Justness, the Delicacy, the Humanity, the Piety of his Sentiments. BLEST with uninterrupted Health and Tranquillity of Mind, Happy in his Life and in his Death, Full of Honour and full of Days, In the 93d Year of his Age and the 53d of his Consecration, In the entire Possession of his Understanding, In the Consciousness of a well spent Life, In sure and certain Hope of a joyfull Resurrection, He expired without a Groan. *'i/e was the Son of John Hough Citizen of London, and of Mar- garet his Wife, Daughter of John Bijrche of Leacroft in the County of Stafiford,Esq. and married Lettice, Daughter of Thomas Fisher, R 130 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. of Walskall, in the County of Warwick ^ Esq. by Dorothy his wife^ Daughter of John Lacon, of West Coppice, in the County of Salop ^ Esq. She was Relict of Sir Charles Lee, of IJillesley , in the County of Warwick. He was born ^pril 12M, 1651, and died May Sth, 1743. She was born July 20th, 1659, and died Nov. \2th, 1722. Both lie interred in our Lady's Chapel." *' This Monument was erected at the expence of Mr. John Byrche, the Bishop's Executor." In the same north transept with Bishop Hough, is a neat monument to Prebendary Stillingfleet ; then a tablet to Lieutenant W. St. Andrew St. John ; and near this, the monument of the Hon. and Rev. Dr. St. Andrew St. John, a dean of Worcester. After this, a tablet to Ambrose St. John, and a tablet to FAeonora Montgomery. Opposite to Bishop Hough's is a handsome monument to Sir Thomas Street, KnigJit, a judge. Passing now in front of the new and elegant organ- skreen, in which is the entrance to the choir, we come to the south end of the transept. Here appears, on the eastern wall, near to the tomb of Bishop Maddox, a tablet to the memory of Dr. Thomas Evans, Archdeacon of Worcester. It is placed over the door of the crypt. We next turn to the magnificent monument of Bishop Maddox, the founder of the city and county Infirmary. As his memory must be endeared to posterity, as well as to his contemporaries, we shall insert the inscription in full.— MAY THIS MARBLE Record to future Times The Excellent F.ndowments and beneficent Vertues Of Dr. ISAAC MADDOX, Bishop of this Diocese ! ANexnct Knowledge of the Constitution of this National Church, And an active Zeal for its Support and Prosperity, Manifested in a variety of Occasions, HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 131 And Especially in writing a judicious VINDICATION of the Plan of the Reformation adopted by Q. ELIZABETH, Eminently qualified him for the Prelacy ; All the extensive and important Duties of which Function He perfectly imderstood and conscientiously discharged with Fervour, Prudence & Integrity. THE Love of his Country (The ruling Passion of his truly English Heart) Urged him to promote with unwearied Care Loyalty, Industry, Sobriety, And whatever might secure and increase the Publick Wellfare. A FATHER to his Clergy- He directed them by his Counsel, Supported them by his Authority, And assisted them by his Liberality : A rare Example ! After many other bountifuU Donations, He assigned ^200 per Annum, during his Life, For the Augmentation of the Smaller Benefices of his Diocese. A GUARDIAN of the Poor- He abounded in private Charities, and encouraged evexj public one : Long may the Sick and Impotent bless the PATRON, And those of this County the INSTITUTOR of INFIRMARIES ! HOSPITALITY and Generosity Enlivened with Chearfullness, Affability and Good Nature, Were the distinguishing Vertues of the Man and the Friend : And the Piety and Fortitude of the Christian Were brought to the Test and stood the Trial In two most afflicting Circumstances — The Death of a lovely Daughter, In whom at XI Years of Age All the Graces of the Mind dwelling in the most elegant Form Not only began to dawn But seemed to be hastening to Maturity ; And the Death of a most accomplished Son at the Age of XVII ; Whose Vertuous Disposition and uncommon Attainments in Learning Deserved and received the Favour and Applause of ETON 8f CHRIST-CHURCH. 132 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. CONJUGAL and Maternal Affection Weeping over the mingled Ashes Of her much honoured and much lamented Lord And of her dear Children Erected this Monument to their Memory. *^He was horn July 27, 1^97 ; was appointed Clerk of the Closet to Q. Caroline in 1729 ; was made Dean of Wells i}i 1733 ; was conse- crated Bishop of St. ylsaph 1736 ; and was translated to the See of Worcester in 1743. He married hi 1731 Elizabeth Daiigkter of Richard Price of Hayes in the County of Middlesex Esq. and died Sept. 27 1759, leaving to a tender Mother' s Care one Snrviviiig be- loved Daughter y since given in Marriage to the Hon. and Rev. Mr. YorkCf Dean of Lincoln." " Near this Monument, erected by herself to the Memory of her much loved Husband, and dear Children, and in the same Vault with him, are deposited the Remains of Mrs. ELIZABETH MADDOX, who departed this Life in the year of our Lord 1789, on the 19th Day of February, and in the 89th Year of her Age. She was amiable and exemplary in every part of her conduct ; and piously hopeful, through the merits of her Redeemer, of everlasting happiness." On the south wall of this end of the transept, is a tablet to Dean Arthur Onslow, whose remains are interred in the crypt. Next to it is a monument to Mrs. Henrietta Wrottesleij. To the right, on the same wall, is a monu- ment to Bishop Johnson, with an admirable marble bust by Nollekens. Nearly opposite to Bishop Maddox's, is a handsome monument to Mrs. Hall. MONUMENTS IN THE NAVE. Commencing at the eastern end of the south aisle, under the first window is a handsome monument to Dr. William Thomas, Bishop of Worcester. Proceeding westward, we next come to a white marble monument, with a full and appropriate inscription, to the HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 133 memory of Dr. Thomas James, a prebendary of this cathe- dral, who died in 1804. Next to this is a neat tablet to Dr. Jas. Johnstone, Jim. with the following inscription from the classical pen of the late Dr. Parr : — ± lACOBO. IOHNSTONE.J[VN. QUI. IN. HAC. VRBE. PER. IX. ANNOS ARTEM. MEDICAM. EXERCVIT ET. DVM. ^GRIS. IN CARCERE. INCLVSIS OPEM. FEREBAT FEBRIS. IBI. S.EVIENTIS. CONTAGIONE. CORR EPTVS DECESSIT. XVII. KALEND. SEPT. ANNO. CHRISTI. M. D.CC. LXXXIII. ^TAT. SViE. XXX. lACOBVS. lOHNSTONE. M. D. FIL. B. M. F. C. Under the second window, beneath an arched recess in the wall, is the ancient tomb ascribed to Friar Baskerville, whose statue is represented cumbent in a priest's habit, with a large tonsure, and at his feet a lion. Adjoining is a tablet to Colonel Dumaresq, and one to R. Inglethorpe, the founder of the hospital that bears his name. The inscription is as follows : — HERE LIES HIS FRAILTY HIS FAIR SOULE^ ABOVE, WHO SORTED ALL HIS ACTIONS TO THAT END. THIS CITIES GLORY EVERY GOOD-MANS LOVE IN LIFE, IN DEAT. THE POORES PERPETUAL FREND. AS HOSPITABLE AS THY SPEAKE OF JOVE HIS ZEAL BUT HOW DARE WE COMMEND BEYOND ALL PENS HIS PRAISE WILL BEST APPEARE ONELY TO WRITE TIS INGLETHROP LIES HERE. 134 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. Under the third window, beneath a low arch, is a raised tomb, very ancient. Both the inscription and the effigies which were upon it, have long since disappeared, and no conjecture can be formed as to whom it belongs. Passing westward, we next come to a tablet to the memory of Octavia Walsh, and another to Catherine Palmes'; then a monument to Susannah Warren; under this, a tomb unknown ; and next, a monument to J. Bromleij, Esq. Near this is a marble tablet to the father of the Dr. Johntone before mentioned. The inscription is much admired for its classical elegance. Under the fifth window, within an arch in the wall, is a plain tomb over the renowned Judge Litleton, a justice of the common pleas, in the reign of Edward IV. He died in 148 1 . Adjoining, is a monument to Sir T. Lyttel- ton and his Lady ; then a tablet to Bourne Charlett, Esq. We then come to the superb tomb of Bishop Freake. It exhibits several inscriptions in Greek, Latin, and Eng- lish. Near it is a tablet to Philip Fell. A marble monu- ment to Randolph Marriott, Esq. and Elizabeth his wife, follows. Near this is an elegant sculptured monument to the memory of Colonel Sir Henry Walton Ellis, of the Welsh Fusiliers, who died on the 20th of June, 1815, in the thirty- second year of his age, of wounds received in the memorable battle of Waterloo. The monument represents the colonel on horseback, wounded, and falling side- ways off his horse j while there appears behind, an elegant figure of Victory, sustaining him with her left hand, and with her right placing her crown upon his head. A soldier appears in front, in an agony of distress, stooping on his knee, as if to receive the falling officer in his arms. The whole is admirably conceived, and ably executed, by the Younger Bacon. HISTORY OF WORCESTER. ]35 Adjoining, is a white marble monument, by the same artist, to Richard Solly, Esq. It is a very elegant and interesting piece of sculpture, representing the disconso- late widow leaning on the funereal monument, and sur- rounded by several admirable figures of children. In the great centre aisle of the nave, and between the third and fourth pillars on the south side, is an elegant raised tomb to Robert Wilde, Esq. and his lady. Their figures are cumbent on the covering-stone j they are clothed in similar robes, their hands are raised, and a lion is placed at their feet. Against the pillar at the head of the tomb, is an ornamented tablet with an inscription, and the family arms. On the opposite side, between the corresponding pillars, is the tomb of Sir John Beauchamp, of Holt, Worcester- shire. The effigies of Sir John in complete armour, with a greyhound at his feet, accompanied by the effigies of Lady Beauchamp, The arms of the Beauchamps, Earls of Warwick, and those of the Beauchamps, Barons of Powick, are at the head of Sir John's figure. Passing now into the north aisle, and commencing at the western end, against the north wall there appears, first, a tablet to J. Yates, Esq. and Harriot his wife; another to Dr. Wing field, to Mrs. Cazalet, to Mrs. Brewer, and one to Mr. John Clifton, and two daughters. On the left of the north entrance, affixed to the wall under the second window, is a large family monument to the Moores, of this city 3 on which are the figures of three men in gowns, and three women by them, kneeling and praying. The date is 1613. Passing eastward, we come to the recess called Jesus Chapel; in which is placed, in the centre, the baptismal- font ', and against the east wall, the monument of Bishop Fleetwood, who died in 1 683, aged eighty-one -, and also 136 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. on the west side, that of Bishop Blandford, who died in 1 Q7^, aged fifty-nine. Both the inscriptions are in Latin j but nothing peculiar is to be remarked concerning these monuments, except that they display a pleasing departure from the massy and tasteless constructions of preceding In the centre of the two lowermost arches of the nave, opposite the great west window, was formerly a flat stone over the grave of Bishop Wakefield, who is said to have added those arches to the church. This stone was re- moved about 1756, when the present pavement was laid down. In the Cloister Green there are deposited in a vault, the remains of Mr. Robert Fellers, aged 72, who died in April 1815. He had been a silk mercer in this city, and by his industry and attention to business had amassed an ample fortune. He bequeathed to the Worcester Infir- mary, SIX THOUSAND POUNDS ! and ^100 to the parish of St. Michael, Bedwardine3 and ^100 for the poor of the eight united parishes within the city : the interest to be applied to the relief of the poor, by the minister and churchwardens respectively. There are many other tombs and monuments in and about the cathedral, too numerous for distinct mention in the present work. We have noticed only the most re- markable and interesting. THE CLOISTERS. These were no doubt cloisters connected with the monastery of St. Mary, from very early times. We find, however, that in the year 1202, they were in ruins, or nearly so, by the conflagration which had, a few years before, destroyed both the church and the monastery. King John, when he visited Worcester in 1207, among HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 13/ many other substantial proofs of his regard for this church, contributed a hundred fnarks towards the repairs of the cloister. The present quadrangular cloister was erected in the year 1372. The eastern side is one hundred and twenty- five feet long) the other three sides, one hundred and twenty each. The whole is sixteen feet wide, and sixteen high. It is immediately contiguous to the south side of the nave of the cathedral, out of which there are two doors into the eastern and western ends of the cloister. There is a passage into the cloister, round the western end of the church, and a passage out of it, at its south-eastern corner, into the College-green. The roof of this passage is much lower than that of the cloister ; the architecture is evi- dently of an earlier age, and the door-way into the Col- lege-green presents, externally, a highly finished Saxon archway. This passage is supposed to have been left entire when the earlier cloisters were destroyed. The roofs of the whole quadrangle, particularly those of the north and south cloister, display some curious sculpture. In the north cloister, the centre arch has its keystone ornamented with a figure of the Virgin Mary and the infant Saviour : the heads are gone. Around are placed the hieroglyphics of the four evangelists, and between these, four angels kneeling. The other arches of this cloister have their keystones ornamented with a series of angels, bearing shields, on which probably coats of arms were anciently painted. In the south cloister, the ornaments consist of the genealogies of the kings of Judah and Israel -, commencing with Jesse, who is represented with a branch issuing out of his bowels, according to the ancient form of expressing genealogies ; it then proceeds to David, represented with his harp. The central arch exhibits a group of figures, supposed to be the anointing of David, by Samuel the prophet. 138 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. There are many other figures in different parts of the cloister, well deserving the inspection of the curious. There is also in the north cloister a very ancient stone cojffin, with a sculptured effigies, attributed to Neccham, Abbot of Cirencester ; but no proof remains to satisfy curiosity. The ancient Lavatory, or monks' washing-cistern, is still to be seen in the west cloister, not far from the door into the college-hall. It is a stone cistern, similar to a manger, and was supplied from a spring at Henwick Hill, possessing similar properties to the celebrated Malvern waters. The water was conducted in leaden pipes over the old bridge, and along the eastern side of the river, to the cloister. For this liberty granted by the city to the con- vent, it was conceded on the part of the church, that the bailiffs and aldermen should have their maces borne before them within the precincts of the sanctuary, and in the parish of St. John's, in Bedwardine. This agreement was made in the reign of Henry IV. The leaden pipes are said to have been torn up during the civil wars. The Dormitory for the monks was situated on the side of the west cloister. Its entrance was by the hand- some arched door-way, which still remains. It was one hundred and twenty feet long, and sixty wide. The vaulted stone roof was supported by five large pillars, ranged along the centre. The space occupied by this room is now a garden, but traces of the building remain. The Infirmary was a structure westward of the Dor- mitorij, and verging on the Severn. It was separated from the Dormitory by a narrow passage, now called Dark Alleij. Two lofty walls of this building remained as late as 1815, but part was removed. It is conjectured that the lower apartment was a chapel, and that the lodgings for the patients was over it. HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 139 THE CHAPTER-HOUSE AND LIBRARY. The chapter-house is situated at the side of the eastern cloister, out of which is its entrance. It is an elegant circular building, but assuming the form of a decagon where the windows commence. Its roof is supported by a central column, out of which radiate the elegant corded arches, which finish on the outer wall. It corresponds exactly with one at Ely. The building is fifty- eight feet in diameter, and forty-five in height. The date of its erection is 1372, being the same as that of the cloister. It was intended at its erection as the council -chamber of the convent 3 in which, no doubt, many a splendid as- sembly of ecclesiastics has been held, and many a knotty question of canon law debated. It now answers the double purpose of a council-room for the dean and chap- ter, and of a library. The first rudiments of a library belonging to this church, appear to have arisen out of a composition settled between the monks and one Lady Godiva, the widow of Leofric, Duke of Mercia. Leofric had promised, or engaged, to restore to the monks, at his decease, certain possessions. Whether they were church property which had fallen into his hands, or possessions which he had dedicated to sacred uses, does not appear ; but at his decease, his widow ob- tained the consent of the monks to hold these possessions during her own life. Certain valuable considerations were, however, accepted by the monks; and among these, mention is made of a library. This took place about the year 1057. In the prelacy of Bishop Carpenter, 1461, a regular library was established for the use of the convent. It was then placed in the chapel of the charnel-house. This prelate endowed the establishment with the sum of ten 140 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. pounds per annum, for a librarian. The library remained in this situation till the year 1641, when it was removed to its present situation ; and the king's school, which was also held in the chapel of the charnel-house, was trans- ferred to the refectory, or college-hall. The library contains a very large collection of the works of the fathers ; many rare and curious commentaries and writers on canon law j some valuable and beautiful manu- scripts j a Wicklifte's New Testament, in fine vellum, written about 1381 3 and many other rare and curious articles. The library is not, however, large, though it is continually increasing, through the liberality of the deans and others of the clergy. The proceeds of funerals in the church and crypt are devoted to the augmentation of the library, as well as several small sums required of every new dean and prebendary. The ancient library is supposed to have been preserved in one of those rooms over the south aisle of the body of the church, where the king's school was kept. A stone stair-case outside the church, at the south-west angle, was the ascent to these rooms ; and this was entirely detached from the body of the cathedral, having its en- trance from without. Here is now deposited a large quantity of papers, manuscripts, and wills. THE REFECTORY, OR COLLEGE-HALL. This is a large room situated on the south side of the cloister. It is one hundred and twenty feet long, and thirty-eight broad. It was anciently appropriated as the common-hall of the monks, but is now used for the school founded by Henry VIII,* and for the evening concerts at * Particulars of this school will be given under the chapter upon Charitable Establishments. HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 141 the triennial music-meeting. The room was built at the same time as the cloister. THE GUESTEN, OR AUDIT-IIALL. Wulstan de Braunsford, in the year 1320, erected this building for the exclusive purpose of entertaining stran- gers. The monastery was bound to keep an open table, but the rules of the order forbade the monks to have in- tercourse at meals with strangers. The hall was subsequently used also for holding a monthly court of the convent 3 in which, petty cases under forty shillings, and between tenants of the church, were decided. Such causes, even up to the time of Charles I. could not be brought into any other court. The building is now annexed to the deanery. THE DEANERY. The house in the College-green now denominated the Deanery, although it has assumed an external aspect as- similated to modern habitations, is of ancient date, and still retains in many of its apartments, and especially in the interior and parts connected with the church, much to gratify the curious antiquary. It was the ancient priory to the convent, and possessed ample accommodation. There is still remaining a very ancient passage, stair-case, and some small apartments, connecting the Deanery with the vestry of the cathedral. The erection of the priory is attributed to William de Bedeford, in the year 1225. At the dissolution of the monastic orders, it was appropriated to the deans of the church. It has undergone, at least in the principal rooms, a succession of changes, according to the taste of its successive inhabitants. The late Dean Hook, distinguish- ed for a correct and elegant taste, made many important 142 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. and expensive alterations, which have added greatly to the beauty and convenience of the building. Edgar's tower. This gate or tower, which now forms the entrance to the College-green and precincts, has been the object of various and curious speculations. It has long borne the name of Edgar's Tower ; some have thought, because it was erected at or about the time of that prince 3 but chiefly, perhaps, because his statue, and those of his two queens, Elfleda and Elfrida, are placed in its eastern front. These statues, especially the central one, are said to be ad- mirably executed for the time. Over the head of the king was a representation of the Saviour, crowning his mother. These figures are now grievously injured by time and the violence of Gothic hands. The prevalent opinion concerning the tower, is, that it was erected in the time of Ethelred II. son of Edgar, and constituted one of the external buildings appertaining to the castle. It is thought to have been given up to the monks, with a part of the outer ward of the castle, in the time of Henry III. A date was extant many years ago, which was deter- mined, by the ablest antiquaries, to express in Gothic letters the year 1005. It appears, however, that in the year 1730, a mason was employed to chip and repair the tower 5 when, under orders, we would presume, he in- serted the date 975, in the Arabic numerals, mistaking the ancient letters p)\) for these figures. Notwithstanding these letters, which were formerly visible, and the statues, the identity of which is not disputed, some respectable judges are of opinion, that this tower is not of so early an age as that of Ethelred. Some have ascribed it to the age of King John, and have inferred that the cross-legged HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 143 figure was intended for that monarch. The date supposed to determine the erection to the year 1005, has heen the subject of very full description and examination, by Mr. Cope.* But it may be conceived, that in the lapse of so many centuries, supposing it to have been erected either in the time of King Edgar, or of his son Ethelred, various changes in its external appearance may have taken place, such as very much to alter the aspect of the building, and render doubtful those conclusions which are founded solely on the style of the architecture. It evidently had a port- cullis, and it is tolerably certain that the erection apper- tained to the castle. The royal statues render this more probable than that it was erected by the monks after the cession of that portion of land to the church. It is equally probable, that no age but that immediately contiguous to Edgar, would have thought of erecting statues to him and his queens. Our conclusion, therefore, is, that it cannot with propriety be dated later than the reign of Ethelred, and that it must have undergone such alterations as will account for a later style of building in its present exterior appearance. The bust of King George II. in the west front, was put up by the dean and chapter, we presume, in 1 730, when the face of the tower was chipped and chiselled. The figures are said also to have suffered serious dilapidation for the purpose of erecting in front of them a transparency, at the illumination for the peace of 1814. THE COLLEGE-GREEN. The College -green is an enclosed plot of ground pleasantly situated and planted with trees, on the south * See PhJlosop. Trans. No. 439. p. 136. Memoirs of the Royal Society, vol. x. p. 148. plate vi. fig. 6. p. 281. 144 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. side of the church, and opposite the deanery. It is nearly surrounded by the offices belonging to the cathedral, and by the prebendal houses. It is kept as a square for the use of the families occupying the surrounding houses. In the south-west corner is an ancient landing-place and steps, to a ferry across the river. At the back of the seventh prebendal house, are the remains of a spacious octagonal building, which is said to have been the kitchen of the convent. The date of its erection is not known, but it is believed to have been of Norman architecture. THE PALACE. The palace of the Bishop of Worcester is an ancient structure, situated some distance to the north of the cathe- dral, and on the eastern bank of the river. The entrance to it is from a street branching out of the High Street, and at a short distance from the College churchyard. The original palace was the work of very early times. The first notice of it which remains, is dated about the year 1224. Bishop Giffard obtained the license of Henry III. in the year 1270, to fortify this palace with an em- battled enclosure. Many parts of the old edifice remain, but they have been almost obliterated by the progressive improvements and alterations which successive genera- tions have accumulated. The cellarage and the kitchen, however, bear ample testimony to the antiquity of the building. The former is adjudged, from its architecture, to be the work of the Norman age. Bishop Sandys, about the year 1570, and Bishops Hough and Johnson, in particular, are named as having added largely to the im- provements of the palace. Bishop Hough put up the present east front in the year 1723. His arms appear in the pediment, empaled with those of the see. During the episcopate of the celebrated and excellent HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 145 Dr. Hurd, the interior received very liberal embellish- ments to fit it for the reception of his late Majesty King George III. who, with a part of his family, resided in it during his visit to this city in 1 788. This event is com- memorated by two excellent whole-length portraits of their Majesties, copied from Gainsborough, by Honney- man, which were placed in the drawing-room by Bishop Hurd. Between them, on an oval slab, is the following inscription: — HOSPES, Imagines, quas Contemplaris, AUGUSTORUM PrINGIPUM Georgii III. ET Charlotte Conjugis, Rex Ipse RiCHARDo Episcopo Vigorniensi, DONAVIT. M D C C X C . The apartments are handsome and commodious. The hall, which was used by the king as a dining-room, commands a fine view over the river to the west. It is fifty-five feet long by twenty-four broad, and eighteen high. The chapel, which is fitted up with oak, is attri- buted to the period of the Reformation. There is a valuable series of ecclesiastical portraits, of different ages, several of them given to the see by the late Bishop Hurd. Besides this palace, the Bishops of Worcester anciently enjoyed a London residence, which was intended for their accommodation while attending court. King Bertwulf, as early as the year 857, endowed Alhune, the bishop of Wor- cester, with a piece of ground outside the west gate of Lon- don, which was most probably at or near Temple Bar. On this land the subsequent bishops built themselves a palace. It was again confirmed to the see in the time of King 146 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. John. This mansion and land were then deemed a manor. This property, after being greatly improved by successive bishops, was all taken possession of by the Protector Somerset, to afford space for the magnificent palace which he erected there, and which bore his name — but which has been again superseded by Somerset Place. In lieu of this property, a house was assigned to the Bishop of Worcester in the White Friars. HARTLEBURY PALACE, OR CASTLE. A castle at Hartlehunj was given to the Bishop of Worcester by Burhred, king of the Mercians, about the year 850. In the year 1268, Walter de Cantelupe com- menced the rebuilding of the castle. In those times it was used as a place of refuge for the bishop and his ad- herents, and wore the appearance of a regular baronial castle, having its moat and other means of defence. The ancient castle remained entire till the time of the civil wars, in the reign of Charles I. It appears to have been then sold, together with the manor, to one Thomas West- rowe, by the parliamentary commissioners, for 5^3133 Qs. ScL The ancient castle was most probably pulled down in consequence of this sale. It was subsequently rebuilt, upon a more magnificent, but less warlike plan. It is now considered one of the most handsome episcopal palaces in the kingdom. It possesses a park, and ex- cellent gardens. Bishop Maddox repaired and beautified the chapel, at an expense of ^1200. The late Bishop Hurd bequeathed his valuable library, selected with great judgment and at great cost, to the use of the see. Hartlebury is pleasantly situated, and commands some rich and beautiful scenery towards the north and west. It is about ten miles north of Worcester, and four from Kid- derminster 5 the road to Kidderminster passing through it. CHAPTER V. Parochial Churches, Chapels, &c. — St. Helen's — St. Alban's — St. Andrew's — All Saints — St. Nicholas' — St. Swithin's — St. Martin's — St. Clement's — St. Peter's — St. Michael's — Town- ship of St. John, Bedwardine — Claines and Tithing of Whiston — The Baptists — Independents, or Presbyterians — Society of Friends — Roman Catholics — Lady Huntington' s Connexion — Wesley aii Methodists, Sfc. [Before entering upon the details of this chapter, we beg to pre- mise, that the names of the respective incumbents, &c. will not be here inserted, as it is intended to give a distinct and separate list of the names of all official persons connected with the Cathe- dral and the City, at the end of the volume.] ST. HELEN S. The parish- church of St. Helen, situated in the High Street, and at the corner of Fish Street, is considered the most ancient in the city of Worcester. Leland states, in his Itinerary, that it was a prebend before the time of King Edgar. The name of St. Helena, which it bears, is given to it in honour of the empress of that name, who was wife of Constantius Chlorus, and mother of Constan- tine, by whom she was converted to the Christian faith. It is not improbable that she was the founder of a Chris- tian Church in this city, and that after ages attached her name to it. It is well known that she built many churches 148 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. in different parts of Britain, long before the times of the Saxons. The present church of St. Helen is very old and vener- able, but its date is not known. It was repaired and im- proved some years since. The front, in the High Street, has been cased with stone, and an iron palisading erected before it. This rectory is in the gift of the Bishop of Worcester. A new house contiguous to the church was built for the rector some years since, and a piece of ground on the north-west side, was consecrated May 31st, 1793, for a burial-ground. This church has an excellent ring of eight bells, re- markable for the inscriptions on them, which relate to the principal victories during the reign of Queen Anne. They were cast at Bromsgrove, by W. Sanders. The tower in which they were placed was taken down in 1813, and rebuilt in 1820. The names and inscriptions are as follow : — 1. BLENHEIM. First is my note, and Blenheim is my name ; For Blenheim's story will be first in fame. 2. BARCELONA. Let me relate, how Louis did bemoan His grandson Philip's flight from Bracelon. 3. RAMILLIES. Delug'd in blood, I, Ramillies, advance Pritannia's glory in the fall of France. 4. MENIN. Let Menin on my sides engraven be, And Flanders freed from Gallic slavery. 5. TURIN. When in harmonious peal I roundly go, i Think on Turin, and triumphs of the Po. 6. EUGENE. With joy I bear illustrious Eugene's name ; Fav'rite of fortune, and the boast of fame. HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 149 7. MARLBOROUGH. But I, with pride, the greater Marlborough bear ; Terror of tyrants, and the soul of war. 8. QUEEN ANNE. Th' immortal praises of Queen Anne I sound ; With union blest, and all these glories crown'd. The church contains, in the communion, on the north side, a handsome monumental tomb, with a statue, of John Nash, Esq. who died May 22, 1662, aged seventy- two. He was the founder of Nash's charity in this city, an account of which will be given under the chapter of Charitable Establishments. On a marble monument, at the south-east end of the church, is an inscription to Philip Bearcroft, an alderman, and to Mary his daughter, married to John Mence, of the Rock Parish. This Mrs. Mary Mence left various charitable donations, which are there recorded. She died February 14th, 1760, aged seventy- five. ST. alban's. This is a rectory in the gift of the dean and chapter. A church was founded here in very early times. It has been ascribed to Ecwine, or Egwine, who was Bishop of Worcester early in the eighth century. The present building, which is certainly one of the most ancient in this city, is situated at the bottom of Fish Street, nearly opposite Messrs. Flight and Barr's Porce- lain Manufactory. The church has undergone many re- pairs and improvements in modern times. It contains no inscription of any particular public interest. sr. Andrew's. The church of St. Andrew, distinguishable by its elegant spire, is situated on the north side of Cooken Street. It 150 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. is attributed to the very early period of the eleventh cen- tury. This church has recently undergone extensive re- pairs ; it received the addition of an organ at the same time. The tower, which was cased with free-stone about the year 1814, contains a set of bells, and is surmounted by a spire, which is undoubtedly one of the most striking architectural ornaments of our city. It is seen to most advantage from the Malvern road, but forms a beautiful object from whatever point the city is approached. This elegant piece of architecture is particularly admired for its perfect symmetry j for, though plain, and surpassed by many other spires in ornaments, yet this is said to excel all others in the regular and symmetrical diminution from the base to the top, and in the very graceful termi- nation to which it is brought. FT. IN. The Tower, which is a part of the old \ on church, is, in height J The Spire 155 G Making the whole height 245 6 The diameter of the spire at the base is twenty feet, and at the top six inches and three quarters. It is ter- minated by a neat Corinthian capital, which is surmounted by a weathercock. This spire was erected in the year 1 75 1 , by Mr. Na- thaniel Wilkinson,* a native of Worcester. He carried on the trade of a stone-mason. His taste and skill are amply testified by this beautiful erection in his native city. This spire has not, however, lifted its summit so high for * Mr. Wilkinson built also the spire at Monmouth, Mitchel- dean, Ross, and Ledbury ; which are all I'cmaining. To the same ingenious person is ascribed the stone pulpit in the cathedral. He was buried at St. Peter's Church, September 28th, 1764. HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 151 three-quarters of a century, without some serious appre- hensions for its safety. It has been twice injured by storms ; — jfirst, in the year 1778, and again in 1799. It was last repaired in 1801, by the late Thomas Nelson, of this city. St. Andrew's is a rectory. The dean and chapter are the patrons. ALL SAINTS. This church is situated near the top of Merry Vale, and on the south side and west end of Broad Street. The present church was built in the year 1742, the old one having been much injured in the time of the civil wars. A bust of Bishop Hough occupies a recess outside, over the great east window. Of the founding of this church no record remains ; but the date of the first incumbent is in the time of Bishop Mauger, early in the thirteenth century. The tower contains a set of ten well-tuned bells. This church has an excellent organ, erected in 1822, and has recently received the improvement of an ornamented eastern window. This is a rectory, the patronage in the crown, owing to a forfeiture occasioned by the discovery of its having been purchased by certain merchants, who were found guilty of the unlawful traffic in church patronage. This church is considered altogether neat and commodious. Over the south door in the south aisle, is a small tablet, which records the augmentation of the rectory, by the sum of ^800 laid out in the purchase of a farm at Little Inkborough. This sum was raised by ^600, Queen Anne's bounty, ^100 by the parish, and ^100 by the rector. The south aisle, at its east end, contains an ancient tomb to Edward Hurdman, Esq. the last high-bailitf, and 152 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. the first mayor of Worcester. The tomb is ornamented by two full sized figures of Mr. and Mrs. Hurdman, kneeling and praying ; Mr. Hurdman is in his magis- terial robes; but no inscription is visible. The insignia of his civic oflEice form the ornaments of his tomb. ST. NICHOLAS. The church of St. Nicholas is an elegant modern edifice, situated in what is called the Cross, at its northern end, and on its eastern side. The front is Doric ; the tower is of varied composition ; but the whole edifice is in excellent taste, and stands in a good situation for effect. In the year 1813, this church received the addition of an organ, and two galleries. It is a rectory in the gift of the bishop. The old church is supposed to have been built after the return of our countrymen from the first Holy War. This inference is founded upon the fact of its being dedicated to St. Nicholas, Bishop and Confessor of Mirca in Lycia, the celebrated patron of all the dangerous enterprises of that age, and through whose intercessions safety was sought at sea. To the efficacy of his prayers was attributed the escape of our countrymen engaged in that crusade, from ship- wreck. The festival of this saint is on the sixth of De- cember, on which day, in popish times, the scholars of the king's school used to attend at this church with lighted candles, to assist in mass, and vespers. The date of the first incumbent is 1291 , ST. switiiin's. This church, situated at the east end of St. Swithin's Street, and seen down Church Street, leading from the High Street, was rebuilt in the year 1736. It is a hand- some and convenient structure. HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 153 The tower contains a peal of bells^ and a set of chimes. It has also an organ, which was the first erected in this city. This rectory was given to the monks of the convent of St. Mary, in the time of King Stephen, by Simon, the Bishop of Worcester. The church had been built upon the land of Eudo Decanus, and, on his petition, the Bishop granted it to the monks. The rector of this church was, in virtue of his office. Father Confessor to the Nuns of the White Ladies. Lands appertaining to that nunnery were appropriated to his service. A portion of tithes also in the parish of Claines, in which the nunnery stood, was granted to the confessor. The first patron of this rectory whose name occurs, was Henry Lee. He presented it, in 1 285, to Richard de Nor- ton. The Worcester annals, however, mention John Capellanus as an earlier incumbent, instituted in 1240. The patronage, which had remained with the prior and convent to the time of the Reformation, then fell into the hands of the dean and chapter ST. martin's. This is a rectory, now in the gift of the dean and chapter. Anciently it was granted by the prior and convent to Eudo, who had obtained for them the patronage of St. S within' s. This Eudo, however, afterwards took the habit of the convent, and returned the patronage to the monks again. The first incumbent was named Richard, instituted in the year 1219. The present church is situated at the north-west corner of the Corn Market. It was commenced in the year 1768, and opened for divine service October 1 1th, 1772. It is built of brick, as is also the tower. It is a neat and very u 154 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. commodious edifice. Part of the parish lies without the walls of the city, and includes the manors of Cudley, Lippard, and Perry. Over the south door is the following inscription : — '* Mr. Thomas Moore and his Wife Ann founded an hospital in this pai'ish, for the relief and education of 10 poor children of this parish and City, and endowed it with houses and lands in this parish and City worth above £A0 per ann. She at her death ap- pointed ^150 for charitable uses ; which was disposed of by Sir Robert Berkely as followeth, viz. a rent charge of inheritance of £9 3s. 4d. per ann. was purchased, and is to be paid to the Church- wardens of this parish at Christmas and Midsummer, by equal portions, and by them to be distributed as follows, viz. upon every New-year's Day, for ever, 50s. amongst 50 poor people of this parish : upon every Saturday in the year 2s. 6d. to the Governor of the said Hospital, for the better relief of the 10 poor children : and every Christmas Eve 3s. 4d. to the Governor of the said Hos- pital, to make some extraordinary provision for the 10 poor chil- dren's dinner on Christmas Day." Sir Robert Berkeley, Knight, one of the judges of the King's Bench, in the reign of Charles I. gave also seve- ral bequests to this parish, to the amount of five pounds ten shillings per' annum. The grandson of this Judge Berkeley was the founder of the hospital which bears his name, in the Foregate Street. ST. Clement's. This is a rectory, in » the patronage of the dean and chapter. Its first incumbent, according to the Worcester annals, was Richard de Coderuge. The parish is princi- pally situated on the western side of the river ; but the church stood formerly near the river's side, at the bottom of Doldey. It was a small stone structure, and very much injured during the time of the civil wars. It is ascribed to the Saxons, who are supposed to have placed the church HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 155 on the eastern bank of the river, for greater security against the incursions of the native Britons. The tower is said to have been taken down when the city walls and towers were levelled by Cromwell, owing to the walls of the church being connected with the wall of the fortifica- tions. The tower was replaced by a wooden one, which is shown in the prints of the old ctiurch. The building was, however, deemed unsuitable for the accommodation of the parish, and a new church was in consequence built, and opened in the year 1823. It is now one of the orna- ments of our city — standing on the western side of the river, and in a more convenient situation for the parish- ioners. The internal dimensions are sixty-three feet long, forty wide, and twenty-five high. This style of architecture, which was peculiar to the early British churches, is scarce- ly preserved in any other modern erection. There are but few original specimens of it remaining. It is less grace- ful and pleasing to the eye than the Gothic, which follow- ed and superseded it. The interior of St. Clement's Church is finished as nearly as possible in the same style as the exterior. At the eastern end, over the recess which forms the chancel, is a fine bold semicircular arch. At the imposts are corbel heads of angels, with wings, supporting a chevron and billet moulding. Within the chancel is a second orna- mented arch, supported by columns and capitals. The latter are of great beauty, aud copied from the vestry of the cathedral. The corbels which give support to the arch over the altar window, consist of heads moulded from the best prints of Archbishop Cranmer and Bishop Latimer. The arch at the west end of the church is similarly sup- ported by heads of Wickliffe and Luther. The window at the altar is glazed with stained glass. 156 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. and is in three compartments. The centre represents the nativity, baptism, crucifixion, and resurrection of our Sa- viour. On each side, surrounded by a suitable border, are the heraldic ornaments of the Lord Bishop of the Diocess, the Earl of Coventry, Earl Beauchamp, the Dean of Worcester, and other gentlemen who contributed to the building. The whole presents a very favourable copy of a Saxon church, without any useless sacrifice of con- venience and comfort. It is computed to seat eight hundred persons ; four hundred of the seats are free. The architect was Mr. Thomas Lee, Jun. of London. The contractor, Mr. Lucy, of St. John's. ST. Peter's. This church was founded about the year 1280. Its patronage belonged to the abbey of Pershore, by deed of Bishop Wakefield. It is now a vicarage in the gift of the dean and chapter. It was at first dedicated to two saints, named Perpetua and Felicitas ; but by petition of the parishioners, it was, in the year 1420, transfered to St. Peter. The church, which is old and small, is situ- ated in Church Street, on the south side of Sidbury. It has a painted eastern window, but contains no monu- ments of any notoriety, except one to Mr. W. Bachelor, which consists more of painting than of sculpture. The wall of the city passed very near this church, as it curved round to the east. The first incumbent was Peter de Piriton, in 1287. ST. MICHAEL, IN BEDWARDINE. This church is situated at the eastern end of the cathe- dral, and on its north side. It is a rectory. It lapsed to the crown in the year 1551. It is now held by license, owing to the revenues being insufficient to pay the ex- HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 157 peiise of the seals. The church is a very ancient struc- ture, but possessing no beauty of architecture. The parish includes the precincts of the cathedral, the bishop's palace, the castle, &c. Adjoining this church, there stood the famous leaden spire, or clochium of the cathedral, which was taken down about the year 1647, and sold for ^617 145. 2cl. which was appropriated to the repairs of churches and alms- houses injured during the civil wars. The widow has her free bench. TOWNSHIP OF ST. JOHN, BEDWARDINE. This parish, situated a short distance west of the city and of the river, and upon the road leading to Malvern, is without the liberties of the city. It is a vicarage in the gift of the dean and chapter. It was made a parish about 1371. The first incumbent mentioned, was John Tron- cester, about 1392. The present church is old, but con- tains nothing of peculiar interest. It has an organ. An annual fair is held here, on the Friday before Palm Sunday, when the mayor and aldermen of the city make a procession through this township, to a place called St. John's Green, and there call a court of Pie-powder,* * The Court of Pie-powder, or Pied-powder, is the lowest, but most expeditious court known to the law of England. Lord Coke attributes the name to the mode of administering- justice by it — as speedily as dust falls from the foot. According to Barrington, it is derived " from pied-piddrecmx, a pedlar, in old French, and therefore signifying the court of such petty chapmen as frequent fairs and markets. It is a court of record incident to every fair or market, of which the steward of those who hold the toll of the fair or market, is judge ; and its jurisdiction extends to the ad- ministration of justice for all commercial injuries done in that very fair or market, and not in any preceding one. So that the injury must be done, complained of, heard, and determined, within the compass of one and the same day, unless the fair continue longer." Dlackstone^ s Com. iii. 33. 158 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. which they adjourn to be holden at a more convenient place within the city, they having no jurisdiction here. This is an ancient custom. CLAINES, AND TITHING OF WHISTON. There are upwards of fifteen acres of land within the liberties of the city, which are situated in the adjoining parish of Claines. There is also a large tithing, nearly half a mile in length, extending from the end of Salt Lane along the north road, to a place called the tithe-barn. The parish-church of Claines is situated between the Birmingham and Kidderminster roads, at a distance of nearly two miles from this populous part of the parish. The inhabitants, therefore, of this district, are accustomed to use the chapel belonging to St. Oswald's Hospital, situated in the Tithing, but a new church is about to be erected for their accommodation. DISSENTING CHAPELS. In presenting a brief record of the various places of worship belonging to Dissenters from the Established Church, we shall proceed, as far as possible, according to the date of their origination. THE BAPTISTS. This society appears to have been formed about the year 1658. Mr. Thomas Fecknam is stated to have been their pastor, and their number of members about forty. It is thought, that in the severe measures employed against nonconformists in the reign of the second Charles, this society was deprived of its minister, and, probably, com- pelled either to suspend its meetings, or hold them secretly. About the year 1666, the society was again collected; HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 159 and eight years after, they appear to have had for their pastor, a Mr. EHsha Hathaway, who was much esteemed as a preacher. During Mr. Hathaway's life, a chapel was built in Silver Street, which stood till the year 1796, when it was taken down, and the present neat and commodious build- ing erected. It is worthy of remark, that this society had but four pastors during a space of one hundred and forty-three years ; from 1674 to 1817. INDEPENDENTS, OR PRESBYTERIANS. A Presbyterian congregation originated in this city im- mediately after the act of ejectment, which took place in 1 662. The Rev. Thomas Badland, who was ejected from Willenhall, in Staffordshire, became their first pastor i i 1 663. Mr. Badland continued pastor till his death, which took place in the year 1698. The place of worship occupied by this congregation, is spacious and substantial. It is situated in Angel Street, adjoining the City Library; and was erected in 1702. Though formerly Presbyterian, this society, like most of the English Presbyterians that have retained orthodox sen- timents, has become independent, or congregational. This fact may serve to account for the total disappearance of a society of Independents, which once had a place of worship where Pump Street Chapel now stands. It is recorded in the Worcester Journal for April 30th, 1778, that, on the previous day, the first stone w^as laid in Pump Street, for a place of worship for the Independents. It appears to have been used by that congregation till 1795, when it became extinct. SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. The members of this society worship in a very neat and 160 HISTORY OP WORCESTER. suitable meeting-house, situated in Sansome Street Walk. The congregation appears to have originated from the la- bours of George Fox, who visited Worcester in 1657. It is probable that a society was formed soon after, although the oldest document that records the fact, is not dated till 1673. It appears from this document, that several meet- ings of Friends had been held at the house of E. Bourne, a physician ; and that certain resolutions were assented to, for the future government of the society. Their first regular meetings were held about the year 1670, in a house hired for the purpose, in Cooken Street. Here they were subject to much interruption and perse- cution. Their place of worship being closed and secured by order of the mayor, they met before the door ; and, in consequence, several of their members were imprisoned. Subsequently, the Friends had a meeting-house in Friar Street, on the east side, to which a burial-ground was also attached. The present meeting-house was built in 1701 J, since which period, the other meeting-house, in Friar Street, has been used only for occasional meetings; it has been of late years entirely disused, and is now to be used for the Infant School. ROMAN CATHOLICS. This religious society has had a chapel on the site of their present handsome building ever since the year 1764. Long prior to that period, however, they had met in a house near the spot where their present chapel stands, but were subject to many interruptions and annoyances, in the days of religious jealousy and persecution. King James II. attended divine worship in their chapel, when he visited this city in the year 1687. The present elegant building, erected at the bottom of Sansome Street in the year 1828, abundantly attests the HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 161 improved state of public feeling, and of the laws, in re- ference to this people. LADY Huntingdon's connexion. A large and respectable society bearing this name, as- semble in a chapel in Birdport Street. Their origination is traced to the labours of the Rev. Mr. Biddulph, who preached in various places around the city, for some time prior to the year 1767. About this period Mr. Bid- dulph removed from Worcester, and some of the per- sons attached to his ministry continued to meet in the house of a Mr. Skinner. They obtained the ministerial services of the students then resident at the Countess of Huntingdon's College, at Trevecca. The congregation increased, and a chapel was erected about the year 1772, in Birdport Street. The Rev. Matthew Wilks became their first regular minister. The great increase of their congregation rendered enlargement necessary ; the old chapel was therefore taken down, and rebuilt in the year 1804, upon a more extended scale. This building was again enlarged in 1815. WESLEYAN METHODISTS. This denomination of Christians appears to have had a small society here as early as the year 1765. At that period Mr. Wesley visited them. Their first assemblies were in obscure and concealed situations ; but at length, in the year 1772, a small chapel was erected in New Street, near the end of the garden-market. This was opened by Mr. Wesley, March Uth, 1772. Their con- gregation having greatly increased in the course of years, they purchased, in 1795, the old chapel belonging to the Independents, in Pump Street. This was taken down, and a new one erected in 1796. The congregation still 162 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. increasing, more ground was obtained j and the present spacious and elegant chapel was opened August 8th, 1813. There is also connected with this denomination, another small, but neat and convenient chapel, in Lowesmoor^ near the wharfs, erected in the year 1823. WESLEYAN INDEPENDENT METHODISTS. There is a small chapel belonging to a society bearing this designation_, in the neighbourhood of Lowesmoor. It originated in the year 1 822, and is a separation from the general Wesleyan body. There is also another small congregation, in the Block- house, which bears the name of Primitive Methodists. CHAPTER VI. Charitable Establishments, Benevolent Institutions, &c. — The Commandery — St. Oswald's Hospital — Inglcthorpe' s — Nash's — Wyatt's — The Trinity — Berkeley' s — Moore's — Shew- ring's — Goulding's — The Infirmary — Dispensary — The College or King's School — Queen Elizabeth's — Bishop Lloyd 's — National Schools — Female Adult School — Subscription Boys' School — Girls' School of Industry — Infant's School — Triennial Music Meeting — Lying-in-Charity — Benevolent Society y or Dorcas y 8fc. — Female Asylum — Savings' Bank — Worcestershire Friendly In- stitution — Severn Humane Society — Bible Society for the County ^ 4-c. 8fc. THE COMMANDERY. Although neither the buildings nor the endowments of this ancient hospital are now devoted to charitable uses, yet, since a considerable part of the house remains, and still forms an object of curiosity, we deem it proper here to give a brief history of this early and venerable esta- blishment. — It is situated on the north side of Sidbury, near the canal, and will be easily discovered by its antique aspect. It was originally an hospital founded by St. Wulstan, Bishop of Worcester, about the end of the tenth century. It was designed for a master, and four poor brethren, with a chaplain ; and may, indeed, more properly be considered as having belonged at first to the class of religious houses. But it appears in subsequent ages to have become a hospital, with a considerable infirmary for the sick 164 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. under its management. It is doubtful whether it should be styled a monastery or a hospital j indeed the distinction between ancient monasteries and hospitals is not in all cases very readily made ; since the two objects of afford- ing retirement and seclusion to the religieuses, and charity to the poor and sick, were frequently blended. The cha- racter of this establishment, however, being so decidedly charitable, we shall be justified in noticing it under the present section of our work. The name of Commandery is said to have been given it because its master was anciently a layman, and the title of Commander was appropriated only to the lay superiors of such establishments. From the title of the master this establishment was denominated a Commandery ; and not, as might be imagined, from any reference to military affairs or fortifications. Through a misunderstanding of this name, some persons have described it as a house of the Knights of St. John ; but there is no proof that the knights of that order ever held any possessions in this city. The Commandery, as it now appears, is a building of wood, the framing of which is filled up with stone and brick. The refectory, or great hall, is the principal apart- ment that remains. It is nearly square, and is roofed with Irish oak, nearly similar to Westminster Hall, but with less ornament. The original door and staircase still remain. The windows, which are lofty and spacious, are composed of small panes of glass, on which are painted birds, flowers, and other decorations. The principal part of them bear a scroll, inscribed with the word Emanuel. There is also a room, which, from its large and ancient chimney, is supposed to have been the kitchen. At the back of the Commandery is a park, ascending the hill to the place where are still visible marks of the entrench- ments which were formed at the siege of J 651. HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 165 This establishment, ascribed to St. Wulstan, the bishop of Worcester, was designed for religious persons of the order of St. Augustine, who professed the three spiritual vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience. An infirmary for the sick was attached, in which, in 1294, were twenty- two persons. It was always in the patronage of the Bishop of Worcester. In 1414, Bishop Bourchier made several additions to its members, and ordered that the master should be in priests' orders. About the end of the thirteenth century, the prior as- sumed the title oi preceptor, or commander. In the year 1524, Cardinal Wolsey obtained a bull from the pope, authorizing the suppression of this hospital, with several other small religious houses, with the view of converting the property into endowments for two colleges at Ipswich and Oxford. Wolsey did not live to carry this bull into effect J but Henry VIII seized the whole into his own hands. It was valued, in the 26 Henry VIII, at ^79 \2s. 6cl. per annum, in gross; ^63 18*. lOd. clear, as returned by the commissioners. In the 32 Henry VIII, it was granted to Sir Richard Morysine, who again ex- changed it with the king. It subsequently became part of the endowment of the cathedral church of Christ, in Oxford. In the thirty-sixth year of the reign of Henry VIII, it was sold to Thomas Wylde, clothier, of the city of Worcester, for the sum of ^498. The arms of Mr. Wylde still remain in one of the chambers. It was pur- chased of the descendants of Mr. Wylde, by John Dan- dridge, Esq. A moiety of the manor of Pirie, or Pirian, in which Perry Wood is situated, was anciently part of the endowment of this hospital.' ST. OSWALDS HOSPITAL. A very ancient establishment bearing this name, is 16G HISTORY OF WORCESTER. situated on the east side of the great northern road, or street, which forms the continuation of the Foregate Street. It cannot now be determined whether St. Oswald was its founder, or whether it derived its name from a church dedicated to St. Oswald, which is known to have existed in the hamlet of Whistane, in the parish of Claines. The authority for ascribing its foundation to St. Oswald him- self, is Stowc, who cites a manuscript author of the name of Davies. It was founded for a master, chaplain, and four poor brethren. Some accounts state it to have been founded for the reception of the leprous monks of Wor- cester Priory. Its existence prior to the year 12G8, is ascertained by the fact that William de Beauchamp be- queathed to it ten shillings. At the dissolution of the religious houses, this was not dissolved, but was given by Henry VIII to the dean and chapter. In the thirtieth year of the same king, Nicholas Udal, the master, demised the premises for the term of ninety-nine years, to J. Here- ford. Hence, through private hands, it became almost utterly perverted, till 1015, Avhen James I. appointed Dr. John Hoskins to be master ; and after him this office fell into the hands of Dr. Samuel Fell, a prebendary. He exerted himself to procure a restoration of the funds, which were only partially recovered during his lifetime, owing to the breaking out of the civil wars, and the destruction of some houses belonging to it, which were accidentally burnt down. After the restoration, however. Dr. John Fell, who was then Bishop of Oxford, and son of Dr. Samuel Fell, being appointed master, recovered part of the estates pertaining to the hospital, and re-established it. In IG81, Thomas Haynes, Esq. erected houses for six poor men, and settled fifty pounds per annum ; each poor person to be allowed two shillings per week, three tons of coal and a gown, once in two years. He endowed the HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 167 hospital with a farm called Cholstrey, and a house in Stagbatch. On a stone in the front of his building, is the following inscription : — *^^This hospital was endowed for six poor men, by Thomas Haynes, Esq. 1682." There are sixteen men and twelve women in the esta- blishment, who are now allowed four shillings per week, one ton and half of coals every year, and coats and gowns once in two years. There is a master and a chaplain. The chapel of this hospital, which is neat in its interior, is used by the inhabitants of the neighbourhood -, and divine service is performed in it every day, except Satur- day, by the chaplain or his assistant. There is in it an inscription to Richard Ingram, Esq. of the White Ladies, from the pen of Dr. Samuel Parr. The cemetery of the hospital, which is large, has long been used for a general burying-place. During the plague in the year 1349, Bishop Wulstan de Braunsford granted the inhabitants the use of this burial-ground, it being deemed unsafe to bury in the cathedral, or in its cemetery. It has since been used by the inhabitants of such parishes within the city, as are not well furnished with burial- grounds. It contains a large number of tombs and graves. Among them is one to Mr. Gwynn, the celebrated archi- tect, who built Worcester bridge. inglethorpe's hospital. Richard Inglethorpe, Esq. founded this hospital for the use of six poor men, and one woman. It is situated on the north side of Taylor's Lane, leading out of the Fore- gate Street. It is a remarkable fact, that neither Mr. Inglethorpe's monument in the cathedral, nor the alms- houses, nor any of the previous histories of Worcester, afford the date of this establishment. We infer from references to it in the Chamber Orders of the City, 168 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. commencing in 1602, as well as from the style of the monument, that their date must have been near the end of the sixteeenth century. Since their foundation, they have been augmented by the erection of several more houses. On a stone in the front of the buildings, and between those numbered 8 and 9, is inscribed " Richard Inglethorpe, Gent." On another stone, between numbers 9 and 10, '' This improvement of the charities of Mr. Alderman Nash, and Richard Inglethorpe, Gent, was made by a Chamber Order, anno 1730." Upon a third stone, be- tween numbers 10 and 1 1, " Mr. Alderman Nash's 5" and between the two last doors, the following — ^'C. G. 1773." It is understood to denote the addition of two lodges made by the benevolence of Mr. Charles Geary. The inhabi- tants of these houses receive the following allowance : — nine in Inglethorpe' s, three shillings and six-pence each, per week ; two in Nash's, five shillings each j fifteen shillings, a pair of shoes, and half a ton of coals, yearly ; two in Geary's, three shillings weekly, and half a ton of coals yearly. It appears from the Chamber Order of June 20, 1645, that the alms-houses were taken down, for the purpose of more securely fortifying the city. The inhabitants of these houses were, in consequence,, ordered to be sent to the parishes from which they were received, and the hos- pital allowance to be paid to the respective parishes, till the houses should be rebuilt. There was afterwards an allowance of ^1 13 3s. \d. made to repair the houses burnt down by the king's forces. This charity also re- ceived a large portion of the amount raised by the sale of the old leaden spire adjoining the cathedral. The total amount realized was ^617 145. 2d. of which this hospital received ^^246 3s. Sd. to be laid out in the purchase of a revenue. HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 169 NASH S HOSPITAL. Mr. John Nash founded this hospital, situated in New Street, for eight poor men, and two women. On a stone, fixed in the centre of the building, is the following inscrip- tion : — " Mr. John Nash, Alderman of this City, founded these aim-houses, to be maintained out of the tithes of Powick, to be disposed of by the chamber of Worcester, forever. Erected anno Dom. 1664." In 1 809, a further augmentation took place, when five more houses were built, adjoining the former, in New Street, for five poor women. The allowance to the inha- bitants of these houses is five shillings weekly, half a ton of coal, a pair of shoes, and fifteen shillings yearly, in clothes. This charity was augmented by an additional provision for two poor men, who have had houses built for them adjoining Inglethorpe's hospital ; under which head, they have already been noticed. Three additional houses were built in 1 828, in the Butts, near Pitchcroft. Extracts from the Will of JOHN NASH, Esq. Alder- man of Worcester, dated 30th August, 1661. He gave to honest young Tradesmen 3001. to be lent without interest. To the Parishes of St. Martin and St. Helen, 8/. yearly, to apprentice young lads. To Trustees named, he gave sundry Estates in Powick and St. Martin's, together with the tythe of Powick, as a perpetual fund for the building and endowment of an hospital for eight poor men and two poor women, prefer- ring always such as shall be of his name or kindred. He orders the overplus and savings of his estate, before 170 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. bequeathed (whilst it is a small sum) to he lent to young tradesmen without interest, hut when it shall amount to a sum sufficient to purchase lands of the clear yearly value of 81. the same to be given to the Parishes of St. Andrew and St. Nicholas, for the apprenticing yoking lads ; and so in like manner 41. yearly to the several Parishes of St. Peter, All Saints, and St. Swithin -, and to St. Clement and St. Alban, 21. each yearly. The next savings from his estate, when under lOOL to be lent to young tradesmen gratis, when it amounts to that sum, to be laid out in land, and the produce applied to the clothing poor Freemen for ever. He orders that no Lease of his Estates thus bequeathed, be made in Reversion, or for a term exceeding 21 years from the commencement thereof in possession. He orders that the Corporation of the City of Worcester shall use their best means, at the charge of his executors, to have his charities settled by Act of Parliament. He orders likewise his Will, so far as relates to his cha- ritable bequests, to he publickly read by the Town Clerk at the Guildhall of the said City, on the first Friday in Lent, and he to receive for his trouble five shillings. wyatt's hospital. The alms-houses bearing this name are situated in Friar Street, on its east side. The precise date of this erection we are unable to state ^ but it may be nearly inferred, from the fact that Mr. Edward Wyatt, the founder, served the office of mayor to the city of Worcester, in the year 1C96. This hospital is endowed for six poor men. They receive three shillings weekly, and half a ton of coal yearly. Mr. Wyatt's arms appear in the centre of the building, and under them the motto, "Endure and Hope.'' HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 17 1 There have been two houses since added by Mrs. Geary^ the inhabitants of which receive the same as those of Wyatt's. THE TRINITY. On the east side of the Cross, and near the reservoir belonging to the water- work s^ is a charity endowed by Queen Elizabeth, for twenty-nine poor women. They at present receive eight shillings per month, half a ton of coals yearly, and five shillings on St. Thomas's Day. The government of this charity is invested in six of the cham- ber, who have passed the chair. Berkeley's hospital. This is a handsome building, standing in a recess, with a court-yard, facing the hop-market. It has been usu- ally ascribed to Judge Berkeley. V^arious mistakes are committed both by Nash, Green, and Chambers, in giving the history of this establishment. The following brief account will, we believe, be found correct. — Robert Berkeley, Esq. the grandson of Judge Berkeley, was the founder. He left ^6000 for the building and endowment of this hospital. His will was carried into effect by his widow, in the year 1694. He died without issue in 1 693. Sir Robert Berkeley, Knt. a justice of the King's Bench in 1632, was one of the judges who gave his opinion in favour of the king's right in the celebrated question of ship money. He was subsequently impeached for high treason, and fined a^20,000, deprived of his office, and imprisoned in the tower. His house at Spetchley was burnt during the last siege of Worcester, by some of the Scotch among the royal forces, who are said to have retained an ancient animosity against him. He died at Spetchley, August 5th, 1656, and was the grandfather of Mr. Robert Berkeley, who founded the hospital. 172 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. The building, which is quadrangular, is very substantial and handsome. On the western side is the chapel, on the front of which appears a statue of the founder. There is a steward, and a resident chaplain ; each receives twenty pounds per annum. The endowment is for twelve men, and one woman, (all to be of the age of sixty when ad- mitted,) each to receive ten pounds per annum, paid quarterly. Since the first foundation, three houses have been added. They now receive four shillings per week, and some of the elder residents five shillings. The mayor, aldermen, and other persons, are named as trustees by the will of the founder. moore's hospital. This charity is situated on the eastern side of Silver Street. Its founders were Anne, the eighth daughter of Mr. Rowland Berkeley, father to the judge, and her hus- band, Mr. Thomas Moore, of the city of Worcester. The endowment provides for the education of ten poor chil- dren, above four and under twelve years of age, all of them males, of St. Martin's parish. We believe there are at present only six scholars on this foundation. The hospital was endowed with lands, &c. worth about forty pounds per annum. Mrs. Moore provided at her death for some additional gifts to the master and the children. She also left fifty shillings per annum, for a new-year's gift to fifty poor persons in St. Martin's parish. The children are provided with a uniform dress of blue. The governor is allowed four pounds ten shillings per month, for their board, wash- ing, lodging, and mending. The children are taught in Queen Elizabeth's School. The date of the foundation is not given, but we conclude it to have been about the middle of the seventeenth century. HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 173 SHEWRING S HOSPITAL. Thomas Shewring, Esq. Mayor of Worcester in 1682 and 1687, founded the hospital on the east side of the Tything, for six poor women who have been housekeepers. They are chosen out of six parishes ; — St. Andrew's, Helen's, Clement's, Swithin's, Tything, and All Saints. The allowance has been increased from two shillings per week to eight shillings. This great increase arose from the decision of the Lord Chancellor, some years since, which annulled a lease granted by the managers for ninety-nine years. The premises had been let under this lease for 361. 1 Is. but in the year 1786, produced a rental of ^149. It was the founder of this hospital, who having attend- ed King James II. to the Roman Catholic Chapel, in this city, paused at the entrance ; the king perceiving the mayor's reluctance to enter, asked if he and the corpora- tion would not go in ; to which Mr. Shewring with equal independence and promptness replied, " I fear we have attended your Majesty too far already." A fuller account may be seen in our chapter on Royal Visits, 8^c. COULDING's HOSPITAL. Mr. Robert Goulding, of the Tything, who died July 25 th, 1821, erected, in 1814, six alms-houses, on the east side of the Tything, near to St. Oswald's Hospital. They are appropriated to three poor men, and three women, who receive each six shillings per week, and fifteen shil- lings per quarter for coals, &c. The inhabitants are to be of the age of fifty-five years, and upwards, to be elected and approved by the trustees, one man and one woman of the Tything always to be preferred. 174 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. JARVIS S HOUSES. Mr. William Jarvis, formerly of the parish of St. An- drew, and one of the Common Council of this city, by his will, dated September 21st, 1722, bequeathed four houses in Warmstry Slip, in the parish of St. Alban, to seven trustees therein named, for the use of three poor freemen of Worcester, inhabitants of the parish last mentioned, above the age of fifty years, and one poor freeman's wi- dow, an inhabitant of the same parish, and above the age of fifty years ; and as often as any one of the trustees dies, the survivors or the major part of them, are to elect a new trustee out of the same parish, and so to continue for ever. Each inhabitant of these houses was likewise, by the pro- vision of the will, to receive eighteen-pence weekly ; they now receive five shillings. There are also four out pensioners who receive the five shillings weekly, but have no house. walsgrove's eight houses. John Walsgrove, citizen and mercer of this city, by his last will, A. D. 1567, gave eight tenements and gardens, situate on the south side of Po wick's Lane, as alms-hou- ses for ever, for the relief and comfort of eight honest poor people, to inhabit freely, without paying rent, during their lives, to be placed there by the feofees appointed for that purpose. Each of these houses receives ten shillings yearly. On the front of the tenements is the following inscription : — " These Alms-houses, the gift of John Walsgrave, Esq. in the year 1567, were rebuilt by pub- lic subscription, anno domini 1825." His son left a house situated in Birdport, called the Plough, the rents to go for the repairs of the eight alms- houses, and the overplus to be given to the inhabitants, — HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 175 half at Christmas, and half at Easter, His grandson left four pounds yearly, arising from six bullaries (salt-pitsj at Droitwich, to be paid at Christmas and Easter to the eight poor people equally. The churchwarden of St. Andrew's parish is manager of this charity. No account has ever before been published of either of these two last named charities. SIR THOMAS white's GIFT. Sir Thomas White, of the city of Bristol, merchant- taylor, left, in the year 1567, one hundred pounds per annum, to twenty-four cities and towns, each to take its turn in a regular order, commencing with Bristol. Worcester is the seventh city in rotation of the twenty- four cities and towns appointed to receive the benefit of this noble donation. The following is a copy of this gift, transcribed from a table placed in the Guild-hall of this city : — '* In the first year of the reign of Queen Mary, Sir Thomas White, for this year Mayor, and merchant-taylor, a worthy patron and protector of poor scholars and leai'ning, renewed, or rather erected a college, in Oxford, called St. John's College ; he also erected schools at Bristol, and delivered them two thousand pounds of ready money, to purchase lands to the yearly value of 120/. for the which it is decreed, that the Mayor, Burgesses, and Common- alty of Bristol, in the year of our Lord 1567, and so yearly, during the term of ten years then next ensuing, should cause to be paid at Bristol, 1000/. of lawful money. The first 800/. to be lent to 16 poor young men, clothiers and freemen of the said City, 50/. a- piece, each of them putting in sufficient sureties for the same. And at the end of 10 years, to be lent to other 16, at the discretion of the Mayor, Aldermen, and four of the Common Council of the said City ; and the other 200/. to be employed in provision of corn, for the relief of the poor of the said City, for their ready money without gain, to be taken. And after the end of ten years, on the 176 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. feast of St. Bartholomew, in the year of our Lord 1577, at the merchant-taylor's hall, in London, unto the Mayor and Com- monalty of York 104/. and so in order as here is set down, unto every the Cities and Towns here undermentioned as is quoted on their heads. , ri567. Bristol, 9th Nov. A. D. 1.567, is to receive"] r< soma 100/. and thenceforth, yearly, on the same >] L day, until A. D 1577, soma 100/. J 1577 York the 24th August, is to receive 104/. 1578 Canterbury. 1589 Winchester. 1579 Reading. 1590 Oxford. 1580 Merchant Taylors. 1591 Hereford. 1581 Gloucester. 1592 Cambridge. 1582 Worcester.* 1593 Shrewsbury. 1583 Exeter. 1594 Lynn. 1584 Salisbury. 1595 Bath. 1585 Westchester. 1596 Derby. 1586 Norwich. 1597 Ipswich. 1587 Southampton. 1598 Colchester. 1588 Lincoln. 1599 Newcastle. All which towns receive this gift on the 24tli August, except Bristol, which receives it on the 9th Nov. Then York, 24th Au- gust, &c. And all others in order aforesaid, yearly, viz. every 24 years from and after their last receipt. " All which payments ai'e to be received in the Merchant-tay- lor's hall, between the hours of two and six of the clock of the said days, to be put forth in free love to four young men, freemen and occupiers of the cities aforesaid, viz. 25/. a-piece, for the term of ten years, upon sureties to be then repaid, that it may be put out again to other such young men, from ten years to ten years as aforesaid. Provided, that where any cities make default in the due putting forth of the said 100/. (for the four pounds is given to the surveyors of the same cities or towns) shall lose for ever the benefit of this devise." In this city are also several other charitable endow- ments of a similar kind, though upon a smaller scale, adapted to afford relief to the suffering poor. * Worcester has, in its course, received this bounty eleven timesj and in the year 1846, will again receive it. HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 177 THE INFIRMARY. The Infirmary for the city and county of Worcester is a truly admirable institution, from which the afflicted poor have derived the most important benefits. It was found- ed in the year 1744, under the auspices of Bishop Mad- dox. (For a fuller account see chap. ii. p. 78.) DISPENSARY. This valuable charity, which was established in the year 1 822, appears to have been liberally patronized. Its ob- ject is to afford medical advice with suitable medicines to the sick poor, at their own habitations. It has a house situated at the bottom of Bank Street. From its Annual Report for 1826 and 1827, it appears that there has been a progressive increase in the number of individuals reliev- ed through its means, and that the patients admitted during the last of the above years, were six hundred and seventy j a number exceeding that of any preceding year. The committee observe, that a considerable increase in the amount of subscriptions, affords a gratifying proof, that this excellent charity continues to possess the confi- dence and approbation of its supporters, and to fulfil the object for which it has been instituted. The expenditure for 1827, amounted to ^221. The receipts, including legacies, for that year, were ^485. THE KING S, OR COLLEGE SCHOOL. This establishment owes its origin to the grant made to the church by King Henry VIII, of the ancient manors and revenues of the priory of Worcester, at the dissolution of the religious houses, which took place in his reign. It was founded in the year 1541-2, and is intended for forty 178 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. scholars, ten of whom are appointed to it by the dean, and three by each of the ten prebendaries of the cathedral church of Worcester. These scholars receive gratuitous instruction for four years, in a course of studies adapted to prepare them for the University. The building appro- priated to this purpose is a spacious and lofty room, called the College Hall, situated towards the west end of the south cloister. QUEEN Elizabeth's school. This school was founded by Queen Elizabeth, for the classical education of twelve boys, with the allowance of 13^. 4d. to the three senior scholars, to purchase books. The building is on the north side of St. S within' s Church. Over its entrance is the following inscription, cut in stone : '' This school was founded and endowed by Queen Eliza- beth, in the third year of her reign, and rebuilt in the year 1735." The management is vested in six trustees, who must all have served the office of Mayor of Worcester. Each trustee has the liberty of nominating two scholars, to continue on the foundation four years. BISHOP Lloyd's schools. A small estate in the parish of White Lady Aston, together with some tithes at Sheriff's Lench, having de- volved to Bishop Lloyd by the disastrous death of a Mr. Symonds, who was executed for murder in the year 1708, the bishop, unwilling to possess himself of property de- rived from an event so calamitous, resolved to devote it to this benevolent purpose. His Lordship accordingly exe- cuted a deed for the endovvment of two charity schools in this city ; the one providing for the education of sixteen boys, and the other for that of eight girls. In the rules HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 179 laid down by their founder^ for the government of these schools, it is directed that no children be admitted under the age of six, nor above that of twelve years j that their continuance at the schools shall be limited to the term of six years 3 and that they shall be the children of parents who are unable to provide for their education. In order to accommodate the institution to the circumstances of future times, permission was also given to the trustees to vary its rules and appointments as sufficient occasion should arise. The Dean of Worcester, the archdeacon and chancellor of the diocese, and the mayor of the city for the time being, in succession, were to be its perpetual trustees and governors. The estate is granted for the lives of three feoffees. In 1 782, a building on the west side of New Street was purchased by voluntary subscription, and fitted up as a school-house, in which the master and mistress reside. The following inscription is over its entrance : — '' The Bishop's Charity Schools. Founded by William Lloyd, D. D. Bishop of Worcester, in 1713. This School House was purchased by Public Benevolence, in 1782." The number of children now educated in these schools, is, from All Saints Parish . . 3 St. Helen's .... 2 St. Nicholas' . . . 3 St. Alban's .... I St. Martin's . . . . 3 St. Michael's . . . 1 St. Andrew's . . . 3 St. Clement's . . . 1 St. Peter's . . . . 3 Township of St. John's 1 St. Swithin's . . 2 Tything of Whiston . 1 Considerable additions and improvements have been successively made to this charity, from which the objects of its bounty have derived great advantage, while the be- 180 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. nevolent intentions of its founders have been proportion- ately extended. MRS. hook's school. Mrs. Milbrow Hook, of St. John's, in Bedwardine, built a school-house, which she endowed with 5/. per annum. This fund has been since increased by a donation of ^230 by Mrs. M. Herbert, of the same parish -, and the sum so bequeathed has been expended in the purchase of lands at Martley, near this city ; the revenues of which, now united with the former, are devoted to the purposes of this institution. There are now educated twelve boys and twelve girls in this school. NATIONAL schools. A school for children of both sexes was opened in the year 1812, in a building which had been erected in Frog Lane, for a riding school. The system of education adopted, was that which had been first introduced at Ma- dras, by Dr. Bell. After some time, it was found con- venient and desirable to separate the establishment into two schools. The Boys School continues to be held at the original place. The number receiving education is about two hundred and fifty. The Girls School is now held in the Bull Entry, and is attended by about one hundred and eighty scholars. The institution is supported by voluntary subscriptions and donations. The bishop of the diocese subscribed one hundred pounds, and the dean and chapter thirty pounds, annually. The education given, comprises reading, writ- ing, and arithmetic. female adult school. , In the year 1814, some benevolent individuals belong- HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 181 ing to the Society of Friends^ assisted by members of other denominations, founded an institution for the instruction of adults. It was at first held in a room in the Comman- derij, but was subsequently removed to the Girls School of Industry, situated in the Bull Entry, where it is now held every Sunday afternoon. The number admitted since its formation, amounts to seven hundred and thirty-six, of all ages from fourteen to seventy-five. It now contains sixty-one adults. girls' school of industry. A Girls' School of Industry was instituted in the year 1820. Its object is to afford a useful education, and to teach plain needlework, to the female children of the poor. It is situated in the Bull Entry, and the room is appro- priated, on the Sunday afternoon, to the use of the Femcde Adult School. SUBSCRIPTION FREE SCHOOL. In Clapgate, near the Corn Market, is a large and com- modious school-house for boys, conducted upon the plan of Mr. Lancaster. They are taught the usual branches of reading, writing, and arithmetic. It is supported by persons of various denominations, and contains about two hundred children. It was founded in 1810. INFANT SCHOOL. An Infant School had for some time been in operation in the parish of St. Clement's, under the immediate su- perintendence of the rector, when it was thought desirable to found a general institution of the same nature, for the whole city. At a meeting held at the Guild-hall, Worcester, so lately as the 7th of November, 1828, this charity took its 182 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. rise ; when, on the motion of the Right Rev. the Bishop of Rochester, (Dean of Worcester,) seconded by Sir A. Lechmere, Bart, it was resolved that an Infant School be opened in Worcester, for the reception of the children of the labouring classes in the city and neighbourhood. Regulations were at the same time made for the religious and moral instruction of the children, none of whom are to be admitted into the school under two years of age, or allowed to continue in it after six. The names of the Bishop of Rochester, and Lady Susan Lygon, appear as the patrons of the undertaking ; and the mayor of the city for the time being, and the clergy of the city and neigh- bourhood, are to be ex-officio members of the committee. It has since been resolved, at a meeting of the com- mittee, that a piece of ground and premises in Friar Street, should be purchased and fitted up for the reception of the objects of the institution. TRIENNIAL MUSIC MEETING. This musical fete, one of the most respectable and popular of its kind in the kindgom, originated with the gentlemen of the Worcester Cathedral Choir, in the year 1 720. It may be considered as the parent of those nu- merous similar institutions, which have since risen into existence, and been attended with such splendid success. Its first celebration took place in Worcester Cathedral, August, 1722. Similar meetings followed, at Hereford and Gloucester, in the two succeeding years. A large share of public approbation soon awakened in its conduc- tors an increasing spirit of enterprize ; and in the year 1749, performers of the first musical celebrity were en- gaged from the Metropolis. About this period the insti- tution assumed its present form. The money taken at HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 183 the church doors was devoted to the benevolent purpose of relieving the necessitous widows and orphans of clergy within the three dioceses of Worcester,, Hereford, and Gloucester. The nobility, gentry, and clergy of the respective coun- ties, now came forward to its support in a very liberal manner, and under the designation of the " Meeting of the Three Choirs," its alternate annual meetings were placed under the superintendence of two stewards, the one appointed from among the nobility, and the other from the clergy, assisted by a conductor of the highest profes- sional eminence. In the year 1788, this annual festival was honoured by the presence, and its funds assisted by the bounty, of our late revered Sovereign. Since that period, the efforts of its conductors have been zealously directed to procure for it the support of the highest patronage, and the aid of the most distinguished musical talent. Its growing popularity and usefulness sufficiently attest the ability with which it has been conducted, and the interest which is felt in its benevolent object. In 1 778, another institution was established, under the patronage of the then Lord Bishop North, in aid of the distributions made by the stewards of the meeting of the three choirs. It has for its object the relief of the widows and children of clergymen within the diocese of Worces- ter, and also of such disabled clergymen as stand in need of its assistance. LYING-IN-CHARITY. This benevolent institution, which is supported by voluntary contributions, has extended its aid to great num- bers of poor women, to whom it has afforded the most 184 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. seasonable relief. It is entirely under the management of a committee of ladies^ chosen from among the sub- scribers. Liberal donations have been given, and many ladies have greatly assisted the charity, by kindly making garments necessary for the undertaking. From the society's last report, for the year commencing 1828, it appears that, durmg the preceding year, three hundred and fifty-two women had received the benefit of the charity, and to each woman had been given two cwt. of coals in winter, and one cwt. in summer, and one shil- ling, exclusive of two complete sets of infant's clothing, and the linen lent for the time of their confinement. Some small additional article of dress had also been thankfully received by one hundred and nine women, who had been confined during the winter months. Seven thousand one hundred and fourteen women had been relieved by the institution since its establishment in 1806. THE DORCAS SOCIETV^. A society bearing this designation, having for its ob- ject the assistance of the poor, in providing articles of clothing, was founded in the year 1819. It is supported by contributions and subscriptions, and is under the man- agement of a committee of ladies. It has been eminently useful in supplying many necessitous and deserving fa- milies with various useful articles of dress. It holds a monthly meeting at the houses of the ladies who consti- tute the committee. FEMALE ASYLUM. An institution similar in its object to the London Female Penitentiary, was founded in this city in April, 1825. A house for the reception of the objects of its benevolent care, was taken and fitted up at a short distance from the HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 185 city, near the gas-works. The females are under the charge of a matron and sub-matron. It is supported by subscriptions and contributions. Since its establishment, thirty-four females have been admitted, and fifteen are now in the house. WORCESTERSHIRE HUMANE SOCIETY, For the Recovery of Persons apparently dead from Drown- ing, Suspension, Poison, or other Accidents. This society was first established in the year 1786, un- der the name, we believe, of the Severn Humane Society, and was revived in 1819, when, the field of its exertions being much enlarged, it received the above more appro- priate designation. Its object is to rescue from death persons whose lives have been exposed to imminent danger by casualties, and to confer honorary rewards on those who have been particularly active in their recovery. The society devotes its principal attention to cases of drown- ing ; and for this purpose it has deposited at various points of the Severn, and the canal, suitable apparatus for extricating from the water the bodies of persons who have sunk. During the year ending June 30th, 1828, the rewards of the society were granted in thirty-seven cases ; a number exceeding those of the former year by fifteen. A great majority of the individuals rescued were under fourteen years of age ; and eighteen of the accidents had occurred in the Worcester and Birmingham Canal. SAVINGS BANK. This institution dates its origin, in this city, from June 29th, 1818, when a temporary office was opened for the reception of deposits, in Foregate Street. The office is now in Nicholas Street, where attendance is given every 186 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. Monday, from ten to two o'clock. From a statement of the funds made in November, 1828, it appears that the sums invested by four thousand and eighty-seven deposi- tors, amounted to ^167,739 I6s. 9d., making, together with a surplus fund of ^4232 2s. Id., a total of ^171,971 185. \0d. then in the hands of the trustees, for the pur- poses of the institution. It is earnestly to be hoped, that an institution so well calculated to promote habits of virtuous economy in the lower walks of society, will meet with the support it so well deserves. WORCESTERSHIRE FRIENDLY INSTITUTION. From the last report of this society, established in 1826, it appears that, although many circumstances had arisen to retard the progress which its friends had antici- pated, yet there had been a gradual increase of mem- bers. The four branches of Lindridge, Kidderminster, Droitwich, and Bromsgrove, were still in progress 5 and the total number of ordinary members, was then two hundred and ninety-six, being nearly double the niunber of the preceding year. From the statement of the society's accounts, it appears that even in the present infant state of the institution, the interest of the monthly contributions is more than sufficient to defray the expenses of the sick members ^ thereby evincing the soundness of the establishment, and the means it possesses of securing to its members, in sick- ness and old age, the assistance which it promises. THE WORCESTER AND WORCESTERSHIRE SOCIETY, For apprenticing to useful trades the orphan children of freemen, holds its meetings annually in London. This society originated in a convivial meeting, instituted to HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 187 celebrate the anniversary of the restoration of King Charles 11.^ but in 1815, it extended its views to the above-mentioned benevolent purpose. Its beneficent pa- tron_, the Earl of Coventry, has omitted neither expense nor exertion to promote the objects it has in view. CITY AND COUNTY OF WORCESTER AUXILIARY BIBLE SOCIETY. This institution, in aid of the British and Foreign Bible Society, was established in the year 1813, under the aus- pices of its president, the Earl of Coventry, and a very considerable number of vice-presidents ; among whom may be reckoned many of the nobility, and public characters, connected with the city and county. A ladies' association has also been since formed in Worcester, whose exertions have greatly contributed to the furtherance of its benevolent plans. The annual meetings of the society, held in the Guild- hall, have been uniformly well supported, and a truly Christian spirit has marked its exertions. The noble ob- ject which, in common with the parent society, it has in view, is at present so well understood, and, in general, so duly appreciated, that a more detailed account of its oper- ations will be deemed unnecessary. Its annual income amounts to about 6^200. There are in the city of Worcester various other bene- volent institutions, having in view objects of general philanthropy, or of Christian piety ; but they are too numerous for specific detail. CHAPTER VII. Commercial Affairs. — Printing — Worcester Newspapers — An- cient Manufactories — Clothing — Modern Manufactories — The Glove Trade — The Carpet Manufactory — Porcelain Manufac- tories — Hop Trade — Iron Founderies — The Distillery , Sfc. 8fc. — List of Trading Companies — Banks — hms and Coaches — Navi- gation of the Severn — Worcester and Birmingham Canal. PRINTING. About the close of the year 1548, in the reign of Edward VI, John Oswen, who had carried on the business of printing in Ipswich, settled in Worcester, where he ob- tained the royal license to print and re-print every kind of book or books set forth therein, for seven years, with a prohibition to all other persons from printing the same. Of the twenty-one books printed by Oswen, at Worcester, four are New Testaments 3 viz. one in folio, and another in quarto, printed in 1548 3 and one in quarto, in 1550 j an edition of which was also printed in octavo, without date. Among other works printed by Oswen in this city, the following are some of the most remarkable : — " A Consultorie for all Christians. Most godly and ernestly warnyng al people, to beware least they beare the name of christians in vayne." Sixteens. 1549. " A message from King Edward the 6th at Richmond, the 8th of July, the 3d yeare of his reigne, concerning obedience to Religion." Sixteens. 1549. HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 189 " A short pathwaye to the ryghte and true vnderstand- ing of the holye & sacred Scriptures." A translation from the Latin work of the Reformer Zwinglius. Six- teens. 1550. " St. Ambrose of oppression : translated by John Oswen, and entituled Poore Naboth oppressed by rich Ahab." Sixteens. 1550. " A notable and maruailous epistle of the famous Doctor Mathewe Gribalde, professor of the law in the vniuersitie of Padua : concerning the terrible iudgement of god vpon hym, that for feare of men denyeth Christ, and the knowen veritie : with a Preface of Doctor Caluine." A translation from the original, Latin. Sixteens. 1550. *' Godly and most necessary Annotations in y^ xiij Chapyter too the Romaynes;" by Bishop Hooper. Six- teens. 1551. Also, "^Ahomilie to bee reade in the time of pestilence j and a most present remedie for the same." By the same Prelate. Quarto. 1553. After the death of King Edward VI, it is most probable that Os wen's privilege fell, among the other deprivations of the succeeding reign, as we find no mention of the state of the press at Worcester till the next century. At that period it appears to have been again in operation 5 but it would far exceed our limits to mark its progress from thence to the present time. Various important and interesting works, of modern date, have been published by different printers, much too numerous to mention. WORCESTER NEWSPAPERS. It is a well-established fact, that Worcester was among the earliest, if not the first, of the provincial cities that led the way in opening this important channel of public in- telligence ; and it is, from the best information, supposed 190 HISTORY OF WOUCESTER. that so early as the commencement of the Revolution, or at least about 1 690, a public newspaper was established in this city. It is, however, doubtful in what order of succession, or in what manner these publications were first issued. In June, 1 709, they appear to have assumed a regular form 5 a small folio of six pages having been then printed by Stephen Bryan, and published every Friday, under the title of " The Worcester Postman^" four volumes of which are now in the Worcester Library, commencing with the year 1713. In 1741, this paper assumed the title of the " Weekly Worcester Journal," which it retained till near the time of Mr. Bryan's death, in June, 1 748, which event was then announced in the "Worcester Journal," (its third title,) No. 2031. The day of its publication was, in the year 1754, changed to Thursday, and it was now called " Berrow's Wo7'cester Journal." From the late Mr. Harvey Berrow, the Wor- cester Journal descended into the hands of Mr. J. Tymbs, by whom it was afterwards conducted, jointly with his sons, Messrs. Henton and Harvey Tymbs, the latter of whom became its sole proprietor in 1816. It is now published under the names of Tymbs and Deighton. The " Worcester Herald" is the fourth weekly paper, in succession, published in this city. A weekly paper was formerly edited by Mr. Lewis, and another by Mr. Gamidge, about the year 1763, but these were soon afterwards discontinued. The paper now bearing this title, attributes its origin to the late Lord Sandys, of Ombersley Court, and other literary gentlemen of the neighbourhood, who first suggested the undertaking to Mr. HoU. It is published every Saturday ; the present proprietors are Messrs. Chalk and HoU. HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 191 ANCIENT MANUFACTORIES. CLOTHING. That a manufactory of this kind was anciently carried on to a great extent in this city, appears from Leland, who lived in the reign of Henry VIII, and who says, — '' The wealth of the towne of Worcester standeth most by drapering ; and no towne of England, at this present tyme, maketh so many cloathes yearly as this towne doth." The society of cloth makers of Worcester was incorporated in the second year of Henry VIII ; and during a long course of time this branch of trade was so considerable, as, at one period, to give employment to between six and seven thou- sand persons within the city, and double that number in the neighbourhood. The manufacturers, however, it is said, presuming too much on the celebrity their goods had ob- tained, overstretched their cloths to so great a degree, that a deficiency was thereby caused in the measure. The workmen, also, we are told, persisting in making too thick and heavy a cloth, the produce of the looms of Worcester fell gradually into disrepute ; and this lucrative branch of trade, once a source of great wealth to the city, and by means of which it had extended its commerce to the most distant parts, became at length extinct. MODERN MANUFACTORIES. THE GLOVE ^ADE. The Glover's Company received their original charter from Henry VIII, and it was afterwards renewed by Queen Elizabeth. To the deed containing the renewed grant, is appended a seal, iron bound, upon which some slight traces of a crown are still visible. This trade has of late years, attained to a state of great perfection, and the beauty 192 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. and quality of the Worcester gloves have established its reputation not only with home consiuners_, but also in the foreign markets. From an estimate taken not many years ago, it appeared that there were then in the trade nearly a hundred master manufacturers, who furnished employment to not less than eight thousand hands, within the city, and in the adjacent towns and villages. THE CARPET MANUFACTORY. A manufactory of this kind was, not many years since, carried on in this city to some extent, but is now extinct, being transferred to the neighbouring town of Kidder- minster. PORCELAIN MANUFACTORIES. Worcester has been long and deservedly celebrated for its beautiful porcelain, now become an important branch of national manufacture. This manufactory was first introduced in the year 1751, by the late Dr. Wall, Mr. John Davis, and other gentlemen, who established the works in Palace Row, extending to the banks of the Severn, and carried on the concern under the firm of the Worcester Porcelain Compony. To this company belongs the merit of discovering the ingenious method, by which impressions of ornamental designs, in blue and white, are transferred to the porcelain from engraved copper-plates j an ^rt which was surreptitiously conveyed to the manu- factories of Staffbrdshiropand is now universally practised in the Potteries. In 1783, the works were purchased by Thomas Flight, Esq. of Hackney, Middlesex, by whom they were con- veyed to Mr. Joseph Flight, and the late Mr. Martin Barr j and they are now carried on by Messrs. Flight, Barr, and Barr, the present proprietors. HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 193 The improvements which, during the last thirty or forty years, have been made in the textme of the ware, and the beauty of the painting, have been rapid and remarkable, and have justly extended the fame of the Worcester por- celain to foreign countries. This elegant production of art, which, by a series of persevering efforts, has been brought to rival, if not to supersede, the celebrated productions of India and of France, combines strength, with a delicate whiteness and semi-transparency 5 while its surface admits of the richest embellishments of the pencil. The works in Palace Row, were honoured by the presence and examina- tion of his late Majesty, with the Queen and Princesses, during the royal visit to this city, in the year 1788. On this occasion the king was graciously pleased to grant his patent ; and from that time this establishment has been termed the Ro?jal Porcelain Works. His Majesty also condescended to advise the proprietors to open a repository in the metropolis • and this encouraging suggestion was followed by the establishment of a warehouse at No. 1, Coventry Street, London. The proprietors have been subsequently honoured with a visit from his present Majesty, while Prince Regent, and an appointment as his manufacturers ; also from other members of the royal family, and the Grand Duchess of Oldenburgh, sister to the late Emperor of Russia. These works have also been liberally patronized by most of the principal nobility and gentry in the kingdom. Another extensive manufactory of porcelain has also been established for many years, by Messrs. Chamberlains, situated at Diglis, near the entrance to the city by the Bristol and Bath road. These works have also been matured to a high degree of perfection, by the indefatiga- ble exertions of the proprietors, who have likewise been 194 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. distinguished by the special approbation and liberal patron- age of his present Majesty, who honoured them with a visit at their ware-rooms, in 1808, being then Prince Regent ; and who had previously appointed them his manufacturers, and granted them his royal license to ex- hibit his arms, &c. They have also been favoured with the support and patronage of other distinguished members of the royal family, together with that of several of the nobility, and foreign potentates. This company have also a repository at No. 155, New Bond Street, London. There is also a more recent establishment of this kind, by Mr. Thomas Grainger and Co., in Lowesmoor, near the Worcester and Birmingham Canal. The proprietors of this manufactory have also been liberally patronized by many of the nobility and gentry of the kingdom, for whom they have executed many extensive orders, in a highly j&nished style of excellence. Cards of admission to view the several workSj may be readily obtained on application at the ware-rooms of the respective proprietors ; viz. Messrs. Flight, Barr, and Barr, 45, High Street ; Messrs. H. Chamberlain and Sons, 59, High Street ; and Messrs. Grainger and Co. at the Cross. HOP TRADE. The market for hops, situated at the south end of Fore- gate Street, forms an extensive quadrangle, surrounded on three sides by ranges of large and well-built ware- houses, originally constructed as a general workhouse for the poor, and the rents of which, under the direction of the guardians of the respective parishes in the city, are still applied for the support of the House of Industry. HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 195 It is supposed that three-fifths of the produce of the sur- rounding plantations, are, on an average, brought hither for sale. The following statement of the number of pockets sold for the last twenty-eight years, will afford some idea of the average supply of the market. — Years. Pockets. Years. Pockets, Years. Pockets. 1801.. . 46,228 1811 .. ..24,617 1820.. ..21,652 1802.. . 13,596 1812.. . . 4334 1821.. ..20,564 1803.. .38,851 1813.. .. 14,665 1822.. . . 22,707 1804.. . 37,542 1814.. . . 15,562 1823.. .. 5566 1805.. . 11,824 1815.. ..17,692 1824.. .. 3201 1806.. . 26,492 1816.. .. 4610 1825.. ..16,748 1807.. . 17,223 J8I7.. .. 1530 1826.. . . 32,848 1808.. . 48,274 1818.. .. 19,164 1827.. .. 15,902 1809.. . 98-16 1819.. . .25,766 1828.. ..20,183 1810.. . 14,743 T HE DISTILLERY, &( This building, situated at the southern end of Turkey Street, on the west side of the Severn, was commenced about a century ago, by Mr. Alderman Tomlins, who was succeeded by his nephew, the late Mr. Alderman Williams. It has been since conducted on an extensive scale by his son, and now by his grandson, Mr. F. E. Williams, the sole proprietor. This establishment pays very high duties to government. The premises used for the rectifying of spirits, and the manufacture of raisin wine, carried on by Mr. J. Williams, are situated on the North Parade, nearly opposite the distillery, on the other side the river. They are large and spacious, and contribute to the convenience of the public, and the improvement of the place. 196 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. A considerable trade for the manufacture of British wines, was, many years since, established by Messrs. Cowell, Crane, and Kilpin^ and is now conducted by Messrs. Hill, Evans, and Williams, whose extensive warehouses and vaults are situated in Foregate Street,, nearly opposite the Star and Garter Inn. IRON FOUNDERIES. A considerable establishment of this kind was, in 1814, opened in the Blockhouse Fields, near the canal. It is conducted by Messrs. R. Hardy and Co. Another iron foundery has still more recently been set on foot, by Mr. Pickering. It is situated in Hylton Street, on the western bank of the Severn, and is now carried on by Mr. Russell. It is impossible, in a work like the present, to enumerate all the different manufactories now in operation in this city and neighbourhood. Passing over, therefore, others, we must content ourselves with barely noticing the ex- tensive boot and shoe manufactory of Messrs. Burling- hams, in Sidbury, who employ a great number of hands in fabricating these important articles ; and also, the recent, and, to this city, quite novel manufacture of lace, set on foot by Mr. Jackson, in 1817. The following is a List of the Trading Companies incorpo- rated at Worcester, with the respective dates of their Incorporation. Glovers, Pursers, Pouch-makers, and Poynters, incor- porated in 1497 ; united with the Tanners, Saddlers, and Pewterers, in 1664. — Cordwainers, 1504. — Mercers, Grocers, Haberdashers, and Upholsterers, 1504 ; to whom HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 197 in 1663, the Apothecaries were united. — Clothiers, first in 151 I 3 renewed in 1590. — Bakers, 1528. — Tailors, 1551. — Ironmongers, 1598. — Butchers, 1604. — Barbers and Tallow Chandlers, 1677. — Carpenters and Joiners, 1690. — Bricklayers, 1713. — Coopers, 1726. — Masons, a fellow- ship erected 1739. — Fishermen, a fellowship by prescrip- tion. — Parish-clerks, a fraternity by prescription. BANKS. In a populous and commercial city, a hank is indispen- sable, both for the facihty of trade, and the convenience of the public ; and, from an early period, Worcester was not without an establishment of this kind. As its com- mercial affairs extended, it became necessary to increase their number ; and it has now two of these houses, each of which holds a high place in the estimation of the public. The Old Bank, in High Street, conducted by Messrs. Berwick, Lechmere, Wall, Isaac, and Lechmere, who draw upon Messrs. Curtis, Robarts, and Co. 1 5, Lombard Street, London, was opened for regular business in 1761. The banking-house at the Cross, now conducted under the firm of Messrs. Farley, Johnson, Wakeman, Lavender, and Owen, was established as a house of regular business in 1 798. They draw upon the same London house as the Old Bank. Attendance is given at each of these banks, daily, from ten o'clock till three, and on Saturdays from ten till six. INNS AND COACHES. The posting and coach inns of this city, as well as those of a more domestic character, are equal to any in the united kingdom ; and the thoroughfare, particularly to and from the metropolis, from the north to the south part of the kingdom, and into the principaHty, is so great, that 198 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. coach conveyances are of almost hourly occurrence ; and persons of all ranks and conditions may obtain an easy and expeditious transfer to their several places of destina- tion : unlike to the times of which we are told, that a journey from hence to London, (now performed in sixteen hours,) was preceded by the making of wills, and the solemn settling of worldly affairs ! NAVIGATION OF THE SEVERN. In a commercial view, the Severn is of the greatest importance to this city, being, connected by navigable cuts or canals with all the northern counties, particularly by the canal from Stourport, and that lately opened from hence to Birmingham. It has also a communication with the metropolis, and other parts of the kingdom, by means of its junction with the Thames, by the Stroud canal, a little below Gloucester. Much has been said respecting the improvement of its navigation by locks and collateral cuts 3 but this majestic stream seems to bid defiance to these artificial restraints, its current being too powerful and rapid to admit of them. The Severn is navigable for vessels of one hundred and ten tons to Gloucester, ninety to Tewkesbury, eighty to Worcester, sixty to Stourport and Bewdley, forty to Shrewsbury, and thirty to Pool quay. During high water, it is capable of carrying vessels of greater burthen. '' Al- though," says the historian of our county, " the Severn has been navigable from very early times, yet the first vessel loaded Math coal, was brought to Worcester by water, by one Richard Dawson, barge-master, in the year 1570." The tolls and customs of the river, and the repairs of the bridges and quays, were very anciently put under the care of a water-bailiff, an officer appointed annually. HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 199 WORCESTER AND BIRMINGHAM CANAL. This arduous undertaking was begun in the year 1791^, when an Act of Parliament was obtained, entitled, '' An Act for making and maintaining a Navigable Canal, from, or from near to, the Town of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, to communicate with the River Severn, near to the City of Worcester." After many unexpected de- lays, arising from a variety of unforeseen and untoward events, the object of the projectors was realized, and the canal was opened for commerce on Monday, December 4, 1815 J and thus a direct communication was established with Birmingham, Manchester, and the north of England. Its course commences from the Old Birmingham, and the Birmingham and Fazeley canals, at their junction at Farmer's Bridge, at the upper end of the town of Birming- ham ; and it terminates in the river Severn, at Diglis, just below Worcester. Here, as well as in Lowesmoor, is a large basin, with extensive warehouses for the recep- tion of goods. The completion of this long desired ob- ject, has already given a rapid extension to the eastern boundary of our city, where its banks present a busy scene of commercial industry. CHAPTER VIII. ROYAL VISITS, MEMORABLE OCCURRENCES, &C. From the testimony of very ancient authorities, it appears that since the times of our earliest monarchs, Worcester has been distinguished by the marks of royal favour and preference. The annals of the church of Winchester, during the reign of Edward the Confessor, under the date of 1042, contain the following record : — " Rex Edwardus (scil. i.) instituit, et carta confirmavit, ut quoties ipse, vel aliquis successorum suorum Regum Angliee, diadema portaret Wintonise, vel Wigornige, vel Westmonasterii ) praecentor loci recipiet de fisco, ipsa die, dimidiam mar- cam, et conventus centum simnellos, et unum modium vini." — " King Edward hath ordained, and by charter confirmed, that as often as he himself, or any of his suc- cessors, kings of England, shall wear the crown at Win- chester, or Worcester, or Westminster, the chanter of the place shall receive from the exchequer, on the same day, half a mark, and the convent a hundred simnels,'* and a hogshead of wine." * The siniuel (from the Latin simila, fine Jlour) may still he seen at Worcester, during the season of Lent. It is a sort of cake, composed of sweetmeats, with a yellow shell or crust. The sim- nel hread of our ancestors was, however, merely the purest white bread. HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 201 It is probable that William the Conqueror made several visits to this city, as, according to T. Rudborne, in Angl. Sacra, (vol. i. p. 259.) that monarch was accustomed, in peaceable times, to keep his Christmas at Worcester, his Easter at Winchester, and his Pentecost at London. Other historians, however, mention Gloucester as the place where the Conqueror usually celebrated the festival of the Nativity. 1129. — King Henry I. spent his Christmas at Wor- cester. 1139. — King Stephen, then on his march to the siege of Ludlow Castle, arrived at Worcester, in the Easter- week. On this occasion he is said to have offered, at the high altar, his ring, as a votive present. 1 159. — King Henry II. with his queen, while observing the Christmas festival at Worcester, were crowned in the cathedral of this city -, where, after the celebration of mass, they presented their crowns as an offering at the altar, the king at the same time making a solemn vow to wear the diadem no more. 1207. — King John visited this city in September, where he performed his devotions at Wulstan's tomb, then held in great veneration, on account of the miracles said to be wrought there. On this occasion he presented the monas- tery with a hundred marks, towards rebuilding their cloister. 1214. — King John kept his Christmas at Worcester. 1232. — King Henry III. celebrated the same festival in this city. In 1234, he kept Whitsuntide here 3 and again visited the place after the battle of Evesham. King Edward I. made frequent excursions to this city, and appears to have been nmch attached to the place. His first visit, after his accession to the throne, was in September, 1276. The second occurred in October, 1278, when he was met by Llewellyn, Prince of Wales, who. 202 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. on this occasion, married an English heiress, the daughter of Simon de Montfort. In the years 1281, 1282, 1283, 1289, 1291, 1294, (when he twice came to offer his de- votions at the tomb of Wulstan,) 1295, and 1301, we find him again at Worcester. On the last of these oc- casions, he was accompanied by his queen, when their Majesties were rowed by water to the village of Kempsey. 1407. — Henry IV. visited Worcester twice this year. 1459. — Henry VI. came to Worcester, after the battle of Bloreheath, between the rival houses of York and Lancaster. King Henry VII, with his queen. Prince Arthur, and the Countess of Richmond, the king's mother, visited Worcester. \d52. — The Lady (Princess) Mary, came to Worcester, being then under ten years of age. 1574. — Queen Elizabeth gratified the citizens of Wor- cester with her royal presence. On this occasion, among other benefactions, she granted to widows, whose hus- bands were, at the time of their death, seized of freehold lands within the city, the privilege of free-bench, by which they are entitled to a life-interest in such freehold estate, in preference to creditors and all other claimants. — For a particular detail of this visit, see Ajjpendix to Greens His- tory of Worcester. 1645. — August 31st, King Charles I. came with his army into this city, whither he had marched from Ship- ston-upon-Stour j and after remaining here till the 3rd September, proceeded with his troops to Bromwich, in Herefordshire. During the king's stay at Worcester, his guards were stationed at Claines. 1687. — August 23rd, King James II. visited this city, on his progress into Cheshire, having been invited hither by Bishop Thomas, who, attended by his clergy, met the HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 203 king at his palace-gate, and proffered his congratulations in a Latin speech adapted to the occasion. The monarch's path from the gate to the palace, was covered with white broad- cloth, the manufacture of the city, and strewed with flowers. The cloth was afterwards taken away by the king's attendants. His Majesty, however, does not appear to have accepted the bishop's courtesies quite so graciously as might have been anticipated. On the fol- lowing day, the feast of St. Bartholomew, we find him proceeding with much state, and attended by the mayor and aldermen of the city, to offer his devotions at a Ro- man Catholic chapel, where the magistrates pausing on the threshold, the king enquired if they would not go in, and received from Thomas Shewring, Esq. the indepen- dent mayor of Worcester, this firm and memorable reply : " I think we have attended your Majesty too far already." Leaving, therefore, the ensigns of civic state before the king, in the chapel, with due reverence, they retired, to attend divine service in the cathedral. They then re- turned, in order to accompany their Sovereign back to the palace. At an entertainment furnished by the bishop, his royal guest summoned a popish priest to invoke the blessing, instead of the prelate at whose table he sat, although the latter had himself offered to perform that duty. Previous, however, to his Majesty's departure, which was immediately after dinner, he condescended to notice, with some degree of approbation, the attentions he had received. 1788. — Tuesday, August 5th, his late Majesty, King George III, accompanied by his royal consort, with the Duke of York, the Princess Royal, and the Princesses Augusta and Elizabeth, arrived from Cheltenham, at the episcopal palace, in this city, the inhabitants of which testified the gratitude and pleasure they felt on their 204 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. Sovereign's appearance among them, after his recent re- covery from an alarming iUness, by a brilliant and general illumination in the evening of that day. On the following morning, his Majesty held a levee at the palace, where the bishop, attended by the dean, prebendaries, and some of the parochial clergy, addressed the king in a congratula- tory speech, to which his Majesty returned a most gracious and energetic answer. The corporation of the city were then presented, headed by their recorder, the Earl of Coventry, who also delivered a suitable address, and re- ceived from the sovereign a very benignant reply. Many of the nobility and principal gentry of the neighbourhood, were also in attendance. In the forenoon of this day, the royal family proceeded to the cathedral, and were present at the meeting of the three choirs, held at this time in Worcester. In the afternoon, their majesties, with their royal and noble attendants, visited the porcelain repository of Messrs. Flight and Barr, in the High Street, and the carpet manufactory of Messrs. Michael and Watkins, then carried on in Silver Street. On Thursday, August 7th, the royal party again attend- ed the musical performances at the cathedral, where they listened to a selection of sacred music from the works of Handel. In the evening they took tea at the deanery. On the 8th, his majesty paid a visit to the corporation, at the town-hall, when the mayor, with the other magis- trates and gentlemen composing that body, attended by their proper officers, and a band of music, conducted the king from the palace to the hall. Here, after inspecting the courts of law, and other matters worthy of notice, his Majesty was pleased to accept a glass of wine, presented to him in the assembly-room, and condescendingly drank '' Prosperity to the city and corporation of Worcester." The king was also pleased to require the corporation to HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 205 solicit some token of his royal favour ; when the recorder, in the name of the body, requested the picture of their revered sovereign ; and to this wish his majesty gave his immediate and gracious assent. On the same day, the king, queen, and princesses, were again present at the cathedral, when the sacred oratorio of " The Messiah," was performed before an assembly of nearly three thousand persons ; and in the evening the august party attended a miscellaneous concert, at the college-hall, with which the musical festivities of the season concluded. On the royal visitors retiring from the assembly, the enthusiastic burst of gratulation which rose from the multitude, mingled with the harmonious strains of our favourite national an- them, " God save the King," produced an effect at once exhilarating and impressive. On Saturday morning, Aug. 9th, their majesties, with the princesses and several of the nobility, inspected the china manufactoryof Messrs. Flight and Barr, where the king was pleased to leave ten guineas, to be disposed of among the workmen. At eleven, the royal family took their leave of this city, and returned to Cheltenham. Their majesties each left a donation of fifty pounds, to be distributed among the poor of the city. The king also gave two hundred pounds to the collection made at the cathedral, for the relief of clergymen's wi- dows, and three hundred pounds for the liberation of a certain class of debtors. His Majesty was also pleased to direct that the royal pardon should be extended to such convicts under sentence of transportation, as, in the judg- ment of the county magistrates, might appear to be suit- able objects of the royal clemency. On the 25 th September, 1807, his present Majesty, then Prince of Wales, being, with the Duke of Sussex, on a visit at Ombersley Court, paid a visit to this city, accom- panied by the Marchioness of Downshire. The august 206 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. party received an appropriate welcome from the corpora- tion, by whom they were met at the town-hall^, and then proceeded to view the porcelain manufactories. On this occasion, his Royal Highness, now our gracious Sove- reign, presented fifty pounds to the infirmary, and fifty pounds for the poor of the several parishes in this city. His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex, also, left a do- nation of twenty pounds to the infirmary, and twenty pounds to the poor. 894. — About this period, a charter was obtained from King Alfred, by Ethelred, Duke of Mercia, and his con- sort, the Princess Ethelfleda, the daughter of Alfred, to rebuild and improve the city of Worcester, laid waste by the incursions of the Danes. 1041. — May 4th, an insurrection at Worcester, in the reign of King Hardicanute, occasioned by the collection of the tax called Danegelt. {See pp. 17, 18.) 1074. — A conspiracy, excited by the Earl of Hereford, against William the Conqueror, was crushed by the ac- tivity of Bishop Wulstan, and other distinguished indivi- duf^ls of this city and neighbourhood. 1088. — A violent attack was made on this city, by several powerful noblemen of Shropshire and Hereford- shire, on account of its attachment to the reigning monarch, William II 3 when the inhabitants, roused by Bishop Wulstan, made a bold and determined defence, and freed the city from its besiegers. 1 1 13. — June 19th, the city of Worcester was consumed by fire; even the buildings in the castle and cathedral not escaping. According to the Worcester Annals, one monk, and twenty of the inhabitants, perished in the flames. HISTORY OF WORCESTER. .207 1133. — In November, a great part of this city was burnt down, by a casual fire, and the cathedral much damaged. 1139. — A great part of the city was again burnt, and dreadful excesses were committed by the troops of the Empress Maud, during her contests with King Stephen for the crown. {See pp. 20,2 \.) About the year 1149, during the continuance of the same disorders, Worcester was plundered, and again burnt, by the troops of King Stephen. (Seep. 22.) 1157. — This city was fortified by Hugh Mortimer, a Welsh chieftain, who had engaged in a rebellion against King Henry II. On the approach of the royal forces, he submitted, and received the king's pardon. 11 89. — Worcester was again nearly destroyed by fire. 1202. — The cathedral, and a great part of the city, were burnt. 1214. — King John held a synod in this city, when many of the nobles presented themselves, and demanded relief from their grievances. In the wars which ensued, during this reign, between the king and the barons, Wor- cester having taken part with the latter, the king's troops forced their way into the city, which was strongly defend- ed, took many of the inhabitants prisoners, treated others with great cruelty, and imposed a heavy fine on the monks. King John dying soon after, was brought hither and buried in the cathedral. (See pp. 23 — 25.) 1225. — A great tournament was made at Worcester, for which Bishop Blois excommunicated all the persons concerned in it. 1263. — Worcester was besieged and taken by Montford, Earl of Leicester, and other barons, during the commo- tions which ensued after the accession of Henry III. On this occasion the houses of the inhabitants were plundered. 208 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. and great cruelties were inflicted on the citizens, especially the Jews. 1264. — King Henry III. having fallen into the hands of the Earl of Leicester, after the battle of Lewes, was brought by the latter, a prisoner to Worcester 5 together with his son. Prince Edward, and many of the nobles. 1265. — Prince Edward, afterwards King Edward I, having escaped from Hereford, whither he had been car- ried by Leicester, escaped to Worcester, where an army being assembled under his command, the earl's troops were defeated by him, at the battle of Evesham, with great slaughter. The earl himself was slain, and the king being liberated, was restored to his crown. 1281. — Godfrey Gifford, Bishop of 'Worcester, laid the first stone of the pavement of the town. 1 299. — A partial fire occurred, which consumed a street leading to the water-gate. 1313. — The first stone bridge was erected across the Severn, in consequence, very probably, of the destruction of the former wooden one, by the conflagration last men- tioned. 1342. — The plague made its appearance in Worcester, and carried off^ many of the inhabitants. 1349. — ^Xhe plague again broke out, and raged with great violence. On this occasion. Bishop Wolstan de Braunsford, having forbad the interment of the dead in the cemetery of the cathedral, gave license to the citizens to have a burial-ground adjoining St. Oswald's hospital, then without the gates. 1401. — Worcester was burnt and plundered by the troops of Owen Glendwr, aided by French auxiliaries. They were defeated and driven back into Wales, by Hen- ry IV. 1 403. — John of Lancaster, Duke of Bedford, was made HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 209 Constable of England, by letters patent, dated at Worces- ter, September 1 0th, of this year. 1471. — Queen Margaret, the wife of Henry VI, and her son. Prince Edward, having been seized by Lord Stanley, after the battle of Tewkesbury, were brought to Worcester, and presented to Edward IV ; by whom the former was sent, a prisoner, to the Tower of London, and the young prince, after being treated with the utmost indignity by the unfeeling Edward, was cruelly murdered on the spot by his attendants. {See pp. 30, 31.) 1484. — The Duke of Buckingham, who had raised an army in Wales, in order to dispute the possession of the throne, against Richard III, on behalf of the family of the queen dowager, was prevented from passing into England, by a remarkable inundation of the Severn. 1485. — Worcester was seized by Henry VII, after the battle of Bosworth Field, and many of the inhabitants beheaded at the High Cross. This city was compelled to pay five hundred marks for the redemption of its freedom. 1486. — Sir Humphrey Siafford, with other nobles, hav- ing raised a body of troops, advanced to attack Worcester, on account of its loyalty to Henry VII. Being, however, dispirited by the defeat of their friends under Lord Lovel, just as arrangements had been made for the spoliation of the city, they suddenly dispersed. Sir Humphrey Stafford, being soon afterwards taken prisoner, was exe- cuted at Tyburn. 1534. — September 15th, a violent earthquake occurred at AVorcester. 1558. — This county was visited by a dreadful sickness, supposed to have been the sweating sickness. 1577. — While Whitgift was bishop of Worcester, be- tween 1577 and 1583, a violent dispute arose between Sir John Russell and Sir Henry Berkeley, which was near being 210 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. the occasion of a desperate affray in this city, whither the parties came, each bringing with him a body of armed friends and servants, to decide the quarrel. Fmther mis- chief was, however, happily prevented by the vigilance and authority of the bishop, and a reconciliation effected between the disputants. {See p. 33.) 1637. — A most destructive pestilence raged in this city, from June in this year, till April in the following ; during which, fifteen hundred and fifty-one persons are said to have fallen victims to its ravages. The inhabitants sought a retreat in the island of Bevere, where they were supplied with provisions by the neighbouring gentry. 1642. — Commencement of the civil wars, under the reign of King Charles I. — September 2 1st, Worcester was besieged by the parliamentary troops. — September 23rd, the king's forces, under Prince Rupert and Maurice, enter the city. A conflict ensues, in which the royalists are defeated, and the city is left in the hands of the besiegers. The Earl of Essex, with the main body of the republican army, arrived in the neighbourhood the same evening, and, on the following morning, took possession of the city, where many excesses are said to have been commit- ted by the soldiery, and much damage done to the cathe- dral. {See pp. 34— 38.) 1646. — March, the republican forces again approach this city J but, finding the garrison disposed to resistance, pass on to the siege of Lichfield. — Maij, other bodies of troops arrive, under the parliamentary generals, and en- camp before Worcester. — July, after a brave and spirited, but at length, hopeless resistance, the garrison capitulate, and the city is surrendered to the enemy. ( See pp. 38 — 4 1 . ) 1651. — August, King Charles II, with an army from Scotland, entered Worcester, then feebly garrisoned by a small body of the parliamentary troops. Cromwell, fol- HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 211 lowing the royal movements, arrived on the 2 8th of August, and encamped, with his army, on Red Hill. Hostilities commence. The king's forces are defeated at Upton, and, retreating towards Worcester, station themselves at Powick. — September 3rd, Fleetwood advances from Up- ton with his detachment 3 a communication is effected between the two divisions of the besieging army, on the eastern and western sides of the city, by means of bridges, thrown over the Teme and the Severn. The king's troops are defeated in Wick-field, near Powick bridge. The eventful battle of Worcester follows on the same day, terminated by the complete discomfiture of the royal forces, the flight of the king, and his subsequent escape into France. {See pp. 41 — 47.) 1661. — March 14th, Ursula Corbett, of Defford, in the county of Worcester, burnt at Worcester, for poisoning her husband, to whom she had been married three weeks. 1672. — December 23rd, a great flood on the Severn. The rise of the water is marked by a plate, still remaining in the wall, by the side of the river, near the priory-gate. 1 723. — In the summer of this year, the assizes were first held in the present guild-hall. 1724. — June ilth, a violent storm of thunder and lightning did much damage in this neighbourhood. 1733. — June 5th, the steeple of St. Andrew's Church, in this city, was so much injured by lightning, that it was found necessary to take it down and rebuild it. Other damage was, at the same time, occasioned in the city. 1 750. — Hannah Snell, born in Friar Street, in this city, in the year 1723, served the king as a soldier and sailor, from the 27th of November, 1745, to the 9th of June, 1750. She entered as a marine in Colonel Fraser's regi- ment, went on board the Swallow, sloop of war, belong- ing to Admiral Boscawen's squadron, and was present at 212 HISTORY OF WORCESTEK. the siege of Pondicherry, and various others, in which she received twelve wounds. She came to Enghind in the Eltham Man of War, and subsequently gave R. Walker^, of the little Old Bailey, London, authority to publish a full account of her surprising adventures. She went by the name of James Gray, her sex remaining undiscovered during all her adventures, till she made oath thereof before the Mayor of London, on the 27th of June, 1750. The king granted her a pension of one shilling a day for life. 1751. — The porcelain works, situate in Palace Row, established by Dr. Wall, and other gentlemen, under the firm of the Worcester Porcelain Company. 1 757. — During the spring assizes of this year, a violent gale of wund blew down a stack of chimnies from the south end of the guild-hall, at Worcester ; which, falling through the roof of the nisi-prius court, while the court was sitting, killed six persons on the spot, and severely bruised others. The presiding judge. Sir John Eardley Wilmot, with much difficulty, escaped unhurt. This melancholy event put an end to the business of the assize. 1702. — August 11th, three barrels of gunpowder, un- loading at a warehouse in New Street, exploded, in con- sequence of the indiscretion of a boy, who set fire to some scattered grains. By this accident, the wareliouse was blown up, many other buildings were damaged, and the boy who had been the cause of the calamity, was killed. 1768. — December 20th, two very smart shocks of an earthquake were felt in this city, between four and six o'clock in the evening. In Herefordshire and Gloucester- shire, the concussion was felt in a very alarming manner ; and in the city of Gloucester, the cathedral was much shaken. At Droitwich, and other places in this county, the shock was also very sensibly felt. 1770. — A very high flood on the Severn, was the occa- HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 213 sion of much damage in those parts of the city which border on the river, and the Uves of many of the inhabi- tants were endangered. A memorial of the inundation, affixed to the city-wall, near the priory-gatc, bears the following inscription: — "On the 18th of November, 1770, the flood rose to the lower edge of this brass plate, being ten inches higher than the flood which happened on December 23rd, 1072." 1 791 . — One of the highest floods of the Severn known since the building of the new bridge, occurred, and which is rendered the more remarkable, on account of the period of its occurrence, being on Midsummer-day, in this year. 1795. — During the intense frost, which continued for so extraordinary a length of time, in the winter of 1 794-5, the Severn, in common with the other rivers of the king- dom, was frozen to a considerable depth. This event was recorded in a very appropriate manner, by the distri- bution, among the populace assembled on the ice, of a printed paper, containing the following quotation and memoranda : — " The art of Printing was invented by Lawrence John Koster, and brought into England by Caxton and Turner, in the year 1468." *' His hoary frost, His fleecy snow. Descend, and clothe the ground ; The liquid streams forbear to flow. In icy fetters bound." (Psalm cxlvii. 16, 17.) " Worcester : Printed upon the Severn, Jayi. 23, 1795." On the 12th of February, in the same year, another re- markable inundation of the Severn took place, occasioned by the breaking up of the ice on the river, which choked its passage at the bridge. The water rose exactly to the same height as in the flood of 1 672, three feet above the high water line of the bridge. The following memorial 214 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. of the event is fixed on the wall of the Parade, near the bridge: — "On the 12th of February, 1795, the flood rose to the lower edge of this stone. T. P. C." November 1 8th, a slight shock of an earthquake was felt in this city, and the adjacent country. 1797. — July 17th, King John's tomb, in the cathedral of Worcester, was opened, and the body of the king found there. {Seep. 119.) 1802. — The late Admiral Lord Nelson, being at Wor- cester, was presented by the corporation with the freedom of the city, 1809. — January 29th, the river rose to within nineteen inches of the brass plate affixed to the wall near the priory- gate, and within eight inches of the lower edge of the stone fixed on the wall near the Parade, to record the flood of 1795. — July 2nd, the toll upon foot passengers over the Bridge, finally ceased. — October 25th, the jubilee of the reign of King George III, was celebrated at Worces- ter, by the distribution of money to the poor, and by the liberation of debtors. 1811. — May 27th, this city was visited by a most tre- mendous storm of thunder, lightning, and hail, attended with eftects singularly awful and appalling. — June,Lucien Bonaparte took up his residence at Thorngrove. 1814. — June, illuminations for the peace. 1816. — January 1st, the freedom of the city was voted to Lord Wellington. 1817. — August 5th, the freedom of city was presented to Lords Sidmouth and Colchester. — September 29th, riots in Pitchcroft and the Butts, respecting the rights of the freemen. — December 1 1 th. Lord Liverpool received the freedom of the city. 1827. — December 31st, all the tolls on the Bridge ceased ; and the gates were accordingly taken down. CHAPTER IX. EMINENT CHARACTERS^ CONNECTED WITH THIS CITY AND NEIGHBOURHOOD BY BIRTH OR RESIDENCE. DuNSTAN, Bishop of Worcester. — This celebrated eccle- siastic, the founder of the monastery at Glastonbury, was born about the year 925. He acquired a reputation for superior piety, and an ascendency at the court of Edred, the English king. He was, however, banished the king- dom by Edwy, but was afterwards recalled by Edgar. He was successively appointed Bishop of Worcester, and London ; and, on the death of Edwy, was translated to the see of Canterbury. Dunstan possessed considerable genius, and excelled in painting, music, and other arts. After his death, he was canonized by the monks, whose patron he had been. Various legendary tales are told of his conflicts with the spirit of darkness. His final release from his satanic enemy, is said to have been obtained by having one day seized him by the nose, with a pair of red hot pincers. Osw^ALD, Bishop of Worcester, was, in early life, one of the secular canons of Winchester, and dean of the minster at that place. About the year 952, he resigned his preferment at Winchester, and took the monastic vows, in the Benedictine Abbey at Fleury. Returning to 216 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. England, he was advanced by Dunstan to the see of Wor- cester. He persuaded the priests of his cathedral to con- vert their college into a monastery. In 971, he was raised to the archiepiscopal see of York, which he held with his bishopric at Worcester, where he suddenly died, in 992. He was buried in the cathedral, which he had built, and was subsequently canonized. WuLSTAN n. Bishop of Worcester, 1062, was a native of Long Ichington, in Warwickshire. In 1084, Wul- stan commenced building a new cathedral at Worcester, which he completed in 1089.* A high character is given him by William of Malmsbury, and he certainly appears to have been a man of no ordinary endowments. He is said to have been remarkably humble, in an age when the clerical character was generally marked by ex- cessive haughtiness. He died January 19th, 1 095, at the age of about eighty-seven, having held this see thirty-two years. He was the last Saxon Bishop of Worcester, and was canonized by Pope Innocent III. Florence of Worcester, was a monk of the cathe- dral priory, highly esteemed by his cotemporaries for his literary endowments, and his strictness in monastic obser- vances. He w^as the compiler of '' The Chronicon" a general history, extending from the creation of the world, down to the last year of his own life, A. D. 1118. He is also said to have left some other manuscripts, of less note, relating to the genealogies of kings. The Chronicon of Florence, together with its continuance to the year 114], by another monk of Worcester, whose name is not known, was published by William Howard, Earl of Northampton, 1592. * See p. 107. HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 217 Senatus, surnamed Bravonius, was also renowned for literary skill, and zeal for the honour of his monastery. He wrote the lives of St. Oswald and St, Wulstan, a tract concerning the pontifical pall, and a book of epistles. He died in 1170, and was buried in the monastery at Worcester. Heimingus, a monk of Worcester, deserves mention as the laborious compiler of a chartulary, tending to elucidate the ancient history of the see of Worcester. William of Worcester, was also a monk, and a writer of some eminence. He is said to have been edu- cated at Hart-hall, Oxford, 1434, and was the compiler of the " Polyandria Oxoniensis." He was also the author of *^ The Itenerary,'' a curious work of much value in illustrating the narratives of the earlier historians. Richard Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick, was born at Salwarp, in this county, in 1381. He was the most distinguished warrior of his time ; and in his feats was said to have surpassed Hercules himself. At the battle of Shrewsbury, he signalized himself so much by his courage, that the king employed him in an expedition against the renowned Owen Glendwr, whom he vanquished and put to flight. He attended Henry V. to the wars of France, and, at the battle of Agincourt, conducted himself with intrepid bravery. After the decease of Henry, he was appointed Regent of France, which high situation he re- tained till his own death, four years afterwards, in 1439. John Wickliffe. — There appears to be good authority for supposing that this highly distinguished individual, the herald of the Reformation, was a prebendary in Worcester 218 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. Cathedral ; in the library of which, there is a copy of his Bible and New Testament, said to be (as well as the copy in St. John's College, Oxford,) of Wicklitfe's own pen- manship. There is also, in the same library, a copy of the Vulgate, from which it is said WickliUe translated : it is written in the same hand as the translation. Thomas Littleton. — This celebrated English Judge, the author of the learned treatise on " Tenures," was a native of Worcestershire. He was the eldest son of Thomas Westcote, of the county of Devon, by Elizabeth, the daughter and sole heir of Thomas Luttleton, or Lyttle- ton, of Frankley, by whose especial desire, it is said, he assumed the name, and bore the arms of that family. The eldest son and successor of the judge. Sir William Lyttleton, lived many years, in considerable splendour, at Frankley, and died in 1508. From this branch, the cele- brated Lord Lyttleton, of Frankley, who was created a Baron of Great Britain in 1756, derived his pedigree. Hugh Latimer, Bishop of Worcester, 1535. — This eminent prelate and martyr was a native of Thurcaston, in Leicestershire, where he was born about the year 1475. He was educated at Cambridge, in the tenets of the, Romish Churchy but, on conversing with Bilney, the martyr, renounced his former creed, and espoused the doctrines of the Reformation. King Henry VIH ap- pointed him to the see of Worcester. In the reign of Edward VI he assisted Cranmer in framing the homilies, and conducting the work of the Reformation. On the accession of Mary to the throne, he was committed to the tower, and at length suffered martyrdom, being burnt at Oxford, with Bishop Ridley, in 1555. HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 219 John Hooper, Bishop of Gloucester, and of Worcester, 1552, was born in Somersetshire, in 1495, and educated at Merton College, Oxford. Having imbibed the princi- ples of the Reformation, he was made Bishop of Glouces- ter, in the reign of Edward VI, to which was added the see of Worcester, in commendam. On the restoration of popery, under Mary, he was condemned to the flames, which he endured with unshaken fortitude, at Gloucester, in 1554. Thomas Abingdon, an early historian of this county, descended from a Roman Catholic family, and son of John Abingdon, Cofferer to Queen Elizabeth, who purchased the manor of Hinlip, and rebuilt the mansion-house at that place, about 1572. Thomas Abingdon was born near Chertsey, in Surrey, August 23rd, 15G6. Being sus- pected of favouring the party of Mary, Queen of Scots,. he was imprisoned for six years in the tower, where he applied himself very diligently to study, and on his release retired to Hinlip. On the discovery of the gunpowder- plot, he again incurred the displeasure of government, by concealing Garnet, and Oldcorn, agents in that affair. A curious account of their discovery at Hinlip House, is given by Dr. Nash, in his " History of Worcestershire." On this occasion, Abingdon was again committed to the tower, and condemned to die, but was pardoned on con- dition of his never leaving Worcestershire. From hence- forth he devoted a great part of his time to the study of the history of this county. The fruits of his researches were three folio volumes of Parochial Antiquities con- nected with the County, two of Miscellaneous Collections, and one relating to the cathedral. He was likewise the author of some other historical works. He died at Hinhp, in 1647, at the age of eighty-seven. 220 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. Sir Robert Berkeley, was born in the parish of St. Martin, in this city, in 1584. He was the second son of Rowland Berkeley, Esq. of Spetchley, where his descen- dants still reside. In the early part of the reign of King James I, he served the office of high sheriff for the county j and in the eighth year of Charles I, was made a justice of the court of king's bench. Having incurred the displea- sure of the republican party, he suffered severely by fine and imprisonment. During the last siege of Worcester, his house at Spetchley was burnt. Judge Berkeley mar- ried Elizabeth, daughter and coheir of Thomas Conyers, Esq. of East Barnet, Herts. He died August 5t,h, 1656, aged eighty-two, and was buried in the parish-church, at Spetchley. He gave twenty-three timber trees towards the new erection of the north aisle of St. Martin's Church, in 1616, and one hundred pounds towards improving the .ring of bells, in 1 640. He also left funds for several annual benefactions to that parish. Samuel Butler, the celebrated author of "Hudibras," was a native of Strensham, in this county, and educated at a free-school in this city. His father, whose name was also Samuel, was churchwarden of that parish the year before the poet's birth, and has entered his baptism in the parish register, dated Feb. 8th, 1612. He died in 1680, and was buried in the churchyard of St. Paul's, Covent Garden. About sixty years afterwards. Alderman Barber, the printer, erected a monument to his memory in Westminster Abbey. Lady Dorothy Packington, the reputed author of *' The Whole Duty of Man," was the wife of Sir John Packington, of Westwood, in this county, where the family-mansion is still situated. She died May 1 0, 1 679. HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 221 Her husband was a knight of the shire. In the fifteenth year of Charles I, he was tried for his life by the parlia- ment, with whom he compounded for five thousand pounds. He served in parliament for Worcestershire, and Ayles- bury, and died in 1G79. His house was an asylum for men of learning and merit in those days. Edward Stillingfleet, Bishop of Worcester, 1689, was born at Cranbourne, in Dorsetshire, April 17, 1635. In 1648, he was admitted a scholar of St. John's College, Cambridge, where he took his bachelor's degree, in 1652, and was so highly esteemed by his society, as to be elected into a fellowship so early as 1653. On leaving the uni- versity, he was presented by his friend. Sir Roger Bur- goyne, to the living of Sutton, in Bedfordshire ; and after occupying several other important stations, was advanced, at the Revolution, to the bishopric of Worcester, which high situation he filled with exemplary diligence. He died at his house in Park Street, Westminster, March 27th, 1699. It was during his residence at Sutton, that he composed his very celebrated work, the "Origines Sacrse." His writings were collected and printed in 1710, in six vols, folio. John Hough, Prebendary of Worcester, 1 685, Bishop of Worcester, \7\7, was the son of John Hough, a citi- zen of London, and was born in Middlesex, April 12th, 1651. He was entered of Magdalen College, Oxford, November 12th, 1669. His subsequent ejection from the presidency of that college, together with twenty-six of the fellows, by King James II, with the circumstances connected with that event, and the firmness and spirit displayed by him on that trying occasion^ are facts too well known to require a particular detail. His dignified 222 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. conduct in this memorable affair, obtained for him, not long afterwards, the bishopric of Oxford. In 1699, he was translated to the see of Lichfield and Coventry, in which he continued till his removal, in 1717, to that of Worcester. He died May 8th, 1 743, at the very advanced -age of ninety- three. His remains were deposited in the cathedral at Worcester, where there is a monument erected to his memory, by Roubilliac, which is justly considered a masterpiece of statuary. {See ]j. 127.) John Lord Somers, Chancellor of England, a native of this county, was the son of an attorney at Worcester, and was born about the year 1650, or 1652. He was educated at Trinity College, Oxford, but left the univer- sity without taking a degree. His father intending him for his own profession, entered him as a clerk with Sir Francis Winnington. At the expiration of his articles, he removed to the Middle Temple. He soon evinced very extraordinary abilities, both as a pleader and a politician. He was one of the counsel for the seven bishops, in 1 688, whose cause he advocated with great firmness and effect, against the usurpations of the misguided James H. In the convention-parliament, which met in January, 1 688-9, he represented his native city, and was one of the managers for the House of Commons, in their conferences with the Lords, upon the word ''abdicated." In 1685, he was appointed Solicitor General, and knighted. In May, 1 692, he was made Attorney General ; in the March following, he was advanced to the post of Lord Keeper of the Great Seal ', and in 1697, was created Lord High Chancellor of England, and called to the peerage, by the title of Lord Somers, Baron of Evesham, in the county of Worcester. In 1700, the seals were taken from him, and he was im- peached by the House of Commons of high crimes and HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 223 misdemeanors, but was acquitted by the Lords in the following year. He was a great constitutional lawyer, a virtuous patriot, and an elegant and accomplished writer, and scholar. His death took place on the 26th of April, 1/16, A monument was raised over his remains, by Lady Sekyl, at Minis, in the county of Herts. William Derham, D. D. was born at Stoulton, in this county, in 1657, and educated at Trinity College, Oxford. On entering into orders, in 1 682, he obtained the vicarage of Wargrave, in the county of Berks. In 1 689, he was presented to the living of Upminster, in Essex. In this situation he devoted himself to scientific pursuits, and contributed largely to the Philosophical Transactions. In 1713, he published his " Physico-Theology, or a Demon- stration of the Being and Attributes of God, from the Works of Creation ;" and in the year following, appeared his '^ Astro-Theology, or a Demonstration of the Being and Attributes of God, from a Survey of the Heavens." These works have obtained a high and just celebrity. In 1716, he was made Canon of Windsor -, and in 1 730, re- ceived the degree of D. D. from the University of Oxford. One of his last compositions was his "■ Christo-Theology, or a Demonstration of the Divine Authority of the Chris- tian Religion," published in 1730. This excellent man died in his seventy-eight year, at Upminster, April 5th, 1735. Elizabeth Burnet, the eldest daughter of Sir Richard Blake, Knt. was born at London, November 8th, 1661. At the age of seventeen, she was married to Robert Berkeley, Esq. grandson of Sir Robert Berkeley, the judge. Her husband (and not Judge Berkeley, as is commonly supposed) left ^6000 for the erection of an hospital in 224 HISTORY OF WOIICESTER. Worcester -,* and was much engaged, during his life, in the establishment of schools for the poor. After continu- ing a widow seven years, she married Dr. Gilbert Burnet, Bishop of Salisbury. She was much devoted to literary pursuits, especially to divinity, and was the author of a book entitled ''A Method of Devotion." She died Feb. 3rd, 1708, aged forty-seven, and was buried at Spetchley. Thomas White, an ingenious sculptor and architect, was a native of this city. When a young man, he served his time with a statuary in Piccadilly, and afterwards accompanied Sir Christopher Wren to Borne. On his return to England, Wren would have retained him as his foreman, but Mr. White preferred residing at Worcester. The statue of Queen Anne, in the front of the town-hall — the bust of Bishop Hough, at the east end of All Saints Church — the bust of George II. over the gateway at Edgar's Tower — and the figure of Britannia, in the Tyth- ing, are said to have been executed by him. He is also believed to have been the architect of several of the new churches built in the reign of Queen Anne. At the re- quest of the corporation, he rebuilt the town-hall, for which they granted him a pension of thirty pounds a year, during his life. Isaac Maddox, D. D. Bishop of Worcester, 1743, was born in London, July 27th, 1697. Losing his parents, who were in humble life, while young, he was placed by his aunt at a charity-school, and afterwards put on trial for an apprenticeship with a pastry-cook. This situation he soon quitted 3 and, through the good offices of Bishop Gibson, was admitted of Queen's College, Cambridge. After entering into orders, he was, in 1729, appointed HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 225 Clerk of the Closet to Queen Caroline. In 1 733^ he was made Dean of Wells j iml 736, Bishop of St. Asaph; and in November, 1743, he was translated to Worcester. He is considered as the father of the Worcester Infirmary, and was a generous benefactor to several of the London Hos- pitals. He presided in the see of Worcester for sixteen years, and died at Hartlebury, September 27th, 1759. His remains were interred in the cathedral. John Baskerville. — This ingenious artist was born at Wolverley, in Worcestershire, in 1706. At the age of twenty, he settled in Birmingham as a writing-master ; but in 1745, engaged in the japanning business, and acquired considerable property. In 1756, he became a printer and letter-founder. In this engagement he was at first unsuccessful ; but at length the productions of his press grew into public esteem. His paper and ink, as well as his type, were prepared by himself 3 and he was deservedly considered as a contributor^ in no common degree, to the improvement of the art. It is much to be lamented, that so ingenious and useful a man, discovered a disbelief, and even a contempt, for revealed religion. John Wall, M. D. was born at Powick, in this county, in 1708. He was educated at Worcester College, Oxford, and afterwards chosen fellow of Merton College. He settled as a physician at Worcester, and died at Bath, June 27th, 1776, aged sixty-seven. He was buried in the Abbey Church, in that city, where there is an inscrip- tion to his memory. As a physician he was eminently successful. He wrote several medical and philosophical tracts. Dr. Wall was one of the earliest patrons of the infirmary. To his scientific experiments this city is also indebted for the establishment of its china manufactory. F F 226 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. He had a fine genius for painting, and, though a self- taught artist, the productions of his pencil will bear a comparison with the works of many of the more regular professors of his day. The serenity and cheerfulness of his disposition, and the urbanity of his manners, endeared him to the social and domestic circles in which he moved. George Lord Lyttleton, descended from the author of the '' Tenures," was born in 1/09, and was the eldest of the ten children of Sir Thomas Lyttleton, of Hagley, in this county. He was educated at Eton, from whence he removed to Christ Church, Oxford. In 1 728, he visited France and Italy, and resided for some time in Lorraine. On returning from his travels, he obtained a seat in Par- liament, where he distinguished himself as a frequent and eloquent speaker, on the side of opposition. In 1/41, he married Miss Lucy Fortescue, sister of Matthew Lord Fortescue, of Devonshire, by whom he had a son and two daughters. This amiable woman died in 1 747 j and Mr. Lyttleton lamented her death in the beautiful monody written to her memory. In 1749, he contracted a second marriage with the daughter of Field-marshall Sir Robert Rich ', but in this connexion he appears not to have been equally happy. In 1751, he succeeded to a baronet's title, by the death of his father; and in 1757, he was raised to the peerage, being created Baron Lyttleton, of Frankley, in this county. His Lordship was the author of many elegant and much admired poems, and other literary performances j but the most celebrated of his productions are his " History of Henry II," and his " Ob- servations on the Conversion and Apostleship of St. Paul." He is classed by Dr. Johnson among the British poets. Richard Hurd, Bishop of Worcester-, 1781, was born HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 227 at Congreve, in the parish of Penkridge^, Staftordshire, January 13th, 1719-20. This excellent prelate was the author of many theological and critical works, all of them distinguished by the classical eloquence and purity of their style. Of these, the " Sermons on the Prophecies" may perhaps be reckoned as the most celebrated. He expired after a short illness. May 28th, 1808, in his eighty-ninth year, having held the see of Worcester for nearly twenty- seven years. He was, by his own desire, buried in Har- tlebury churchyard. Treadway Russell Nash, D. D. and F. S. A. well known as the indefatigable compiler of the " Collections for the History of Worcestershire," was born at Clerken- leap, in the parish of Kempsey, in this county, June 22nd, 1725. Besides the topographical work just men- tioned, and some other productions, the doctor also pub- lished a splendid edition of " Hudibras," in two vols, quarto, with notes and engravings.* He was led to this undertaking by his connexion with Strensham, to which rectory he was instituted in 1797. Dr. Nash died at his seat at Bevere, January 2Gth, 1811, and was buried at St. Peter's, Droitwich, where he had himself put up an inscription to his memory. Valentine Green, R. S. A. — This very ingenious artist and antiquary, well known as the author of a '' History of Worcester," was born at Salford, in War- wickshire, October, 1739, and died in St. Alban's Street, London, June 29th, 1812. John Gwynn, R. A. Architect, born at Shrewsbury. * Executed and in part designed by the late Mr. J. Ross, of Worcester. 228 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. The present bridge at Worcester, over the Severn, finished in 1781, was his best production. For his merit in plan- ning and executing this structure, he was presented with the freedom of the city, in 1783. He died February, 1786, and was buried in the ground of St. Oswald's Chapel, Worcester. James Johnstone, Jun. M. D. born at Kidderminster, in this county, August, 1754, was the eldest son of Dr. James Johnstone, an eminent physician in that place, and afterwards of this city. This amiable young man fell a sacrifice to his humane and zealous exertions, in attend- ing the prisoners in Worcester gaol, during a malignant fever with which they were afflicted, in 1783. At an early age he had attained a high degree of celebrity in his profession. His premature removal was long and deeply lamented by all who knew him. He was buried in Worcester Cathedral, where an inscription, on a mural tablet, written by Doctor Parr, perpetuates his memory. Colonel Sir Henry Walton Ellis, was the son of Major General Joyner Ellis, of Kempsey, in this county, at which place he was born, in 1782. He began his military career at a very early period of life, and served with distinguished bravery during all the contests which succeeded the French Revolution. He subsequently served in the Peninsular war, returned to his native country, was promoted to the rank of colonel, and was presented with a superb vase by the county and city of Worcester, on December 26th, 1814. He died June 20th, 1815, of wounds received at Waterloo, in the thirty-third year of his age. The ofl[icers and privates of his regiment erected a handsome monument to his memory in our cathedral ; for a description of which see page 134. CHAPTER X. TOWNS, VILLAGES, SEATS, REMARKABLE PLACES, &C. IN THE VICINITY OF WORCESTER. [In the following brief survey of places and objects in our vicinity, we have been guided by a desire to embody whatever might seem most interesting to residents and visitors. Of course it will not be expected that our work should exhibit a complete list of all the seats of nobility, gentry, &c. within the county ; we have, therefore, been constrained to adopt a principle of selection.] TOPOGRAPHICAL AND STATISTICAL SUMMARY OF THE COUNTY OF WORCESTER. The County of Worcester extends about thirty-five miles from north to south, and about twenty-five from east to west. It contains 599,040 acres, and in detached places 19,200, the total 618,240. There is little waste land, and but few bogs or morasses, so that the whole county presents an appearance of high cultivation, and its climate is deemed mild and healthful. It contains one city, twelve market-towns, one hundred and fifty-two parishes, and two hundred and sixty- four episcopal churches and chapels, within the diocese, and about one hundred and eighty- five thousand inhabitants ; returns to parliament two knights of the shire, two members for the city, one for Bewdley, two for Droitwich, and two for Evesham, The 230 IIISTOKY OF WORCESTER. county is divided into five hundreds — viz. Blakenhurst, Doddingiree, Half shire, Oswaldslow, and Pershore. It has three principal rivers, vratering it in various directions j these are the Severn, the Avoji, and the Teme. TOWNS, VILLAGES, SEATS, &C. Ahherley Lodge, the seat of Colonel Bromley, stands upon a commanding eminence, about twelve miles to the N. N. W. of Worcester. It was formerly the residence of W. Walsh, Esq. who was member for the county in three successive parliaments. He was a gentleman of very distinguished literary fame, and esteemed both by Dryden and Pope as the most accomplished critic of his day. Areley-Kings is a parish near to Stourport. The church, which stands upon a hill, is a neat Gothic struc- ture, and has lately been tastefully repaired in that style. On the north side is an ancient Saxon doorway, now built up. In the churchyard is a curious tomb, supposed to be that of Sir Henry Coningsby. Areley Hall, situated on the bank of the Severn, in the above parish, is an ancient building, the seat of Daniel Zachary, Esq. a descendant of the ancient family of the Mucklows. — Areleij House, in the same parish, is the residence of A. Turner, Esq. AsTLEY is a parish six miles south of Bewdley. The church is handsome, and in part Saxon. It contains several ancient monuments. Here was anciently a priory, founded in 1 1 60. At Redstone, a high cliff on the Severn, there was formerly a hermitage, cut out of the rock, with a chapel and several apartments ; all of which, in days of papal superstition, were viewed with religious reverence. HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 231 Bevere. — There is a hamlet of this name situated on the bank of the Severn^ a short distance above Worcester. It has several neat residences and mansions, but is chiefly memorable as containing the seat of Dr. Nash, the author of our county history, and other works. — Bevere is also the name of a small island contiguous to this hamlet, worthy of notice as having proved an asylum for the in- habitants, when their city was plundered by the Danes, in 1041, {see p. 17,) and again during the plague in 1 637, (see p. 33.) The island is said to have been anciently remarkable for the number of beavers which inhabited it, and hence its name is supposed to have originated. BEWDLE Y is a borough-town, pleasantly situated on the bank of the Severn, about fourteen miles above Wor- cester. It has a handsome bridge over the river. It was formerly a town of much greater importance than at present, having enjoyed extensive manufactories, and a consider- able trade both with Bristol by water, and the large trading towns of the north by land. It returns one member to parliament. The population is about three thousand seven hundred. Blackmore Park, the seat of T. C. Hornyold, Esq. is pleasantly situated about three miles from Upton-on- Severn, on the road to Malvern. Blackstone-Rock, near Ribbesford. — Here formerly was a hermitage, curiously excavated in the rock, with several apartments ; some remains of which are now visible. Blake Brook, near Kidderminster, the residence of John Jeffreys, Esq. 232 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. Boughton House, is the residence of Elias Isaac^ Esq. situated in the parish of St. John's, Bedwardine, a short distance to the south of the road to Bransford, and about one mile from Worcester. Bredon, an extensive parish, three miles N. N. E. from Tewkesbury. The church is an ancient structure, chiefly of Saxon architecture, built in the form of a cross, and considering its antiquity, is in good repair. John Prideaux, who was Bishop of Worcester during the civil war in 1641, lies buried in this church. He was dis- missed with an allowance of only four shillings and six- pence per week ; and although obliged to sell his books and furniture, to procure himself necessaries, yet he bore his reverses with fortitude and cheerfulness. One day passing through the village with something under his gown, a neighbour inquired what he had got ; he replied, he had become an ostrich, and was forced to live upon iron 3 at the same time producing some old iron he was going to sell, to procure himself a meal. Bredon Hill is a lofty ridge, about four miles south of Pershore. The remains of a Roman encampment, with a double fosse, are visible on its summit. Its height is upwards of eight hundred feet. A few years ago, a chasm suddenly opened in the side of this hill, about two hundred yards long, and fifteen feet wide. BROMSGROVE is a considerable town, thirteen miles north of Worcester, on the road to Birmingham. It consists principally of one street, near a mile in length. The population is about seven thousand five hundred. The principal manufactories are in nails, hooks, &c. The church, which has a lofty tower and spire, is beau- HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 233 tifully situated on an eminence, to the west of the town. A free grammar-school was founded here by King Ed- ward VI. Cotheridge Court is the mansion and residence of the Rev. H. R. Berkeley, L. L. D. situated on the road to Bromyard, three miles west of Worcester. This mansion was the seat of the Braces, in the days of Elizabeth, and came from them to the Berkeleys, of Spetchley. The house has been partly rebuilt in modern times. A long avenue of handsome trees conducts to this ancient mansion. Cracomb House is the seat of George Wigley Perrott, Esq. situated nearly opposite to the village of Fladbury, on the road from Worcester to Evesham. Croome d'Abitot. — This is the name of a parish in the lower division of the hundred of Oswaldslow, six miles S. S. E. from Worcester. — Croome House is the elegant seat of the Earl of Coventry. The mansion is of modern erection ; and the grounds, which are extensive, are in the highest state of culture. The gardens are also worthy of special notice. The '' Hortus Croomensis,'' published a few years since by Mr. Dean, exhibits an interesting collection of the most curious and rare exotics. The whole presents a picturesque assemblage of whatever is characteristic of an English nobleman's country residence. The lordship of Croome was purchased by Sir Thomas Coventry, Justice of the Common Pleas in the time of James I. Thomas, his son, became Keeper of the Great Seal to Charles I. In 1697, Thomas, then Baron Coven- try, was created Earl of Coventry and Viscount Deerhurst. Cruckbarrow Hill, which lies about two miles to G G 234 HISTORY OF Worcester. the south-east of Worcester, supplies an interesting object to the antiquary. It has been considered by some as a Roman fortress 3 but the more approved opinion is that it was a druidical burial-place. Cruckbarrow is very similar to Silbury hill, in Wiltshire, from which it differs little either in size or height. — There is also another hill of the same kind near Spetchley, called Round Hill. It has a neat residence on its summit. DROITWICH is an ancient borough and market- town, seven miles north of Worcester, celebrated from the very earliest times for its salt-springs, or wiches. From these wiches is supposed to have originated the name of the whole county — Wiccia. The town is situated on the south side of the River Sal warp, and contains three parishes. The population is upwards of two thousand. It sent members to parliament as early as the reign of Edward I. Here is an extensive lunatic asylum. DUDLEY is a large and populous market-town, at the northern extremity of the county. The district for six miles round is remarkable for an excellent stratum of coal, which, in connexion with the numerous glass and iron works, dependent on these collieries, is a source of immense wealth to the land-holders. The town is very beautifully situated, and the neighbourhood might vie with the most picturesque parts of the county, were it not deformed by the dingy aspect of collieries and steam- engines almost in every meadow. The ruins of Dudley Castle, however, present an object of great beauty and interest. They are situated on an elevated spot, imme- diately above the town, at its northern extremity. This castle was of great extent. It now presents to the eye a large mass of ruins, of many different styles and ages, but HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 235 all beautiful in their kind. It was anciently a place of great strength ; and, during the civil wars, resisted the parliamentary army for three weeks, and was not even then taken, the assailants being obliged to raise the siege, in consequence of the approach of the king's troops. At the restoration it was dismantled and sold ; after which, both town and castle came by female descent to the ancestors of the present Earl Dudley and Ward. A considerable part of the castle was destroyed by fire, in the year 1750, in consequence of an accident occasioned by some coiners, who had secreted themselves in it, for the purpose of more securely conducting their nefarious practices. The greatest possible care is now taken to preserve these ruins. The grounds around are kept in admirable order, and while the public are readily admitted to view them, due precautions are taken to prevent wan- ton dilapidation. Eardiston Hall, in the parish of Lindridge, on the left of the Ludlow road, is the residence of Sir W. S. Smith, Bart. Elm Bank, near to the Old Hills, in the parish of Powick, is a handsome modern villa, the residence of W. Moore, Esq. Elmley Castle, the seat of Col. H. H. Davies, M. P. for Worcester, is pleasantly situated on the east side of the declivity of Bredon Hill. EVESHAM is an ancient borough, about fifteen miles S. E. from Worcester. It is very pleasantly situated on a rising ground upon the north bank of the river Avon. It had formerly two churches — All Saints and St. Law- 236 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. rence. The latter was a structure of great beauty, but is now fallen to decay -, the sides, however, remain, and the eastern window, which present an impressive specimen of the elegance of the whole edifice. Evesham is memo- rable as having possessed, in popish times, a very rich and stately monastery 5 the only remains of which now to be seen, is an elliptical arch, which appears to have formed the great gateway. There is also a very beau- tiful square Gothic tower, one hundred feet high, in which the bells are now kept. The revenues at the dissolution amounted to ^1200 sterling. The Vale of Evesham is remarkable for the fertility of its land 3 a large portion of which is laid out in extensive garden-grounds, for the supply of the markets in most of the large towns for thirty miles round, and sometimes even for London. One of the most memorable battles in English annals, was fought at Evesham, between the Earl of Leicester and Prince Edward. (See page 28, &c.) Adjoining is the parish of Bengeworth, which, though separated from the borough of Evesham by the river, participates in all its rights and privileges. It was incor- porated with it in the third year of King James I. — The Mansion, the residence of Dr. T. B. Cooper, is situated in Bengeworth. Evesham Manor House, situated a short distance from the town, is the residence of Edward Rudge, Esq. Evesham Lodge is situated about a mile to the north of the town, and is the residence of Thomas Blaney, Esq. Grafton Manor. — The family mansion of the Staf- fords, afterwards Earls of Shrewsbury, was situated in this hamlet, about two miles W. S. W. of Bromsgrove. HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 237 Afire, in 1710, destroyed the whole edifice, except the porch and the hall, which still remain as monuments of the magnificence which has disappeared. Here is a Catholic chapel, which is maintained at the expense of the Earl of Shrewsbury. Hagley Park is an extensive and princely domain, with a suitable mansion, situated in one of the most beautiful districts of the county, and presenting a great variety of landscape scenery. It is the seat of the Lytteltons, one of the oldest families of Worcestershire. George Lord Lyttelton, the distinguished poet, senator, and historian, who wrote the '' Observations on the Conversion of St. Paul," died here in 1773. (Seep. 226.) The poet Shen- stone, who was both the partizan and rival of Lyttelton, lived in this neighbourhood. — Hagley Hall is also famous as having been the asylum to which Stephen Lyttelton and Robert Winter, two of the gunpowder-plot conspira- tors, fled, and where they were apprehended a few hours after their arrival. Thomson, the poet, also frequently resided here, enjoying the liberal support and zealous patronage of Sir George Lyttelton. Hallow Park, situated two miles to the north-west of the city, is the residence of J. Mann, Esq. The house commands many delightful views, and is altogether ad- mirably placed for extent and beauty of scenery. Ham Court, situated two miles from Upton-on- Severn, on the east bank of the river, is the residence of J. J. Martin, Esq. Hanhunj Hall, in the parish of Hanbury, four miles east of Droitwich, is the residence of John Philhps, Esq. 238 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. This mansion was built about a century since, and con- sists of a centre and two wings, distinguished by a pro- fusion of windows. Hanleij Court, the residence of Colonel Newport, is built on an eminence which commands a highly picturesque vale, through which flows the Teme. It is about six miles S. E. from Tenbury. Hartlebury. — This village is pleasantly situated about ten miles north of Worcester, on the road to Kiddermin- ster. It is chiefly remarkable for the bishop's palace or castle, (of which see an account at page 14G,) and as the burial-place of the excellent and learned Bishop Hurd. Hawford, the seat of WiUiam Welsh, Esq. is situated three miles from Worcester, on the road to Kidderminster. Henwick Hill is an eminence of moderate height, the source of the fine spring of water which used formerly to supply the monastery. It is pleasantly situated about half a mile from the city, on the opposite bank, and higher up the river. It commands a complete view of the whole city, extending north and south, the bridge, the cathedral, and the level meadow called Pitchcroft. Many neat and commodious villas grace this beautiful spot. It may in- deed now be properly classed among the populous suburbs of the city.— Upper Henwick House, about two miles from Worcester, on the road to Ludlow, is the residence of the Rev. T. H. Lowe. — Lower Henwick House, near to St. John's, is the residence of George Farley, Esq. Hewell Grange is the seat of the Earl of Plymouth. This is a modern mansion, of great extent and elegance, HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 239 about three miles S. E. of Bromsgrove. It stands part in Warwickshire and part in Worcestershire. The park is extensive^ and laid out with great taste. It contains a large lake of excellent water, covering thirty acres. Hinlip Castle, or Hinlip Hall, about four miles N. E. of W^orcester, was a venerable edifice, built in 1572, by Thomas Habington, Esq. (or Abingdon) Cofferer to Queen Elizabeth. It has been replaced by a handsome modern edifice, the seat of Lord Viscount Southwell. The ancient house was planned for secrecy. Many concealed chambers were formed in different parts of the building, the access to which was through chimnies, trap-doors, and other contrivances for concealment. Thomas Habington, the son of the founder, was an eminent antiquary. {See p. 219.) It was Mrs. Habington, the wife of the anti- quarian, and daughter of Lord Morley, who is supposed to have written the letter to Lord Monteagle, her brother, which led to the discovery of the gunpowder-plot. Holt, a parish six miles N. N. W. of Worcester, remarkable for its ancient church, which is esteemed the most perfect specimen of the Saxon style in this county. The south aisle and the tower, although of a later age, have an air of great antiquity. The arches, both of the main entrances and also within the church, are semicir- cular, and beautifully ornamented with zigzag mouldings and grotesque figures. There has been recently erected here a neat iron bridge over the Severn. It consists of one arch, whose span is one hundred and fifty feet. Holt Castle stands on the western bank of the river. It was first built before the conquest, and was the resi- dence of Urso d'Abitot, the first hereditary sheriff of 240 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. Worcester. It was rebuilt by the Beauchamps, Earls of Warwick, and was enlarged and improved in the reign of Henry VIII_, by Sir John Bourn. A large square tower, with a thick embattled wall on each side, are the only remains of the erection by the Beauchamps. Leland mentions that Richard II held grand tournaments at this castle. Sir Thomas Bromley, Lord Chancellor in the time of Elizabeth, rebuilt some part of it. It is now the property of Lord Foley, and is the residence of H. Chel- lingworth, Esq. Kempsey is a very pleasant and favourite village, three miles south of Worcester, on the road to Gloucester, containing the residences of many genteel families. It is memorable as having been the seat of the bishops of Worcester, where they had a palace built many years before the Norman conquest. Here Henry III was kept prisoner for some time by the barons, after the battle of Lewes, in Sussex. Henry II held his court here, and Edward I frequently visited it. No trace, however, now remains of the episcopal palace. The church presents nothing very remarkable to the eye of the antiquary, but near it are vestiges of a large Roman encampment. KIDDERMINSTER is a borough and market-town, but has no elective franchise. It is fourteen miles north from Worcester. The principal manufactures are car- pets, bombasins, worsted yarn, &c. The carpets are in high repute for the beauty of their dyes and excellence of their fabric. The church is a handsome structure of Gothic architecture, with a tower in good preservation. There are several ancient monuments of the Cookseys, Blounts, and other distinguished families. An elegant new church has been recently erected. Here the celebrated HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 241 Richard Baxter was for many years clergyman, and after- wards officiated as a nonconformist minister to a large and respectable congregation. There is an excellent free- school for classical education, and several charity-schools for the children of the poor. The population is believed to be about fifteen thousand. Kyre House is the seat of Mrs. Pytts, about three and half miles S. E. from Tenbury, adjoining the parish-church. Lea Castle is the residence of J. Brown, Esq. in the parish of Wolverley, two miles north of Kidderminster. Madresfield Court is the seat of the Earl Beauchamp, situated about six miles from Worcester, to the south-west. It is beautifully situated, and commands fine views of the Malvern hills. The house is an ancient structure, but has been modernized and beautified to the taste of the times. It contains some valuable and curious relics of former days 5 among which is shown some needlework bed-furni- ture by Queen Anne and the Duchess of Marlborough. Malvern Great, is a village most beautifully situated, eight miles south-west of Worcester, on the eastern side of the Malvern hills. This village has become a fashion- able watering-place, and is much frequented, both for the salubrity of the air and the medicinal springs. Malvern was formerly possessed of a magnificent monastery, the church of which still remains in high preservation, as well as the outer entrance to the abbey. The Malvern Hills are a magnificent and beautiful ridge, extending from north to south about nine or ten miles, and dividing the counties of Worcester and II [I 242 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. Hereford. The views from the summit are highly interest- ing and commanding. On a fine day maybe distinctly seen the cathedrals of Gloucester, Worcester, and Hereford ; and directly to the south, the Bristol Channel. Accord- ing to General Mudge's survey, the highest point of these hills is fourteen hundred and forty-four feet above the level of the sea. Malvern Wells, about two miles from the village of Great Malvern. Here are two medicinal springs ; that called Holy Well is the most frequented. Malvern, Little, is a parish, having a church very romantically situated under the Malvern hills, about three miles south of Great Malvern, near the high road which crosses the hills into Herefordshire. A short distance above this pass, on the south side, are the remains of a large Roman encampment, denominated the Herefordshire Beacon. Northwick Park is the seat of Lord Northwick, in the parish of Blockley. The grounds are extensive and well planted, and contain many beautiful specimens of oak and beech trees. Ombersley, a village five miles and a half north of Worcester. It belonged to the monastery of Evesham, but was granted by James L to Francis and Richard More, from whom it came, by purchase, to the family of the Marchioness of Downshire. It was formerly a market-town, chartered by Edward III. It has a good free-school for all the poor children of the parish. An elegant Gothic church, with a spire, has been recently HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 243 erected, which is a great ornament to the neighbourhood. Its architecture and internal fittings are greatly admired. Omhersley Court is the seat of the Marchioness of Downshire, Baroness Sandys. It is a handsome building, at a pleasant distance west of the road, erected about the middle of the last century, by the first Lord Sandys, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and member for the city of Worcester. He was descended from Dr. Edwin Sandys, Bishop of Worcester, and was elder brother of the cele- brated George Sandys, the poet and traveller. Overbury Park, the seat of J. Martin, Esq. M. P. for Tewkesbury, is situated at the foot of the Cotswold hills, about four miles north of Tewkesbury. Park Hall, near Kidderminster, is the residence of Mrs. Turner. Pensax Court, in the village of Pensax, is the seat of Thomas Glutton Brock, Esq. situated about seven miles south-west of Bewdley. Perdiswell Hall, the handsome seat of Sir H. Wake- man, Bart, two miles north of Worcester. The planta- tions and grounds are laid out with much taste. PERSHORE is a neat market-town, nine miles S. E. of Worcester, standing on the northern bank of the Avon. The population is about two thousand five hundred. It had formerly a monastery, founded about 6S9. Subse- quently it became an abbey of benedictines. Little re- mains of the ancient building, except the tower and southern part of the church of the Holy Cross. The 244 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. tower is massy and splendid. In the reign of Edward I, this town returned members to parliament. — Abheij House, near to the churchy is the residence of John Bedford, Esq. — Avon Bank, a short distance south of the town, is the residence of Major-General Marriott. Pitmaston House is one mile from Worcester, on the Malvern road, and is the seat of John Williams, Esq. PowicK is a village very pleasantly situated about two miles and half S. W. from Worcester, on the river Teme, near its junction with the Severn. The village is memo- rable as having been the scene of several severe battles in the civil wars. This place gives the title of Earl to the ancient family of Lygon. The church is a venerable Gothic structure, situated on an eminence. Powkk Court, on the road to Malvern, in the parish of Powick, is the residence of J. S. Russell, Esq. Rhycld Green, the seat of Sir Anthony Lechmere, Bart. is situated six miles south of Worcester, on the road to Upton-on-Severn. Ribbesford Hall was formerly the seat of Lord Herbert, grandson of the celebrated Lord Herbert of Cherbury. The present proprietor is the Rev. E. W. Ingram, who has made various alterations and improvements. A con- siderable part, however, of the ancient structure is still preserved. Severn End, situated one mile and half N. N. W. of Upton-on-Severn, is the name given to a family mansion and estate, formerly the residence of the Lechmeres. It is now occupied as a farm. HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 245 Severn Bank, near to Severn Stoke, seven miles south of Worcester, is the seat of Lord Deerhiirst. Severn Stoke is a village delightfully situated in front of the Malvern hills, about seven miles south from Wor- cester. The church contains several monuments of the Somers family. Shakenhurst, eight miles from Bewdley, is the seat of Mrs. Wigley. SHIPSTON-ON-STOUR is a market-town, detached from the county, chiefly surrounded by Gloucestershire and Warwickshire. Soddington, in the parish of Mamble, about six miles S. W. of Bewdley, is the residence of Sir E. Blount, Bart. Spetchley House is a handsome modern mansion, the seat of Robert Berkeley, Esq. situated in the parish of Spetchley, three miles east of Worcester. It has a neat chapel attached to it. This place gave the name of de Spetch- ley to an ancient family. In the reign of Edward IV. it became the property of the celebrated Sir Thomas Littelton. It subsequently came into the possession of the Seldens, and from them it passed to Rowland Berkeley, Esq. of the city of Worcester, and member of parliament for the city. He settled it on his second son. Sir R. Berkeley, Knight, Justice of the King's Bench, from whom it has descended to the present proprietor. The parish-church contains some ancient monuments of the Berkeley family. Stanbrook Hall, four miles from Worcester, on the Malvern road, and in the parish of Powick, is the resi- dence of Abraham Thompson, Esq. 246 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. Stanford Court, in the parish of Stanford,, about four- teen miles N. W. from Worcester^ is the seat of Sir T. E. Winnington, Bart. M. P. for the county. It is surrounded by a handsome park^ in which is an old hermitage, hewn in a rock. Over it was formerly a chapel, dedicated to St. John the Baptist. STOURBRIDGE is a considerable market-town, twenty-one miles north of Worcester. It is well-built, and has in its neighbourhood large glass and iron works. Its population is about seven thousand. There is a free grammar-school, for all the children of the parish, founded by Edward VI. STOURPORT is a market-tOMm, eleven miles north of Worcester. It has arisen almost entirely since the year 1770, when the Staffordshire Canal was united with the Severn. The population is about three thousand. Strensham Court, about five miles south-west of Per- shore, was anciently the seat of the Russells. John Taylor, Esq. the present proprietor, has recently erected a handsome mansion on its site. TENBURY is a small market-town, twenty-two miles north-west of Worcester. It is situated on the bank of the Teme. The population is about fifteen hundred. Thorngrove, four miles from Worcester, on the Ludlow road, situated upon an eminence, is the handsome seat of Richard Griffiths, Esq. Lucien Buonaparte formerly resided here. UPTON -UPON -SEVERN is an ancient market- HISTORY OF WORCESTER. 247 town, ten miles south of Worcester, standing on the western bank of the river, over which is a stone bridge of six arches, built in 1605. It was partly destroyed by the royal army, in 1 65 1 . It has a handsome church. The town has no manufactories, but carries on exten- sive traffic upon the Severn, by barges. Warseley Green, in the parish of Hartlebury, about nine miles north of Worcester, is the residence of the Rev. S. W. Yate. Westwood Park, the seat of Sir John Packington, Bart. is situated about two miles west of Droitwich. It is seen from the Kidderminster road, to the eastward, lifting its numerous turrets and pinnacles in the midst of a large and magnificent park. It is ascribed to the age of Eliza- beth ; and in its rich and graceful architecture, bears decisive traces of that age. It has a large lake of water, occupying sixty acres. Westwood was the seat of an ancient benedictine nunnery, and was granted, with its demesne lands, by Henry VIII, to Sir J. Packington, Knt. At that time the family seat was at Hampton Lovet ; but owing to the injuries that mansion sustained in the civil wars, this banqueting-house was beautified and fitted up as the family seat. It has remained with very little alter- ation since its first erection, and is now considered one of the most perfect specimens of its kind in the kingdom. Dr. Hammond, Bishops Morley, Fell, and Gunning, are said to have been all hospitably received here in times of civil commotion. The character of Sir Roger de Coverley, in the Spectator, is believed to have been derived from the Packington family. {See p. 220.) White Lady Aston is a parish five miles S. S. E. from 248 HISTORY OF WORCESTER. Worcester. In consequence of an atrocious murder com- mitted in this parish. Bishop Lloyd, in 1708, became possessed of an estate, which he devoted to the support of the schools which now bear his name in this city. At the manor-house of this parish, Oliver Cromwell held his head-quarters the night before the last battle of Worces- ter, 1651. Wick House, Upper, near St. John's, is the residence of Major Bund. Wick House, near Pershore, is the residence of Richard Hudson, Esq. Winterdyne, in the parish of Ribbesford, one mile from Bewdley, is the residence of W. M. Moseley, Esq. Winterfold, four miles from Kidderminster, is the residence of the Rev. T. Harward. WiTLEY, Great, nine miles N. N. W. of Worcester, is a parish, remarkable for its elegant church. Contiguous is Witley Court, the seat of Lord Foley, which is situated in the midst of a noble and extensive park. The house is a modern erection, but is exceed- ingly superb. The plantations are large, and judiciously laid out. Woolers-Hill Hall, in the parish of Eckington, three miles from Pershore, is the residence of C. Hanford, Esq. Wolverton Hall, in the parish of Stoulton, six miles from Worcester, the residence of William Acton, Esq. APPENDIX. The Corporation, 8^c. — Members of the Cathedral, Parochial Clergy, 8^0. — Principal Inns — Post Office Regulations — Roads, and Distances of Places. THE CORPORATION OF WORCESTER, &C. Jif embers of the Twenty -four. Mayor. 1. James Fletcher, Esq. Recorder. The Rt. Hon. George, Earl of Coventry. High Alderman. 2. Thomas Best, Esq. Justices. 3. Thomas Garden, Esq. 6. Samuel Crane, Esq. 4. John Blew, Esq. 7. John Severn Ballard, Esq. 5. James Wakeman, Esq. Aldermen. 8. Thomas Allies, Esq. 14. Elias Isaac, Esq. 9. Benjamin Johnson, Esq. 15. Francis Hooper, Esq. 10. Sir Anth. Lechmere, Bart. 16. William Shaw, Esq. 11. Robert Chamberlain, Esq. 17. William Dunn, Esq. 12. William Moore, Esq. 18. John Dent, Esq. 13. Humph. Chamberlain, Esq. 19. Richard Rowland Garm- ston, Esq. Sheriff. 20. John Morton, Gent. 21. John Clifton, Gent. 23. Henry Clifton, Gent. 22. H. B. Tymbs, Gent. (One Vacancy.) 250 APPENDIX. Members of the Forty-eight. His Royal Highness the 23. Mr. John Blew Duke of Cumberland 24. Thomas Leonard 2. Mr. William Wall 25. George Farley 3. John Williams 26. John Wheeley Lea 4. Samuel Wall 27. Henry Deighton 5. Charles Dowding 28. Joseph Hall 6. John Garnett 29. John Lockley Whitfield 7. William Stephens 30. Richard Yapp 8. William Watkins 31. WiUiam Stallard 9. John Port Mann 32. George Carden 10. James Churchill 33. John Ivens 11. Thomas Lesingham 34. James Chamberlain 12. John Jones 35. WiUiam Hobbs 13. Joseph Ellis Viner 36. Henry Chamberlain 14. John Morton 37. William Manning 15. WiUiam Wanklin 38. John HiU Clifton 16. James Henton Tymbs 39. John HaU 17. Charles Armstrong HoU 40. Walter Chamberlain 18. John Perks Lavender 41. Wm. Wilson Whitehouse 19. John Gwinnell 42. John Garmston 20. John Duncan 43. Edmund Hungerford 21. William Dent Lechmere 22. Archibald Duncan (Five Vacancies.) Town Clerh. Deputy Town Clerk. Benjamin Johnson, Esq. William Welles, Gent. John HiU Clifton, Gent. Chamberlains. John Garmston, Gent. Coroners. John Brooke Hyde, Gent. Thomas C. GwinneU, Gent. Chaplain. Vndersheriff. The Rev. Robert Clifton. John Brooke, Hyde, Gent. Sword Bearer. John Shuck. Serjeants at Mace. John Crane Samuel Barnes Keeper of the Gaol. Willirtm Griffiths. WiUiam Allen George Griffiths Chaplain to the Gaol. Rev. Edwin Faulkner. APPENDIX. 251 Members of Parliament for the City. Lieut. Colonel Thomas Henry Hastings Davies. George Richard Robinson, Esq. MEMBERS OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL COURT. The Right Reverend Folliott Herbert Walker Cornewall, Lord Bishop of Worcester. Chancellor. The Worshipful James Henry Arnold, D. C. L. Principal Registrar. Frederic Hamilton Cornewall, Esq. Deputy Registrar. John Clifton, Esq. Proctors. Henry Clifton, Esq. John Hill Clifton, Esq. Principal Surrogates. Tliomas Clarke, M. A. Thomas Heynes, B. A. MEMBERS OF THE CATHEDRAL. The Right Reverend Folliott Herbert Walker Cornewall, Lord Bishop of Woi'cester, June 1808. The Right Reverend George Lord Bishop of Rochester, Dean, April 12, 1828. The Ven. Richard Francis Onslow, M. A. Archdeacon, Sep. 1815. Prebendaries, or Canons. Tlie Rev. James Meakin, M. A. May 30, 1804. The Rev. John Francis Seymour Fleming Saint John, M. A. (and Master of St. Oswald's Hospital,) Oct. 27, 1804. The Rev. William Digby, M. A. (Sub-Dean) March 16, 1813. The Rev. Townsend Forester, D. D. June 2, 1815. The Rev. Herbert Oakeley, D. D. December 26, 1817. The Rev. Henry Anthony Pye, M. A. (Treasurer) Jan. 24, 1818. The Rev. Christopher Benson, M. A. Jan. 7, 1826. The Rev. John Davison, B. D. (Receiver General) Jan. 13, 1826. The Rev. Godfrey Fausset, B. D. Feb. 3, 1827. The Rev. Thomas Singleton, M. A. Feb. 20, 1829. 252 APPENDIX. Minor Canons. The Rev. Digby Smith, M. A. and Chaplain to Saint Oswald's Hospital The Rev. Thomas Clarke, M. A. (Sacrist and Librarian) The Rev. Thomas Heynes, B. A. The Rev. Allen Wheeler, B. D. (Chanter) The Rev. Richard George, L. L. B. The Rev. George Williams, M. A. The Rev. Robert Sanders, M. A. The Rev. Henry John Lewis, M. A. Organist and Master of the Choristers. Mr. Charles Clarke. Lay Clerks. Mr. Charles Clarke Mr. Thomas HoUoway Mr. Joseph Shelton Mr. James Bateman Mr. William Holmes Mr. Edward Williams Mr. Henry Shelton (One Vacancy.) Schoolmaster. The Rev. Allen Wheeler, B. D. Under blaster. The Rev. Robert Sanders, M. A. Forty King's Scholars. Sesctons. Francis Stafford John Dolvere Rector of St. Helen's— Rev. Thomas Bedford, M. A. St. Alban's — Rev. Thomas Bedford, M. A. .S"^. Andrew's — Rev. Tliomas Wilde, M. A. All Saints— Rev. R. F. Davies, D. D. St. Nicholas—Rev. Robert Clifton, M. A. St. Swithin's—Rev. T. H. Shirley, M. A. St. Martin's— Rev. Digby Smith, M. A. St. Clement's — Rev. John Davies, M. A. Vicar of St. Peter's — Rev. Cornelius Copner, M. A. Rector of St. Michael's — Rev. Thomas Clarke, M. A. Vicar of St. John's — Rev. Townsend Forester, D. D. APPENDIX. 253 Minister of the Baptist Chapel — Rev. Thomas Waters, M. A. Minister of the Independent Chapel — Rev. George Redford, M. A. Priests of the Catholic Chapel — Rev. John Morris, Rev. Joseph Tristram, Rev. Nicholas Sewell Minister of Lady Huntingdon' s Chapel — Rev. Edward Lake Minister of the Wesley an Methodists — Rev. Joshua Marsden Lord Lieutenant of the County and Custos Rotulorum — The Right Hon, George, Earl of Coventry Vice Lieutenant — Viscount Deerhurst Chairman of the County Quarter Sessions — Sir Christopher Sidney Smith, Bart. Clerk of the Peace — Thomas Blayney , Esq. Evesham Deputy ditto — R. Barneby, Esq. Solicitor Members of Parliameiit for the County — Sir Thomas Edward Win- nington, Bart. ; Lieut. Col. the Hon. Henry Beauchamp Lygon Receiver General^ and Treasurer of County Stock — Sir Anthony Lechmere, Bart. Clerk of the Indictments — Mr. Edward Savage, Evesham Clerk to the Lieuteriancy — Thomas Blayney, Esq. Evesham Coroners — W. Smith, Gent. Solicitor, Newport Street, Worcester ; Thomas Hallen, Gent. Solicitor, Kidderminster ; Charles Best, Gent. Solicitor, Evesham ; William Robinson, Gent. Solicitor, Dudley. County Gaoler — Mr. John Nelson Lavender Chaplain to the County Gaol — Rev. W. P. Myddelton Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge ; Secretary — Rev. Robert Clifton Auxiliary Bible Society. Presidetit — The Right Hon. the Earl of Coventry. Treasicrers — Thomas Garden, Esq. and Elias Isaac, Esq. Secretaries — Rev. Digby Smith, Rev. John Davies, and Mr. Robert Gillam Savings' Bank ; Actuary — Mr. George Garden Worcestershire Humane Society. Secretary — Mr. Harvey Tymbs GENERAL INFIRMARY. Physicians — Dr. Maiden, Dr. Hastings, Dr. Nash. Surgeons — Mr. John Garden, Mr. James P. Sheppard, and Mr, Matthew Pierpoint. 254 APPENDIX. Surgeon Extraordinary — Mr. Pennell Cole. House Surgeon and Apothecary — Mr. Herbert Cole. Inspectors of Drugs — J. Rayment, Esq. and J. Nash, Esq. Chaplain — Rev. Thomas Heynes. Secretary — Mr. John Elcox. Matron — Mrs. Elizabeth Burrow. DISPENSARY. Physicians — Dr. Maiden, Dr. Hastings, and Dr. Streeten. Surgeons — Mr. Morris, Mr. E. Wilmore, and Mr. Greening. Apothecary and Secretary — Mr. Richard Hill. Inspecting Apothecary — J. Rayment, Esq. PRINCIPAL INNS, &C. Hoppole Inn and Royal Hotel, Foregate Street, Mr. Isaac Jones. — Star and Garter Inn arid Hotel, Foregate Street, Mr. John Jones. — Unicorn Inn, Broad Street, Mr. Thomas Reeves. — Crown Inn, Broad Street, Mr. James Sayer. — Bell Inn, Broad Street, Mr, Edward Howell. — Hop Market Inn, Cross, Mr. Edward Pen-ins. Rein Deer Inn, and Freemason's Tavern, Mealcheape'n Street, Mr. Edward Burnidge. — Guildhall Coffee House and Family Hotel, High Street, Mr. W. D. Dalson. POST OFFICE REGULATIONS. London Mail arrives at eight minutes past nine in the morning ; leaves at half-past four. Office closes at ten minutes before four. Birmingham or North Post leaves every morning at half-past two ; arrives every evening at eleven. Mail made up at ten at night. Bristol or West Post leaves cA^ery evening at half-past eleven. Office closes at ten. Bewdley Post leaves every morning at half-past two. Mail made up at ten at night. Ludlow Post leaves every morning at ten. Leominster Post leaves at the same hour. Letters must be in the office by nine. The Upton and Malvern Posts leave shortly after the arrival of the London Mail, APPENDIX. 255 ROADS AND DISTANCES OF PLACES. To Oxford and London. Miles Stoulton 5 Pershore 4 Bengeworth 6| Broadway 5g: Moreton in Marsh . . . . 8i Fourshire Stone . . . . ll Chipping Norton . . . . 65 Enstone 4g Woodstock 7 OXFORD.. .. .. .. 8 57 High Wycombe . . . . 25 Beaconsfield 5| Uxbridge 85 Southall 5| LONDON n To Cheltenham. Kempsey 4 Severn Stoke 3 Earl's Croome 2 5 m. beyond to r. 1 m. Upton Twining 4 Tewkesbury 2 CombHiU 5 to r. 6 m. Gloucester Cheltenham 4^ From Cheltenham to Lon- don, through Henley, is 96 miles To Hereford. Powick 2^ Newland's Green . . , . 3 Great Malvern 2^ Malvern Wells 2§ Little Malvern 1^ Ledbury 41 Stoke Edith 8i Miles Lugwardine 4 Hereford 3 To Leominster. Cotheridge 4 Broadwas . . 2 Knightsford's Bridge . . 2^: Bromyard 5^ to /. 14 m. Hereford Leominster 12 25^ To Ludlow. Hallow 3 Holt Heath 4 Whitley 3 Hundred House . , . . 1 to I. 3 m. Stanford Apostle's Oak 1 to r. 10 m. Cleobury Stockton 2^ Eardistone l| Lindridge 1^ Newnham If Tenbury 3| Brimfield Cross . . . . 4 Ludlow 5 To Shrewsbury, hy Colebrook Dale. 311 Ombersley 5^ Mitre Oak 3 to I. 2 ^m. Stourport, and 6 m. Bewdley Hartlebury 1 § Kidderminster 4^ to r. Stourbridge, 7^ m. Shatterford 4 Bridgenorth 10 Colebrook Dale .. .. 8 Shrewsbury 13 4^ 256 APPENDIX. Shrewshtrt/ , by Much Wenlock. Miles Kidderminster 14g Bridgenorth 14 Much Wenlock 8 Shrewsbury 12 48i To Birmingha7n. Droitwich 7^ Bromsa:rove 5^ Northfield 7k Selly Oak 2 Birmingham 3| 25^ To Alcester. Miles Spctchley 3 Upton Snodsbury . . . . 3 Flyford Flavel 3 Wheelbarrow Castle Inn . . 2 to r. Rouse Lench, Ig m, to /. Inkberrow, Ig m. Alcester 6 17 To Evesham. 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