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Glossary
Aethelred Earl of the Mercians who fortified Worcester in the late 9th century.
Alice Ottley School Founded in 1883,this is a prominent girls school located in The Tything.
All Saints/All Hallows Church Built in 1742,at the junction of Bridge St and Broad St,this beautiful building contains a rare chained bible(1608),as well as a statue of the first mayor.
Battle Of Worcester September 1651.After a futile attempt to rally support from the war weary population,Charles II was finally brought to battle at the most stauchly Royalist city of Worcester.After a botched attempt to delay enemy forces under Lambert by destroying the bridge at Upton,Charles suffered a further reverse when treachery by a tailor called Guise thwarted an attack on the enemies cannon.His Scottish forces were soon outflanked by Cromwell,who crossed the Teme and Severn in boats,and then they were overwhelmed at Powick.His 16000 brave but disorganised troops were forced inside the city walls to face a well disciplined 28000 strong army centred on Perry Wood and Red Hill.The King and the Duke of Hamilton,who was to be mortally wounded,despite the odds,bravely led separate attacks,which, though initially succesful,ultimately failed due to lack of reinforcements.His men were forced backwards and driven into the city through Sidbury Gate.Charles escaped through King Charles House,having being saved from a troopers sword by a Worcester man,William Bagnall.
Berkeleys Hospital Established in 1692,is located in the Foregate.
Bosel A Whitby monk who became first bishop of Worcester in 680.
Worcester Bridge At a strategic crossing point over the River Severn,this is the third inarnation.Built by John Gwynne(1771-80) .
Canal Worceter & Birmingham Completed in 1815,and one of the most extensive of such waterways.
The Cathedral With its 196 ft tower and being 415 ft in length it still commands the city.The first structure built in c680 was of wood,but the oldest part that survives today-the Crypt -dates from 1084.Housing royal tombs,such as King Johns(1216)(The oldest royal effigy),and Prince Arthurs Chantry( the eldest son of Henry VII )(1504),some of the most notable features are the Cloisters,and the Chapter House.
The Chapter House A beautiful circlular Norman (c1140) chamber accessed from the Cathdral Cloisters.
Charles I Believed uncompromisingly in his divine right to rule,and fought and lost (1642-6) against the South East and Parliament,who thought otherwise. Worcester was the site of both the first and last battles (Powick Bridge,Battle Of Worcester).
Charles II A historical figure now most associated with hiding in trees and narrow scrapes,and for good reason.After defeat at Worcester in 1651,he barely escaped with his life into exile,before being restored to power by General Monk in 1660.
The Cloisters These exceptionally fine 14th century passages link the Cathedral with College Green via a Norman archway.
College Green Pleasant open space dividing the cathedral from the Kings School.
College Hall Ancient refectory with superb,if worn,stonework. Situated off College Green,it`s a meeting place for the Kings School.
Commandery Formerly a hospital.Once located outside Sidbury Gate,it`s more famous as the headquarters of the Duke of Hamiltons Royalist forces in the battle of Worcester.Scene of the fiercest fighting,the Duke died here after his forces had been overwhelmed by the Parliamentarians.
Cripplegate Park Located close to the bridge,it was opened in 1952.
Cromwell,Oliver Lord Protector of England and victor at Worcester-His 'crowning mercy'.Essentially a brave patriotic soldier, and brilliant general,he discovered too late that his side,in the shape of Parliament,were corrupt and even less suitable to lead than the king.Unlike the king,however,with the support of his New Model Army,he was able to disband it.
Dunstan Early bishop of Worcester.
Dyson Perrins Museum In Diglis,open weekdays,it showcases Worcester Porcelain.
Edgar Tower Here is one of the oldest wooden gates in the world (c 1200).It was the entrance to succesively the castle,the monastery and now the cathedral.It enters onto beautiful College Green,the grounds of the Cathedral and Kings School.
Elgar,Edward (1857-1934) Born in nearby Broadheath.,the composer of Pomp & Circumstance,and The Enigma Variations,has strong Worcester links.His father owned a shop near the cathedral,he was the organist at the catholic church,and lived for many years in Rainbow Hill.
Essex,Earl Of Despoiler of the cathedral in 1642,after his forces were thwarted at Powick Bridge.
Foregate Street Station This station on the line to Hereford,is the prefered choice for visiting the city.
Fort Royal Park Scene of fighting in 1651,the Duke of Hamiltons fort is now steeply sloping lawns and flowerbeds.
Fownes Hotel Formerly a glove factory,and part of an industry that once employed 6000,its lies next to City Walls Road.
Gheluvelt Park Founded in 1922 in Barbourne it commemorates a gallant action by the Worcestershire Regiment in the 1914-18 war.
Giffard Hotel Is located in an attractive site opposite the cathedral.
The Greyfriars This large building,built in c1480,and located in Friar St,it was used by the friars until 1539 as a guest house.For many years the home of well to do families,it can now be toured(I believe) on the first Wednesday of June to October.
Guesten Hall The sizable ruins of the monks dining hall lie off College Green next to Edgar Tower.
Grammar School,Royal Founded in 1291,it received a royal charter in 1561.It has a distinguished history,and has taught the likes of Imran Khan,Dean Headley and Tim Curtis-all international cricketers.
The Guildhall This rare early Georgian(1721) building,inspired by Christopher Wren,pronounces its association to Worcester with references to kings,queens and other important figures in its numerous statues and paintings.It can be visited on weekdays.
Hardicanute Danish and English king whose soldiers burned Worcester (1041) after its population defied his tax collectors.
Hurd,Bishop Prominent Worcester bishop,and friend of George III.
Hwicce Saxon tribe who inhabited the area in the Dark Ages (c450-800).
John,King Much maligned monarch who,so the story says,had himself buried(1216)between St Oswald and St Wulstan so that he might slip into heaven unnoticed.Only his tomb now remains.
The Worcester Journal Oldest newspaper in the world dating back to 1690.
Kays of Worcester Catalogue firm established in 1794.
King Charles House This 1577 half-timbered house was the base for Charles II during the Battle Of Worcester,and it was from here that he fled from Colonel Corbetts unit of Roundheads.
Kings School,The Founded in 1541,this prestigious school has close ties to the Cathedral.Its most famous students have been the zany comics Chris Tarrant and Rik Mayall.
Lea & Perrins Manufacturers of our famous Worcester Sauce.Their factory`s located on Midland Road close to Shrub Hill station.
Library A Victorian building also housing a museum containing military regalia and geological. and archaeological artifacts.
Nash House An imposing gabled house in New Street.
Oswald,Bishop(saint) Energetic bishop of Worcester who died in 992.
Perdiswell A open site off Droitwich Road.It contains playing fields and an expanding golf course,It was an aerodrome in WWII.
Pitchcroft This 100 acre site is a picturesque venue for National Hunt meetings as well as other activities such as sunday football and bonfire parties.
Porcelain,Worcester Royal Founded in 1751 by Dr John Wall,it developed printing on porcelain,in particular a blue coloured chinese style.Much of current products are exported overseas.
Powick Bridge On Septemeber 23rd 1642 Prince Ruperts Royalist horse,protecting a convoy of royal plate,routed Colonel Fiennes cavalry in the first battle of the war.
Queen Elizabeths House.Supposedly visited by Elizabeth in 1575,this historic building was relocated to its present site in The Trinity.
Richard I Recognised Worcester as a city by issuing a charter(1189).
Severn,River The longest river in Britain.Worcester wouldn`t exist if the local area didn`t provide a fordable crossing of the river,and steep slopes on the east bank to provide flood-free ground to build on.
St Andrews The spire,'The Glovers Needle' is all that remains of this 12th century church.So nicknamed because of the once thriving glovemaking industry,and the fact that it does indeed resemble a needle.
St Albans A small 12th century ex. church in Deansway.
St Helens Ex church in the narrow Fish St off the High St and,near to Guildhall,it dates from 1450,and is home to the Record Office.
St Johns Lovely 12th century church,and main attraction on the west bank.
St Nicholas Situated on,The Cross,this 1730 church is now an eating house.
St Oswalds Hospital A charity in The Tything with effigy of the saint in the entranceway.
St Swithins Fine 1736 Georgian church with noteworthy features such as three-decker pulpit,its ironwork,The Mayors Chair,and 17th century organ.
Shire Hall Roman colums and a statue of Queen Victoria are some of the features of this large building Next door to the library,it receives national publicity as the place where the county courts sit.
Shrub Hill Station The major rail station,not far from Lowesmoor,it was completed in 1865.
Swan Theatre Opened in 1965 it adjoins the racecourse.
Urse d'Abitot Builder of Worcesters Norman 'castle'-actually a fortified enclosure.
Vertis Probable name for an unimportant Roman town-The first settlement at Worcester.
Waller,Sir William Led an unsuccessful Parliamentary attack on Worcester in 1643.
Washington,Colonel Henry Loyally defended Worcester against the rebels for four months in 1646 until the ammunition ran out. Relative of George.
Wulstan,Bishop(saint) Only saxon bishop left after Norman Conquest,and builder of a grand new cathedral which is the basis of the present structure.