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Name
The name of Worcester comes from the Anglicized Latin, meaning 'fort of the
Wigoran.'
Topography
Overlooked by many travel writers, Worcestershire has many secret treasures.
Bounded by The Malvern and Cotswold Hills and bisected by the River Severn the
county is quite beautiful and its fields stretch golden and calm, it is peopled
with cottages, brimming with picturesque market towns and is ripe with fruit.
The county is bordered by Shropshire, Staffordshire and West Midlands in the
north, Warwickshire in the east, Gloucestershire in the south and Herefordshire
in the west. The hilly, wooded region in the north west is the remains of the
once mighty Wyre Forest. Since the industrial revolution, the Clent and Lickey
Hills have provided the north-eastern barrier that 'sheltered' the county from
the urban environment of the Black Country and the City of Birmingham and,
indeed, continue to do so. At 991 feet high, Bredon Hill is close to the
southern border of the county. In the centre is the fertile vale of the Severn
and is eventually joined by the Avon which winds through the wooded vale of
Evesham.
History
Founded in 680AD and located on the River Severn, the cathedral city of
Worcester is the county town of Worcestershire. The region was converted to
Christianity in this century by missionaries from Lindisfarne and Whitby. The
Abbey of Evesham soon followed and was founded in the beginning of the 8th
century. The monasteries had to be fortified in defence against raiders. The
Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Danes and Welsh have all contributed to the turbulent
history of Worcester. The first real shindig was in 1041 when the city was razed
to the ground by Hardicanute in revenge for a revolt by the townsfolk against
taxes. The English Civil War inflicted terrible damage to Worcester. It was the
first city to declare for the King and the last to surrender in 1646. In 1651
Cromwell's 'crowning mercy' was the final battle at Worcester when Charles II
was completely defeated and had to flee for his life. Following the war,
non-conformism became prevalent and Quakerism abounded.
Landmarks
The hills of the county form spectacular backdrops - The Malverns and the Clent
Hills being the most famous. The Wyre Forest was once a royal hunting forest and
still covers an extensive area of mixed heath, scrub and woodland.
Monuments
Worcester Cathedral - much of which dates from the fourteenth century although
it was in 1084 that the Saxon Monk Wulfstan began work on the building.
Bretforton Manor - a 16th century gabled mansion built on the site of a ruined
monastery. Hartlebury Castle - the residence of the bishops of Worcester for
more than 1,000 years. Pershore Abbey - King Ethelred endowed a monastery on the
site in AD689. Hanbury Hall is an attractive William and Mary house with
re-created 18th century gardens. The house was built in 1701 by William Rudhall
for the distinguished barrister, Thomas Vernon (1654-1721), who was, for many
years, a Member of Parliament for the City of Worcester.
Famous People born in Worcestershire
A. E. Housman [1859-1936], the scholar and poet who wrote 'A Shropshire Lad' was
born in 1859 at Fockbury just outside Bournheath. Edward Elgar [1857-1934], the
composer was born in Lower Broadheath near Worcester. He is best known for the
'Enigma Variations' [1899] and the march 'Pomp and Circumstance' [1901].
Famous People who lived in Worcestershire
Lucien Bonaparte, brother of Napoleon, lived in exile in Thorngrove for a short
time. Mrs.Woodhul-Martin, the only woman to contend for the Presidency of the
USA, came to live at Norton Park.
Folklore
One of Worcestershire's most famous tales is that of 'Inkberrow's Ting-Tang.'
When the church was pulled down and building started on a new site, a group of
fairies disliked the fact the new position of the church was to be too close to
them and so they moved the stones of the church during the night to the site of
the previous church. However, the church was eventually built on the new site
but for many years a voice in the church could be heard lamenting 'Neither
sleep, neither lie, for Inkbro's ting-tang hangs so high.'
Customs
Great Malvern is known for its waters, whose medicinal properties have been
celebrated for over 300 years.
Diary
The Three Counties Show at Great Malvern is held in June. During August the
Three Choirs Festival is held alternatively at Worcester, Hereford and
Gloucester. Upton-on-Severn is home to a renowned Jazz Festival every June. A
Scarecrow Weekend is held at Belbroughton every September.
© Copyright. Images supplied by Digital Photographic Images.
Details to follow....
 
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1896 Directory
Acorn, Frederick Overton, 31 John Street, Dudley
Admiral Rodney, J. Tyson, Berrow Green, Martley
Albion Inn, Thomas Price Epps, Bath Rd, Worcester
Albion Inn, Mrs. Sarah Green, 15 Stone St, Dudley
Albion, Robert Jones, 15 Freeth Street, Oldbury
Albion, Samuel Thomas, 37 Broad St, Kidderminster
Alma, William Martin Bird, Mill Street, Worcester
Alma, Fanny Cowell, Habberley St. Kidderminster
Alma, Frederick Harley, 91 Hall Street, Dudley
Alma, Josiah Rice, Droitwich Road, Worcester
Alma, Charles Souch, 10 Lowesmoor, Worcester
Anchor Inn, C. Edwards, High St. Upton-on-Severn
Anchor, Mrs Mary Ann Foster, Fladbury. Pershore
Anchor, George Freeman, 7 Welchgate, Bewdley
Anchor Inn, Joseph Hodgetts, Wyre Piddle
Anchor Inn, John Jordan, Waste Bank, Lye
Anchor, Elizabeth Lowe, Gorsty Hill, Halesowen
Anchor Inn, Hannah Mason, Diglis Road, Worcester
Angel Inn, Thos. Clarke Barnes, High St, Pershore
Angel, Alice Cole Cooper, 76 Load St, Bewdley
Angel inn, George Farley, 12 St. John's, Worcester
Angel Inn, E. Fennell, 79 Port St. Bengeworth
Angel, William Hale, 10 Worcester St, Kidderminster
Angel Inn, Elizabeth Hyde, 61 Sidbury, Worcester
Angel, Walter Osborne, 9 Castle Street, Dudley
Angel, Thomas Pagett, 37 Coventry St, Stourbridge
Anvil Inn, Jeremiah Brooks, Talbot Square, Lye
Apple Tree, Mrs Elizabeth Barnsley, Oldbury
Arboretum, Edward Tilbrook, 53 Northfield Street
Ashley Hotel, G. A. White, Long Lane, Blackheath
Barbourne Inn, Robert Allen, 18 New Bank Street
Barley Mow, Mary Ann Coates, Dunn's Lane Upton
Barley Mow, Eliza Hornidge, 91 Sidbury, Worcester
Barley Mow, J Teague, Bewdley St Kidderminster
Barley Mow, David Wells, Hanbury St, Droitwich
Barley Mow, J Whitehouse, Const. Hill, Dudley
Barley Mow, John Wilcox, High St, Wollaston
Barrel Inn, William Ford, High Street, Dudley
Barrel, Samuel Bridge, Causeway Green, Oldbury
Baths Restaurant, Queen Street, Droitwich
Bay Horse, William Drew, Hartlebury, Stourport
Bay Horse, Matthew Goddard, Kidderminster
Bear, William Bayley, 61 Port St, Bengeworth
Bear, William Thomas, St. John's Worcester
Bear & Ragged Staff, George Grainger, Powick
Beauchamp Arms, John Bennett & Co. Limited
Bee Hive, Herbert Jones, Tallow Hill, Worcester
Bee Hive, John Weeks, 88 Stafford St, Dudley
Bee Hive Inn, Benj. Withers, Spring Hill, Halesowen
Beefeater's Arms, J Parrock, Union Street, Lye
Bell, John Hemming Barker, 46 High St, Bromsgrove
Bell, J Bartlett, Evenlode, Moreton-in-the-Marsh
Bell, Sydney Brookes, Cropthorne, Pershore
Bell inn, Mrs. Lydia Collett, Lion Hill, Stourport
Bell, Mrs E. Cross, Lwr. Broadheath, Nth. Hallow
Bell, Edward Slack Denley, Eckington, Pershore
Bell Inn, Daniel Fereday 179 High Street, Dudley
Bell Inn, Fredk George Fox, Bell End, Stourbridge
Bell Inn, Mrs. Mary A. Good, Hanley Child, Tenbury
Bell, S. J. Griffiths, 15 Cradley Road, Netherton
Bell Inn, William Hadley, 10 Round's Green, Oldbury
Bell, Mrs. Ellen Harris, Rood End Road, Oldbury
Bell Inn,'Mrs. Louisa Mason, Market Street, Tenbury
Bell inn, Henry Pullen Neath, Pensax, Tenbury
Bell Inn, Wm. Oakley, New St. Upton-on-Severn
Bell Inn, James Osborn, Blockley, S.O.
Bell Inn, R. Rhodes, Belmont Rd. Lye
Bell Inn, Joseph Tipping, Alderminster
Bell, John Ward, 96 Coventry Street, Kidderminster
Bell, Thomas Yarnold, 52 St. John's, Worcester
Bell Inn, Henry Young. 11 Britten street, Redditch
Belle Vue, Joseph Maiden, 76 George St, Kidd.
Bellman's Cross Inn, George Martin, Shatterford
Berkeley Arms, H. T. Bond, White Ladies Aston
Berkeley Arms, Saml Cookson. Bank St. Worcester
Bird-in-Hand, John Aston, 82 Chapel St, Netherton
Bird-in-Hand, H. Bowater, St Andrew's St, Neth'ton
Bird-in-Hand, Samuel Bunn, 6 New St, Dudley
Bird-in-Hand, Wm Burford, Hawbridge, Stoulton
Bird-in-Hand, Josiah Carpenter, Pensax
Bird-in-Hand, Benj Chance, Stambermill, Stourbridge
Bird-in-Hand, Louisa Farmer, Canal Side, Stourport
Bird-in-Hand, Hy. Richard Gale, Queen St, Kidd.
Bird-in-Hand, Arthur Hemmings, Newbold-on-Stour
Bird-in-Hand, C. Morton, The Cross, Worcester
Bird-in-Hand, Wm Nickless, Round's Green Oldbury
Bird-in-Hand, J. Oliver, High St, Kate's Hill Dudley
Bird-in-Hand, P. Thornton, Simpson St, Oldbury
Bishop Blaize, Geo Cooper, Dudley St, Kiddermster
Black Bear, Wm Nichols, High St, Shipston-on-Stour
Black Boy, John James, 50 Wyre Hill, Bewdley
Black Boy, H. Thould, New St, Upton-on-Severn
Black Bull, Keturah Mason, Swan St, Kidderminster
Black Horse, Alfred Cotton, Mill St, Kidderminster
Black Horse, Thomas Haden, 147 High St, Dudley
Black Horse, W. Harrison, Shipston-on-Stour
Black Horse, Mrs Mary Pettifer, Lapal, Quinton
Black Horse, Ernest Styche, 17 Lowesmoor
Black Star Inn, John Fisher, Kidderminster
Black Star, Elizabeth Gittins, Mitton St, Stourport
Black Swan, Maria Hickton, High St, Cradley
Bliss Gate Inn, Benjamin Seager, Rock S.O.
Blue Ball, James Hartland, Dudley Rd, Brades
Blue Ball, Phoebe Tandy, Ball Lane, Cradley
Blue Bell, William Brice, 75 Hurcott Rd Kidderminster
Blue Bell, James Copson, Pole Elm, Powick
Blue Bell, James Hull, Ryall, Earl's Croome
Blue Boar, Eliza Marsh, 27 Stone Street, Dudley
Blue Gate, John Mason, 58 Church St, Dudley
Boar's Head, Sarah Davies, Severn Stoke
Boar's Head, Henry Evans, 14 Newport Street
Board, William Jones, 223 Market Place, Dudley
Boat Inn, Emma Brewer, Kidderminster
Boat Inn, William Devenport, Bumble Hole
Boat Inn, John Alfred Goodyere, Stoke Works
Boat Inn. Wm Morgan, 304 Birchfield Lane, Oldbury
Boat Inn, Geo Owins, 26 Lowesmoor, Worcester
Boat, Thomas Shaw, Tat Bank Road, Oldbury
Boot Inn. Mrs. Keziah Clarke. Flyford Flavel
Bottle-in-Hand, Thomas Preece, 84 Dudley Street
Bowling Green, Wm. Turner, Hadley. Droitwich
Brewers' Arms, Jas Fellows, Fisher St, Dudley
Bricklayers' Arms, H. Downing, 13 Church Bridge
Bricklayers' Arms, R. KIrby, 46 Chapel St. Netherton
Brickmakers' Arms, T. H. Brook, Dudley Rd, Lve
Brickmakers' Arms, Mrs. Ann Kerry, 15 Pedmore Rd
Bridge Inn, Nelson Cook, Ferry. Offenham, Evesham
Bridge Inn, Geo Fanshawe, Enville St, Stourbridge
Bridge Inn, David Harper, Lowesmoor Terrace
Bridge Inn, George Jones, 3 Bridge St, Worcester
Bridge Inn, John Thompson, 69 Stone St, Oldbury
Bridge Inn, Arthur Tunkiss, Bridge St, Stourport
Bridge. Harry Watts, Bridge Street, Cradley
Britannia, Job Allen, 96 Hall Street, Dudley
Britannia, E. Bywater, 60 Northfield Rd, Netherton
Britannia, James Higgs, 35 Coventry St, Stourbridge
Britannia, T. Lawrence, High St, Wollaston
Britannia, Thos Thomas, 18 Queen's Cross, Dudley
British Arms, Thos Rowley, Furlong Lane, Cradley
British Lion, Harry Hadley, Talbot Street, Oldbury
British Oak, George Guy, 9 Cross St, Dudley
British Oak, E. R. Prince, Sweet Turf, Netherton
British Oak, J. Warby, 5 Oak St, Darby End
British Queen, John Jordan, Bham Rd, Oldbury
Broadwaters Inn, C. Nicholls, Wolverley
Bromley Arms, Thos Bishop, Abberley, Stourport
Brown Lion, Mark Gibbs, 84 Bham St, Oldbury
Brown Lion, John Hartle, 241 Market Place, Dudley
Brunswick Arms, Francis Osborn, St John's
Builders' Arms, S. Sturges Sadler, Oldbury
Bull, James Anderson, Fernhill Heath
Bull's Head, Sarah Adams, Overend, Cradley
Bull's Head, Cath Baker, Birmingham St, Oldbury
Bull's Head, Mary Cook, Pedmore Road, Lye
Bull's Head, W. Gough, High Street, Wollaston
Bull's Head, Maria Grey, Inkberrow
Bull's Head, Benjamin Hall, Stone Street, Dudley
Bull's Head, Thomas Jennings, Cookley
Bull's Head, J. P. Mansell, Windmill End, Netherton
Bull's Head, Alfred Micklewright, Halesowen
Bull's Head, Allan Plummer, Hall Street, Dudley
Bull's Head, William Prosser, 32 High St, Worcester
Bull's Head, Mary Wassell, 19 St John St, Netherton
Bullfields, Mrs S. Bennett, Windmill End, Netherton
Bush Inn, Jonah Evans, 65 Dixon's Green, Dudley
Bush Inn, William Joyner, Bull Ring St, Worcester
Butcher's Arms, Henry Robinson, Shambles Worcs
Button Oak, H. Starkey, Button Oak, Bewdley
California, J. Lloyd, 13 George St, Kate's Hill
Camphouse, William Potter, Grimley
Cape of Good Hope, Henry Hall, Kidderminster
Car & Horses, F. Underwood, Mkt St, Stourbridge
Carpenters' Arms. W. Copson, Spring Gdns, Worcs
Castle Inn, Wm Clarke, Park La, Kidderminster
Castle Hotel, Joseph Golcher, Castle St, Dudley
Castle, Samson Smart, High St, Netherton
Castle and Falcon, G. Whittock, Wolv St, Dudley
Castle & Wheelbarrow, Charles Burford, Radford
Cathedral Vaults, Thomas Radford, College Street
Central Hotel, High Street, Kidderminster
Chemical Inn, Alfred Slim, 5 Park Lane, Oldbury
Chequers, Albert Handy, Fladbury
Chequers, George Hyde, High Street, Pershore
Chequers, Henry Kelley, High Street, Stourbridge
Chequers, Frank Trow, Elmley Lovett
Chequers, Joseph Yeates, Hylton Rd, St. John's
Chester Tavern, George Coates, 42 Chester Rd
Chestnut Tree Inn, James Turvey, Worcester
City Arms, Alfred Link, Church St, Worcester
Clarendon, Frederick Cartwright, Kidderminster
Cliffe's Arms, Charles Salt, Great Malvern
Coach & Horses, Edward Bennett, Harvington
Coach & Horses, George Bower, Bromsgrove
Coach & Horses, James Evans, Bewdley
Coach & Horses, Eliza Frowen, Spring Mire
Coach & Horses, Henry Griffin, Shambles
Coach & Horses, Albert Hawthorne, Dudley
Coach & Horses, Thomas Higgs, Stourbridge
Coach & Horses, Arthur Lloyd, King St, Dudley
Coach & Horses, C. R. Mitchell, Kidderminster
Coach & Horses, William Roberts, Broadway
Coach & Horses, Samuel Share, Holly Hall
Coach & Horses, James Shaw, Upper Tything
Cock Inn, R. M. Giles, 47 Tybridge St, St John's
Astwood Bank on Go Redditch
Belbroughton Village Website
Bewdley Website
Chaddesley Corbett Website
Redditch Borough Council
"Good thoughts his only friends, His wealth a well-spent age, The earth his
sober inn And quiet pilgrimage.”
Thomas Campion
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