|
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. |
