Worcester
Worcester Cathedral
he history of Worcester goes back a long way. In 672, a council of the English Church was held, Worcester became the centre of five new dioceses formed. In the ninth century invasions from the Danes brought fighting to England, but Worcester being on the edge of the conflict escaped without much damage. In 983, Oswald founded a monastery at Worcester under the Benedictine rule, dedicated to St. Mary the Virgin. Wulfstan, in 1040 became a monk at Worcester and made such an impression, he became Bishop of Worcester in 1062. Wulfstan was the only Anglo-Saxon bishop to remain at his post after the Norman Conquest of 1066. In 1084, Wulfstan began rebuilding Worcester Cathedral, starting with the crypt, some of which still survives. He was canonised in 1203. Building work continued for some time, including rebuilding the two western bays of the nave in 1170 and around 1202 the central tower collapsed and there was a serious fire. In 1216, King John was buried at Worcester and he seems to have a devotion to St. Wulfstan. In 1224, Bishop William de Blois built the Lady Chapel, where he was buried when he died in 1236. In the fourteenth century the nave was completely rebuilt apart from the western bays. The central tower and the cloisters were completed built by 1374.
Pershore Abbey
he earliest date in the history of Pershore Abbey is around 689 when a monastery was founded by Oswald who was given the land by his uncle Ethelred of Mercia. In 972 a charter given by King Edgar confirmed the abbey's lands and shortly after St. Oswald, the Bishop of Worcester founded a Benedictine Abbey. The principal saint remembered by the abbey was St. Edburga (Eadburgas) who was the daughter of Edward the Elder, the son of Alfred the Great. When Edburga died some of her remains were brought to the abbey to provide a focus for pilgrims visiting the abbey. In 1065 Edward the Confessor took lands from Pershore and allocated them to the new abbey at Westminster. The town of Pershore came under the influence of the two abbeys and the new church of St. Andrews was built for the Westminster tenants who lived there.
Two major fires caused great damage to the abbey buildings and resulted in large-scale rebuilding work. The first fire in 1223 destroyed the choir and resulted in the reconstruction of the choir and presbytery. The fire of 1288 started in the abbey bakehouse and spread not only to the abbet itself but to many surrounding houses as well.
Worcester Castle
Worcester Castle was a motte and bailey type castle and was located just to the south of the Cathedral on the right hand bank of the River Severn. It was built in around 1068 or 1069 by the Norman Urse d'Abetot. In 1113 the castle and cathedral were damaged by fire. The castle played an important role during the period of the Anarchy, the civil war that involved King Stephen and Henry Henry I's daughter Matilda. During the reigns of King Henry II and King John and Henry II the castle continued to be an important location. After the death of King John the land that the castle was built on was granted back to the Cathedral. The owner of the castle at that time preferred to spend his time at the local Elmley Castle and so Worcester castle started to fall into disrepair. In later years the castle was used as a prison before a more suitable location was found. Apart from Edgar's Tower, which can still be seen, nothing of the castle or its defences remain.
Strensham Castle
Earthworks remains of a moated fortified manor house located near the M5 motorway that inorporates some English Civil War defences. Only the earthworks including sections of the two concentric moats remain.in 1388 Sir John Russell was granted a license to crenellate his home by King Richard II. During the English Civil War the castle was the property of Sir William Russell who was the Royalist Governor of Worcester. The house was destroyed at the end of the war.
Timeline
The combined Danish army left Shoebury and marched west up the Thames valley through Worcestershire and up the Severn valley finally reaching Chester where they were besieged by the Saxons who tried to starve the Danes out. The Danes managed to escape into Wales where they raided and left with a great deal of spoils. The Danes returned to the estuary of the River Thames and built themselves a new camp on the River Lea around 20 miles to the north of London.
Oswald founded a Benedictine monastery at Worcester dedicated to St. Mary the Virgin. Oswald became bishop of Worcester upon the recommendation of Dunstan.
In this year tax collectors arrived in Worcester to collect money in order to pay the Danes to stop attacking the country. The citizens of Worcester refused to pay and the tax collectors had to seek refuge. But before they could find safety they were murdered by the mob. In response, the king Harthacanute, sent an army to deal with the rioters.
When the army sent by Harthacanute arrived at Worcester they found that the city had been abandoned. The people of Worcester fearing the army had taken refuge on an island in the River Severn called Bevere Island. The army ransacked the city and left it burning before approching the island. The army was warmly welcomed by the people of the island and no further action was taken.
Aldred, bishop of Worcester refounded a monastery at Gloucester. A monastery had already been founded at Gloucester in 681 by Ostric.
A large earthquake was felt in Worcester and Derby and many people were reportedly killed. [1]
Wulfstan, a monk at Worcester Cathedral from 1040, was recommended for the position of bishop by visiting papal legates.
The absence of William in Normandy encouraged a rebellion led by Roger, earl of Hereford, and Ralf de Guader, earl of Norfolk and Earl Walfeof against the Norman King. The rebellion was halted at Worcester by Bishop Wulfstan and Walter de Lacy whose army prevented the rebels crossing the River Severn. When William retuned to England, the leaders of the rebellion were imprisoned except Earl Walfeof who was executed. After the rebellion, King William deprived several of the earls of their titles and did not re-appoint them.
Building work starts on Worcester Cathedral. Orchestrated by Bishop Wulfstan. (More Information to follow)
Many Norman barons held land both in England and Normandy. With two opposing lords, William in England and Robert in Normandy, the barons were finding it difficult to know who to support. A revolt led by Odo sprung up in England with the aim of removing William from the throne. Odo's revolt in Kent and Sussex was supported by barons across the country. Roger Bigod from Norwich and Geoffrey of Coutances and Robert Mowbray from Bristol supported Odo. In Worcestershire Roger de Lacy captured Hereford and attacked Worcester. In the south-east Roger Montgomery at Arundel Robert of Mortain at Pevensey and Gilbert de Clare at Tonbridge also prepared to fight the King. Robert of Belleme, a Norman baron, who was able to bring support from Normandy. Robert also controlled castles in the Welsh Marches where the revolt also took place.
The Worcestershire rebellion led by Robert of Lacy was dealt with quickly by Wulfstan, the Bishop of Worcester, who called on those knights and local landowners still loyal to the King to defend Worcester. Many of the rebels were captured or killed. [2]
Wulfstan was bishop of Worcester. The location of his grave is not known.
The abbey church at Gloucester built by Abbot Serlo was dedicated by Samson the Bishop of Worcester, Gundulph the Bishop of Rochester and Harvey Bishop of Bangor.
The city of Worcester, its cathedral and castle were damaged by an accidental fire. [3]
Work began on the chapter-house of Worcester Cathedral. [4]
The city of Worcester was attacked by forces supporting Matilda (Empress Maude). The citizens of the city moved their posessions into the cathedral for safe keeping. The attackers failed to gain access from the south but managed to enter the city from the north. Parts of the city were ransacked and burnt.
The Augustinian Abbey at Bristol founded by Robert Fitzharding was consecrated on Easter day in the presence of the Bishops of Worcester, Exeter, St. Asaph and Llandaff.
King Stephen besieged then plundered the city of Worcester but was unable to capture the castle due to its strong defences. He expelled the Lord of the city William de Beauchamp. Stephen built two forts near the castle to assist in the attack. One was on Red Hill near Digly and the other was at Henwicks Hill. [5]
Hugh Mortimer fortified the city of Worcester against King Henry II, but as the king'a army approached he submitted and was pardoned.
At Easter King Henry II, and his wife Eleanor, visited Worcester Cathedral and placed their crowns on the shrine of Wulfstan, vowing not to wear them again. [6]
The devastating fire in this year caused so much damage to the cathedral that the building needed to be rebuilt. [7]
King John visited Worcester and gave funds for the rebuilding of the Cathedral after the devastating fire. [7]
King John's wishes were to be buried at the cathedral at Worcester due to his affection for the late saint Wulfstan who was buried there. This was done and King John's body was placed in a tomb at the centre of the Cathedral. [7]
King Henry III of England wrote to the Welsh ruler Llywelyn the Great and promised safe-conduct if they met at Worcester, A peace treaty was signed by Henry and Llywelyn at Worcester which confirmed Llywelyn's ownership of lands in Wales and in return Llywelyn agreed to pay homage to Henry and to return those castles that he had captured.
Robert Ferrers, the earl of Derby, along with Simon de Montfort's son laid siege to the city of Worcester. The attackers finally entered the city and were allowed to sack the city. The Jewish community was targeted by the attackers.
Simon's son was sent to London to raise money and troops. He diverted back through Winchester which was loyal to the king and then moved through Oxford and Northampton. Edward (I) moved from Worcester to Bridgnorth destroying bridges and means of allowing Simon who was on the Welsh side of the Avon from crossing back. The people of Bristol, friendly to Simon's cause sent ships to Newport to help Simon cross, but they were intercepted and destroyed by Edward. [8]
Joined by a force of some 800 cavalry and 2500 infantry at Worcester, King Edward I moved north to Chester. Edward's forces then proceeded to move along the north coast of Wales. His advance was impeded by dense forest which offered the Welsh good opportunities to launch surprise attacks on the English troops. Edward built a wide road through the forests building fortified posts along the way. The force of soldiers were on a forty-days service agreement and after that some returned home. Edward retained some by paying them extra for their services. [9]
With peace between Edward and Llywelyn, the marriage between Llywelyn and Eleanor de Montfort was allowed to continue. The marriage took place at Worcester and was attended by Edward. [9]
At Worcester Cathedral work progressed on the vaults of the nave and crossing, the west front, north porch and east cloister until 1395. The work was desiged by the master mason John Clyve. [4] [10]
Construction work began on the north and south cloisters of Worcester Cathedral and continued until 1432. [4]
Royalists led by Prince Rupert defeated a Parliamentarian force emerging from Powick Bridge that crossed the River Teme near Worcester. The Royalists attacked before the Parliamentarians had time to organise themselves, driving them back across the bridge. Prince Rupert's reputation as a formidable commander was made at this engagement. [11]
Prince Maurice, younger brother of Prince Rupert, defeated Sir William Waller at Ripple Field near Worcester.
William Waller and the Earl of Essex were advancing on Oxford where the King was staying. The King had to remove his men from Reading and Abingdon so that an army could be raised to meet the threat. The King left Oxford leaving a garrison to protect the city and fled to Worcester. Essex ignored the King and took his army south where Lyme Regis was under attack. Waller was left to pursue the King. [12]
The TimeRef Shield Editor
Create your Coat of Arms
Selection of references used:
See Also
People
Places
A Medieval Mystery
There appear to be some strange connections between the fourteenth century Old Wardour Castle and ancient stone circle Stonehenge.
1: Location
Old Wardour Castle appears to be aligned to ancient sites in the Stonehenge landscape.
2: Alignment
Stonehenge is aligned to the Summer Solstice. Old Wardour has a very similar alignment.
3: Size
Could the builders of Old Wardour used mesaurements from Stonehenge to layout the geometrical keep?
Learn More
Mystery Details
Medieval Heraldry
Learn about medieval shield design.
Details
Design your own medieval Coat of Arms.
Design your shield
Explore the White Tower
Explore four floors of the keep at the Tower of London.
Instructions
Adventure Game - Early Access
Early Access to the TimeRef card-based Adventure Game.
Medieval Town - Early Access
Explore the medieval town.
Medieval Village - Early Access
Explore the medieval village.
Medieval Abbey - Early Access
Explore the medieval abbey.
Medieval Theatre - Early Access
Explore the medieval theatre.