Worcester

The city of Worcester (pronounced {{IPA|/ˈwʊstə/}}) is the county town of Worcestershire in England; the river Severn runs through the middle, with the city's large Worcester Cathedral overlooking the river.

History

The site of Worcester was first used by the Roman Empire in the 1st century, linking Gloucester to Wroxeter. In AD 407 the village was thought to have been abandoned, only to be resurrected as a settlement in the mid 7th century by the Saxons, giving it the name of "Weogoran cester".

Related Topics:
Roman Empire - 1st century - Gloucester - Wroxeter - AD - 407 - 7th century - Saxons

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The town was almost destroyed in 1041 after a rebellion against the punitive taxation of Harthacanute. The town was attacked several times in the civil war (in 1139, 1150 and 1151) between King Stephen and Empress Matilda, daughter of Henry I.

Related Topics:
1041 - Harthacanute - King Stephen - Empress Matilda - Henry I

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By late medieval times the population had grown to around 10,000 as the manufacture of cloth started to become a large local industry. The town was designated a county corporate, giving it autonomy from local government.

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Worcester was the site of the Battle of Worcester (September 3, 1651), in which Charles II's attempt to retake the country from Cromwell and the Parliamentarians was decisively defeated, in the fields a little to the west and south of the city, near the village of Powick. After being defeated, Charles returned to his headquarters in what is now known as King Charles house in the Cornmarket, before fleeing in disguise to Boscobel House in Shropshire and his eventual escape to France. Worcester was one of the cities loyal to the King in that war, for which it was given the epithet "The Faithful City".

Related Topics:
Battle of Worcester - September 3 - 1651 - Charles II - Cromwell - Parliamentarian - Powick - Boscobel House - Shropshire - France

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During the 18th century Worcester's trade languished compared to more modern towns of the West Midlands. The Worcester and Birmingham Canal opened in 1815 allowing Worcester goods to be transported to a larger conurbation.

Related Topics:
18th century - Worcester and Birmingham Canal - 1815

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