EVESHAM, a municipal and parliamentary borough and market-town of Worcestershire, 15 miles S.E. from Worcester, and 96 miles from London. It is situated in the vale of the same name on the Avon, over which there is an an-
cient stone bridge of eight arches, connecting it with Benge-
worth parish, which forms part of the borough. The
land around the town is of great fertility, and occupied
chiefly as market gardens. The borough returns two mem-
bers to parliament, and is governed by a mayor, four alder-
men, and twelve councillors. Pop. (1851) 4605; registered
electors 349. Evesham is a place of considerable antiquity,
a monastery having been founded here as early as the be-
ginning of the eighth century. Of this building almost the
only remnant is a magnificent tower, built not long before
the Reformation. This tower, which is considered the best
extant specimen of the pointed ecclesiastical style of the
sixteenth century, is 110 feet high, and 28 feet square at
the base. The town has recently been much improved; the
two main streets are wide and clean. Evesham has an old
town-hall, several fine churches, a grammar and other schools,
savings-bank, dispensary, and several charities. The inhabi-
tants are chiefly employed in the rearing of garden produce.
Market-day, Monday. At Evesham was fought, on 4th
August 1265, the famous battle between Prince, afterwards
Edward I., and Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester, in
which the latter was totally defeated, and he and his son
slain.