WORCESTER, the capital of Worcestershire (and a city and county in itself, with separate assizes and quarter sessions), stands on the east bank of the Severn, about 26 miles from Birmingham, and 111 from London by road, and 139 by railway. It is governed by a mayor, 12 aldermen, and 36 councillors, is the seat of the bishopric of Worcester, returns two members to parliament, and gives the title of marquis to the Duke of Beaufort. The population in 1851 was 27,528. Worcester is one of the most ancient cities in the kingdom. Roman remains have been found there, and a city and bishopric were founded in 680 by the Saxons, who also built a cathedral there which was destroyed, but rebuilt in 983 by St Oswald; but being again destroyed, was reconstructed by St Wulstan in 1084. Examples of Norman architecture are still visible in parts
Worcester, of the cathedral, and the crypt beneath the choir is a most exquisite Norman structure; but the present building is chiefly of the early English and decorated periods. The exterior, however, has been so patched and altered, as to present in many parts a very unsightly appearance. The interior is remarkable for its chaste simplicity; the nave, especially, will bear comparison with that of almost any other cathedral in England. The plan of the church is a double cross, with a heavy square tower (without a spire) rising from the centre to a height of 167 feet. The length of the church is 514 feet, breadth of transepts 78 feet, and height of nave 68 feet. The cathedral contains numerous monuments, of which the principal is that of King John, which stands in the middle of the choir, bearing a recumbent effigy of the king, flanked on either hand by St Wulstan and St Oswald. The body of the king was supposed to lie under a stone at the east end of the church; but in 1797, on opening the tomb, the royal remains were found within it, but showing traces of removal at an earlier period. In the transepts there are several beautiful mortuary chapels, the most remarkable of which is that erected in honour of Prince Arthur, eldest son of Henry VII. This chapel is richly decorated with sculptured effigies, representing virgins, bishops, kings, confessors, and martyrs. In the choir stalls are many very curious carvings on the under-side of the stall seats or misereres; some of the designs are not commendable for decency. The cloisters are very perfect, and are noticeable for their groining and for a series of lychnoscopic openings in the buttresses. The cathedral was much defaced and injured in the civil war by Cromwell's troops, who stabled their horses there, and used the church as a barrack. Near the cathedral is a grammar school, formerly the refectory of the canons; and close to the school is a noble pile of buildings known as the GUESTEN Hall, now almost in ruins. The close surrounding the cathedral is occupied by the houses of the canons, of whom there are six, besides minor canons, and other ecclesiastical officers. The ancient Episcopal palace, now the deanery, stands close to the cathedral, and, like it, overlooks the Severn, which spreads out here into a broad stream, crossed by a handsome stone bridge of five arches, erected in 1781, at a cost of £30,000. There are twelve parish churches in Worcester, but few of them are of great note. There are also numerous charitable foundations, enjoying in the aggregate a large annual revenue from endowments. The see enjoys the rare distinction of having numbered not fewer than four saints amongst its bishops. Egwin, Dunstan, Oswald, and Wulstan. Since the Reformation the bishops of Worcester have included the martyrs Latimer and Hooper, and Bishops Hough, Prideaux, Stillingfleet, and Hurd.
Besides the cathedral, Worcester contains many other objects of interest, such as remains of religious houses, curious half-timbered buildings, and public edifices. Amongst the latter is the Guildhall, a quaint building, standing in the Foregate. Its front, which is of brick, is adorned with stone quoins, with stone mouldings and tablets to the windows. The principal entrance is ornamented with columns of the composite order, highly enriched, and crowned with an indented cornice and open pediment, in which are the city arms. On each side of this entrance are statues of the Kings Charles the First and Second in niches; and over the doorway a statue of Queen Anne. There are also a handsome market hall, county hall or assize court, museum, music hall, school of art, an hospital, and an arboretum or public pleasure-ground. The county jail is situated near the city, and there are also lodgings for the judges. The principal streets of Worcester are broad, and lined with lofty houses, chiefly of brick. The city is well supplied with water, and is lighted with gas. The immediate neighbourhood is
singularly beautiful, and within easy reach by coach and railway is the town of Malvern, the mineral springs of which, and its lovely situation at the foot of the Malvern Hills, have brought it into great repute as a fashionable watering-place or "spa."
Worcester was anciently of necessity strongly fortified, as it had to resist frequent attacks from the Welsh, and in turbulent periods of English history was often the object of assault by contending parties. In the civil war the final great battle between the puritans and the cavaliers took place there. This battle, which Cromwell called his "crowning mercy," was fought on September 3, 1651, between the parliamentary troops, commanded by Cromwell in person, and the Scotch army of Charles the Second. The battle lasted several hours, and at its close the Scotch were utterly routed, nearly the whole of them being killed or made prisoners. The latter were sold as slaves to settlers in the Virginian plantations. The king escaped from the battle with great difficulty, and afterwards remained in various hiding-places in the neighbourhood, until he obtained the means of passing over to the continent. The city was heavily fined by the parliamentarians, and at the Restoration it received from Charles the honourable motto—
"Civitas in bello et in pace fidelis."
This appellation of "the faithful city" it continues popularly to bear to the present day. Worcester is connected with London, Birmingham, Stratford, Hereford, Malvern, and other places by railways, canals, and excellent roads. The manufactures of the city are porcelain and glove-making. (J. T. N.)