Town Plan No. 8—Worcester.
WORCESTER
is sheltered by the Malvern Hills on the south-west, and by other picturesque eminences. A Roman road originally traversed the city, and as early as the year 680 Worcester was surrounded by lofty walls and fortifications, which, by existing records, appear to have compared favourably with other towns.
The Cathedral.—(Open on weekdays 9.30 to 6, but closed at 5.30 between October and March 31 [or dusk]. 6d. each charged for entering the Choir, Lady Chapel, and other special portions.) When Mercia became an independent kingdom a church was raised, and subsequently another built by Oswald in the tenth century a little north-east of the present building. Wulfstan found Oswald's church in ruins, the handiwork of Hardicanute's soldiers. He began a new cathedral in 1084, but two fires subsequently ruined it. Re-erected, it was reconsecrated in 1218. The cathedral suffered but little at the Reformation, but very much during the Civil War. It is not a grand building so far as massiveness is concerned, but possesses a variety of styles which harmonize in a remarkable degree, and a sense of unity pervades the whole building. The tower is a beautiful specimen of Perpendicular work, and has recently been thoroughly renovated. The chief objects of interest in the interior are the stalls, with their miserere seats, dating from 1397, formerly in Worcester Priory; the cloisters, chapterhouse, and remarkable Norman crypt, with King John's tomb in the choir. There are picturesque remains of the old Guesten Hall, the refectory and dormitory.
The Edgar Tower stands near the entrance to the cathedral cloisters. It was originally the entrance to Worcester Castle, but the monks converted it into a monastery gateway.
The Guildhall dates from 1721, and is an impressive building, containing some objects of interest from the battlefield of Worcester.
The Commandery.—This is a hospital founded in 1085; the great refectory and Guesten Hall, with beautiful roofs and stained glass, should be seen.
There are a number of old timbered houses remaining in the city, especially in Friar Street, near the city gaol, and in Lich Street. In the Corn Market is King Charles's House, built 1577, in which Charles II. took refuge in 1651 after the Battle of Worcester. It has the inscription, 'Fear God; honour the King,' over the doorway. In the Trinity, not far off, is an interesting Elizabethan house with an open gallery. The Royal Porcelain Works, founded in 1751, are in Severn Street, near the cathedral. (Open 9.30 to 12.30, 2.15 to 5. Admission 6d.)
