In 1651, the Battle of Worcester brought the English Civil Wars to a dramatic close. This final clash which ravaged the heart of the city, left England without a monarch and changed the course of the country’s history.
Now, 375 years on, a programme of exciting events, exhibitions, creative workshops and spectacular living history experiences that explore the stories, places and people connected to this defining moment are taking place across Worcester and Worcestershire. Commemorations were launched on Friday 6 March at The Commandery, Worcester attended by heritage and tourism partners.
Museums Worcestershire has joined with Visit Worcestershire to create and promote a year of events to entertain residents and to attract visitors into the city and county. Visit Worcestershire recently closed its grant application process and has awarded funding to 11 new experiences and events designed to drive visitor growth across the region. It will also be promoting a ‘Summer of Heritage’ and has commissioned a national advertising campaign to celebrate the county’s fascinating history.
The Commandery, which sat at the heart of the battle as the Royalist Headquarters, is hosting two exciting family-friendly days of living history: Oak Apple Day on Bank Holiday Monday 25 May and The Last Battle: 375th Anniversary on Saturday 5 September. One of the city’s oldest buildings, and surviving cannon fire during the battle itself, The Commandery is home to the Civil War Story exhibition where visitors can learn about the battle, see Oliver Cromwell’s death mask and choose a side to discover how they fare in the Battle of Worcester.
Worcester Cathedral is offering tours of its library and archive exploring the 17th-century era, with the opportunity to see original documents about Worcester from the time of the battle.
A fascinating series of history talks from a variety of speakers including medical historian Kevin Goodman, author Charles Cordell, and the University of Worcester’s Professor Darren Oldridge is taking place from March to October at The Commandery, Worcester Cathedral, the Hive, and Tudor House.
The Civil War battlefield is brought to life by The Sealed Knot on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July at Hartlebury Castle.
On the anniversary of the Battle of Worcester itself, 3 September 17th-century soldiers will parade through Worcester up to Fort Royal Park for the Drumhead Service of Remembrance to commemorate those who fought and died in and around the city during the English Civil Wars.
Councillor Adrian Gregson, Chair of the Joint Museums Committee and Heritage Champion for Worcester City Council says: “The English Civil War is part of Worcester’s DNA, it’s in our street names, parks and historic buildings. We are pleased to join with heritage and tourism partners to commemorate this important period of Worcester’s history. The 375th anniversary also provides a fitting excuse to celebrate The Commandery, its role in the Battle of Worcester, its position at the heart of Worcester’s tourism offer, and the fascinating visitor attraction that it is today.”
Lorna Robinson, Visitor Economy and Destination Manager at Visit Worcestershire says: “The county played a decisive role in the struggle between monarchy and parliament, and Worcester’s place in that journey is powerful, profound and should be globally recognised. Civil War 375 gives us the opportunity to tell this story with pride, to attract new audiences, to drive heritage tourism, and to showcase the incredible assets, businesses and experiences we have across the county.”
A full list of events taking place across Worcestershire can be found at visitworcestershire.org/blog/civil-war-375-whats-on or by picking up an English Civil War 375 leaflet from Worcester Tourist Information Centre.
ENDS
Notes to editors
The Commandery’s 375th marketing campaign has been funded by Arts Council England’s Museum Renewal Fund.
Museums Worcestershire is the joint museum service of Worcester City and Worcestershire County Councils
Visit Worcestershire is officially recognised by VisitEngland as a Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) for the county. The Commemoration Grant Fund and upcoming social media campaign has been funded by Visit Worcestershire, as part of Worcestershire County Council.
Images show:
- L-R Roger Fairman (Worcester Re-enactors), Councillor Adrian Gregson (Chair of Joint Museums Committee), Lorna Robinson (Visitor Economy and Destination Manager, Visit Worcestershire), Councillor Lynn Denham (Leader of Worcester City Council), and Brian Bullock (Worcester Re-enactors) in the garden at The Commandery.
- Heritage and tourism partners at the launch of Worcester 375 in the garden at The Commandery.
The Commandery’s History
The Commandery was founded as a monastic hospital around 1085 by Saint Wulfstan, then Bishop of Worcester, to serve the needs of travellers outside the city walls and beautiful wall paintings from the 1500s can be seen on the walls of The Commandery today.
Most of the building dates form the late fifteenth century and is of timber framed construction. The Commandery was one of the last monastic institutions to be dissolved by Henry VIII in 1540. In 1651 Charles II marched into Worcester and set up his Headquarters in the city, with the commander-in-chief the Duke of Hamilton billeted at The Commandery.
The building has also been a family home, a school for the blind, and a printing works.