Berrows WORCESTER Quarterly Edition 3

Publisher: David Hallmark Editor: Paul Francis Layout: Carter Graphics Slaves Carrying our name across the seas set free Lt Cmdr William Eustace RN ACCORDING to Battles of Retd tells the story of HMS the British Navy by Joseph Worcester Allen in 1852, “The atrocities committed by the Algerines, THE fi rst ship to be named and the barbarous massacre of HMS Worcester was by the crews of more than three Cromwell in commemoration hundred small vessels on 23 of his victory at the Battle of May 1816 at Bona induced the Worcester 1651. British government to prepare On the restoration of an expedition to act against the Charles 11, in 1660, the ship forts and shipping of Algiers.” was renamed HMS Dunkirk, a One of the ships which name of a place with which a reached the site for the later HMS Worcester was to be bombardment in August, 1816, closely associated. was the brig HMS Heron on Six further warships were which served Commander named HMS Worcester, being Herbert B. Powell. After launched successively in 1698, bombardment for two days 1735, 1769, 1843 and fi nally in the Bey of Algiers agreed 1919. Two other warships were treaty terms with the delivery renamed HMS Worcester and of “upwards of 1,200 Christian used as Training Ships between slaves and restoration of 1877 and 1968. HMS Worcester pictured in 1919. 382,500 dollars for slaves Nelson served on the redeemed by Naples and Fourth HMS Worcester, a 64 launched in October, 1919, Arctic. On December 23, County of Worcester who have Sicily and peace with the gun warship launched in 1769 built by Samuel White of 1943, she struck a mine in the served with the Royal Navy. Netherlands and a public with a complement of about Cowes and commissioned in North Sea and after repairs However, to indicate the tales apology for the detention of 500 engaged at the time on 1922, spending the interwar and relocation to London as that can be told, mention is the British Consul.” convoy duties in the Channel years in the Mediterranean. an accommodation ship was made of Admirals Britten and Powell later became a Rear under Captain Mark Robinson. On May 25, 1940, her Captain, renamed HMS Yeoman. Tomkinson serving in WW1 Admiral and lived in Worcester In 1782, HMS Worcester Commander JH Allison No Royal Navy warship and of Commander Bullock of at the home he named and was involved in a series was ordered to proceed to has since been called HMS HMS Nelson and Fleet Air Arm which is still known as Heron of engagements with the Dover and to prepare for the Worcester. Commander Bruen serving in Lodge, London Road. He died French around southern India evacuation of troops on the WW2 and Admiral Tennant on December 20, 1857, aged 73 culminating with the Battle of beaches of Dunkirk. On June Other stories ‘The Beach Master on D-Day and was buried in Whittington Trincomalee off Ceylon/Sri 1, badly damaged by bombing, There is not space enough in 1944’. There are many others of Chapel and to which he Lanka. she returned to Tilbury and this edition to reveal enough all ranks and one day we hope bequeathed £200 for repairs The last seagoing warship resumed convoy escort duties about many other citizens their stories can be proudly and £80 to purchase the clock named HMS Worcester was in the Channel and later the associated with the City and told. Lt Cmdr William Eustace. in the tower. Sunset burials Bomb hero of the Falklands Surgeon Commander Paul 27, 1941, and he found himself FROM the London Gazette completed in the early hours Guild): “The Falklands Spirit. Houghton FRCS by John Black trapped below decks whilst October 8, 1982, on the award of the following day. During There is one man I will always FRCS former Consultant the change of weights on of the Distinguished Service the operation, Lt Bruen showed remember as portraying it. His General Surgeon Worcester board raised the bows until the Cross. great personal courage and name was Lt Cmdr Bernie Bruen. and President RCS, London. torpedo hole was out of the “DURING the evening of May impeccable leadership.” He was a RN salvage diver by PAUL Houghton became water and the watertight door 25, 1982, Royal Fleet Auxiliary Sir Nigel was born in 1946 and profession, but in San Carlos Consultant General Surgeon could be opened. Galahad was struck by a 1000 lb lived in The White House, Great Water he did a little more. He at Ronkswood Hospital, He treated everything from bomb which failed to explode. Witley, Worcestershire. He was a big man with reddish Worcester in 1948 and tuberculosis to missing limbs, “Lt Bruen, Offi cer in Charge worked at the Cadena Café, beard and he was never without remained until he retired in head injuries, fl ash burns, Fleet Clearance Diving Team, Worcester, as a waiter and as one, his pipe and two, his fi ddle. 1976, although continuing to splinter wounds and survivors was tasked with its removal. a labourer for Worcestershire It took him 22 hours aboard the The bomb was lodged in a County Council, Highways Sir Galahad the fi rst time she work in Worcester and in other of HMS Eagle, the aircraft Nigel “Bernie” Bruen. countries in Africa and the carrier, who had skinned diffi cult position, surrounded Department before a student was hit, cutting a way out for Caribbean and Nazareth, Israel. themselves sliding down her by broken batteries which career in arts and drama a distinguished career ending the 1000 pounder. When it was His career with the Royal barnacled hull as she rolled over. had splashed acid around the presenting his own invented as Commanding Offi cer HMS safely over the side, Bernie Navy started in 1940 with the He was present when his compartment. The decision ‘hytesenemic lighting shows’ at Gavington in 1988. He was went straight away to another destroyer class HMS Zulu and ship conducted sunset burials was taken to raise the bomb to concerts for The Animals and awarded the MBE and DSC. ship to help get rid of a second convoy duty on the Arctic at sea and his photograph the vehicle deck and dispose of The Yardbirds and The Cream ITN Reporter Michael bomb. The last time I saw him Convoys. In 1941, he joined the of those most poignant of it over board. and Jimi Hendrix followed by Nicholson wrote on the cover fi ve Paras were being buried battleship HMS Nelson which ceremonies was a reminder of “This diffi cult and joining Britannia Royal Naval of Bernie Bruen’s book Keep and Bernie played a Scottish was torpedoed on September his wartime experiences. dangerous task was successfully College Dartmouth, beginning Your Head Down (The Book dirge in the pouring rain.”

Underwoods Steel Stockholders Ron Smith & Co. Halls – Land & Property ARC Surveyors Limited www.underwoods-steels.co.uk www.ronsmith.co.uk www.hallsgb.com www.arcsurveyors.net WORCESTER

Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce www.hwchamber.co.uk

The past: WITHOUT the dedicated work of those mentioned here, we would know very little about the past of our city. They are… THE founder county historian is the antiquarian Thomas Habington, but at his death in 1643 his papers were unpublished (and remained so The history makers until the 1890s). He greatly influenced By Robin Whittaker (immediate past County Archivist) and Chairman of Worcs. History Society and President of the succeeding historians, including Dr Thomas’ 1736 Survey of the Worcs. Local History Forum and editor of Worcs. Archaeology Society Transactions. Cathedral Church of Worcester and Dr Nash’s great county history of 1781 Collections for the History of Worcestershire. The first dedicated history of the city is Valentine Green’s two-volume History and Antiquities...of Worcester (1796). Many more books appeared in the 19th C. Dr Prattinton continued the antiquarian tradition , his papers ending up with the Society of Antiquaries. John Noake, a journalist (and mayor of Worcester), published newspaper articles and books in mid-century. The 20thC saw a number of specialist books, including Willis Bund’s on the Civil War, McMenemy’s History of Worcester Royal Infirmary and A gathering on August 1 of some of the City’s historians, in no particular order. Mike Grundy, Iain Rutherford, Victoria Bryant, Lisa Snook, Jim and Margaret Panter, David Morrison, Chris Philip Barker’s ground-breaking Guy, Miriam and Godfrey Harvey, Jacquie Hartwright, Barbara Jenkins, Val Hibbitt, Mick Wilkes, Richard Shaw, Vaughan Wiltshire, Clive Haynes, Paul Hudson, Robert Loveless, David Nash work on city archaeology, (hidden), Tom McSweeney, Sandy Cale, Roberta Davis, Howard Robinson, David Hallmark and the WAAS Field team, Tim Cornah, Simon Woodiwiss, Linda Griffin, Graham Arnold, Richard started in the 1960s. Bradley, Rob Hedge, Aidan Woodger, Tom Vaughan, Carolyn Hunt, Liz Pearson, Derek Hurst, Laura Templeton, Elspeth Iliff, Andy Walsh and others, apologies from Robin Whittaker, Adrian Gregson, James Dinn, Philippa Tinsley, Pat Hughes, Malcolm Haynes, Tony Spicer and Malcolm Atkins, Tim Bridges and others. Industrious collector Bill Gwilliam published two seminal volumes on ‘Old Worcester’. F.V. Follett wrote a history Societies: Professionals: of the Royal Grammar School TWO of the oldest local collector’s book, the Civil War diary THE last half-century has seen a major under James Dinn actively produces and W.R.Chignell produced two societies are the Worcestershire and papers of Henry Townshend, early impact on the study of the City from reports and articles and the County volumes on the County Cricket Archaeological Society (www. education in the city and many of the institutions and their professional staff. Archive and Archaeology Service (www. Club up to 1968. worcestershirearchaeologicalsociety. deeds and records from the Cathedral The City Museum (www.worcestershire. worcestershire.gov.uk/waas) led by org.uk) founded in 1854 and archives. The Worcester Industrial and gov.uk/museums) currently led by Victoria Bryant has produced major the Worcestershire Historical Local History Society (www.wialhs. Ian Rutherford and Philippa Tinsley reports on The Deansway and Newport Society, founded in 1893 (www. org.uk) is also a focus for research and has produced work by Latta on The excavations, for instance, as well as many worcestershirehistoricalsociety.co.uk) activities as is the Worcester Civic Commandery and Mundy and Bridges on articles on the City’s archaeology in of which internationally renowned Society (www.worcestercivicsociety. pictorial evidence from their holdings. the Transactions of the Worcestershire historian Professor Christopher Dyer org.uk). The Battle of Worcester Society Other specialist museums Archaeological Society. Chris Guy and is the current President, succeeding (www.thebattleofworcestersociety. sponsor articles and publications, David Morrison lead much research celebrity historian Professor David org.uk) promotes all things local related including the Regimental Museum, activity focussed on the Cathedral, Cannadine now at Princeton University, to the Civil War and works very closely the George Marshall Medical Museum and Paul Hudson, Adrian Gregson and USA. with The Commandery with its strong (www.medicalmuseum.org.uk), Lisa Snook co-ordinate the collecting, The biennial Transactions of the Civil War connections. Those wishing the Tudor House Museum (www. research and outreach activities of the former contain many articles on topics to promote local institutions can join tudorhouse.org.uk) with Elizabeth county archives. The influence of the of Worcester history, archaeology and a variety of Friends organisations, Pimblett and the Dyson Perrins fast-growing University of Worcester has architecture. Many of the 69 volumes including ones for the Cathedral, the Museum of Royal Worcester (www. also been felt, with the late Gerry Douds it has published relate to Worcester County Archives, and the Museum. The museumofroyalworcester.org.uk). and now Prof. Schwarz playing an active topics, including the Chamber Order University of the Third Age (U3A) has The City Archaeology Service role as is her colleague Professor Maggie Robin Whittaker. book 1602-50, the 1678-80 Hearth Tax very active local history groups. (www.worcester.gov.uk/archaeology) Andrews.

lovely children’s book, Stories landscape has expanded our Anglo-Saxon bishops, Wulfstan has been continued by Mike Suz Winspear has published Today of Worcester published by understanding of the medieval and Oswald, has been the Grundy with his popular People the definitive account of the the Archive and Archaeology city. subject of volumes of essays. and Places articles. Books of Theatre Royal; Mick Wilkes has THERE are many current Service. Jeff Carpenter is a Malcolm Atkin has Darlington’s edition of local photographs are very opened our eyes to the impact authors actively engaged in respected writer on Worcester published extensive studies the Cartulary of Worcester popular also, and the Changing of WW2 and Martin Carver research. history. on the Civil War; Ute Engel Cathedral Priory for the Pipe Face of Worcester initiative explored Medieval Worcester The Story of Worcester The 1973 work of Alan Dyer produced a magisterial Roll Society in 1968 is a treasure by Clive and Malcolm Haynes in 1980. On a lighter note, by Pat Hughes and Annette on 16th C Worcester was a architectural study of the trove of information on the has gathered priceless images, Bob Blandford’s extensively Leech is a recent overview significant academic study, Cathedral, to add to the studies people and places of early curated by the WAAS and researched volumes on public and Dr Hughes, together with and Baker and Holt’s work by Philip Barker and Chris Guy, Worcester. available via the Tudor House houses have been very well Debbie Overton, produced a on the church and the urban and the history of two famous The journalistic tradition Museum website. received. Boyds Chartered Accountants Hallmark Hulme Solicitors 01905 25232 AE Clegg New Four Seasons www.hallmarkhulme.co.uk [email protected] www.aeclegg.com www.fourseasonsrestaurant.co.uk WORCESTER

Armstrongs of Worcester Ltd www.armstrongs.co.uk

knew me). And there was such On June 17, 1646, there was excellent preaching among a truce during which the two Mixed reception for Puritan minister them at Worcester that I stayed armies fraternised. They talked By Don Gilbert In 1642, with anti-Puritan Roundheads’, and I was glad to there among them a few days...” and drank together; and Baxter PURITAN minister and author feeling high in Kidderminster, spur on and be gone”. In June 1645, after the even had a formal disputation Richard Baxter is mainly Baxter sought temporary Parliament troops entered victory at Naseby, Baxter joined with Dr. Thomas Warmestry associated with Kidderminster refuge in Gloucester. On his Worcester in September, Col. Whalley’s regiment of New (the future Dean of Worcester) but, in his autobiography, way he “passed but through 1642: “The civility of the Earl Model Army as its chaplain. on the nature of a church. he makes a large number of a corner of the suburbs of of Essex’s army was such that That regiment eventually (My biography Undeserved references to Worcester, not all Worcester …they that knew among them there was no formed part of the army which Mercies, £15, £17.50 if sent by post, complimentary. me not cried ‘Down with the danger (though none of them from 27, Mason Road, Kidderminster, besieged Worcester in 1646. DY11 6AF) Richard Baxter. Famous red line leads back to city clothiers By David Hallmark. for an existing colour custom. IN August, 1651, King Charles Research included the book, II required The Clothiers of British Military Uniforms, by Worcester to provide Red Tunic military historian WY Carman, for his troops. who concludes that the use The Invoice sum was £453. of red by most British soldiers The debt remained unpaid after the 1660 Restoration was until the intervention of the the result of circumstances Lord Lieutenant of Worcester, rather than policy. Might those the late Michael Brinton. On circumstances be the colour set June 8, 2008, HRH Prince at Worcester? Charles settled that Royal The Clothiers of today wear Debt by paying the sum to The red waistcoats as part of their Clothiers in the Commandery. formal Livery made by local Many Royalists fl ed to tailors Armstrongs est 1767. Europe and in 1656 assembled in Bruges, and perhaps still wearing their Worcester-made Red Tunics, re-formed as the Royal Regiment of Guards, of which the Grenadier Guards are descendants and who wear red tunics. The present Lord Lieutenant, Lt Col Patrick Flight of King Charles along Friar Street. Painting by David Birtwhistle. Does anyone know where the whereabouts of this painting? Holcroft, who had served in the Grenadiers, and Regimental Archivist Major Philip Wright at RHQ Wellington Barracks Toughest council meeting ever? addressed the question of Charles Stuart, with a the big decision – the matter whether the Red Tunic of The city wasn’t always Faithful. Richard mainly Scottish army of 15,000 was put to a vote and the Worcester can be linked to Simon Hyslop of Armstrongs Shaw of the Battle of Worcester Society has troops, was marching towards civilians won. subsequent colours or was it and former High Master of The Worcester to gather support The garrison retreated to just an evolutionary moment Clothiers. the story of a big last-minute swing and march into London to Gloucester and to impress the restore the monarchy abolished fast gathering Scottish army, ON the evening of Thursday, Although we regard after his father’s execution in some Worcester citizens fi red Aiming to keep the past alive August 21, 1651, the Mayor and Worcester as “The Faithful 1649. Oliver Cromwell had set on the retreating rearguard. WORCESTER is a City of The play Macbeth will Sheriff of Worcester requested City” due to its support of the off from Scotland in pursuit. The next evening, August Historians and this third WRBQ never be the same again, an urgent meeting between Royalist cause, it was taken by It was probably one of 22, the gates were opened and Supplement emphasises the now we know it was based the City Council, the Garrison the Parliamentarians in 1646 and the most heated council the Royalist army marched in. individuals and societies on the Gunpowder Plotters Commanders and the City had contained a Roundhead discussions ever in Worcester The population of Worcester who want to share their from Worcestershire. It shows Chamber. garrison of 500 soldiers. - and I’m sure there have was only 5,000 at this time so stories. These citizens are the events have consequences - been a few. Parliamentarian this clearly had a devastating champions of the city’s history the 1605 plot had a counter Commanders were in favour impact on the food supplies. and Robin Whittaker is their purge as also happened in 1944 Remembering the Fallen of resisting until Cromwell Charles Stuart preferred a exemplar. Their contributions with the Hitler bomb plot EVERY September 3, the march to the Commandery, could arrive, but the Civilians, grand entrance the following provide the platform for the and 1000 executed and now Battle of Worcester Society where there will be a 17th remembering the ravages of day. Mayor Thomas Lysons Civic promoters to market in 2016 with the counter coup holds a Drumhead Service in century bar, but with 21st a two month siege in 1646, presented him with the keys history and heritage. in Turkey and 10,000 suspects remembrance of the 3,200 century prices! argued that a garrison of 500 of the city and the mace and The links between identifi ed. British soldiers who died in 1651 At 6:45pm there will be a could not hold off 15,000 was knighted in return. Charles Worcester and the Royal Navy On September 2, 2016, – more British deaths than on parade to Fort Royal Park for attackers and there was no was proclaimed King in a show – with the Worcester Sea historian Professor Stephen D-Day and at Waterloo. a short service and a minute’s expectation of reinforcements. of great pomp, ceremony Cadets remaining as a symbol Roberts will be lecturing on This year it falls on a silence marked by a volley of In a surprising act of and perhaps sycophancy. But of the surviving and thriving “Consequences of the Battle Saturday and a civic parade, led muskets. democracy – you would have Oliver’s army of 30,000 was on relationship - indicate that we of Worcester, 1651.” by 20 Civil War re-enactors will The event is free and all are thought that the army had the the horizon. The rest, as we say, need another HMS Worcester. Publisher David Hallmark leave the Guildhall at 6pm and welcome. power and authority to make is history. Working to build a connected, creative, dynamic economy that delivers increased prosperity for all those who choose to live, work, visit and invest in Worcestershire. www.wlep.co.uk @worcsLEP WORCESTER

Worcester City Council www.worcester.gov.uk

An archivist’s tale THE marriage bond is such in the cathedral by Michael an important document that Wood for his documentary it only left the safety of the on Shakespeare and he was strong rooms three times in amused and impressed when the 35 years I worked at the I arrived in the back of a Worcestershire Record Offi ce. gold Mercedes with a hired In the 1990s, it was displayed bodyguard! at a Three Choirs reception at Later, it was loaned to the County Hall and I recruited my National Portrait Gallery and Part of the text, in modern language, reads: William Shagspere [Shakespere] and Anne Hathwey [Hathaway] of Stratford in the Diocese of brother-in-law to help stand as part of this exhibition, went Worcester maiden may lawfully solemnise matromny together and remain and continue man and wife. Picture by kind permission of the Bishop of guard. to the USA for a spell, sadly, Worcester. In 2002, I was interviewed without me. Robin Whittaker. All’s well for the Bard’s marriage Daughter in court fi ght Stratford-upon-Avon, there are Hathaway. Instead of getting Anne Whateley. to save her reputation William Shakespeare rare documents in the archives married by banns though, We don’t know where By Dr David Morrison Librarian Henry Parry was the Bishop in Worcester about both as was usual, he obtained a and his family had they married, as, having Worcester Cathedral of Worcester (1610-1616). He Shakespeare and his father- marriage license to enable him obtained a license, they could IN 1613 Susannah Hall, had been chaplain to Queen a strong connection in-law. to marry quickly. have married anywhere. A the daughter of William Elizabeth I, and preached In the 16th Century, This may have been due number of churches claim Shakespeare, went to court before King James I and the with the city. Stratford was in the Diocese to Anne being pregnant and Shakespeare married there but over a case of defamation. King of Denmark. Bishop Parry of Worcester and so people needing to get married sooner. the registers haven’t survived. The case was heard in the was also an investor in the had to travel to Worcester if In the archive we have the One possibility is Old St Bishop’s Consistory Court, company which settled Virginia. Paul Hudson, Learning they needed to attend the marriage bond which records Martin’s in the Cornmarket, located at the west end of His tomb is now in the south & Outreach Manager of Bishop’s court, for instance to this, along with the people Worcester. the south aisle of the nave of aisle of the Cathedral. Worcestershire Archive & obtain a marriage license or to giving a guarantee that there The pages for that date Worcester Cathedral, where the Susannah’s husband was Archaeology Service, tells prove a will. These documents was no lawful reason for the have been carefully removed, font now stands. Dr John Hall. Co-incidentally, the tale of the playwright’s are still owned by the Diocese couple not to marry. causing some to wonder if this Susannah Hall brought the one of Dr Hall’s patients was wedding. and cared for in The Hive by It was also entered into could be location, although case because of her neighbour, John Thornborough, Bishop WE HAVE just commemorated Worcestershire Archive & the Bishop’s register a day without proof that is only a John Lane, who had made of Worcester (1617-1641). the 400th anniversary of the Archaeology Service. later, although the clerk may possibility, along with the other malicious public allegations Thornborough’s tomb is now death of William Shakespeare. In 1582, Shakespeare, as have got confused as he contenders. against her concerning adultery located just opposite where the Although he lived in many are aware, married Anne recorded that William married in Stratford. When Mr Lane court would have been. Both failed to appear in the court men held Puritan sympathies. at Worcester Susannah won The trial has been turned the case and Mr Lane was into a successful modern play Four executed excommunicated. by Peter Whelan called The Warrant for the At the time of the trial Herbal Bed. after coup fails execution of Humphrey Littleton. by Paul Hudson Kings troops. 410 years ago in 1606, four men At Holbeache Gunpowder, treason were executed outside the in South Worcester City boundary for Staffordshire, their links with the Gunpowder there was a fi ght King James from – was this the plot? plot. but Stephen the Bible of Bishop In the archives held at Littleton and Prideaux with By David Hallmark his next play Macbeth which Worcestershire Archives and Robert Winter Worcester Cathedral ON January 30, 1606, Robert begins and ends with the killing Archaeology Service there is escaped and – the plot victim. Winter of Huddington Hall of a Scottish king, as was King the Warrant sent to the Sheriff sought sanctuary near Worcester was executed James. of Worcester instructing him to with Humphrey after being convicted of the When James addressed proceed with the execution of Littleton. Gunpowder Plot to murder Parliament on November 9, Humphrey Littleton. However, they King James and the Court described those who had tried The four were from houses were reported at Westminster Houses of to kill him as “the rarest of in Worcestershire as Humphrey by the domestic Parliament. monsters”. Shakespeare has Littleton of Hagley and John staff and the The next day, his brother Macduff say to Macbeth “we Winter of Huddington and authorities arrived Thomas Winter was executed will have thee, as our rarer Father Oldcorne with his on 9 January 1606. went to London to be with Guy Fawkes and others. monsters are, painted upon a servant Ralph Ashley who came Stephen and Robert were executed. Their heads were placed on pole.” out of hiding at Hindlip. later executed in London. This information by London Gates. In April, other Further, the use of small After the Gun-Powder Plot Humphrey was interrogated Humphrey Littleton did executions took place at fi reworks made of brimstone to blow up Parliament and King and disclosed his knowledge of not – as he hoped - save his Worcester. But where does and salpetre in the opening James and the Court was foiled the hiding of two Jesuit Priests life as the Warrant from the Shakespeare fi t into this story? scene must have smelled like in November 1605, the plotters Father Oldcorne and Father Lord Chief Justice declares Author James Shapiro gunpowder. fl ed. Garnet at Hindlip. there is no reason to delay his in his book 1606 writes “this “Shakespeare’s Macbeth The various houses which They too were discovered execution. suggests the Plot left traces exploits deep cultural anxieties had been the homes of the and arrested together with After Trial in Worcester, he on Shakespeare’s work with risen to the surface after the plotters were searched by the their servant Ashley. Garnet was executed on 7 April 1606. its most obvious impact on Plot.”

Lansdowne Rodway Estates Ltd Visit Worcestershire Carter Graphics FT Images www.lrechd.co.uk www.visitworcestershire.org www.cartergraphics.co.uk www.ftimages.co.uk