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Pershore in Worcester County England History and GeographyPERSHORE, a market town, partly in the parish of ST. ANDREW, and partly in that of HOLY CROSS, upper division of the hundred of PERSHORE, county of WORCESTER, 9 miles (S.E.) from Worcester, and 102 (N.W. by W.) from London, containing, exclusively of those portions of the parishes which are without the town, 2328 inhabitants. The name of this place, variously spelt Persore, Pearshore, and Pershore, is supposed by Camden to be derived from Periscoran, in allusion to the numerous pear-trees which grew in the vicinity: a convent was founded here, according to William of Malmesbury, by Egelward, Duke of Dorset, or, according to others, by Oswald, nephew of Etheldred, King of Mercia, about 689, for Secular clerks. It was remodelled by Edgar, as a monastery for Benedictine monks, about 984, and dedicated to the Virgin Mary, St. Peter, and St. Paul, and afterwards to Edburga, eighth daughter of Edward the Elder. The buildings suffered repeatedly from fire, especially in 1287, when a considerable part of the town was also destroyed: at the dissolution its revenue was valued at £666. 13. The only remains are the church of the Holy Cross, and the Abbey house, the latter having undergone such alterations that every vestige of its ancient character has been removed. The town is pleasantly situated on the lower road from Worcester to London, and on the western bank of the river Avon, which is here navigable, and is crossed by a bridge on the south. The principal street is about three quarters of a mile in length; it is well paved, and the houses are of respectable appearance. There is a manufactory for stockings, and two for watch mainsprings. The market is on Tuesday: fairs are held on Easter-Tuesday, June 26th, first Monday in August, and on the Tuesday before November 1st. This town returned two burgesses to parliament in the reign of Edward I., since which period the privilege has been discontinued. As to all civil jurisdiction the parishes of St. Andrew and Holy Cross are absolutely distinct, each having its own officers: the former includes the chapelries of Bricklehampton, Defford, Penvin, and Wick, and the hamlet of Pensham; and the latter the hamlets of Wadborough and Walcott. The living of St. Andrew's is a discharged vicarage, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Worcester, rated in the king's books at £8. 19. 2., and in the patronage of the Dean and Chapter of Westminster. The church consists of a choir and south transept, the remains of a noble cruciform church, and is partly in the Norman, but principally in the early English, style of architecture. The church of the Holy Cross is in the later English style, and was formerly conventual, having belonged to the abbey: the living is held as a curacy, with the vicarage of St. Andrew's: both are subject to the jurisdiction of the Archdeacon of Worcester. There is a place of worship for Baptists. From Lewis's Topographical Dictionary of England 1831, courtesy of Databases 4 Sale |
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