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Gynne in King Charles's arms in the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ series |
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Worcester
has been known as The Faithful City since the end of the civil war.
We look at the connection between the city and Charles II.
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Charles
II can hardly have had fond memories of the City of Worcester.
He saw the Scottish army he was commanding soundly beaten at Worcester
in the last battle of the civil war, and had to flee the city with
the Parliamentarian forces in hot pursuit.
He entered the city on August the 22nd 1651, and fled for his life
on September the 3rd.
It must have been one of the bleakest points of his life, especially
as he was on the run for the next 45 days with a price on his head.
You can still see the house Charles escaped from in New Street - it's
now a very posh restaurant.
The Commandery, where Charles set up his headquarters for the battle,
is now a museum.
There's a host of civil war exhibits and artefacts on show, and the
museum stages regular living history re-enactments.
A short, but brisk, walk will take you to Fort Royal, the artillery
position overlooking the city that played such a crucial role in the
battle.
After the restoration of Charles II Worcester adopted the title 'The
Faithful City' - though just how loyal the populous were during the
civil war is still open to debate.
You can see a statue of Charles II outside the Guildhall in the High
Street, and just to prove how loyal the city is over the main door
is the head of Oliver Cromwell pinned by his ears.
To the victor comes the spoils. |
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