WORCESTER, a city of Worcester. shire, England—and itself also a county— on the Severn; 22 miles S. W. of Birming ham. It is a handsome town, mostly of red brick. The chief building is the Cathe dral of St. Mary, built of red sandstone in the form of a double cross, and meas. wring 425 feet in length, 145 feet in width, and 193 in height. The predom inant styles are Early English and Dec orated. The cathedral, first erected (983), was rebuilt by Bishop Wulfstan (1084), and again (1281). Many altera tions have since been made, and it has been elaborately "restored" at a cost of more than $500,000. It has a good tow er with a clock and carillon of 12 bells, and contains the tomb of King John and of Prince Arthur, eldest son of Henry VII. Worcester has a guildhall, a gram mar school, hop market, and elegant banks. Ruins of the castle and monas tery of Worcester lie a short way S. of the cathedral. Glove-making has long been the staple industry of Worcester.
The porcelain made here is also very famous for its delicacy and beauty of design. Iron foundries have existed from time immemorial, and tanning and rope making are carried on. Worcester, which dates from prehistoric times, was suc cessively a British fort, a Roman camp, an English stronghold, and a bishop's see (from 680). Destroyed by the Danes, it was rebuilt by Ethelred, sacked by Hardicanute (1041), and frequently by the Welsh during the following two cen turies. A new charter was granted by James I. in 1622, and Worcester es poused the royal cause throughout the great rebellion; here Cromwell achieved his "crowning mercy," Sept. 3, 1651. For its constant fidelity to the royal cause, Worcester received from Charles the motto still on the city arms, "Civitas in bello et in pace fidelis." Pop. about 52,000.