EDMUND H. NEW

LONDON: J.M. DENT & CO. 29 BEDFORD STREET NEW YORK: E.P. DUTTON CO. MDCCCCIV

DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF H.N. 1820-1893 D.N. 1834-1901

NOTE

For the historical matter contained in the following pages the writer is indebted mainly to George May's admirable history of the town issued in 1845, a book which, since its publication, has been the acknowledged authority on local history.

To Mr. Oswald Knapp his thanks are especially due not only for permission to make use of the series of articles, founded on the monastic chronicles, which appeared some years ago in the Evesham Journal, most of them under the title of "Evesham Episodes," but also for much generous help and criticism.

CONTENTS

I. INTRODUCTION

II. EVESHAM AND THE VALE

III. THE ABBEY

1. THE FOUNDING OF THE ABBEY

2. THE ABBEY AFTER THE CONQUEST.

3. THE DISSOLUTION.

IV. THE REMAINS OF THE ABBEY

V. THE PARISH CHURCHES

VI. THE TOWN—INCLUDING BENGEWORTH AND GREEN HILL

VII. THE BATTLE OF EVESHAM

VIII. CAVALIERS AND ROUNDHEADS

IX. THE RIVER

X. THE NEIGHBOURHOOD

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Bridge Street

Evesham and Bredon Hill, from the Parks

The Bell Tower

The Gatehouse and Almonry

Abbot Reginald's Gateway

In the Market Place

High Street

The Bell Tower, from Bengeworth

St. Egwin's, Honeybourne

Evesham