Worcester City History

These pages will provide a brief history of the city and some of its most notable residents, whose contributions to sciences, the arts or society are still celebrated today.

• Famous Residents   
• Timeline    
• The Corporation   

Famous Residents

• Dancox, Frederick
• Elgar, Sir Edward
• Hastings, Sir Charles
• Kennedy, Rev.G.A. Studdert
• Leader, Benjamin Williams
• Williams, Edward Leader
• Snell, Hannah
• Somers, John (1st Baron Somers)
• Wood, Mrs Henry (Ellen Wood, nee Price)

Dancox, Frederick   
Frederick Dancox (or Dancocks) is the only winner of the Victoria Cross to have been born and bred in Worcester. He was born in 1878 to Louisa and William Dancocks, a labourer, the middle of three sons. Before joining the 4^th battalion, Worcestershire Regiment during World War One, he was a hay-cutter and lived with his wife Ellen and their four children in Hylton Lane in Worcester. Private Dancox was awarded the VC for his actions on 9^th October 1917 during the Battle of Poelcappelle, for, according to London Gazette, ‘conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty’ by capturing a German bunker and 40 soldiers inside. Celebrations were organised for his return home on leave to receive his award, but unfortunately all leave was cancelled at short notice and troops sent to the Battle of Cambrai, during which Pte Dancox was killed in action on 30th Nov 1917.

Timeline

The Council

The council had a diverse range of responsibilities including finances (monies owed or loaned, distribution of municipal funds), property (maintenance, leases of municipal property), trade (regulation of markets and quality of goods) welfare (charities, poor, the city gaol) and governing procedures (succession of councillors, officials and Parliamentary representatives, negotiation of charters).

The Chamber was the governing body of the city of Worcester. The council chamber actually consisted of two chambers; the 48 and the more important 24 (which included the mayor), from whose ranks the city's magistrates were also chosen. Membership was through co-option, and members were largely well-off and literate merchants or (more rarely) gentlemen who gave their service for no or nominal wages. There was continuity of government as resignation without good cause, absence from meetings or, from 1649, refusal to take up a nominated position was punishable by a fine. Acceptance into the 48 and then the 24 was the standard career progression of a local government official. Promotion was dependent on the death or removal of other members, but some offices, such as bailiff or mayor, could only be held for a fixed period or by someone who had held a certain junior position. By the nineteenth century, this structure had been superseded by just one council chamber.

From 1555 the reasons for dismissal (temporary or permanent) from either chamber were for 'evil government', non-residence in Worcester for a period of at least one year, failure to attend meetings without good reason despite due warning, and occasionally what could be termed as behaviour not befitting a councillor. The frequency of meetings depended on the quantity and urgency of the matters to be discussed. During the Civil War meetings were held every few days, though for the rest of the seventeenth century it was not unusual for meetings to be held at 6-8 week intervals. Nineteenth century meetings were often monthly and incorporated the duties of the Burial Board, Local Board of Health etc.  

Mayor * Bailiff * Sheriff * Chamberlain * Town Clerk