History

In AD 775 the ancient Manor of Clopton, comprising a large tract of land including the present Parish of Rushwick, was granted by King Offa of Mercia to Bishop Mildred. By the time of the Domesday Book, in 1086, it was a "flourishing community". In fact, because of the fertile land, and the proximity of the river, it is likely to have been inhabited for many thousands of years previously.

In recent centuries, the land has been characterised by hopfields, orchards and smallholdings. Apple, pear and plum orchards use to cover much of the local farmland. There were several cider mills in the area, and one still exists in working order at Broadmore Green.

The name Rushwick is said to come from the Danish "Ryse Wic" meaning "the dairy farm in the rushes." The flood-meadows beside the Teme were formerly marshlands. In Upper Wick, Wick Episcopi was the Bishop of Worcester's country house, mentioned in Domesday as being linked with Lower Wick. It is now a private house.

Broadmore Green is an attractive hamlet containing black-and-white timber-framed cottages. The layout of the hamlet is virtually as it was centuries ago. Significant action in the Battle of Worcester in 1651 took place in this vicinity. The Royalists were billeted for several days in the houses and small-holdings along the Hereford road while they awaited the arrival of the Parliamentarians. The Parliamentarians' battle strategy depended upon crossing the Teme and taking the Hereford road and Bransford Bridge, thereby cutting off the Royalists' escape to the West and allowing them to force the Royalists back along the Hereford road through St John's and into Worcester City, where they would be surrounded.

After a considerable struggle the Parliamentarians managed to cross the Teme, probably at the big loop in the river close to the present Bransford Court, where there appears to have been a ford. From there they made their way to the road, and took Bransford Bridge, which allowed a large force of Parliamentarians to cross the Teme. Following this, the Royalists were forced back along the road into St John's, through the present Rushwick village. They were also forced back across the fields and hams, including the Upper Wick area, between the road and the river. The crossing of the Teme near Broadmore Green, and the taking of the Hereford road, was crucial to the outcome of the battle, and thereby to the history of the British Monarchy.

Crown East was formerly called Crow Nest, and is the highest part of the parish. There was a chantry there in 1256 but it became disused. The present church of St Thomas was originally built as a private chapel by the Bramwell family beside Crown East Court but it was moved and rebuilt on the main road to Bromyard. It was licensed for public worship on 26th October 1876 by the Bishop of Worcester.

If anyone has interesting historical information about the parish, including "finds", please contact Frank Jolley by using the email link below.