People of Interest

St Oswald (d 992)

Oswald was of Danish ancestry and was brought up by his uncle Oda who was Archbishop of Canterbury. Oswald became Bishop of Worcester in 961 and also Archbishop of York in 972 while still remaining Bishop of Worcester. He championed education and died in Worcester in the act of washing the feet of the poor during lent in 992. He was buried in the Cathedral and was quickly hailed as a saint. His shrine was destroyed during the Reformation.

St Wulfstan (c1008 - 1095)

Wulfstan became Bishop of Worcester in 1062 having previously held other offices including treasurer and Prior. Following the Norman Conquest in 1066, Wulfstan was the only pre-conquest bishop to remain in post, and by 1075 was the only English-born bishop in England. He was a social reformer and opponent of the slave trade. He undertook several ambitious rebuilding projects including Worcester Cathedral. Wulfstan's crypt which dates from 1084 is still in use today. His shrine was destroyed during the Reformation.

Prince Llewellyn (c1223-1282)

The last sovereign Prince of Wales married Eleanor de Montfort at the Cathedral's West Door in 1278. Eleanor was a granddaughter of King John and first cousin to King Edward I. Despite their considerable age difference the marriage was said to be a love match.

Henry Bright (1562 - 1627)

The Headmaster of the King's School, Worcester from 1591 until 1627, Bright probably attended as a pupil and late taught students including Edward Winslow. He also became a Canon of the Cathedral in 1619. A memorial to Bright can be seen on the wall in the North Nave Aisle. The Latin epitaph was written by Joseph Hall, the then Dean of Worcester.

Edward Winslow (1595 - 1655)

The Pilgrim Father and Mayflower passenger who became Colonial Governor in Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts. Born in Droitwich, Winslow attended the King's School, Worcester from 1606 until 1611.

Thomas Tomkins (1572 - 1656)

The Welsh-born composer who became in 1596 succeeded Nathaniel Patrick as Organist of the Cathedral.

William Hamilton, 2nd Duke of Hamilton (1616 - 1651)

The English Civil War general who fought for the Royalist cause and died of his wounds at the Commandery, where he was taken following the Battle of Worcester in 1651. A memorial to Hamilton can be seen on the wall in the North Quire Aisle and his body is buried in front of the High Altar.

Stanley Baldwin, 1st Earl Baldwin of Bewdley (1867 - 1947)

The Worcestershire County Councillor and MP for Bewdley who became three times Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Baldwin's ashes and those of his wife Lucy, are buried in the Nave of the Cathedral near to the West Door.

Sir Edward Elgar (1857 - 1934)

The English composer born at Lower Broadheath just outside Worcester who lived much of his life in the county and composed pieces for the Three Choirs Festival. A memorial plaque and the Elgar Memorial Window can be seen in the North Nave Aisle. Designed by Archibald Keightley Nicholson, the window depicts Elgar's 'The Dream of Gerontius'. The composer's baton and autograph are also on display in the Library.

The Worcester Pilgrim

In 1986, an excavation at the base of the Cathedral's south-east tower pier, revealed the burial of a skeleton now known as the Worcester Pilgrim. The remains of the Pilgrim's boots and staff are now on display in the Crypt. Research suggests he may be Robert Sutton, a dyer and Bailiff of the city who died in 1454.