Worcestershire

Droitwich Spa had been a centre for Salt Mining and became a key settlement during the Roman era known as Salinae. Droitwich Spa brine exists far below the ground and emanates at the surface as springs. Droitwich Brine is the strongest natural salt water known, and contains 30% natural salts. This is 10 times more concentrated than normal sea water, making it as dense as the Dead Sea.

The Borough of Droitwich continued to be England’s major salt producing centre for centuries, and is the most frequently mentioned town (11 times) in the Domesday Book.

In 1595 Edward Winslow Sr was listed as an Under-Sheriff and based in Droitwich Spa when his son Edward Jr was born. Edward Winslow was baptised at St Peters Church and would have spent his younger years near the church where there is now a beautiful park and outdoor Lido.

At the age of 10 Edward Winslow would have finished his local education and other boys of his age would be looking to get work in various jobs, however Edward was championed for a scholarship by the Dean of Worcester Cathedral. This wonderful opportunity meant that he would have been educated alongside more well of students including sons of the titled gentry. This education is what afforded Edward the opportunities outside of running a salt mine like his father or selling cotton which was a main trade of Worcester at the time.

Worcester in 1606 would have been full of Tudor houses in the style of timber frames with wattle and daub creating the walls housing its nearly 7,000 population within the City Walls. King John was a guest at the Cathedral in October 1189 when he visited the city and met with Welsh nobility. He continued to stay there during many visits to the city during his requested in his will that he should be buried there upon his death. The will is held in the Cathedral Library. Royal guests to Worcester Cathedral included a succession of English kings and queens including Queen Elizabeth I in August 1575, 21 years before Edward Winslow would join the Cathedral for 5 years of further education.

The Battle of Worcester which saw King Charles II flee the city to escape the country saw a lot of damage to it’s buildings including the remains of the Castle luckily a lot of the original buildings still exist along Friar St as they would have done in the 16^th Century when Edward lived just 2 minutes walk away at the Cathedral. Friar St is a beautiful windy road full of Tudor houses built from 1400 onward with some of them now hiding behind 17^th Century facades of brickwork. You can discover more of the history of Worcester by visiting, The Tudor House, The Commandery or Greyfriar's House and Gardens as well as booking a private tour with Discover History.