Now that’s entertainment: licensing records for Worcestershire and beyond – Part Two
- 16th December 2024
In part two, we continue to explore how licensing files can assist research into how pubs, theatres and other entertainment venues in Worcestershire may have undergone changes through time. This time we turn our attention to other entertainment venues in Worcester including King Charles House, which has a fascinating history associated with the Battle of Worcester and the Swan Theatre.
King Charles House located in Worcester’s Cornmarket and New Street is another example where we hold licensing application plans to create a restaurant for the building on New Street. King Charles House is partially a Public House called the King Charles II, famous for its delicious pies and upstairs dining area. By using other documentary and photographic sources held in our archives we can learn more about the history of the building and its association with Charles II’s escape after his defeat at The Battle of Worcester on 3rd September 1651.
Application plan for proposed alterations to form restaurant at King Charles House, 29, New Street, Worcester c.1970s Finding No: b599:1 BA15269/4 © King Charles House
An excellent summary of the history of King Charles House can be found in a Guidebook from 1970 held in our local studies reference collection at L 942.066, which tells us that the half-timbered house was built in 1577 by William Berkeley and Robert Durrant. Originally part of a larger building it was destroyed by fire at the end of the 18th century. Today, all that remains of Cornmarket House, is the pub on New Street and a small section of the original building facing The Cornmarket and what is now the Worcester Hearing Centre.
King Charles House overlooking The Cornmarket illustrating the original half-timbered building in 1799 and Present day in Allan Fea’s Flight of the King available in our Local Studies Reference Collection at Ref: L942.066
Allan Fea’s Flight of the King tells the story of King Charles II’s escape from Worcester to Brighton. It also illustrates the original half-timbered building in 1799, prior to the fire over-looking The Cornmarket. Delving into our Worcestershire Photographic Survey we also have images of King Charles House which can been compared to present-day views.
Cornmarket, Worcester in 1799 showing King Charles House. Painted by A. Phipson. Finding No: 899:156 1332 WPS 73370
A view of the same footprint of King Charles House taken from the Cornmarket and New Street. Present Day. © Anthony Roach
King Charles House. Cornmarket. 1951 Finding No: 899:156 1332 WPS 73373 © A.J. Woodley
King Charles House overlooking The Cornmarket which is now occupied by the Worcester Hearing Centre. Present Day. © Anthony Roach
King Charles House on New Street was renovated in the 1960’s and a new plaque placed near the door, commemorating King Charles II’s escape.
Renovation of King Charles House, New Street. 1965. Finding No: 899:156 1332 WPS 32355 © Newsquest.
King Charles II Public House in New Street. Present Day © Anthony Roach
A plaque commemorating King Charles II’s escape from King Charles House, New Street as it looks today, following its renovation in the 1960’s © Anthony Roach
Whilst there is disagreement about Charles II’s exact movements out of Worcester following the battle, Willis Bund, Allan Fea and other recent historians largely accept that Cornmarket house, as it was known at the time, was probably the King’s lodgings. However, a rival theory by F.T. Spackman in 1911, argues that the Deanery on College Green was the lodging for the King and his officers. This argument is based upon city accounts for the period, though Pat Hughes suggests this could have been where junior officers had been housed.
The inscription at King Charles House, opposite The Cornmarket which reads “LOVE GOD (W.B. 1577 R.D.) HONOR YE KINGE”. Present Day. © Anthony Roach
Valentine Green in his ‘The History and Antiquities of the City and Suburbs of Worcester’ of 1790, writes ‘The house at the corner of the north end of New Street on its east side, is said to have been the King’s headquarters whilst at Worcester. The tradition is handed down in strong and direct terms by the inhabitants of the city and by the relatives of the proprietors and possessors of the house at that time, whose names were Durant. The room where the King slept faces the Cornmarket. Over the entrance to the house is this inscription “LOVE GOD [WB 1577 RD] HONOR YE KINGE”. It is the largest of the old houses in the city.’
The inscription above the entrance to King Charles House at The Cornmarket is still visible to this day and upon visiting what is now the Worcester Hearing Centre, you can also view a painting on the ground floor over the fireplace which summarises the route Charles II was believed to have taken following his escape from Worcester. The story of King Charles House perfectly illustrates the long narrative history of some buildings in Worcester.
The painting at King Charles House, opposite The Cornmarket (now Worcester Hearing Centre) which summarises the route of Charles II’s escape from Worcester to Brighton © Anthony Roach
Application plan image (1) for Swan Theatre, Worcester Finding No: b599.1 BA152698/8 February, 1964. © Swan Theatre
Application plan (2) for Swan Theatre, Worcester, Finding No: b599.1 BA152698/8 February, 1964 © Swan Theatre
As we have shown, Within the county archives, held at The Hive, we have licensing files and plans for other entertainment venues which include Worcester Theatres’ Swan Theatre. It has been the premier theatre venue for the city of Worcester since it opened in 1965. The Swan Theatre replaced the Theatre Royal which closed in 1957 (below is an image of the Theatre Royal being demolished in 1962). The venue opened in 1965 (therefore celebrating its 60th anniversary next year) after pledges from the Worcester City Council and fundraising led by the Society for the Advancement of Music and Arts (SAMA). This is also alongside Huntingdon Hall, formerly The Countess of Huntingdon’s Chapel built in 1773, which was rescued after becoming derelict in 1976 and following fundraising Huntingdon Hall reopened in 1987 as a concert venue.
Worcester City: Demolition of the Theatre Royal Finding No: 899:156 BA1332 WPS 24594 © Newsquest
Amongst a collection of Swan Theatre programmes, posters, photographs and other ephemera deposited with us, we hold an image of the Swan Theatre nearing completion.
Swan Theatre under construction c.1964-65 Finding No: 705.1552 BA13734/43/1 © Unknown
The Swan Theatre is Worcester’s only professional theatre with a purpose-built 360 seat Proscenium Arch Theatre, rehearsal space and 60 seat studio theatre providing a platform for live performance and engagement with the arts, as well as development for emerging artists and opportunity for the community to participate and enjoy live entertainment. We do have collections from musical societies, organisations and theatres, but we are always keen to receive records of artistic and cultural organisations within Worcestershire.
Swan Theatre Programmes and Playbills covering the period 1968-1971 Finding No: 899.1119 BA 10890/1 (28-39) © Swan Theatre
As we have shown, licensing plans can add to the rich history of Worcestershire buildings and the people who lived in them, especially when combined with different types of documentary evidence, and the county’s Historic Environment Record. If you’re looking to delve into such a history it is worth reviewing our Family, Local and House History guides for the full range of sources available.
Examples of Swan Theatre Programmes, Photographs and contact sheets at Finding No: 705:1552 BA13734.49.5 for Wizard of Oz (1995-96); Finding No: BA13734.51.8-9 for Beauty and the Beast (1999-00); Finding No: BA13734.48.8 for A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1994). © Swan Theatre
Sources used:
Fea, Allan The Flight of the King 1908. Methuen & Co. London. Ref L 942.066
King Charles House, Worcester. Guidebook. c.1970 Worcester: Littlebury Ref L942.066
Green, Valentine The History and Antiquities of the City and Suburbs of Worcester. Volume 2. c.1796 London: W. Bulmer and Co. L942.448 WORC
Please note all efforts have been taken to identify copyright owners, we apologise for any inadvertent infringement and invite the copyright owners to make contact where necessary.
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