Alcester

Coordinates: 52°12′54″N 1°52′34″W / 52.215°N 1.876°W / 52.215; -1.876

Alcester (ⁱ/ˈɒlstər/ or /ˈɔːlstər/) is a market town and civil parish of Roman origin at the junction of the River Alne and River Arrow in Warwickshire, England. It is situated approximately 8 miles (13 km) west of Stratford-upon-Avon, and 8 miles south of Redditch, close to the Worcestershire border. The 2011 census recorded a population of 6,273 in the town, up slightly from 6,214 in 2001.

Etymology

The poet and antiquary John Leland wrote in his Itinerary (ca. 1538-43) that the name Alcester was derived from that of the River Alne. The suffix 'cester' is derived from the Saxon word ceaster, which meant a Roman fort or town.

Historical significance

During the Roman period, Alauna was a walled town and Roman fort of some importance, located on the Roman road of Ryknild Street just north of its juncture with the Fosse Way at Bourton-on-the-Water.

An important market town, Alcester was also the site of Alcester Abbey, a Benedictine monastery founded in 1138 by Ralph le Boteler. Richard de Tutbury, the last abbot, resigned his office in 1467 and Alcester Abbey was absorbed into the neighbouring Evesham Abbey. By 1515 Alcester Abbey was in ruins as a result of the neglect of various abbots, and later during the Dissolution of the Monasteries Henry VIII it was largely demolished. The ruins were granted to the local Greville family, who used much of the stone to rebuild their family seat of Beauchamp Court.

Alcester (disambiguation)

Alcester is a town in Warwickshire, England.

Alcester may also refer to:

See also