The Almonry, Abbey Gate, Evesham - 01386 446 944 tic@almonry.ndo.co.uk

In 709, it was homme (land in the bend of a river). Later, it became Eveshomme when it was owned by someone called Eof.

Evesham was the site of a major battle - the Battle of Evesham, in which Simon de Montfort was defeated and killed on 4 August 1265. Evesham Abbey was founded by Saint Egwin, third Bishop of Worcester, following the vision of the Virgin Mary by a local swineherd or shepherd named Eof (sometimes Eoves). Eof legendarily went straight to Egwin, who journeyed to the site and shared the vision. He was moved to establish a Benedictine abbey on the site.

While Egwin was beatified and later canonised (a local Church of England middle school is named after him), Eof arguably had the greater historical resonance and posterity. Evesham Abbey funded smaller abbeys and churches in Belgium, the Netherlands and France. A large source of income came from pilgrims to the abbey to celebrate both the vision and the tomb of de Montfort.

As a result of historical development of the town, the main part of Evesham lies within the loop of the river and Bengeworth to the east on the other side of the river. Bengeworth at one stage had a castle vying for control with the abbey across on the other side. Unfortunately for Bengeworth, the knights went on a drunken spree and damaged a grave or two in the abbey graveyard, giving the monks an excuse to attack and level the castle. To prevent its rebuilding the site was sanctified as a graveyard. This historic imbalance is still visible in the distribution of shops and roads.

Also to the southern side of the town is the parish of Greater and Little Hampton, an independent village of the town until approximate 80 years ago. To celebrate the linking of the village to the town and improve access, Abbey Bridge, or "New Bridge" as it was often known was built. The bridge was also the first completely structural concrete bridge to be built in the UK. Due partly to redevelopment of Hampton and the redrawing of the electoral boundaries, Hampton has come into a resurgence in recent years.

Evesham Abbey was founded by Saint Egwin at Evesham in England around 701 A.D. It was once one of the largest abbeys in Europe. The presence of the abbey, its residents and the pilgrims coming to the site led to a growth in the town within the loop of the river. A model of the town in the Middle Ages is sited in the Almonry Museum in the town centre. Henry VIII's Dissolution of the monasteries saw the Abbey dismantled and sold as building stone, leaving little but Evesham's landmark Lichfield Bell Tower.