Kempsey, Worcestershire

Description
Kempsey, a village and a parish in Worcestershire. The village stands on the river Severn, amid charming scenery, 2 1/4miles NW of Wadborough station on the M.R., and 4 S of Worcester city, and has a post, money order, and telegraph office under Worcester. The parish includes the hamlets of Napleton, Kersewell, and Stonehall. Acreage, 3238; population, 1559. The manor belongs to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. A monastery was founded here in 799, and was given at an early period to the Bishops of Worcester. A palace of the bishops succeeded the monastery, Henry II. kept court at the palace, and Simon de Montfort, with his prisoner Henry III., slept in it before the battle of Evesham. The Nash is the seat of Sir R. Temple, Bart. Traces exist of a Roman camp of 15 acres, and many coins, ums, cups, and other Roman relics have been found. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Worcester; net value, £193 with residence. Patrons, the Dean and Chapter of Worcester. The church was almost wholly rebuilt in 1799, was restored at a cost of, £4, 000 in 1865, is a cruciform structure, with deep chancel and large tower, and contains the effigies of an armed knight, over which a small chestnut tree is growing. The chancel has a fine Early English E window. A mission church is at Kersewell Green. There is a Baptist chapel.