BENGWORTH (ST-PETER), a parish within the
jurisdiction of the borough of EVESHAM, locally in
the lower division of the hundred of Blackenhurst,
county of WORCESTER, § a mile (S.S.B.) from Evesham,
containing 853 inhabitants. It is situated on the
southern side of the navigable river Avon, opposite the
town of Evesham, with which it was incorporated in
the reign of James I. The living is a perpetual curacy,
in the peculiar jurisdiction of the Bishop of Worcester,
rated in the king's books at £7- 10. 10., endowed with
£200 private benefaction, and £400 royal bounty, and
in the patronage of the Rev.W. Alies. The church,
which has a handsome tower and spire, is dedicated to
St. Peter: it stands on the site of a castle which belonged
to the abbey of Evesham, and which was destroyed
by William D'Andeville, one of the abbots, who
recovered it from William de Beauchamp, hereditary
sheriff of the county, by whom it had been held, in contravention
of the abbot's rights. John Deacle, alderman
of London, who was born here, left £ 2000 for the endowment
of a free school for thirty boys, who are
clothed, educated, and apprenticed. See EVESHAM.