*BEWDLEY, (Worcestershire) near the forest of Wyre, and on the W. side of the Severn, over which it has a large stone- bridge, 92. cm. and 122 mm. from London. It sent burgesses to Pt, so early as Edw. I. after which there was a long interruption. Edw, IV. granted it great privileges, both by land and sea, and Hen. VII. who built a palace near it at Tickenhall for his son Prince Arthur, which was destroyed in the civil wars, granted it additional privileges, which were confirmed by Henry VIII. K. James I. incorporated it by the name of bailiffs and burgesses, and granted it a recorder, steward, town-clerk, 12 capital burgesses, and 2 serjeants at mace; but a surrender of his charter was procur'd in the R. of Charles II. and in the next R. it was obliged, by the violence of the times, to accept of another. Nevertheless, on a trial in 1707, the aforefaid surrender was judged to be void, and a new charter was obtained of Q. Anne, which granted the privileges of the old one. In consequence of this 2 members were returned to Pt. and 2 returns made to the sheriff, the one made by the bailiff of the old corp. and the other by the bailiff of the new; and a petition being lodged in behalf of the old corp. it occasioned a dispute in Pt. and at law, which, after great expence, was determined in favour of the new charter, since which only one member has been elected for this bor. This is a populous place, of considerable trade; for, by means of the Severn, great quantities of salt, (it being but 8 m. from Droitwich) iron ware, glass, Manchester goods, &c. are put on board barges here, and at Glocester on board troughs, for Bristol, Bridgewater, and other ports. Its Ch. is only a chapel of ease to that of Ribbesford on the other side of the r. Here was formerly a chantry. The T. is well supply'd with corn, malt, leather, and Monmouth caps bought by the Dutch sailors. It has a Mt. every S. for hops, and Fairs April 23, July 26, Novemb. 30.