We know very little about the early history of the Commandery. Tradition has it that the building was founded as a hospital around 1085 by Saint Wulfstan, then Bishop of Worcester. However the hospital was built around a much earlier Saxon chapel dedicated to Saint Gudwal - which was located to the North of the present building

Although all traces of this chapel have gone from the area, it must have been a considerable structure, today all that remains are the base pillars of three nave columns placed on the lawn outside and some medieval glass re-used in the Great Hall windows.

The building attributed to Saint Wulfstan was a monastic institution designed to act as a hospital. It seems to have been established with the needs of travellers in mind. Its location, just outside the city walls beside the Sidbury gate, put it at the junction of the main roads from London, Bath and Bristol. Here it could provide travellers with aid should they arrive after the closing of the gates at night

After serving its original function for nearly 500 years, the hospital was among the last monastic institutions to be dissolved by Henry VIII in 1540. From this date onwards the Commandery was to fulfill a number of vastly varied roles that would see it the focus of national events during the Civil War through to quieter times as a family home. The building itself would undergo a range of improvements, repairs and re-buildings throughout its history as each successive owner sought to make their stamp on the place.

Throughout its life therefore, the Commandery has been a living building, changing to reflect the needs placed on it by functions as diverse as home, military headquarters, factory and college.

Today, the Commandery still adapts itself to the needs of the age whilst retaining the fabric of its history for future generations. Above all the building is one that is held in great affection by the people of Worcester and all those who have come into contact with it.

Worcester City Council has been awarded £985,000 by the Heritage Lottery Fund to conduct a complete refurbishment of the building, displays and garden area. Click here for further information about this exciting new project.

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