Wychbold, United Kingdom

The earliest known record of Wychbold is in a charter of 692 (where it is known as Uuicbold), describing how Æthelred of Mercia "granted ten hides of land there to his thegn Oslaf". The charter is generally considered to be fabricated, but describes the village as being "distinguished", suggesting that the village belonged to royalty at the time. The next known record of Wychbold is in a charter issued by Coenwulf of Mercia in 815. In this, and a later charter issued by Wiglaf of Mercia in 831, Wychbold is referred to as a royal vill, suggesting its importance as a royal base or even residence. Documents point to the existence of the Anglo–Saxon estate within Wychbold, but its location is currently unknown.

During the 11th century, possession of Wychbold passed from Earl Godwine to Osbern fitzRichard, who held it at the time of the Domesday Book. There were 11 hides (4 of which were exempt from tax), 5 mills and 26 salt–pans in the village. The population was around 50 people.

In 1204, William de Cantilupe, Sheriff of Worcestershire and steward to King John, came into possession of properties within the village.

During the Middle Ages, a manor house was built in Wychbold, north of Church Lane. Now known as Wychbold Court, the current timber-frame house dates back to the 16th or 17th century. Minor alterations have been made to the house, during the 19th and 20th centuries. Excavation near the Grade II listed house revealed pottery dating to the 13th or 14th century and evidence of farming in the area at the time.

There also once stood a manor house called Wychbold Hall within the village, the residence of the Amphlett family, described as being "modern" in 1911. It was in "perfect preservation" when it stood. The stone-flagged floor of the house was moved to Greyfriars, Worcester.

During the Second World War, communal air raid shelters were built on either end of Wychbold, along with a concrete blast shelter near the main road. The village's Home Guard worked out of the Crown Inn.