IT was the medieval gate which saw some the fiercest fighting of the English Civil War, the place where a defeated king made his last desperate stand before he fled for his life.

The Sidbury Gate plaque was unveiled at 75 Sidbury today (Friday) by the family of a self-made businessman, the first of eight plaques which will soon grace the city thanks to the endeavours of Worcester Civic Society and their backers.

Dignitaries attending the event, including Worcester's Conservative Parliamentary candidate, Robin Walker, and the Mayor of Worcester, Cllr Alan Amos, said the plaques would cement Worcester's reputation as a "Civil War city".

Sadly the gate itself, built before 1197, was demolished by public subscription in 1768.

Once it would have guarded the the roads to London and Gloucester.

All cities have their subterranean secrets and Worcester is no exception- a tantalising glimpse of the gate tower, only rediscovered in 1907, can still be gained in the cellar of what is now the tattoo parlour, Cookies Custom Tattooing.

The plaque itself was unveiled by Lorna Eden, wife of John Eden of Eden Skip Hire and Clearaway Waste Disposal. The Eden family, including the couple's sons, James and Antony, sponsored the plaque which contains far more information than the old plaque, incorrectly placed on the neighbouring King's Head pub.

Ironically it was Mr Eden's father, demolition worker Charles Eden, who was tasked with pulling down the Lich Gate but his son said he was keen to preserve Worcester's heritage.

Born and bred in the city, Mr Eden, aged 65, said: "I feel a deep connection with the city. We're doing it to keep Worcester on the map and to ensure that these things are not forgotten.

"We're keeping the history alive. It is the Faithful City. Without history we have got nothing."

The family chose to sponsor this gate because the location was the closest medieval gate to Mr Eden's birthplace at South Bank nursing home, now the private hospital.

Acting chairman of the Battle of Worcester Society Richard Shaw said: "Sidbury Gate was held by the Royalists, allowing Charles II to escape the city.

"Some of the fiercest fighting was here. Cheshire militia stormed the gates and forced their way into the city and Charles II stood here somewhere (where we were standing), trying to defend the gate."

He eventually fled towards the Cornmarket, escaping the city via St Martin's Gate following the battle on September 3, 1651.

The Royalists nursed their wounds until the jubilant Restoration of Charles II in 1660.

Mr Walker said: "It is good to see more of the city's heritage being celebrated particularly with the link between the Sidbury Gate and the end of the Civil War.

"As a member of the Battle of Worcester Society I think Worcester can really market itself as a Civil War City."

Cllr Adrian Gregson, archival policy manager based at the Hive, said of the gate beneath Worcester which he saw for the first time today (Friday): "It is part of the hidden history of Worcester. We have so much of it in Worcester. It is really good to champion it."

Phil Douce, chairman of the civic society, said Ringway had kindly agreed to put up all eight plaques free of charge for which he wished to issue a public thank you.

The civic society has sponsorship so far for three of the eight plaques but are looking for more business leaders to come forward to sponsor a plaque, recording their name alongside the city's rich history.

The plaques are being made in Buxton, Derbyshire by Leander Architectural and have been designed jointly by James Dinn, the city archaeologist and Vincent Kirk of city-based KKE Architects.

The project itself will cost an estimated £5,500 for all eight plaques. The old plaque may go on display at the Hive once it is removed.

Each plaque, made from aluminium, will be 20 inches by 15 inches (51cm by 38cm) and will contain an image of the individual gatehouse based on an engraving which shows the city at the time of the Battle of Worcester at the end of the English Civil War in 1651.

Some of the existing plaques (which these new plaques replace) are in the wrong place, contain less information and are inconsistent with one another.

The next plaque is scheduled to be unveiled at St Clement's Gate on May 15.

To help sponsor these plaques please contact David Saunders of the civic society on davidsaunders66@gmail.com or civic society chairman Phil Douce on phildouce68@gmail.com