STRENSHAM, a parish in the upper division of the hundred of PERSHORE, county of WORCESTER, 4 miles (S.W. by S.) from Pershore, containing 312 inhabitants. The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Worcester, rated in the king's books at £12, and in the patronage of John Taylor, Esq. The church, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, is a noble structure: it contains many memorials of the Russel family, among which are some fine specimens of Italian sculpture, in Parian and other marbles. Strensham, which is pleasantly situated on the river Avon, between the hills of Malvern and Bredon, is renowned in history for the siege it sustained against the parliamentary forces, and for the signal bravery displayed by the then lord of the manor, Sir William Russel, here, as well as in the memorable battle of Worcester: it is further distinguished as the birthplace, in 1612, of Samuel Butler, author of Hudibras. Blue stone abounds in every part of the parish, and, in some places, fossils and minerals are met with. Lady Ann Russel bequeathed a rent-charge of £10 for teaching poor children; and there are nine almshouses, endowed by some members of the same family.