TheHusmerae were a tribe or clan in early medievalEngland, possibly forming an early settlement of theHwicce subkingdom.[1] Charter evidence also referred to the group asWiogorna and was also considered aprouvincia orprovincia, an administrative division with its own territorial boundaries.[2][3] An account also refer to the Husmerae territory as aregio.[4]
The Husmerae settled on the banks of the River Stour prior to 736.[5] They probably took their name from Usmere, a pool on the boundary ofWolverley whose name in preserved in Ismere House inChurchill, Worcestershire.[6] A source cited that the term was derived from British wordudso, Welshws (water) and Old Englishmere.[7]
The tribe is mentioned only in theIsmere Diploma of 734, and subsequent charters relating to the same property until 964, when Usmere occurs on the boundary ofCookley in Wolverley.[5][8] This charter was for the foundation of a coenubium (minster). That minster was probably atKidderminster, quite probably occupying the site of the parish church there.[9]
Although the Husmerae may have been ofWest Saxon origin, settling into the area some time after the West Saxon defeat of theBritons at theBattle of Dyrham in 577, the Ismere Diploma suggests that Husmerae is the ancient name for area, although uncertainty over its provenance leave the origins of the name open to question.[10] It was specifically referred to as the province south of theMercian heartlands[2] and was considered an extensive folk territory.[7] A historical description cited it as the area next to theRiver Stour in a charter records that detailed a grant byKing Æthelbald of Mercia to build a monastery in the location.[11]
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