DROITWICH

town (parish), Wychavon district, administrative and historic county of Worcestershire, England. The older portion of the town lies along the River Salwarpe, a tributary of the River Severn; the modern portion lies on higher ground. Droitwich is famous for the salt obtained from its brine springs, or wyches, to which it probably owes its name and pre-Norman origin. In medieval times the springs belonged to the kings; the town's first royal charter (1215) was granted in return for a yearly rental of 100 for the springs. The health resort became more important than salt manufacturing in 1830, when the brine was used to treat rheumatic diseases. The salt industry finally left in 1922. In addition to the St. Andrew's Brine Baths with their clinics, there are hospitals and convalescent homes. Droitwich's light industries produce heating appliances, metal and plastic goods, and food products. Pop. (1991) 20,966.