The foundation of the chapel of the gild of the Holy Cross was laid by Robert de Stratford.
The crusaders were driven back towards Damietta; and at the end of August 1221 Pelagius had to make a treaty with Malik-al-Kamil, by which he gained a free retreat and the surrender of the Holy Cross at the price of the restoration of Damietta.
In 613 and 614 Damascus and Jerusalem were taken by the general Shahrbaraz, and the Holy Cross was carried away in triumph.
Two Roman Catholic schools are maintained - Boston College (1863) and the College of the Holy Cross (1843), at Worcester.
There are remains of the church of the Holy Cross in transitional Norman style.
