Gloucester

Gloucester (pronounced {{IPA|}}) is a city and district in south-west England, close to the Welsh border. In 2003 it had a population of 110,207. Gloucester is the county town of Gloucestershire.

History

The traditional existence of a British settlement at Gloucester (Caer Glow, Gleawecastre, Gleucestre) is not confirmed by any direct evidence, but Gloucester was the Roman municipality or colonia of Glevum, founded in the reign of Nerva. Parts of the walls can be traced, and many remains and coins have been found, though inscriptions are scarce. Evidence for some civic life after the end of Roman Britain includes the mention in the Historia Brittonum that Vortigern's grandfather ruled Gloucester, and that the Battle of Deorham in 577 resulted in Wessex controlling Gloucester.

Related Topics:
Roman - Nerva - Roman Britain - Historia Brittonum - Vortigern - Battle of Deorham - 577 - Wessex

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Its situation on a navigable river, and the foundation in 681 of the abbey of St Peter by Æthelred favoured the growth of the town; and before the Norman Conquest of England, Gloucester was a borough governed by a portreeve, with a castle which was frequently a royal residence, and a mint.

Related Topics:
681 - Æthelred - Norman Conquest - Portreeve

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The first overlord, Earl Godwine, was succeeded nearly a century later by Robert of Gloucester. King Henry II granted the first charter in 1155 which gave the burgesses the same liberties as the citizens of London and Winchester, and a second charter of Henry II gave them freedom of passage on the Severn. The first charter was confirmed in 1194 by Richard I of England. The privileges of the borough were greatly extended by the charter of King John (1200) which gave freedom from toll throughout the kingdom and from pleading outside the borough.

Related Topics:
Godwine - Robert of Gloucester - King Henry II - 1155 - Richard I of England - King John

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Subsequent charters were numerous. Gloucester was incorporated by King Richard III in 1483, the town being made a county in itself. This charter was confirmed in 1489 and 1510, and other charters of incorporation were received by Gloucester from Queen Elizabeth I and King James I.

Related Topics:
King Richard III - 1483 - County - Queen Elizabeth I - King James I

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The Siege of Gloucester in 1643 was an important battle of the English Civil War in which the besieged parliamentarians emerged victorious.

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Until the construction of the Severn Bridge in 1966, Gloucester was the lowest crossing point on the river. A road bridge built by Thomas Telford in 1829 at Over still stands, notable for its very flat arch construction, but its fragility and narrow width means it is no longer used for traffic, and since 1974 has been paralleled by a modern road bridge.

Related Topics:
Severn Bridge - 1966 - Thomas Telford - 1829 - 1974

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Gloucester was the site of the Gloucester Railway Carriage and Wagon Company railway works, which have now closed.

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