Gloucester began as a Roman town, in approximately 49AD the Romans built a fort to guard a river crossing at Kingsholm. In 64AD they then built a new fort on the site of Gloucester as we know it today.
In about 75AD the Roman army moved but the fort stayed and a town rose up and was called Glevum.
After the Romans left Britain in approx 407AD the town of Glevum may have been abandoned, however, the Saxons captured the town of Gloucester after a battle with the Celts in 577AD.
In the 7th Century the Saxons founded a Monastery in Gloucester.
In 909AD the remains of St Oswald were brought to Gloucester.
In 915AD men from Gloucester fought with the Danes and defeated them in battle.
In the 10th century Gloucester had a Mint.
In 1153 the church that housed the remains of St Oswald was turned into a priory.
William the Conqueror came to Gloucester in 1085 and whilst there ordered the Domesday book to be compiled.
In the late 11th century the Normans built a wooden castle and in the 12th century it was rebuilt in stone.
In 1155 Gloucester was granted a charter.
At this time the main industry was wool brought into the town from the Cotswolds.
In 1223 a large fire destroyed part of the town, as a result of this thatched roofs were banned.
There was a large leather industry making shoes ,gloves and horse equipment also an iron industry making nails, weapons and tools.
Franciscan Friars arrived in 1231 and Dominican Friars arrived in 1239.
In 1327 the body of Edward II was buried at St Peter’s Abbey.
In the early 15th century the New Inn was built on the site of an earlier Inn hence the name.
In 1483 Richard III gave Gloucester a new charter and as part of this merchants were given the right to elect a mayor and 12 aldermen.
The fleece hotel was built around 1500.
In 1541 Gloucester was given its first Bishop and the Abbey church made a Cathedral.
In 1555 John Hooper the Bishop of Gloucester was burned for heresy in St Mary’s Square.
Gloucester suffered plague epidemics in 1565, 1573, 1577, 1580, 1593 and 1637.
Population was at about 4,000 in the 16th century.
Population was at about 5,000 in the 17th century.
In 1540 a grammar school was opened and it was called the Crypt school.
1643 during the civil war the King’s army laid siege to Gloucester, Gloucester held out when the Kings army heard the parliamentarians were coming they left.
1648 Gloucester got its first fire engine.
Ladybellgate house built approx1704.
1768 two new market sites created Eastgate and Southgate.
1791 new prison built on site of castle.
During this century wool industry waned, pin industry flourished.
1820 gas street lighting.
1831 dispensary for poor to get free medicines opened.
During 1850’s and 1860’s piped water supply built.
1872 school of Art and Science built.
1879 horse drawn Trams began.
Victoria Dock opened 1849
Railway’s reached Gloucester in1840.
1851 population 17,500. By the end of the century the population was 47,000 approx.
1895 smallpox outbreak killed 434.
Electricity arrived in 1900.
Electric trams 1904 replaced by buses in 1929
Fire station in Southgate street 1913 new one built in Eastern Avenue in 1956
Oxbode built 1929.
Eastgate shopping centre 1973.
Beatrix Potter museum 1979
Population today approx 110,000
With the best of intention all of the above information is true, correct and given in good faith, however, we cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions contained within the above.
Equally we recommend that should you need or want to find out more you should conduct more detailed independant research.
|
