History of Gloucestershire facts for kids
The area we now call Gloucestershire was first home to the Brythonic people. These were the ancestors of today's Welsh and English. They lived here during the Iron Age and when the Romans ruled.
After the Romans left Britain in the early 5th century, the Brythons took control again. We don't know much about how the land was divided then. The city of Caerloyw (now Gloucester) was an important place. Cirencester might have been a tribal center too. Later, in the late 500s, the Saxons from Wessex started to take over the area.
The English conquest of the Severn valley began in 577. This happened when Ceawlin won the Battle of Deorham. After this, Cirencester, Gloucester, and Bath were captured. The Hwiccas tribe lived here. Their land became part of Mercia in the 600s. It didn't become part of Wessex until the 800s. The Danes did not settle much in this area. Gloucestershire likely became a 'shire' (a county) in the 900s. It is mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle in 1016.
Contents
Gloucestershire's Military History
Gloucestershire was part of Harold's earldom when the Norman Conquest of England happened. But it didn't fight much against William the Conqueror.
Battles and Castles in The Anarchy
During a time called The Anarchy, Empress Matilda had support from her half-brother, Robert of Gloucester. He had rebuilt Bristol Castle. Castles in Gloucester and Cirencester were used to protect her. Beverston Castle was also a place of fighting.
In the 1200s, Eleanor, Fair Maid of Brittany was held prisoner. She was kept in Gloucester Castle and Bristol Castle. These were thought to be the strongest castles in England.
Gloucestershire in Later Wars
During the Second Barons' War (when King Henry III ruled), Gloucester supported Simon de Montfort. But Prince Edward captured it in 1265. De Montfort was killed that same year at the Battle of Evesham.
Bristol and Gloucester strongly supported the Yorkist side during the Wars of the Roses.
In the 1500s, during religious changes, Gloucester showed strong Protestant beliefs. When Queen Mary ruled, Bishop Hooper was burned in Gloucester. This was a warning to others in the county.
The English Civil War in Gloucestershire
The county's strong Puritan beliefs led it to support the Parliament in the English Civil War (1600s). In 1643, Bristol and Cirencester were taken by the Royalists. But Parliament took Cirencester back that same year. Bristol was recovered in 1645. Two battles were fought at Beverston Castle. Parliament ordered its battlements destroyed so Royalists couldn't use it. Gloucester stayed on Parliament's side throughout the war.
How Land Was Divided and Owned
After the Norman Conquest, the church gained a lot of land and power in Gloucestershire. For example, Cirencester Abbey controlled seven 'hundreds' (areas of land). Many important families also owned land here. The Berkeleys have owned land in Gloucestershire since the time of the Domesday Book. Other important families included Basset, Tracy, Clifton, Dennis, and Poyntz.
Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Gloucester, and Richard of Cornwall claimed large areas of land in the 1200s. Simon de Montfort owned Minsterworth and Rodley.
Politics and Representation
Bristol became its own county in 1373. In 1483, King Richard III made Gloucester an independent county. He added the hundreds of Dudston and Kings Barton to it. These areas rejoined Gloucestershire in 1673. However, Bristol and Gloucester remained independent counties. They had their own laws and courts. The main officer of the Forest of Dean was the warden. This person was usually also in charge of St Briavel Castle.
Gloucestershire first sent members to parliament in 1290. It sent two members. Bristol and Gloucester gained representation in 1295. Cirencester followed in 1572, and Tewkesbury in 1620. The Reform Act of 1832 changed things. The county then sent four members. Bristol, Gloucester, Cirencester, Stroud, and Tewkesbury each sent two members. Cheltenham sent one member. The act of 1868 reduced the number of members for Cirencester and Tewkesbury to one each.
Gloucestershire's Economy and Industries
Gloucestershire has three main natural areas. Each area developed its own special industries.
Forest District Industries
The forest area was the main place for iron production in the kingdom. This was true until the 1500s when mines in Sussex grew. Iron mines here were worked even in Roman times. Because there was a lot of timber (wood), many tanneries (places that make leather) started. There was also an important shipbuilding trade.
Hill District and Textile Trades
The hill district focused on farming. It also gradually took over the woollen trade from the big towns. These towns then focused mostly on trade with other countries. Silk weaving began in the 1600s. It was especially successful in the Stroud valley.
Other Local Industries
There was a lot of clay and building stone in the county. This led to many factories making bricks, tiles, and pottery. Many smaller industries appeared in the 1600s and 1700s. These included growing flax and making pins, buttons, lace, stockings, rope, and sailcloth.
Historic Buildings and Relics
Gloucestershire has many amazing historic buildings.
Famous Cathedrals and Abbeys
Gloucester Cathedral and Bristol Cathedral are very old and beautiful. Tewkesbury Abbey is another important historic church. The Church of St. John the Baptist in Cirencester has a large Perpendicular style porch. Of the abbey of Hailes near Winchcomb, only the foundations remain. But these have been carefully dug up, and interesting pieces have been found.
Churches and Castles
Most old market towns have lovely parish churches. At Deerhurst near Tewkesbury, and Cleeve near Cheltenham, there are churches with special pre-Norman (before 1066) parts. The Perpendicular church at Lechlade is very well preserved. The church at Fairford was built around 1500. It is famous for its amazing stained glass windows. People used to think they came from the Netherlands. But now experts believe they were made in England. They are some of the best in the country.
The castle at Berkeley is a great example of a feudal stronghold (a strong castle from the Middle Ages). Thornbury Castle, nearby, is a beautiful Tudor ruin. Near Cheltenham is Southam de la Bere, a fine 15th-century house made of wood and stone.
Other Notable Estates
The de la Bere family is remembered in the church at Cleeve. The Southam de la Bere house has a tiled floor from Hailes Abbey. Near Winchcomb is Sudeley Castle. It dates from the 1400s, but the parts people live in are mostly from the Elizabethan time. The chapel there is where Queen Catherine Parr is buried. At Great Badminton is the large house and estate of the Beauforts.
