Gloucester
In the year 48, Roman soldiers established a military fort at Glevum on an important crossing of the River Severn. This location sat near the Fosse Way, which served as the early front line after the Roman invasion of Britain. The initial fort stood at present-day Kingsholm before a larger legionary fortress rose nearby twenty years later. That second fortress centered on what is now Gloucester Cross and supported civilian growth around it. The Roman Legion XX Valeria Victrix likely based itself here until 66 AD. Legio II Augusta then occupied the site between 66 and 74 AD while preparing to invade Roman Wales. They remained there until approximately 87 AD.
By 97 AD, under Emperor Nerva, Glevum became a Colonia known as Colonia Nervia Glevensium. Within fifteen years, privately constructed properties replaced earlier barracks and public buildings. Stone temples and bath houses began construction while piped water started flowing into the town. Drains and sewers were laid throughout the settlement. A central forum emerged with colonnades surrounding it and part-timbered ranges of shops flanking three sides. Closing off the south end of this forum stood a massive Basilica measuring 100 meters by 40 meters. Many fine homes featuring mosaic floors appeared in the town during this period.
At its height, Glevum may have housed up to 10,000 people. The entire area around the city became intensely Romanized during the second and third centuries. This region showed a higher than normal distribution of villas compared to other parts of Britain. Major changes occurred to the city's walls at the end of the third century or start of the fourth. These older walls got replaced in two stages by stronger stone structures resting on massive reused blocks. In the second stage, those blocks rested on deep timber foundation piles. Stone external towers were added alongside two parallel wide ditches cut in front of the new defensive lines.
King Henry III, aged only nine years, was crowned with a gilded iron ring in the Chapter House of Gloucester Cathedral in 1216. This event marked one of the most significant moments in the city's medieval history. During his reign, Eleanor, Fair Maid of Brittany, his cousin, was briefly imprisoned at Gloucester Castle as a state prisoner from 1222 to 1223. She remained there again from 1237 to 1238, plus some time during King John's reign.
Gloucester's importance in the Middle Ages is underlined by its numerous monastic establishments. St Peter's Abbey founded in 679 later became Gloucester Cathedral itself. The nearby St Oswald's Priory emerged in the 880s or 890s. Llanthony Secunda Priory appeared in 1136 as a retreat for Welsh monks and now sits near the western bypass. The Franciscan Greyfriars community arrived in 1231 near today's Eastgate Shopping Centre. Dominican Blackfriars established themselves on Ladybellegate Street in 1239.
A Jewish community existed in Gloucester as early as 1158, 1159. They lived around present-day East Gate Street with a synagogue located on the south side near St Michael's church. Gloucester probably housed Rabbi Moses who established an important Anglo-Jewish family. The town's Jews faced false accusations from Dominican monks regarding child murder attempts similar to William of Norwich's case. These accusations failed but recycled around the Edict of Expulsion. In January 1275, Eleanor of Provence expelled all Jews from her dower lands. Gloucester's Jews moved to Bristol but found conditions difficult there before relocating to Hereford.
One of the most significant periods began in 1378 when Richard II convened Parliament in the city. Parliaments continued meeting there until 1406 under Henry IV of England. The Parliament Rooms at the Cathedral remain as testimony to this era. During the English Civil War, the siege of Gloucester commenced in 1643. Besieged parliamentarians emerged victorious against Royalist forces despite bombardment and tunneling attempts targeting the east gate.
In 1926, the Gloucestershire Aircraft Company at Brockworth changed its name to the Gloster Aircraft Company because international customers claimed that the name Gloucestershire was too difficult to spell. A sculpture in the city centre celebrates Gloucester's aviation history and its involvement in jet engine development. Frank Whittle's pioneering turbojet engine powered the Gloster E.28/39, which became the first British jet aircraft. This historic plane first flew at the company's airfield at Brockworth.
The site where the Gloster E.28/39 took flight now hosts a pub called The Whittle at Gloucester Business Park. Roads within the business park bear names after other Gloster aircraft models. A small statue overlooks the location of the old main runway. Messier-Dowty operates a landing gear plant on the outskirts while GE Aviation maintains Dowty Propellers plants nearby.
Economically, the city transitioned from aerospace dominance to service industries. Today it features strong financial, research, distribution and light industrial sectors. Unilever has operated an ice cream factory in Barnwood since 1962 making products like Cornetto and Viennetta. This facility became Europe's largest ice-cream factory for many years. Large insurers including Ecclesiastical Insurance base operations here along with their owner Benefact Trust. Lloyds Banking Group and TSB Bank maintain offices in Barnwood areas.
On the 1st of April 1974, the modern district of Gloucester formed under the Local Government Act 1972. This covered the same area as the abolished County Borough of Gloucester. Reforms made the city subordinate to Gloucestershire County Council ending independence held since 1483. The parish of Quedgeley transferred into Gloucester from Stroud District in 1991. Quedgeley retained its own parish council unlike the rest of Gloucester which remains unparished. In 2017, Quedgeley Parish Council changed its name to Quedgeley Town Council creating a town within a city.
Population statistics show significant demographic shifts over recent decades. The 2011 census recorded 121,921 residents while estimates reached 128,488 by 2016. The 2021 census gave the Gloucester Urban Area population as 169,061 absorbing areas like Brockworth and Churchdown. Ethnic composition changed dramatically between 1981 and 2021. White British residents dropped from 90.1% in 1991 to 78.0% in 2011 then 78.0% again in 2021. Non-White populations grew from 5.3% in 1981 to 15.1% in 2021.
Religious composition shifted substantially during this period too. Christian adherence fell from 74.3% in 2001 to 47.7% in 2021. Those holding no religious beliefs rose from 14.3% in 2001 to 39.7% in 2021. Muslim populations increased from 2.3% in 2001 to 4.7% in 2021. Buddhist followers grew from 0.1% to 0.3% while Hindu numbers rose from 0.4% to 1.0%. These changes reflect broader societal transformations across the United Kingdom.
Gloucester Cathedral, located in the north of the city near the river, originated with an abbey dedicated to Saint Peter founded in 681. It serves as the burial place for King Edward II and Walter de Lacy. The cathedral's main cloisters featured prominently in corridor scenes from three Harry Potter films: Philosopher's Stone, Chamber of Secrets, and Half Blood Prince. The crypt appeared in a Sherlock Christmas special episode.
Medieval and Tudor period gabled houses survive throughout Gloucester including the New Inn built around 1450 by John Twyning. This timbered house features strong external galleries and courtyards. Kings Square opened officially in 1972 at the heart of the city centre occupying what was once a cattle market and bus station. An indoor market arrived on Eastgate Street in 1968 followed by the Eastgate Shopping Centre in 1973. The Kings Walk Shopping Centre constructed between 1969 and 1972 remains a key commercial hub.
The Three Choirs Festival originates in the 18th century making it one of Britain's oldest music festivals. Held every third year across Hereford, Worcester and Gloucester, the event brought the city back into focus during 2019. Annual celebrations include the International Rhythm and Blues Festival ending July and early August. The Cajun and Zydeco Festival runs each January as Europe's longest-running similar event. A Medieval Fayre occurs yearly in Westgate Street during summer months.
Gloucester hosts the Frightmare Halloween Festival recognized as South West England's largest Halloween celebration. The Tailor of Gloucester House near the cathedral honors author Beatrix Potter. Since 2013, Armed Forces Day features a Drum Head Service held on College Green before parades through the city to docks for family days with military displays.
Continue Browsing
Common questions
When was the Roman fort at Glevum established in Gloucester?
Roman soldiers established a military fort at Glevum on an important crossing of the River Severn in the year 48. This location sat near the Fosse Way, which served as the early front line after the Roman invasion of Britain.
What happened to the Jewish community in Gloucester during the Middle Ages?
A Jewish community existed in Gloucester as early as 1158 and 1159 before Eleanor of Provence expelled all Jews from her dower lands in January 1275. These accusations failed but recycled around the Edict of Expulsion, forcing the town's Jews to move to Bristol and later Hereford.
Which aircraft company operated in Gloucester and what historic plane first flew there?
The Gloster Aircraft Company changed its name from the Gloucestershire Aircraft Company in 1926 and developed the Gloster E.28/39. Frank Whittle's pioneering turbojet engine powered this historic plane which became the first British jet aircraft and first flew at the company's airfield at Brockworth.
How did the population demographics of Gloucester change between 1991 and 2021?
White British residents dropped from 90.1% in 1991 to 78.0% in 2011 and remained at 78.0% in 2021 while Non-White populations grew from 5.3% in 1981 to 15.1% in 2021. The 2021 census recorded the Gloucester Urban Area population as 169,061 absorbing areas like Brockworth and Churchdown.
When was the modern district of Gloucester formed under local government reforms?
On the 1st of April 1974, the modern district of Gloucester formed under the Local Government Act 1972 covering the same area as the abolished County Borough of Gloucester. Reforms made the city subordinate to Gloucestershire County Council ending independence held since 1483.