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Name
The county's name is derived from the Brittonic
Clouiu, meaning bright place or shining fortress. The Roman term for the
this province of Britannia was Glevum.
Gleaucestrescir was first recorded in 1016.
Topography
Gloucestershire's importance has always been the fact
that it forms part of the Severn basin. The county is bordered by
Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Warwickshire in the
north, Oxfordshire in the east, Wiltshire and Somerset to the south and
the Bristol Channel and Monmouthshire to the west. The river Severn
enters Gloucestershire at Tewkesbury and via the tidal wave from the
Atlantic Ocean. The latter is the power source of the infamous Severn
bore. Known as the Vale of Gloucester, the river valley measures some
eight miles in width to the north. Other rivers include the Windrush,
Coln and Leadon. Measuring 1083 feet, Cleever Hill is the highest point
in the county.
History
In ancient times the west of the region was settled by the Celtic tribe
of Duboni whilst the eastern section of the region was the territory of
the Carruvellani tribe. The Romans settled in many parts of the area and
Cirencester became an important centre from which many notable roads
radiated. Indeed, the county has the legacy of Icknield Street, Acman
Street and Ermin Street. The Saxons established their authority in the
6th century following a battle at Dyrham Hill. The region was later
invade by the Danes and was partly in the Kingdom of Mercia. When this
crumbled, the name of Gloucestershire emerged in its early form. The
area was favoured by William the Conqueror who hunted in the Forest of
Dean. King John as buried at Gloucester, the city where his successor,
Henry III, was crowned. The Battle of Tewkesbury took place in 1471
where the Lancastrians were defeated. Stow-on-the-Wold was the scene of
a decisive battle of the English Civil War where the King's forces were
defeated.
Landmarks
The region has some of the most expansive areas of natural beauty such
as the Forest of Dean and the Cotswolds Hills. Birdlip Hill affords
views across the Severn and into Wales. The Grade-I listed Severn Bridge
was opened in 1966 and replaced the Aust Ferry.
Monuments
Tewkesbury Abbey dates from the 12th century and is one of the largest
Parish Churches in England. Gloucester Cathedral is where King Edward II
was buried in 1327. Chedworth Roman Villa has fine mosaics, two
bathhouses, hypocausts, a water-shrine and latrine. Badminton House is a
Palladian mansion and been the principal seat of the Dukes of Beaufort
since the late 17th century. Berkeley Castle has been the home of the
Berkeley family since the mid-12th century. Queen Catherine Parr lived
at Sudeley Castle following the death of King Henry VIII.
The county was first recorded in 1049 however it was formerly
known as Northworthy but was renamed by the Danes because of
the large concentration of deer in the region. The name of
Derby comes from the Danish 'deoraby' meaning 'the place of
the deer'. |
