Friday 21 September 2018

Historic Gloucester


Gloucester has a long and illustrious history, once the capital of Mercia. A one time Roman settlement, the Domesday Book was planned in Gloucester City, when William the Conqueror held his Christmas Court in Gloucester in 1085, directing his men to visit shires across England to find out how the land was occupied.

 

This year’s Gloucester History Festival was held in early September. We only managed to catch a glimpse this year held on the 1100th anniversary of Aethelflaed, Queen of Mercia who ruled Mercia in the Midlands from 911 until her death. She was the eldest daughter of Alfred the Great.

 















Buskers were out in the street including a fabulous ukulele band
 
('scuse the thumb :)
 

We did a pre talk trip round Gloucester Cathedral. Newly renovated with money from the filming of Harry Potter and with a new forecourt courtesy of the National Lottery it almost glows in the summer sun. We have toured it on a number of occasions but this time parts of its upper reaches, the famouse whispering corridor and the Parliament Rooms that, up until now, we haven’t explored and were accessible.
 

























The exhibition, in Gloucester Museum, also had exhibits ranging from dinosaurs to Roman remains to the more modern(ish).
 



This set the theme for the festival talks this year entitled Women and Leadership. Presenters included Kate Adie, Olivette Otele, Lucy Worsley, Dermot Turing, Harriet Harma and David Olusoga.


Of the series of Blackfriars talks we caught Jenni Murray, in a packed session, on the topic of “A History of the World in 21 Women”, the lives, struggles and achievements of the brilliant women who have profoundly influenced the shaping of our world, from Joan of Arc to Benazir Bhutto and from Catherine the Great to Marie Curie.
 


Blackfriars is Britain’s most complete Dominican Priory.  Most of the 13th century church remains, including a rare scissor-braced roof.


Other attractions included the annual Mock Mayor of Barton, Civil War in the Park, Land Girls and Narrow Boat Women and lots lots more.