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.
