History and Heritage

Roman Gloucester

Gloucester owes its name, strategic location and much of its layout to many centuries of Roman occupation. The first settlement was a military fortress at Kingsholm established in the late 40s or early 50s AD. It developed into one of the chief settlements in Roman Britain, and was granted the title of Colonia Nervia Glevensis by Emperor Nerva – the highest status a provincial town could achieve in the Roman Empire.

Anglo Saxon Goucester

After the Fall of Rome, Gloucester was captured by the Anglo-Saxons following the decisive battle Dyrham in 577. The Mercian king, Osric of Hwicce, founded an abbey dedicated to St Peter on the site of today’s Cathedral. By the tenth century, Gloucester continued to be an important centre in the Kingdom of Mercia, and was famously re-planned and re-fortified by Queen Aethelflaed (daughter of Alfred the Great) as a defense against the marauding Danes. The core street layout survives to this day. Aethelflaed also founded the New Minster church of St Oswald (c 900 AD) which became a shrine of great importance following the installation the seventh century king and saint’s bones.

The Middle Ages

During the reign of Edward the Confessor, Gloucester was one of the three most important cities in England (the others were London and Winchester), with the king meeting the Great Council here on an annual basis. Following the Norman Conquest of 1066, William I continued to hold meetings in Gloucester, and on one such occasion in 1085, commissioned the most comprehensive survey of his new kingdom, the Domesday Book.

Gloucester continued to prosper under the patronage of the Plantagenet kings, a nine year old Henry III was even crowned at the St Peter’s Abbey in 1216 – the only time the coronation of an English monarch has taken place outside of Westminster. Henry was deeply religious and granted the use of oak trees from the Royal Forest of Dean to build Blackfriars and Greyfriars. Medieval Gloucester’s fortunes blossomed even more when Abbot Thokey accepted the body of King Edward II to be buried at St Peter’s Abbey in 1327, attracting pilgrims and great wealth to the city. The proceeds were spent on expanding and beautifying the church, and by 1470 it started to resemble the Cathedral which we see today.

The Tudors & The Stuarts

By the Tudor and Stuart periods, Gloucester had already been incorporated by Richard III, with Elizabeth I and James I following his lead. During the reign of Bloody Queen Mary, John Hooper, the city’s protestant bishop was martyred in front of the Cathedral in 1555. Good Queen Bess was kinder and granted the city port status (easily the most inland in the country) and opened up trade links with the rest of the world. During the English Civil War in 1643, Gloucester’s parliamentarians were besieged by overwhelming royalist forces, who outnumbered them twenty to one. The siege was eventually lifted after 26 days on 5 September – now celebrated annually as Gloucester Day.


These are some of the earliest records concerning the Hore family living in the City of Gloucester

1455 Thomas Hore occupation cutler in Gloucester (Source - Gloucester 1455 Rental Book)

1464 Thomas Hoore of Gloucester mentioned (Source - Gloucester Corporation Calendar of Records)

1551 Alexander Hore member of the Bakers Guild, Gloucester (Source - Hoar family in America)

1554 Alexander Hoore v Thomas Davys and William Nilde (of St. Catherine, Gloucester), tithe (Source - Gloucester RO ref: GDR/B4/3/1049)

1560 Margery Hore daughter of Thomas Hore baptised (Source - St Nicholas parish register)

1565 Margarett Hoare daughter of Thomas baptised (Source - St Nicholas Parish Register)

1569 Allys Hoare married John Bruar (Source - St Nicholas Parish Register)

1573 Alice Hoore daughter of Edward Baptised (Source - St Nicholas Parish Register)

1571 Thomas Hore. receipt for rent of 6s 8d, due to the Crown from Thomas Hore's house, paid by the churchwardens; receipt for 13s 4d. "for a pension going out of the said parish church", due to the Dean and Chapter. (Source - Gloucester, St Nicholas: Anglican Parish. Churchwardens and PCC.Miscellaneous Churchwardens' records. Document Ref P154/15 CW 4/9)

1575 Arnold Hore. John lake v (blank). Wheat seized at Newport, by Arnold Hore and John Bruar ( John Bruar married Allys Hoare - see entry 1569), deputies to the clerk of the creek. Alleged bribery. Glos. and Monmouth. 18. Eliz. Trin. (Source - PRO E133/2/339)

1576 Thomas Hore. Acquitance for 10s 6d. due to the Crown from the inhabitants of the parish under the Statute for the continuance and making of caps, with note that 89 persons paid; (Source - Gloucester, St Nicholas: Anglican Parish. Churchwardens and PCC.Miscellaneous Churchwardens' records. Document Ref P154/15 CW 4/9)

1576 John Hoar son of Thomas baptised (Source - St Michaels parish register)

1581 Arnold Hoare info taken at Cirencester (Source - Gloucester notes and queries)

1586 Arnold Hoare keeper of Gloucester jail (Source - Gloucester notes and queries)

1588 Charles Hoare hyer of a horse (Source - Gloucester Corporation expenditure)

1590 Thomas Hoare buried (Source - St Nicholas parish register)

1594 Johanna Hore married Thomas Jones (Source - St Nicholas parish register)

1598 Charles Hoare son of Charles sadler apprenticed to his father (Source - Indentures)

1599 Arnold Hore of Chipping Sodbury, Glos. To Mgt. H., rel. & Eliz. H. da, 1599, p.2. (Source - Administrations in the Perogative Court of Canterbury, 1596 - 1608)

1603 William Hoare son of Richard of Norton apprenticed to haberdasher in Gloucester (Source - Indentures)

!607 Richard Hoar gave perpetual annuity to the parish of All Saints (Source - Rudders Gloucester page 182)

1607 Richard Hoar gave 53s yearly to the poor of St Mary de Crypt (Source - Rudders Gloucester page 193)

1608 Charles Hoare sadler 2. ca. tr City of Gloucester (Source - Men and Armour)

1609 Richard Hoare indenture Gloucester (Source - Calendar of records of Corporation of Gloucester)

1609 Charles Hoare assessed for goods in Brockmouth (Source - Subsidy Roll)

1610 John Hoare received B.A. and M.A. Gloucester (Source - Alumni Oxonienses)

1612 Thomas Hore son of Charles junior baptised (Source - St Mary de Crypt parish register)

1612 Charles Hoare junior occupied two tenements at the Quay called the Star from 1612 to 1638, parish of St Mary de Crypt (Source - PRO Document ENWS)

1614 Richard Hoar sheriff of Gloucester (Source - Rudders Gloucester)

1618 Richard Whoare of Sandhurst and Gloucester died and was buried at St John the Baptist, will mentions wife Anne, sons Richard, John and Alexander, and daughter Martha, also Joane sister of Richard (Source - Will)

1619 John Hooare buried st John the Baptist (Source - St John the Baptist parish register)

1620 Charles Hoare senior leased a house in Milkestreete, St Mary de Crypt (Source - GRO Document ENWS)

1622 Johan Hoare daughter of Thomas baptised (Source - St Mary de Crypt parish register)

1623 Charles Hoare Tuffley Avenue - grant from William Selwyn of Ebley to Thomas Selwyn of Matson his brother, of lands called Sheephouse grounds late the land of Leonard Bennett and late tenure of Charles Hoare the younger now or late of Gloucester, situate in the parish of Tuffley etc, 15 september 21 James I 1623 (Source - GRO Document D3117/56

1624 Thomas Hoare received B.A. and petitioned for employment as preacher (Source - Calendar of State Papers page 484 and Alumni Oxonienses)

1624 Joane Hoare daughter of Charles baptised (Source - St Nicholas parish register)

1625 Thomas Hoare son of Charles brewer bound to father (Source - Indentures)

1626 Alexander Hoare son of Richard bound to William Lagg tanner (Source - Indentures)

1628 Charles Hoare aged 15, son of Charles, received B.A. (Source - Alumni oxonienses)

1628 Ruth Hoare daughter of Charles buried (Source - St Nicholas parish register)

1630 Anne Hoare married Thomas Clutterbuck (Source - St John the Baptist parish register)

1632 John Hoare son of Charles brewer bound to father (Source - Indentures)

1632 Charles Hoare died mentioning wife Margery, sons Thomas and Charles, Thomas, John and Margery children of Charles junior, and Charles and Johan sons of Thomas (Source - will of Charles Hoare the elder)

1633 Margery Hoare married John Mathews (Source - St Nicholas parish register)

1634 Margery Hoare daughter of Alexander baptised (Source - St Nicholas parish register)

1634 Charles Hoar given as sheriff of Gloucester (Source - Rudders Gloucester)

1634 Chareles Hore. John Harmer v John brown, Edward Wagstaff, Richard Cugley, James Powell, Anthony Bull, Chareles Hore. Castle of Gloucester used as a county goal. touching the payment of an "ancient fee of 12s. to the constable of said castle by any person" using the trade of brewing ale or beers & c. 10. Chas. I. (Source - PRO E134/10ChasI/mich.55)

1634 Thomas Hoare saddler, leased a tenement in St Mary de Crypt (Source - Document ENWS)

1636 Thomas Hoare married Hester Berry (Source - St John the Baptist parish register)

1636 Charles Hoare the younger died mentioning wife Joane, sons John, Daniell, Leonard and Thomas, daughters Joane and Margerie Mathewe with their son Charles. Also brother Thomas Hoare and sister Elinor Bailies. also mentioned are brothers William, Walter, Edward and Thomas Hincksman and brother in laws Thomas Vell, Alderman Hill and Leonard Tarne. (Source - will of Charles Hoare the younger)

1637 Thomas Hoare son of Alexander and Margery baptised (Source - St John the Baptist parish register)

1639 Alexander Hoare churchwarden of St John the Baptist (Source - Gloucester Notes and Queries)

1639 Martha Hoare daughter of Alexander and Margarye Baptised (Source - St John the Baptist parish register)

1640 William Hoare of Gloucester died mentioning wife Mary (Source - Will of William Hoare)

1640 Thomas Hoare married Joane Powell of Oxinghall (Source - St John the Baptist parish register)

1640 Anne Hore married Giles Long (Source - St Nicholas parish register)

1641 William Hore married Mary Clark (Source - St Aldate's parish register)

1642 Francis Hoare daughter of Thomas and Marye baptised (Source - St John the Baptist parish register)

1642 Elizabeth Hoare a twin, daughter of Thomas and Marye baptised (Source - St John the Baptist parish register)

1642 Elizabeth Hoare daughter of Thomas and Marye buried (Source - St John the baptist parish register)

1642 Charles Hoare son of Thomas apprenticed to father (Source - Indentures)

1642 John Hoare. Inquisition taken at Gloucester, 06 Sep 1642 , 18 Charles 1st, before John Scriven, esq., mayor and escheator, after the death of Robert Mercer, by the oath of Richard Window, gent., Jasper Clotterbooke, gent., Edmund Palmer, gent., Giles Greivile, John Purlewent, Thomas Witcombe, John Hoare, Edward Hayward, Arthur Lysons, John Gittins, Sargeant Webb, William Jorden, James Cicell and Edward Tyther who say that: (Source - Misc. Chan., Inq. p. m., 18 Charles 1st, part 16, No. 58.)  more

1642 John Hoare. Inquisition taken at Gloucester 22 Sep 1642 18 Charles 1st before John Scriven, esq., Mayor and escheator, after the death of Anthony Robinson, gent., by the oath of Richard Window, gent., Jasper Clutterbucke, gent., Edmund Palmer, gent., Tobias Jorden, gent., Daniel Licence, gent., John Purlewentt, gent., Thomas Wittcombe, gent., John Hoare, Arthur Licence, John Githings, Serjeant Webb, James Sicell, Edward Tither and Christopher Hodges who say that: (Source - Misc. Chan., Inq. p. m., 18 Charles 1st, part 16, No. 34.)  more

1645 Thomas Hoare mentioned in will of James Clent of Hereford concerning his mansion house called St. Oswalds als St. Katherines near city of Gloucester, 25 Aug 1645 21 Charles. Mentioned godson Thomas Hoare, cozen Suzann his sister and cozen Margery Hoare. (Source - GROProved 20 Nov 1645 - PCC/Folio 137; Rivers)  more

1646 Joanna Hoare obtained a licence from the Corporation to assign the lease of the Star in St Mary de Crypt (Source - GRO Document ENWS)

1650 Charles Hoare son of Thomas deceased listed under freemen of Gloucester (Source - Frrrmen of Gloucester)

1650 Anne Hoare married Giles Long (listed under 1640 as well), (Source - St Nicholas parish register)

1650 John Hoar was indicted (Source - St Aldate's parish register)

1651 William Hore made by gift a freeman of Gloucester (Source - Freemen of Gloucester)

1654 William Hoare epitaph died age 76, buried Gloucester Cathedral (Source - Biglands Gloucester page 142) more

1655 John Hoare son of Thomas buried (Source - St John the Baptist parish register)

1655 Thomas Hoare son of Charles junior occupied the Star, St Mary de Crypt (Source - GRO Document ENWS)

1656 Martha Hoare married Edward Nesbete (Source - St John the Baptist parish register)

1657 Joane Hoare widow was buried (Source - St Mary de Crypt parish register)

1658 Joane Hoare wid., City of Gloucester administrations 71 (Source - Administrations in the Perogative Court of Canterbury, 1655 - 1660)

1659 Sara Hoare daughter of Charles and Sara baptised (Source - St Mary de Crypt parish register)

1662 Mary Hoare married John Chambers (Source - St Nicholas parish register)

1662 Charles Hore son of Charles and Sara baptised (Source - St Mary de Crypt parish register)

1664 Charles Hoare son of Charles and Sara baptised (Source - St Mary de Crypt parish register)

1664 Thomas Hoare son of Charles and Sara baptised (Source - St Mary de Crypt parish register)

1666 Elizabetha Hoare daughter of Charles and Sara baptised (Source - St Mary de Crypt parish register)

1681 Sara Hoare was left £5 in the will of Edmund Saunders (Source - Will of Edmund Saunders)

1689 Charles Hoare and Elizabeth his daughter buried with epitaph in St Mary de Crypt (Source - Biglands Gloucester)

1696 Thomas Hoar son of charles grocer deceased made a freeman of Gloucester (Source - Freemen of Gloucester)

1697 Sarah Hoar widow appointment of Thomas Branch (Source - Freemen of Gloucester)

1722 Charles Hoare son of Thomas grocer made freeman of Gloucester (Source - Freemen of Gloucester)

1722 Charles Hoare aged 24, applied for a marriage licence (Source - GRO Q3/37 page 42)

1763 Thomas Hoare appointed rector of Swindon Church (Source - Gloucester Notes and Queries)