Gloucestershire
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
a county of England, in the southwest part. It has an area of 1,259 square miles. Its chief industries are dairying and the raising of cattle. It has also extensive manufacturing interests and some coal mining. It contains the parliamentary boroughs of Cheltenham and Gloucester, and a part of the borough of Bristol. The capital is Gloucester. Pop. of the county, about 740,000. GLOUCESTER, DUKES AND EARLS (1) ROBERT, Earl of Gloucester OF. (died 1147), a natural son of Henry I., the principal supporter of his sister Matilda and her son Henry in their contest against Stephen for the English throne. (2) GILBERT DE CLARE, Earl of Gloucester (1243-1295), one of the most influential nobles during the reigns of Henry III. and Edward I. At first he sided with Simon de Montfort, and helped him to gain the battle of Lewes (1264); but afterward, quarrelling with Simon, he made common cause with Prince Edward and won for him the battle of Evesham (1265). (3) THOMAS OF WOODSTOCK, Duke of Gloucester (1355-1397), the youngest son of Edward III., was from 1386 to 1389 the virtual ruler of the country. He was put to death by Richard II. at Calais in 1397, on the plea that he was plotting against the king. (4) HUMPHREY, Duke of Gloucester (1391- 1447), fourth son of Henry IV., acted as protector of the realm during the minority of Henry VI. He was arrested for high treason on Feb. 18, 1447, and five days later found dead in bed. He was a patron of learning, but reckless and foolish in his public conduct. (5) RICHARD, Duke of Gloucester, became KING RICHARD III. (q. v.). (6) HENRY Duke of Gloucester (1639-1660), third son of Charles I. (7) WILLIAM, Duke of Gloucester (1689-1700), eldest son of Queen Anne. (8) WILLIAM HENRY (1743- 1805), George III.'s brother, created Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh in 1764. (9) His son, WILLIAM FREDERICK (1776-1834).
What Has Changed in the Last Century
Collier's in 1921 gave Gloucestershire 1,259 square miles, 740,000 people, dairying, cattle and "some coal mining" — and noted it held part of Bristol. The coal is gone: the Forest of Dean's last large pit, Northern United, closed in 1965, leaving only tiny freeminers' workings. The county's shape has changed twice since: the 1974 reorganisation moved Bristol and the land around it into a new county of Avon, and when Avon was abolished in 1996 the northern part returned as the separate unitary authority of South Gloucestershire. The dukedom, dormant when Collier's listed its nine holders, was revived in 1928 for Prince Henry, son of George V, and has been held since 1974 by his son Prince Richard.
Written for this edition, 2026.