Gloucester

In the middle of the 6th century Gloucester was ruled by Celtic Britons. It was taken over by invading Saxons after they won the battle of Dyrham. Within a century Orric, king of the Mercian Hwicci tribe, founded an abbey dedicated to St Peter.

Gloucester was given a new lease of life around 900 by Aethelfleda, daughter of King Alfred, who brought the remains of St Oswald there. Alfred often held witans (a meeting of his ruling council) there. A practice regularised by Edward the Confessor.