Efforts are now underway to preserve and enhance St Oswald’s Priory in Gloucester, England—a historic site believed to be the final resting place of Queen Æthelflæd, one of the most powerful women of early medieval England.
The project is supported by a £20,000 grant from Historic England and a further £16,000 from the UK government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, administered by Gloucester City Council. The initiative includes improvements to the landscape surrounding the monument, new architectural lighting, and the installation of interpretation panels to better inform the public about the site’s significance. Small-scale repairs to the stonework and upgrades to the gravelled paths are also planned, along with CCTV to deter vandalism and graffiti.
St Oswald’s Priory holds deep historical importance. Originally founded as a Minster church by Æthelflæd, eldest daughter of Alfred the Great and known as the Lady of the Mercians, it became a sacred site when the relics of St Oswald, a revered Northumbrian king and Christian martyr, were translated there in the early 10th century. Æthelflæd herself, who died in 918, is thought to have been buried at the site.
From 1152, the church served as an Augustinian priory until its dissolution under Henry VIII in the 16th century. It has since remained in a ruined state but retains its status as a nationally important monument and a rare surviving example of early medieval religious architecture.
“St Oswald’s is one of the most historically important monuments in our city, and it’s vital that we do all we can to protect and preserve it for present and future generations,” said Councillor Rebecca Trimnell, Cabinet Member for Community Engagement at Gloucester City Council. “I’m delighted to see this project get underway and look forward to seeing the results.”
Ross Simmonds, South West Regional Director at Historic England, added, “St Oswald’s is a fascinating monument and a vital part of the story of Gloucester. We’re pleased to support the council to help keep it safe and in good repair, so that it can continue to be enjoyed by locals and visitors to the city for years to come.”
Meanwhile, work is also set to begin on preserving the remains of Sheriff’s Mill in Abbeydale, where a watermill has stood since the 13th century. Located in southeast Gloucester, the mill site includes a surviving footbridge and mill leat—an artificial watercourse that once fed the mill pond. These features, believed to be 200 to 300 years old, are the last remnants of the city’s once-thriving network of watermills.
Thanks to a £6,600 grant from the Enovert Community Trust, Gloucester City Council will carry out conservation work to repair the structures, clear the site, and install new interpretation boards detailing the site’s long history. Councillor Sarah Sawyer, Cabinet Member for Planning, noted, “We’re very fortunate to live in an area with such rich history and so many fascinating stories waiting to be uncovered and shared.”
Top Image: Ruins of St Oswald’s Priory. Photo by Irid Escent / Wikimedia Commons
Subscribe to Medievalverse
