GUEST ARTICLE: Deconstruction Reimagined

Deconstruction Reimagined

Walk around the edges of the former Gloucester prison and you are treading on what was an important defensive structure around the city since medieval times.  The eastern half of the town walls were built on the remains of the Roman Walls when “Glevum” was a settlement for retired military veterans.  On the south side the defences were continued westwards to the Severn by those of Gloucester castle and on the north side by the precinct walls of Gloucester Abbey and St. Oswald's Priory.  In the late Middle Ages, five of the town gates — the east, south, west, outer north, and Alvin gates — were the official entrances for such purposes as collecting tolls and were manned by porters. 

Gloucester supported parliament in the civil war between the Royalists and Parliamentarians between 1642 and 1646.  After the fall of Charles I and restoration of the monarchy, the city erected a statue of the fallen Charles I to curry favour with the King.  Charles II was not impressed however and ordered the destruction of the walls that had protected Gloucester for so long. 

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