1791 Universal British Directory

Situate about two miles from the river Severn, in the lower part of the vale of Gloucester, is a borough by prescription, and governed by a mayor and assistants, but sends no members to parliament. This place is supposed to be of great antiquity, and was formerly endowed with many privileges; but the only building now worthy of observation, is the remnant of an old castle, or rather palace, begun by the great Duke of Buckingham, in 1511, in the reign of Henry VIII but left unfinished, on his falling a victim to the enmity of Cardinal Wolsey. Great part of the structure is still standing, and in high preservation. The whole manifests great taste and judgment. It is the property of Henry Howard, Esq. of the illustrious Norfolk family. One part is inhabited, and commands an extensive view of the Severn and South Wales. The parish is twenty miles in compass. Here are a large church built in the form of a cathedral, four almshouses for fifteen poor people, and a free-school.  The clothing business formerly flourished here, but has long been lost, and the town has now very little trade.  In the Boothall is held the court of the honour of Gloucester.

A very small market is held on Saturday; and three annual fairs, viz. Easter-Monday, the 15th of August, and the Monday before St. Thomas’s Day.  The principal inns are the Swan and White Hart.

There is a cross-post to Bristol, under the direction of John Bevan.  A carrier weekly to Bristol.  Shown in the table below are the principal inhabitants:

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