THE NEW INN – GLOUCESTER
Lady Jane Grey and the Ghost of Shakespeare
The New Inn of Gloucester, located in the center of the old town district at 16 Northgate Street, is of half-timber construction dating from the 15th Century and thought to be one of the finest examples of a galleried medieval inn in England. Its history is closely tied to the untimely deaths of two royals, though neither perished within it. An inn was first built on the spot as a hostel for visiting monks to the former Benedictine Abbey of St Peter connected to the Gloucester Cathedral, but with the stream of pilgrims coming to Gloucester to visit the tomb of King Edward II (see Gloucester Cathedral), was reconstructed about 1450 into the “new inn” as a traveler accommodation, popular with knights and gentlefolk visiting Gloucester for many holidays. The New Inn is a short few steps from the Edward II gate, where the murdered king’s remains were transported to the cathedral after his reputed gruesome murder at nearby Berkeley Castle (see Berkeley Castle King Edward II).
In 1553, on the 10th of July, Lady Jane Grey was staying at the inn when news came that Henry VIII’s juvenile successor, King Edward VI, had died and she would be proclaimed as queen at Westminster. Lady Grey was married to Lord Guildford Dudley, a younger son to the Duke of Northumberland, who engineered her distant claim to the throne. She was the great-granddaughter of Henry VII and a first cousin to the young consumtive king. She was a surprised as anyone that she was suddenly queen, but was more truly a pawn in another's game. Her defacto reign lasted only for 9 days, and rather than Westminster, she was taken to the Tower of London and sentenced to death. She had come in between the claims of his half-sisters Elizabeth and Mary and the factions behind them fighting for power. The Privy Council had decided to change side and proclaim Mary as queen on the 19th of July, and charge Lady Jane Grey and her husband with high treason. Her life was initially spared, but after a rebellion against Queen Mary’s plan to marry the catholic Philip of Spain, Jane and her husband were both executed on the tower green (see Tower of London). William Godwin, the father of Mary Shelley of Frankenstein fame, wrote an detailed biography of Lady Jane Grey.
The New Inn also has a tie to William Shakespeare, though it is unlikely his ghost is among the many reported hauntings there. The courtyard was a popular place for strolling minstrels, comedians and play performances, and The King’s Men, the company of players which traveled about the country away from London to which William Shakespeare was connected as a least a performer is said to have performed in the courtyard, though there is no actual record of him staying at the inn or in Gloucester. (There are only 6 actual records of the famed bard at all, so he is as much a ghost as any other.) The courtyard also served as the first tennis court outside place grounds in Tudor times. The New Inn served as coaching inn for most of its existence evidenced by the carriage driveway.
The New Inn today is a traditional pub and hotel usually entered from Northgate Street through the courtyard of timbered galleries, with four bars including the award winning Real Ale Bar. To the right side of the courtyard is the Old Tap and Barrel Bar of two large rooms with open beam ceilings and a cozy fireplace. Grey’s Coffee House faces the street where the historical placard can be found. The hotel, in B&B style with full English breakfast included, offers 33 ensuite rooms with wood beam ceilings on two floors, with either street or courtyard views. The Pilgrims Restaurant serves a traditional English roast menu in charming surroundings. The New Inn has 4 bars, including the award-winning Real Ale Bar, serving up to 12 cask ales, the Pilgrims Brewery, the Owtback Bar and Tree Top Wine Bar. A stay at the New inn is still quite reasonable, though not the 7 Shillings, 6 pence in the good olde days when Joseph Chapman was a proprietor. © Bargain
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SEE ALSO:
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SALISBURY CATHEDRAL & MAGNA CARTA
