How to Use this Map

Zoom into the Map by clicking the left mouse button. Click the right mouse button to Zoom out again. You can also use the mouse wheel to move in and out, and can pan the map by dragging the mouse, or you can use the Map Navigation panel at the top left to move up or, down, left, or right, or zoom.

The red square on which the map is presently focused indicates the City of Gloucester. The red circle nearby indicates the town of Cheltenham. Other coloured symbols elsewhere on the map indicate the larger towns. Scroll around the map to see them. Their names are recorded on the blank areas around the county boundaries.

You can use the ‘Parishes’ button below to display a list of Parishes. Selecting one from the list will centre the map (in maximum zoom) on that place, and if information is available for it on this site, you can click on the link in the information pop-up box to take you there.

The ‘Hundreds’ button provides a brief account of the Hundred system.

The ‘Help’ button will restore this information screen.

HUNDREDS

The Hundred is our legacy from the Anglo Saxon system of government, which was evolved by the time of the Norman Conquest. For the purposes of administration, the Shires (or Counties) were subdivided into groupings of around one hundred units. Various options are available for what constituted a unit - here are some:-

1. One hundred households - the one I prefer.
2. One hundred acres of (cultivated) land.
3. An area providing 100 armed knights to serve the monarch - practical, to say the least!

The “Hundreds” in turn were sub-divided further into groups of ten or a dozen households, possibly giving rise to the parish unit, although at the time it was more like a “Neighbourhood Watch” scheme, where each member of these small communities was held accountable for the good conduct of his fellows.

An alternative explanation is that the “hundred” constituted one hundred acres of cultivated land. Whichever the case, it would seem that there was no absolute size, as the areas now identified as hundreds vary enormously in extent.

In the north of England the hundreds were known as “wapentakes” - from Old Norse vapnatak - “weapon-taking”. This may be seen to its full extent in Yorkshire, but in Northumberland, Cumberland and Durham, its equivalent use appears.

DISCLAIMER

Whilst we take every care to keep the information on our web pages accurate, we disclaim any warranty or representation, express or implied about its accuracy, completeness or appropriateness for a particular purpose. Thus you assume full responsibility for using the information we provide, and you understand neither I, nor any of my contributors are responsible or liable for any claim, loss or damage resulting from its use.

Specifically, this Map is designed for the assistance of those pursuing their Family History research, and parish boundaries and place name spellings relate to the 19th century. It is not intended to provide guidance for those looking for places in the present day, nor to reflect any particular preference in spelling, other than for the purposes of identifying places for Family History research. Please be aware also that parish boundaries, and the counties they belonged to, may have changed over the years, and the divisions shown here reflect those present at a particular time.

The Map was prepared originally in 1999 by Rosemary Lockie based on an idea by Phil Mustoe, but has come a long way since then!

Gloucestershire Parishes