Gazetteer of
British Place Names

Cirencester is an ancient market town, lying on the River Churn in Gloucestershire. The town was established by the Romans, as Corinium, where the Fosse Way crosses the River Churn. By the 2nd century it was the second largest town in Britain. The earthworks of Cirencester Amphitheatre are extant. The Battle of Cirencester (628) was fought between the Mercian king Penda and the West Saxon kings Cynegils and Cwichelm. Cirencester Abbey was founded by Henry 1 in 1117, though following the Dissolution only the Norman Arch and parts of the precinct wall remain. During the Middle Ages, the wool trade drove economic prosperity. The construction of the Church of St John the Baptist, the "Cathedral of the Cotswolds", began in the 12th century on the site of an earlier Saxon church. The nave was rebuilt between 1515-1530, acquiring the soaring, slender pillars and huge Perpendicular clerestory windows that create the church's light-filled, elegant interior. By the time wool trade declined in the 18th century, Cirencester had become a thriving market town. The Royal Agricultural University was founded in 1840. The town is within the council area of Cotswold (Gloucestershire).

Place Type: Town
Historic County: Gloucestershire
Lat, Long: 51.716957,-1.968398
Grid Reference: SP 0227 0202
Civil Parish: Cirencester CP
Council Area: Cotswold CA (Gloucestershire CA)
Police Area: Gloucestershire PA

GBPN ID: 9528
Entry Type: Main listing (P)
URL: https://gazetteer.org.uk/place/Cirencester,_Gloucestershire_9528

 Explore Cirencester on Wikishire
 Peruse Gloucestershire on Wikishire