Well Cross In Robins Wood Hill Country Park At Ngr So 838 158

GLOUCESTER

SO81NW RESERVOIR ROAD 844-1/3/247 Well Cross in Robins Wood Hill Country Park at NGR SO 838 158

GV II*

Well head or cistern above the intake to a pipe laid down initially to supply water to the Benedictine Abbey of St Peter in Gloucester. C12 or C13 EXTERIOR: built of dressed oolitic limestone slabs held by iron cramps; a low, rectangular structure of vertical slabs supporting a cover or roof slab approximately 2m in length and 30cm thick; the top of the roof slab is dressed in the form of a flat cross defined by a chamfer at each corner of the slab; drilled into the horizontal face of the cross and six holes 5cm deep and 2.5cm diameter symmetrically placed and thought to be the fixing holes for a lead or bronze cross which formerly stood on the slab; an inspection opening between the two wall slabs on the east side is fitted with a late C20 timber door replacing an earlier door, the iron strap hinges are possibly reused. HISTORY: this is possibly the structure mentioned in a grant made by Philip of Mattesdon (Matson) to Abbot Reginald, 1163-1184, when the abbey was allowed to collect into an existing cistern the outflows from springs at a higher level on the hill. The right to pipe water from the springs on the hill to the abbey was confirmed by William Geruad of Matson who, at the same time, granted a similar right to the Grey Friars c1230. In 1355 a dispute between the abbey and the friary about interference in the supply of water was resolved by Edward, the Black Prince, at the behest of King Edward I; the judgement confirmed by a licence from the king which allowed the friars take one third of the supply of water from the hill. In 1483 the friars granted three quarters of their supply of water to the bailiffs and community of Gloucester. With the Well House (qv), this is of outstanding significance in a national context for its rarity and importance as part of a medieval water supply system; there is a reservoir in the Cathedral Precincts which was built in conjunction with a drain supplying water in the cloister and lavatorium in the former Abbey of St Peter.

Listing NGR: SO8387015848