Old Gloucester. Fact or Fiction.

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Q. Why did the monks really dig tunnels from the Bell and Fleece Hotels to the Cathedral?

A. They didn’t. The truth is that monks from Saint Peters Abby, now the Cathedral, never dug a single tunnel to the Inns.
Some years ago an investigation was undertaken at the Fleece Hotel in Westgate Street, Gloucester to see if the supposed ‘tunnel’ in the Monks Retreat Bar was actually dug by Monks. It turned out to be an old Victorian sewer.
There is also no proof that there is a tunnel hidden somewhere under the Bell Hotel, Gloucester. These tunnels are just a myth.

Q. Is the Fountain Inn, Gloucester really one of the three great Inns of the city?

A. The Fountain Inn was not one of the Three Great Inns of the city. The first two are The Bell Hotel in Northgate Street and the Fleece Hotel in Westgate Street. They were built for pilgrims that came to visit the tomb of Edward II who was murdered at Berkely Castle in 1327.
The third inn was The Ram. There is a bit of a debate over which Ram Inn was actually the third of the great inns of Gloucester. Many believe that it was the Ram Inn that once stood on the same spot as the New County in Southgate St. It was built in the 14th century and later became the Ram and County.
Others think it was the Ram Inn that once stood in Northgate Street, Gloucester, but it is definitely not The Founain Inn although it is very old.

Q. Was Lady Jane Grey really crowned Queen at the New Inn?

A. It would be nice to think so, but the answer is NO. Lady Jane Grey was crowned in the state apartments of The Tower of London where she remained during her nine days as Queen.
It’s difficult to pinpoint where and when this myth originated.