112 



THE BRITISH ISLES. 



in the cast to the mouth of tho liristol Avon. Physically the county includes 

 three well-marked regions, the principal being the fertile lowland intersected by 

 the Severn, and known as the Vale of Gloucester and Berkeley. In it is gathered 

 the bulk of the popidation of the county, and tillage and dairy-farming arc practised 

 with ffreat success. The most valuable meadow lands extend along the banks 

 of the Severn below Gloucester, and are defended from inundation by sea-walls. 

 The environs of Berkeley are more especially famous for their cheese. The vale 

 is remarkable for tho mildness of its climate, and William of Malmesbury tells us 

 that in the twelfth century it produced wine but little inferior to that of France. 

 The forest district lies to the west of the Severn, its great feature being the 

 Royal Forest of Dean, now much reduced by the progress of cultivation, but still 

 of great extent. It is rich in coal and iron, and famous for its cider, or " styre." 



Fio-. 6'2.— Gloucester Cathedual. 



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The third region is that of the Cotswolds, to the east of the Severn, where 

 the air is keen and sharp, the soil thin, and the population sparse, but which 

 nevertheless abounds in good pasturage for sheep. 



Gloucestershire carries on numerous industries, the manufacture of superior 

 cloth being the chief amongst them. 



Immediately after we cross the borders of Shropshire we find ourselves within 

 sight of the old town of Teickeshunj, with its quaint houses and extensive abbey 

 church, recently renovated. About half a mile to the south of the town lies the 

 "Bloody Meadow," upon which was fought, in 1471, the last battle in the "War of 

 the Roses. 



Gloucester, the capital of the county, the Glevum of the Romans, is an ancient 

 city. The tower of its superb cathedral rises to a height of 223 feet, and there 

 are other buildings interesting to the antiquary, the most remarkable being the 



