Old Cumbria Gazetteer - Gloucester Arms, Penrith


	Gloucester Arms, Penrith
	Gloucester Arms
	Dockray Hall
	Gloster Arms
Street:-	Great Dockray
locality:-	Penrith
civil parish:-	Penrith (formerly Cumberland)
county:-	Cumbria
locality type:-	inn
coordinates:-	NY51523004
1Km square:-	NY5130
10Km square:-	NY53

	BMC39.jpg Innsign; arms of Richard, Duke of Gloucester, later Richard III. (taken 12.5.2006) BMC38.jpg (taken 12.5.2006)
	Tradition says this was the residence of Richard, Duke of Gloucester, in 1471.

evidence:-	old advertisement:- Ullswater Steamers 1900s (edn 1903) placename:- Gloucester Arms Hotel
source data:-	Advertisements, ... for J Sisson, Gloucester Arms Hotel, Penrith, Cumberland ... published in a guide book by the Ullswater Steam Navigation Co, 1903. click to enlarge UN1A08.jpg item:- JandMN : 1023.33 Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-	old text:- Harper 1907 placename:- Gloucester Arms placename:- Dockwray Hall
source data:-	Guidebook, The Manchester and Glasgow Road, by Charles G Harper, published by Chapman and Hall Ltd, London, 1907. HP01p131.txt Page 131:- "..." "The Duke of Gloucester, although he rebuilt the Castle, is chiefly associated with a much more sheltered situation, in the town itself. There were intervals between the acts of even Richard the Third's melodrama, when, turning from battle, and from compassing the death of his relatives, he sought repose and refreshment, and he found them here in what must have been the exceedingly comfortable quarters of what was once Dockwray Hall, an ancient building that stands in the square called Great Dockwray, and is now, in memory of him, the "Gloucester Arms" inn." "The old house does not wear so prepossessing an exterior as, under these historic circumstances, it should. That is largely due to its stucco facing, painted the colour of decaying liver. The only exterior sign of the house being anything out of the ordinary is the carved and emblazoned shield over the door, displaying the arms of Richard himself, supported by two white boars with gilded manes. Another doorway has a shield with three greyhounds, "in pale, courant," as" HP01p132.txt Page 132:- "a herald would say, and the inscription "I. W. 1580:" the initials stand for "John Whelpdale," who made extensive alterations to the building." "The pilgrim who sups not merely on gross food and drink, but feeds the finer tissues of his being on historic scenes and antique panelled rooms, will find much delight in the "Gloucester Arms." He may sleep where that gory Richard slept - and, it may be hoped, with a better conscience, and may look upon a banqueting hall, now unfortunately subdivided, wherein our ancestors feasted on swans and other curious dishes long obsolete, washed down with nasty drinks unknown to the present age. He may have even the choice of two historic beds: the bedstead which bears a carved portrait of Richard Crookback himself, and is declared to have been his; or that of Anne Neville, dated 1472, likewise bearing a portrait, of that unfortunate lady."

evidence:-	database:- Listed Buildings 2010 placename:- Gloucester Arms
source data:-	courtesy of English Heritage "GLOUCESTER ARMS / / GREAT DOCKRAY / PENRITH / EDEN / CUMBRIA / I / 72860 / NY5148830045"
source data:-	courtesy of English Heritage "Circa 1470 but now mainly late C16. Traditional home of Duke of Gloucester (late Richard III). Red sandstone with painted stucco front, 2 storeys. Wide yard entry and 3 bay windows, main doorway with carved and painted coats of arms of de Whelpdale and Richard III and date 1580. Four C16 windows. Very good interior. Late C16 panelling and plasterwork."

evidence:-	database:- Listed Buildings 2010
source data:-	courtesy of English Heritage "GATE PIERS IN FORECOURT OF THE GLOUCESTER ARMS / / GREAT DOCKRAY / PENRITH / EDEN / CUMBRIA / II / 72864 / NY5149930044"
source data:-	courtesy of English Heritage "C18, stone, square, 2 piers with cornices, ball finials."

	CAT44.jpg (taken 23.5.2014) BMC40.jpg Date stone, coat of arms:- "I W 1580" for John Whelpdale (taken 12.5.2006) CAT45.jpg Gate piers. (taken 23.5.2014)
	The blazon of John Whelpdale's arms is - three greyhounds courant in pale, collared

	BZS47.jpg (taken 6.12.2013) BZS48.jpg (taken 6.12.2013) BZS49.jpg (taken 6.12.2013) BZS50.jpg (taken 6.12.2013) BZS51.jpg (taken 6.12.2013) BZS52.jpg (taken 6.12.2013)

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