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| Dulverton House and the south arcade of the Infirmary |
For the last few weeks Urban Archaeology has been working on the refurbishment of the Sixth Form Centre at King’s School, Gloucester https://www.thekingsschool.co.uk/dulverton-redevelopment. Situated in the shadow of Gloucester Cathedral, King’s Sixth Form centre is located in the Grade II* listed Dulverton House, a complex and characterful building that started life as the lodging of the Infirmarer of the Abbey of St Peter in the 13th or 14th century.
The Infirmary of St Peter was constructed by 1220, its arcades still standing immediately west of Dulverton House; a chapel to St Bridget was dedicated in 1184 and is known to have been in this area –it may have been at the east end of the Infirmary, or possibly adjoining the Infirmarer’s Lodging (now Dulverton House) where the eastern wing contains tantalising evidence suggestive of a chapel. Although the Infirmarer’s Lodging has been much altered and extended over the centuries, large parts of the medieval core remain, and the current refurbishment is a once in a century opportunity to learn more about this building.
Although the Abbey of St Peter has been educating boys since at least the 11th century, the College School -known as King’s from the 17th century- was founded by King Henry 8 in 1541 shortly after the dissolution of the Abbey and it’s conversion into Gloucester Cathedral. Originally housed in what is now the cathedral library, the school expanded in the late 19th century, eventually taking over Dulverton House in 1956. The current project is a refurbishment of the existing building to create a new Sixth Form centre that will provide King’s sixth formers with a flexible and modern workspace, while restoring and preserving architectural details.
The refurbishment works include extensive work both above and below ground and are an exciting opportunity to learn more about the monastic buildings and their later development.
Urban Archaeology is working with architects Roberts Limbrick and Town and City Ltd
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