Schmap Bristol Historical Background

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Bristol - Historical Background
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Schmap Bristol guide and map

It's a little known fact that Bristol has a motto - "Virtue et Industria" - meaning virtue and hard work. Now, this might look an odd choice for a city that owes its illustrious past to wine, tobacco and chocolate - things not usually associated with clean-living. And let's not forget that this is also a place not adverse to a spot of rioting and whose wonderful architecture is mainly thanks to the immorality of the slave trade! In fact, walking around the city today, you'd be hard-pressed to find many people exhibiting any kind of frantic workaholism. Quite the opposite - Bristol is above all a mellow place.

But a closer look at the city's history reveals that Bristolians have indeed always been an industrious lot. A quarter of a million years ago, for instance, people were exploiting the abundant wildlife both in and around the River Avon - the waterway that literally as well as metaphorically runs through the city's heart. Famous archaeological remains of these Palaeolithic hunter-gatherers are on view at Cheddar Showcaves. And in Anglo-Saxon times, when the city was known as Brigstow (meaning 'place of a bridge') the residents were busy trading goods, such as wine, olive oil and fruit - by the fourteenth century Bristol was a major player in the import/export business!

Medieval Prosperity

Bar the odd outbreak of plague (the Black Death hit the city in 1348, killing around a third of its inhabitants) and rioting, the city prospered and its merchants grew in both wealth and stature. Being such a centre of sea-faring experience and excellence, it was only natural that it was from Bristol that a ship set sail and discovered a "New Founde Lande" i.e. America, thereby sealing the city's place in global history. That ship was The Matthew (a replica is now berthed in the city docks) and its captain was a Bristol-based Venetian called John Cabot - the namesake of the impressive Cabot's Tower, built in 1897 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of his voyage. He had left Venice to seek finances for his long-dreamt-of expedition and it was the merchants of Bristol who put up the money. Sadly, he never returned from his second voyage to the "new" continent and the mystery of what happened to the intrepid explorer has never been solved.

Renaissance Bristol

The 1500s saw Bristol honoured with a visit from Queen Elizabeth, sailing in a convoy of three resplendent galleys along the Avon Gorge. She apparently raved about the rather wonderful St Mary Redcliffe Church, calling it the "fairest, goodliest and most famous parish church in England". This was thanks, yet again, to the wealth of the merchants who paid for much of it. The perfectly preserved Elizabethan house, Red Lodge offers a glimpse of what life was like for the lucky few at this time. Later, in the 1600s came civil war, as witnessed by Oliver Cromwell's order to destroy Bristol Castle (built in 1120s) to prevent it being used by rebels and religious dissidents.

Bristol and the Slave Trade

The 1700s and the first half of the eighteenth century saw Bristol become a boom town - many grand buildings were erected, the rich flocked to Clifton and Hotwells for fresh air (the city centre, being so close to the busy river, tended to stink) and sumptuous surroundings in newly built, highly impressive terraces and squares - most of which still exist in Clifton Village. Why was Bristol so prosperous? Shamefully, much of this wealth was derived from the city's enthusiastic participation in the slave trade - for full details visit the permanent exhibition on this at Bristol Industrial Museum. Bristol ships sailed to Africa, where they would exchange goods for slaves, then transporting those slaves to the West Indies and America where they would be sold in exchange for tobacco, wine, sugar and chocolate - the three predominant industries in the city, which still survive today. The city's coal industry also brought in a lot of money, by fuelling quite literally, the brass and glass industries - there is still a working glass factory today at Bristol Blue Glass. The city was also a centre of excellence for ship-building - ships were so well-made here, the phrase "ship-shape and Bristol fashion" is now an English idiom to describe something constructed in a sturdy and correct manner.

19th-Century Bristol

Of course, it couldn't last! Bristol's wealth started to subside and Liverpool eclipsed it as England's major port. Slavery was finally abolished in 1807, although to be fair Bristol had ceased involvement in the trade - thanks to much vocal opposition by local Quakers - as early as the 1790s. This had a knock-on effect on the city's industry however, a contributing factor (along with anger at the delay of Parliamentary reform) to the infamous Bristol riots of 1831. Angry mobs trashed various buildings, particularly Queen Square, which lost two whole sides. Many cellars were looted and the wine consumed, leading to a lot of drunkenness - so much for "virtue and hard work"!

It wasn't all bad news though - this was, after all, the time of engineering genius Brunel. Not only did he sort out the city's waterways, he also designed the Clifton Suspension Bridge, although he never lived to see it completed - work began in 1830 but various delays meant it was only finished in 1864, five years after his death. He did get to witness the building of another triumph however, that of the SS Great Britain. When finished, in 1845, this was not only the largest but also the first iron, propeller-driven ship in the world. It made various journeys across the Atlantic, eventually running aground in the Falkland Islands, where it lay neglected until its slow journey back to Bristol. It now sits in the very same dry dock where it was created and has been lovingly restored to its former glory.

Modern Bristol

Bringing things up to date - although always predominantly a merchant port, the city had built up enough of an industrial base to see it through the worst of the rigours of the 1930s Depression. However, these same industries (particularly the aeroplane works - Concorde was later built here), attracted the attentions of the Luftwaffe in WW2 and, on the night of June 25th, 1940 when the first air raid struck, war came home to Bristol. Many ancient landmarks were swept away in the Blitz, some leaving picturesque ruins such as the fascinating Temple Church.

Today, Bristol has established itself as a thriving city, which looks forward to the future with many new innovations, such as the entire At-Bristol harbourside development. What was once an area crowded with trading ships, is now for leisure. Locals like nothing better on a summer evening than to frequent the bars and cafes all along the docks and it's perhaps in this area most of all that you'll witness the city's rich maritime past casting a warm and impressive shadow over its wonderfully relaxed present.

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At-Bristol

Bristol's three newest attractions

Anchor Road
(Harbourside)
Bristol BS1 5DB
United Kingdom
+44 845 345 1235
http://www.at-bristol.org.uk

At-Bristol is the collective name for the new, lottery-funded area around the harbourside, which houses the IMAX cinema, and the Wildwalk and Explore science centers. Since opening, these attractions have already won a Best Family Attraction award. Cafes are located inside the complex, with bars and restaurants nearby. The harbourside itself is perfect for a relaxing stroll.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Bristol Blue Glass

Watch blue glass being blown 14 The Arcade
Redcliffe
Bristol BS1 3JA
United Kingdom
+44 117 929 8900
http://www.bristol-glass.co.uk Glass blowing has been synonymous with the city since the mid 17th century and you can watch it being done, just as it was many years ago, in this combined shop and factory. Bristol Blue (this name first arose in the 1760s when a local dealer decided to use a particular kind of cobalt oxide in the process), Bath Aqua and Exmoor Cranberry glass are created here - vases, jugs, goblets, plates and bowls. They aren't cheap - a small vase costs upward of £20 - but all are hand-crafted and very beautiful, making them ideal souvenirs. The pieces are also sold at Bristol Hand Made Glass in the city centre. Don't leave without visiting the studio, where you can watch the glass creations come to life - hand-blown by craftsmen using the same authentic techniques that were used three century's ago. A slice of living history and definitely worth a visit.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Matt Hegarty

Cabot Tower

Panorama from an historic hilltop Brandon Steep
Bristol BS15QT
United Kingdom
+44 117 926 0767 Rising from the summit of Brandon Hill, this famous landmark was built in 1897 to commemorate the fourth centenary of John Cabot's epic voyage of discovery to North America. The spiral stairs of this 105-foot tower climb to around 350 feet above sea level, offering panoramic views of the city center and surrounding countryside. The hill is also the site of a Nature Park which includes woodland, a butterfly garden, meadow, pond and Wildlife Trust Center. Look out too for the remains of a Civil War hillfort, built to defend the north-west flank of Bristol against the Royalists during the siege of 1643. And don't forget to feed the extremely tame squirrels! There is no disabled access to the tower, but many of the park's paths are wheelchair accessible.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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City Centre

Bristol
United Kingdom
The city centre suffered severe damage during bombing in World War II. Only the shattered foundations of the castle and churches remain in what is left of the original shopping area by the bridge. Though the bombing and ensuing fires devastated the nearby church of St. Nicholas, it was later restored and now boasts one of the more remarkable church clocks in all of Britain. The post-war reconstruction of the city centre consisted of road expansion and brutalist architecture, a style marked by large, cheap tower blocks. Since the 1980s, however, many of these unattractive boxes have been torn down and rebuilt. The change was marked recently with the demolition and rebuilding of the Broadmead shopping centre.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Clifton

Bristol
United Kingdom
One of the oldest and wealthiest parts of Bristol, Clifton earned most of its wealth in the tobacco and slave trade. Servants were necessary because many of the houses were three or more floors high. Twenty-seven percent of the adult population are full-time students. Clifton was recorded in the "Doomsday Book" as "Cliston", which means "hillside settlement", since it was located on a steep hill. It is an absolutely gorgeous place and a wander round here leaves you with the impression that you've somehow stepped back into time. You can visit all its attractions - Clifton Suspension Bridge, Clifton Observatory and Caves, and Bristol Zoo Gardens for example - or just stroll around, taking in all the marvellous Georgian terraces with their iron balconies. Due north of Clifton is a flat area called Durdham Down, which is often used for recreational purposes.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Clifton Suspension Bridge

Bristol's most famous landmark Suspension Bridge Road
(Clifton)
Bristol BS8 4AP
United Kingdom
Spanning the Avon Gorge, this bridge has become the symbol of the city and is a must for any visitors. Designed by Brunel and completed in 1864, you can learn all about its troubled history in the nearby Suspension Bridge Visitor Centre but the way to really appreciate it is to take a walk across it and look down into the spectacular gorge and beyond. Make sure you see the bridge at night as well, it looks truly amazing lighted against the night sky.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Clifton Village

Bristol
United Kingdom
Clifton Village contains the grandest architecture and atmosphere in the whole city and to leave Bristol without seeing all it offers would be a crime! This is perhaps THE most sought-after place to live in the whole city - it's rich and it shows. All of which makes it a great (if expensive) place for shopping - don't miss Clifton Arcade, full of small, independent, antique stores. As expected, there's an equally good number of restaurants, pubs and cafes - mostly full of the city's rich students and professionals. Whiteladies Road is also part of Clifton and apparently the name is nothing to do with Bristol's slave-trading past, but refers to an old nunnery here, whose inhabitants wore white habits. Known as "The Strip," there are masses of lively, funky bars, pubs and restaurants here, making it the main drag for those young, pretty and with money in their pockets.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Hotwells

Bristol
United Kingdom
The name "Hotwells" comes from the heated water which seeps up through the rocks of Avon Gorge. It was originally promoted as a spa, but could not compete with nearby Bath. The Bristol Cathedral, one of the most impressive in the region, is located near the town council on the eastern end of Hotwells. Sir Humphry Davy, the famous chemist and physicist, worked in Hotwells and discovered laughing gas. The pubs of Hotwells are varied and often the subject of much acclaim. From authentic gas-lit taverns to the poshest watering-holes, they are all here.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Matthew

Replica of 15th century ship Gasferry Road
Hotwells
Bristol BS1 6TY
United Kingdom
+44 117 922 5737
http://www.matthew.co.uk/ This impressive wooden ship is a replica of the vessel in which John Cabot sailed across the Atlantic to discover Newfoundland in 1497 - the event that cemented Bristol's association with all things nautical. Standing on board this version of the ship, which re-enacted the crossing in 1997, really gives you a sense of the past, and the attention to period detail on the boat is second to none. In the summertime you can even take a short trip around the floating harbour on the boat, which is a great way to view the city from a different and rather wonderful perspective. Book early as these two-hour trips are very popular. A visit here also includes entry to the adjacent SS Great Britain and Maritime Heritage Centre, where you can find out even more about Bristol's sea faring past.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Red Lodge

At home in Elizabethan Bristol Park Row
Bristol BS1 5LJ
United Kingdom
+44 117 921 1360
http://www.bristol-city.gov.uk... The entrance to this lodge appears uninviting because it is at the rear of the building, with the true façade facing downhill. Within, however, it offers a fascinating glimpse into life in Elizabethan Bristol. Built around 1590, it contains the last surviving suite of 16th century rooms in Bristol, particularly notable for the carved oak paneling, stone chimney-piece, and plasterwork ceiling. Other rooms feature 17th and 18th century portraits, and exquisite walnut and gilt furniture. Once the home of Lady Byron, the poet's widow, it is now owned by the City Council, and the Tudor gardens have recently enjoyed a programme of restoration. Look out for their "living history days" when actors dress up in period costume and really bring the house to life. Admission: free

Review © 2007, Wcities

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SS Great Britain

World's first iron and steam ocean liner Great Western Dockyard
(Great Western Dock)
Bristol BS1 6TY
United Kingdom
+44 117 926 0680
http://www.ss-great-britain.com Built by Brunel and launched from this Great Western Dock site in 1843, this was the largest ship to be built of iron and powered by steam; it is known as "the liner that shrank the world." Almost returned to her former glory as a luxury liner, you can tour the meticulously restored ship and visit the two adjacent attractions with one admission ticket: The Maritime Heritage Centre and The Matthew (replica of 15th century ship).

Review © 2007, Wcities

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St. Mary Redcliffe Church

Medieval Britain church 10 Redcliffe Parade West
Bristol BS1 6SP
United Kingdom
+44 117 929 1487 This medieval church, one of the largest in Britain, was richly endowed with money from Bristol's seamen and merchants and was highly praised by Queen Elizabeth I, who called it the "fairest, goodliest and most famous parish church in England." To get the full story of its illustrious history, take the guided tour or buy the guidebook from the small gift stall inside.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Temple Church

Bristol's own leaning tower! Temple Street
Bristol BS1 6HT
United Kingdom
Like Pisa's famous leaning tower, the instability of the soil is to blame for the lean of this tower. Local legend says that the tower was built with foundations made of bales of wool and there's a grain of truth in this - the wealthy wool and weaving industry donated funds towards the building of the church. Most of the ruin is 15th century although the chancel is 14th, but in the ground are markers showing the location of an even earlier church. The church was reduced to its present ruinous condition on November 24th, 1940 due to a German bombing raid. When the local soldiers/engineers inspected the building they mistook the lean as being caused by the bombs and nearly demolished it to make it safe! You can't go inside, so visit for a look anytime of day or night.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Other Schmapplets in this city related to "Bristol - Historical Background"
Bristol
Bristol - Neighborhood Guide
Bristol - Where to Stay
Bristol - Dining & Drinking
Bristol - Art & Entertainment
Other nearby cities:
Bath (21 miles)
Cardiff (42 miles)
Oxford (99 miles)
Southampton (106 miles)
Birmingham (124 miles)
Plymouth (163 miles)
London (183 miles)
Brighton (185 miles)
Cambridge (197 miles)
Liverpool (215 miles)

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