Bristol in History

The citizens of Bristol drive away Harolds son Godwinew

Matilda joins her half-brother, Robert of Gloucester, in Bristol

Founds St Augustines Abbey which later becomes Bristol Cathedral.

Captures Stephen of Blois at the Battle of Lincoln

Arrested by Matilda & held at Bristol

Matilda defeats Stephen then imprisons him in Bristol. Declared "Lady of England", in effect Queen, after the battle

Exchanges Stephen for the Earl of Gloucester, her half brother & most valued ally

Released in exchange for Gloucester, Matildas half brother & most valued ally

At the age of nine, Robert of Gloucester took him to England, where he received education from Master Matthew at Bristol, with the assistance of Adelard of Bath and possibly Geoffrey of Monmouth

Grants Bristol a royal charter strengthening its borough privileges.

Bristol gains its first mayor during the early reign of Henry III.

River works improve Bristol harbour access and medieval trade.

Prince Edward sinks or captures 11 of Earl Simons merchant ships. Marches to Newport to ship his army across the Bristol Channel

The town of Bristol is in revolt for two years

The town of Bristol is in revolt for two years

Issues the charter making Bristol a county in its own right.

Bristol is granted County status

Grants Bristol county status separate from Gloucestershire and Somerset.

Canynges supports rebuilding work at St Mary Redcliffe.

By the end of April raises an army & enters Bristol

However, the Lancastrians made a feint towards Little Sodbury, about 12 miles (19 km) north-east of Bristol.

King Edward reached Cirencester.

Nearby was Sodbury Hill, an Iron Age hill fort which was an obvious strategic point for the Lancastrians to seize.

On hearing that Margaret was at Bristol, he turned south to meet her army.

When Yorkist scouts reached the hill, there was a sharp fight in which they suffered heavy casualties

Margarets army had reached Bath, on its way towards Wales. She turned aside briefly to secure guns, reinforcements and money from the city of Bristol

Henry VII backs Cabot's Bristol voyage across the Atlantic.

John Cabot leaves Bristol in the Matthew on a westward voyage sponsored under Henry VII's patent.

Cabot sails from Bristol seeking a westward route to Asia.

John Cabot returns to Bristol after his successful Atlantic voyage and receives recognition from Henry VII.

Sebastian Cabot is associated with further Bristol Atlantic exploration.

Bristol gains city status in connection with the creation of the new cathedral diocese.

Creates the Diocese of Bristol, with the former Augustinian abbey church becoming Bristol Cathedral.

Thomas Seymour hoped to finance a coup by bribing the vice-treasurer of the Bristol Mint, Sir William Sharington who was responsible for debasing the coinage in Bristol and he had been fiddling the account books and keeping the profits

When Catherine died in childbirth Thomas renewed his attentions to the Princess Elizabeth. Thomas Seymour hoped to finance a coup by bribing the vice-treasurer of the Bristol Mint, Sir William Sharington who was responsible for debasing the coinage in Bristol and he had been fiddling the account books and keeping the profits

By the end of 1548, Thomas plans had been reported to the Privy Council by an informant, the Bristol Mint is investigated and Sharington revealed all

Visits Bristol during a royal progress through western England.

Takes part in the defense of Bristol

Sets up his HQ in Bristol

Fiennes commands Bristol before surrendering the city to Royalists.

Fiennes surrenders Bristol after the Royalist assault.

Breaks through at Brandon Hill followed by the surrender of Bristol to the Royalists

Fairfax begins Parliament's campaign to retake Bristol.

Siege of Bristol by Fairfax begins

Present at Stapleton near Fairfax's headquarters during Parliament's siege of Bristol.

Present near Keynsham during Parliament's siege operations against Bristol.

Cromwell helps command Parliamentarian assaults on Bristol's defences.

Prince Rupert is forced to return to Oxford, his forces intact. Defeats Prince Rupert & captures Bristol

Defeats Prince Rupert & captures Bristol

Fairfax captures Bristol for Parliament.

Prince Rupert surrenders Bristol to Parliament under Fairfax

Defeats Prince Rupert & captures Bristol

Commands part of the Parliamentarian assault around Prior's Hill fort during the storming of Bristol.

Ireton returns to active service after Naseby and takes part in the New Model Army's successful assault on Bristol.

Cromwell returns to England after leaving the Irish command to Henry Ireton.

Defends Bristol from the Duke of Monmouth

Monmouth threatens Bristol while advancing through the west.

Monmouths advance on Bristol by way of Bridgewater & Keynsham is resumed

Secures Bristol & Gloucester for William of Orange

Surrenders Bristol to William III of Orange

Beaufort's influence helps shape Bristol's response to William of Orange.

Colston is elected Member of Parliament for Bristol.