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Line 1: − + − In [[medieval]] times it was one of the most important [[port]] cities in England, and in the 18th century a significant centre of the [[slave]] trade. + − In [[1497]] [[John Cabot]] sailed from Bristol and explored North America.+ − + + + + + +
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'''Bristol''' (derived from the Old English ''Brycgstow'' - "the place at the bridge") is the sixth largest city in [[England]] in terms of population, and the largest in the Southwest. It has a population of over 400,000 within the City proper, and over 550,000 in the greater metropolitan area.
'''Bristol''' (derived from the Old English ''Brycgstow'' - "the meeting place at the bridge") is the sixth largest city in [[England]] in terms of population, and the largest in the Southwest. It has a population of over 400,000 within the City proper, and over 550,000 in the greater metropolitan area.
==History==
==History==
The first record is dated c.1020, but by the time of the [[Norman Conquest]] it was a flourishing embarkation point in the Anglo-Irish slave trade. A key strategic site, a castle was built there shortly after the Conquest. In the civil war in the 1100s Earl Robert of Gloucester was based there supporting his half-sister [[Matilda]] against Stephen (King of England|Stephen]].
By the beginning of the reign of [[Henry III]] Bristol was prosperous enough to elect its own mayor; and ,a few years later, to improve its port by diverting the River Frome. Throughout the [[Middle Ages]] grew steadily – by 1377 it ranked third behind London and York, [[Edward III]] having excised it from its neighbouring counties and given it its own [[Charters|Charter as a body corporate. Its trade during these centuries was mainly with [[Ireland]], the [[Iberian Peninsular]], and [[Gascony]] – it was the chief port for the arrival of [[Bordeaux]] wines.
The city is commonly linked with famous engineer [[Isambard Kingdom Brunel]] who was responsible for many of the city's famous structures including the Clifton suspension bridge, the Portbury Dock, and the Great Western railway which linked Bristol to [[London]].
In 1497 [[John Cabot]] sailed from Bristol to explore North America.
It became a cathedral city in 1542, suffered severely in the [[English Civil War]] in the 1640s, then began a period of growth on the back of the trans-Atlantic slave trade and other commercial endeavours that saw it become the second city in the kingdom until overtaken by the midlands textile centres during the [[Industrial Revolution]].
The city is commonly linked with famous engineer [[Isambard Kingdom Brunel]] who was responsible for many of the city's famous structures including the Clifton suspension bridge, the Portbury Dock, and the terminus for the Great Western railway which linked Bristol to [[London]].
In the 19th century Bristol lost its maritime significance, since the larger ships coming into use could no longer navigate the several miles of river required to reach its docks.
In the 19th century Bristol lost its maritime significance, since the larger ships coming into use could no longer navigate the several miles of river required to reach its docks.