Every city has a history of its own and so has Bristol. The colourful look of the city and the amenities it boasts is not built in a day. It has taken years for Bristol to establish things, the way it looks today. Here is some vital information about Bristol from its history.Brigg Stow��Bristol was a small village called Brigg Stow, which in the Old Saxon language means the meeting place at the Bridge. A wooden bridge was erected across the Avon and was used as a meeting place by villagers nearby. With time the name changed to Bristol.By the 10th century the village went on to become a town and was surrounded by a ditch and earth rampart with wooden palisade on top.�� By the early 11th century, Bristol had established its own importance due to its market place and trade relations with Dublin and North Devon. Wool and leather were exported from here.Middle agesIn the medieval age, Bristol was famous for wool which was woven, dyed and then exported. Other exports included rope, lead and sail cloth. In 1373 the boundaries of Bristol extended and the city now included Radcliffe. Bristol was made a county of its own and separated from Somerset and Gloucestershire. St James and Augustinian Abbey were built in 1129 and 1142 respectively.The merchants brought red flowers called scarlet lychnis from the eastern Mediterranean and this went on to become the emblem of Bristol.Bristol in the 16th and 17th century��In 1542 Bristol was made a city and given a bishop. The grammar school and Queen Elizabeth Hospital School was founded in the 16th century. The main exports of the city now were tin, fish, butter and lead.There was a boom of revolution in Bristol in the 17th century and new colonies, North America and West Indies were founded. Bristol took full advantage of the formation and traded with them. Tobacco and sugar were imported from North America and West Indies. A ship building and glass industry prospered in Bristol and Landoger Trow Inn was built in 1664.Bristol in the 18th and 19th century.Bristol got heavily involved in slave trade during the 18th century. Woollen cloth, iron and brass goods were exchanged for slaves from Africa who were then transported to North America and West Indies in exchange for tobacco, rum and sugar.Many new streets were laid, Queen Square was built followed by Prince Street. James Square, Orchard street, Unity street, Portland Square, College green and Crescent .The Bristol Royal Infirmary was built in 1737.During the 19th century Clifton was made a part of Bristol and amenities improved. In 1806 an act of parliament formed bodies to clean and light the streets of Bristol. The Guildhall was built and new docks were created at Avonmouth.20th century BristolThe greatest industry became aircraft manufacturing, followed by chocolate, tobacco, chemical, zinc, pottery and furniture industries. Royal Portbusy Dock was built.Conclusion��Here comes the 21st century and Bristol continues to flourish with tourism being its major industry. Bristol today goes on to establish itself as a favourite holiday destination for people all around the globe.
