User:Jezhotwells/Redcliffe

Redcliffe, also known as Redcliff, is an historic district of the English port city of Bristol, adjoining the city centre. Originally part of the manor of Bedminster in Somerset, Redcliffe was joined with Bristol by a charter granted by Edward III in 1373. As it is bounded to the north and west by the River Avon Redcliffe was an integral part of the Port of Bristol as it developed during the Middle Ages and up until the 20th century. Industries such as weaving, fulling, dyeing, glass making and lead shot making were also established near to the waterfront. The church of St Mary Redcliffe, founded in the 12th century is the most prominent feature of the area.

Redcliffe was heavily blitzed during World War II and afterwards suffered an amount of depopulation. The Bristol Inner Circuit road caused St Mary Redcliffe to be isolated by heavy traffic and the area was dominated by offices and retail warehousing. In the late 20th century former dockside warehouses were converted into housing and along with new housing developments Redcliffe is undergoing a revival as a residential area.

Geography
Redcliffe is bounded by the loop of the Floating Harbour (including the Bathurst Basin) to the west and north, the New Cut of the River Avon to the south and Temple Way and Temple Gate to the east. Most of Redcliffe lies within the city ward of Lawrence Hill, although the westernmost section, including the cliffs and hill from which the area takes its name, is in Cabot ward.

Redcliffe takes its name from the red sandstone cliffs which line the southern side of the Floating Harbour, behind Phoenix Wharf and Redcliffe Wharf. These cliffs are honey-combed with tunnels constructed both to extract sand for the local glass making industry and to act as store houses for goods. Part of the last remaining glass kiln in the area is now the Kiln Restaurant of the Ramada Bristol City Hotel in Redcliffe Way.

History
Redcliffe was originally part of the manor of Bedminster in Somerset, held by the earls of Gloucester, and divided from Bristol by the river Avon. Relatively deep water alongside the outcrops of red sandstone upon which St Mary Redcliffe sits encouraged the development of wharves. There existed some rivalry between residents and merchants of Redcliffe and those Bristol. The only fixed crossing of the river was Bristol Bridge, although there were numerous ferries. In the twelfth century Robert Fitzroy gave the Knights Templar part of Redcliffe, which then became known as Temple Fee. The Templars were granted the power to hold courts and execute felons. This right passed, along with the land grant, to the knights of St. John of Jerusalem after the suppression of the Templars.

Early recorded industries in Redcliffe include weaving, fulling, dyeing and tanning. It is likely that fulling and dyeing, which could be quite noxious processes were not welcome within the town walls of Bristol and so were established here, nearby but outside the city walls. Archaeologist R H Jones, in a report for Bristol and Region Archaeological Services says that "by the 14th century Bristol was pre-eminent as the leading exporter of finished wool cloth.".

In the 13th century Redcliffe and Bristol underwent a rapid expansion, in King Henry III's reign due to a 'major harbour improvement' at St. Augustines Reach. This involved the construction of a 'Great Ditch' which formed a new course for the River Frome through St Augustine's Marsh. More space for ships to moor was provided and new quays were built. In the same period a new stone bridge over the Avon was constructed, linking Redcliffe and Bristol. To achieve this the river was diverted through Redcliffe, along the line of the 'Portwall' and solid stone foundations laid for the bridge, behind wattle and daub coffer dams. "The men of Redcliffe" were enjoined to help these projects by Henry III. It was at this time that a river wall was built as much as 80 ft east of the present quay wall at Redcliffe Back. This provided new space for warehousing and docks.

A hundred years later, in 1373, Redcliffe became part of Bristol to become the city and county of Bristol. The granting of county status was important as it meant that legal disputes no longer had to be taken to courts in Gloucester or Ilminster in Somerset.

Buildings
The church of St Mary Redcliffe, founded in the 12th century is the most prominent feature of the area, with a spire of 292 ft and was described by Queen Elizabeth I as "the fairest, goodliest, and most famous parish church in England." Other notable churches are St Thomas the Martyr in St Thomas Street and Temple Church. Listed buildings include the Wool Hall in St Thomas Street, 25-31 Victoria Street, the Shakespeare Inn in Victoria Street and the Seven Stars Public House in Thomas Lane.

The former dockside Buchanan's granary and warehouse (19th century) and the Western Counties Agricultural Co-operative warehouse (1913) on Redcliffe Back have been converted into housing, as have parts of the former Courage Brewery (formerly George's) in Bath Street. The former E.S & A Robinson Building in Redcliff Street was an office block built in the late 1960s and is the highest building in the area. An application to give it listed building status was refused in 2007.



Famous residents

 * William Canynge, medieval merchant and philanthropist.
 * Blackbeard, 18th century pirate, reputedly born in Redcliffe.
 * Thomas Chatterton, 18th century boy poet and forger.
 * Samuel Plimsoll, 19th century MP, known as the "sailors' friend".