PROCEEDINGS FOR 1897 CLXVIi 



once elegant trefoiled arcading on either side. This is all that remains 

 of what in the fifteenth century was described as '' St. Bartholomew's 

 priory and hospital without Frome gate.'' After the dissolution of the 

 priory the buildings became the home of Eobert Thome's free grammar 

 school, and then of John Carr's city school, also known as Queen Eliza- 

 beth's hospital. 



Passing from the religious to the secular life of rifteenth-century 

 Bristol, the famous castle then stood, as it had stood for ages, a mighty 

 stronghold, defending the city from hostile approach on the Gfloucester- 

 shire side. It matters little now whether it was ei-ected to protect the 

 town in its infancy, or whether afterwards it was used to overawe it, 

 when it had increased in wealth and power ; or whether it was made to 

 serve the double purpose of protecting both the city and the Grloucester- 

 shire estates of the great barons who held it. There it stood for five 

 hundred years, and round it surged some of the fiercest struggles of rival 

 princes and factions that England has ever known. William Wyrcestre. 

 of course, refers to it in his " Itinerary ," and gives the dimensions of its 

 great keep and other parts, from which may be gathered some idea of its 

 strength and importance. The earlier history of Bristol castle is better 

 known than the later, in consequence of the prominent j)osition it 

 occupied in the early history of the country. If, however, the following 

 chronicle entry under date 1546 is correct, it is evident that during the 

 reign of the youthful king Edward VI. it must have been devoted to 

 more peaceful uses than formerly : '' Also this year the King begun to 

 make a mint in the Castle, there to coin gold and silver, and also to print, 

 which is followed daily to the Glory of God." The end came when 

 Oliver Cromwell was in power, after the castle had played its part in the 

 revolution. In truly Cromwellian style he issued his warrant for its 

 destruction in the following terms, addressed to the mayor and common- 

 alty : " These are to authorise you forthwith to demolish the castle 

 within the city of Bristol, and for so doing this shall be your warrant. 

 — 28th day of Deer., 1654." So faithfully, although it would also 

 appear unwillingly, were these orders carried out, that practically noth- 

 ing has since remained beyond two chambers with gi'oined roofs and 

 other architectural features connecting them with the period of the 

 castle's erection. These may still be explored, although, as unhappily 

 they are not public property, they are not cared for as they should be. 

 There are also interesting relics of the sieges of the castle preserved in 

 the Bristol Museum. 



Freeman, in his sketch memoir of William the Conqueror, writes : 

 "Every season of anarchy is marked by the building of castles ; every 

 return of order brings with it their overthrow as a necessar}' condition 

 of peace." How completely this has been realized will appear when I 

 tell you that upon part of the site of the ancient Bristol castle now. 



