Story of Bristol (Saturday): The Tumultuous Seventeenth Century

Our Monday walks are very popular, but, of course, lots of people can't make them.

AND SO, we will be repeating our series of Story of Bristol Tours on one Saturday a month:

March 2026 = Medieval Origins
April = Medieval Monasticism
May = Tudor Traders
June = Tumultuous Seventeenth century
July = Kingdown Vertical Suburb
August = Park Street and Brandon Hill
September = Clifton in the Eighteenth Century
October = Victorian Industry
November = Byzantine Bristol
December = The Great War
January 2027 = Bristol Blitz: When the City Burned
February = Modern Bristol: Post war Rebuild

On these Story of Bristol sessions Steve shares his extensive research on the history of the city.

The Seventeenth Century was a time of great political and social upheaval in Britain. And Bristol was very much involved in some of the monumental events of this period.

After the religious upheaval of the Tudor period many puritans left for the Americas.

During the middle of the seventeenth century King Charles I was at war with parliament. Bristol changed hands several times during the ensuing Civil War.

Radical groups such as the Ranters, Fifth Monarchists and Levellers sought to overthrow the established order and create new egalitarian forms of community.

Suspicion was high during these turbulent times and many women lost their lives having been accused of witchcraft.

During this tumultuous hundred years Bristol was in the top three of English cities by size and importance and continued to be the country’s second port. Bristol played its part in these great events and was shaped by them.

Come along and discover the origins of Bristol in the Early Modern Period.

A Walk in the Past is a friendly group where regulars and newcomers are always welcome. Our aim is to combine a good walk with pleasant company in historic landscapes.

A set of written notes will be emailed out to walkers after the walk. This will allow you to hold on to what you have picked up from our exploration of the turbulent seventeenth century.