The second port of England, at the meeting of the Avon and the Frome, built up under the castle of the earls of Gloucester.
Bristol looks west: Henry II gave Dublin to the men of Bristol to settle in 1171-72, and its ships carry hides, grain and fish from Ireland and wine from Gascony. The castle is one of the strongest in England and the king's. The burgesses hold John's charter, but have no mayor yet; the first comes in 1216. The suburbs of Redcliffe and Temple on the Somerset bank belong to other lords.
Who holds it
- Name
- King John
- Title
- Lord of the town
- Since
- As lord of the honour of Gloucester since 1189; as king since 1199
- Confidence
- high
The castle has been royal since Henry II took it from Earl William after the revolt of 1173-74; the town came to John with the Gloucester marriage, and he gave the burgesses their charter of liberties as count of Mortain.
Lord in 1200
The king, through his reeve and the constable of the castle; Redcliffe across the Avon is the Berkeley family's and the Temple fee the Templars'.
How things stand that morning
The king's town and castle; Redcliffe and Bedminster on the Somerset side are outside the borough.
Charter
John's charter as count of Mortain and lord of Bristol (traditionally dated 1188; if the style is taken strictly, 1189-99): the burgesses not to plead outside the town, freedom from toll in John's lands, and other liberties.
Council
The king's reeve (prepositus) and the burgesses' court; mayor only from 1216.
Communities
The Jewry (accused in a blood libel in 1183; an archa by the end of the century); Irish and Welsh traders; the Templars of the Temple fee.
Fairs and markets
St James's fair (25 July) in the churchyard of St James's Priory, founded by Earl Robert of Gloucester.
Militia
The townsmen hold the walls; the castle garrison is royal.
Walls and castle
Town walls between the rivers; the royal castle with its great keep on the east.
Trade and crafts
The Irish trade (hides, corn, fish), Gascon wine, cloth and soap, shipbuilding.
Places of note
- Bristol castle: Royal castle
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: The Dublin grant, the castle and the Jewry are well attested; the date of John's charter is uncertain within 1188-99.
Primary sources for England
Chronicles, registers, sagas and inscriptions written in or near 1200 that cover this entry. Each has its own page with editions, translations and where to read it.
- Chronicle of Jocelin of Brakelond, Jocelin of Brakelond (about 1198 to 1203). An inside account of Bury St Edmunds under Abbot Samson, written while the events were fresh. Read online
- Chronicle of Melrose, Anonymous (monks of Melrose abbey) (about 1173 to 1270, in many hands; the 1200 entries are near contemporary). The main Scottish annal for the year, kept at a Cistercian house on the Tweed. Read online
- Chronicle of Roger of Howden, Roger of Howden (about 1192 to 1201). The fullest single narrative for the year. Read online
- Chronicle of the Princes, Anonymous (Welsh translation of a lost Latin chronicle kept at Strata Florida) (Latin original to about 1282, compiled from contemporary annals; Welsh versions about 1300 and later). The native Welsh record of the year. Read online
- Chronicle; Deeds of the Kings, Gervase of Canterbury (Chronica about 1188 to 1199; Gesta Regum about 1199 to 1210). The Chronica stops in 1199, so for 1200 the witness is the briefer Gesta Regum, which notes John's peace with Philip, the coronation of Isabella at Westminster on 8 October 1200, and matters touching Canterbury: the archbishop Hubert Walter as chancellor, the cathedral priory's quarrel with him, and the Lambeth college dispute lately settled by the pope. Read online
- English Chronicle of Ralph of Coggeshall, Ralph of Coggeshall (about 1200 to 1224, in stages). Short but independent entries for 1200 from a Cistercian house in Essex: John's levy on the Cistercians and the carucage, the peace with Philip, the king's new marriage and the queen's coronation, and the death of Hugh of Lincoln. Read online
- Flowers of History, Roger of Wendover (about 1220 to 1235 at St Albans). For 1200 Wendover is mostly Howden rewritten, so he is a second witness only where he adds St Albans material: a long account of Hugh of Lincoln's last months, death and funeral, and anecdotes about John's conduct toward the Cistercians and his new queen. Read online
- Images of History, Ralph de Diceto (about 1188 to 1202). A London view of the year from the dean of St Paul's, who knew the justiciar and the bishops personally. Read online
22 more in the sources library for The British Isles.
Sources and studies
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.