Search results for ""author cynthia stiles""

In any large city like Bristol there have always been those who are intemperate, resentful, envious, greedy, angry, lovelorn, depressed or sadistic. Given certain circumstances these traits and emotions can drive even the least-expected person to carry out criminal acts, which may be calculated, long planned, spur of the moment and, in some cases, seemingly inexplicable. They are all part of the dark history of Bristol. Examining that history shows that Bristol was a violent and dangerous place for many, and there were great gulfs between the privileged and the poor. In this book, local author Cynthia Stiles sets out to shed some light on a variety of murders and misdemeanours from the past, those who committed them and the conditions that may have prompted such actions. From highwaymen to murderers, prostitutes to outlaws and press gangs to prison escapes, this compelling collection presents a fascinating insight into the criminal and social history of the city. Illustrated throughout, Bristol: Danger, Death and Dark Deeds will be of interest to residents, visitors and local historians.

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Buildings are among the crucial features that define a city. They create the cityscape and form the horizon while, at a more personal level, they provide the homes for its citizens, their places of education, worship, entertainment, arts and commerce. Bristol can be found in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. Although it was never a Roman settlement, the city attracted the Normans who built a large castle, of which some small fragments remain. The destruction of the castle reflects the dramatic changes that have taken place to the city’s architecture over time, whether through redevelopment or bomb damage during the Second World War. Despite the transformation of its urban landscape through the ages, important architectural remnants of Bristol’s past remain, revealing the history of its trade, its residents and its significance to the nation as a whole. In Bristol in 50 Buildings, local historian Cynthia Stiles discusses some of the city’s major landmarks and lesser-known treasures, including the New Room, Courage Brewery and Wills Memorial Building, and explores how they’ve played a part in shaping the city’s fortunes. Bristol’s architectural hodgepodge of buildings, from lowly dwellings to lofty towers, is investigated and celebrated in this fascinating book. All of these buildings and many more are covered in this fascinating book: their history and the role they play today in one of England’s leading cities provide an enthralling historical narrative for the Bristol of yesterday and of today.

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