THE CASE FOR ROMAN
AND EARLY SAXON BEDMINSTER AND THE ROMAN ROAD FROM THE MENDIPS TO BEDMINSTER.
When people are asked about the history of Bedminster, it is
likely that for many the image is of an industrial working-class suburb
dominated by two large employers in the shape of WD & HO Wills (tobacco)
and E S A Robinson (paper bags) who moved into the area in the 1880s. They
might also be aware of the Bedminster coalmining industry dating back to the 17th
century.
However, Bedminster can trace its history back much further
than this. It has long been suspected
that East Street and West Street had origins from at least the Roman
period. Roman coins found when the
foundations for the Bedminster Hippodrome were dug in East Street in 1911
indicated that this might indeed be the case and the more recent discovery of a
Romano-British settlement during excavations at the Mail Marketing Building in West
Street confirm that indeed there was some form of settlement in the Bedminster area
during the Roman period.
Bedminster was also a site of major importance during the early
Anglo-Saxon period. Its very name indicates
that it was the site of a minster church or monasterium
whilst Bedminster is recorded in the Somerset Domesday as one of a very
select group of just twelve royal vills
or estates that are believed to be amongst the most ancient in the county.
To try and establish what sort of settlement might have
existed at Bedminster, we need to step back and look at the context of
Bedminster in the wider area and its place in the Roman occupation and
exploitation of Britain.
So this series of articles will look at how Bedminster
fitted into the Roman and early Saxon landscape, it’s probable role in the
transportation of lead and silver extracted from the mines on the Mendip Hills,
its position in the Roman transport network and how that linked to the Chew
Valley and the Mendips, it’s role in the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex as an
ancient royal manor, the likelihood of it being a centre for early Christian
worship, and how it and other neighbouring territories in the Chew Valley and
on the Mendips might provide clues to how the Saxons implemented their takeover
of the Romano-British lands to the south of the Bristol Avon.
Part one looks at the natural resources that Britain was
famous for throughout the classical world – precious metals, and, in particular
the Lead and Silver mined on the Mendips.
Part two looks at the Roman road from the Mendips down into
the Chew Valley, and the proposed Roman Road linking the Chew Park villa estate
with Bedminster.
Part three finishes by looking at Bedminster itself, its
possible role in Roman Britain, and its importance in the Early Saxon
administration.
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