Queen Square, Bristol
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Queen Square is a public open space in the centre of the historic city of Bristol, England.
The square was planned in 1699 and building finished in 1727. The north side and much of the west were destroyed in the Bristol Riots of 1831 and rebuilt. Many of the buildings now having listed building status.
In 1937 the inner city ring road was driven diagonally across the square but in 2000 it was removed and the open space restored.
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[edit] Statue
In the centre of the square is an idealised Equestrian statue of William III by John Michael Rysbrack, cast in 1733 and erected in 1736 to signify the city's loyalty. The Bronze statue is on a Portland ashlar pedestal with a moulded plinth and cornice. A grade I listed building.[1]
[edit] Architecture
The north side contains the Custom House (1835-7) by Sydney Smirke, (II* listed),[2] and a terrace (1833) by Henry Rumley, which are now offices, (II* listed).[3]
The east side contains some 20th century buildings and the Port Authority Office (1885) by W.V. Gough. The sailors refuge which makes up nos 27-29 dates from 1709-11 and is II* listed.[4]
The south side contains varied 18th century buildings. Two are by R.S. Pope.
The west side was rebuilt in the 1830s after the riot, largely by Henry Rumley, some of which are still private houses but many are offices.[5][6][7][8][9]
[edit] Riot
The Bristol Riots of 1831 took place after the House of Lords rejected the second Reform Bill. Local magistrate Sir Charles Wetherall, a strong opponent of the Bill, visited Bristol to open the new Assize Courts and an angry mob chased him to the Mansion House in Queen Square.
The riots continued for three days, during which the palace of the Bishop of Bristol, the mansion of the Lord Mayor of Bristol, and private homes and property were looted and destroyed. Work on the Clifton Suspension Bridge was halted and Isambard Kingdom Brunel himself was sworn in as a special constable.
Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Brereton of the Dragoons led a charge with drawn swords through the mob in Queen Square. Hundreds were killed and wounded and the mob dispersed. Brereton was later court-martialled for leniency because he had refused to open fire on the crowds. Four men were hanged for leading the riot.
[edit] Modern times
Since the removal of the ring road in 2000 the square has become much quieter and the open space has been restored. Many of the buildings are used as offices. The Hole in the Wall pub on the corner of Queen Square nearest the docks used to be called the Coach and Horses in the past. This pub was frequented by sailors and also press gangs (recruiting for the British Navy) in the 18th century.
[edit] References
- ^ Equestrian statue of William III. Images of England. Retrieved on February 22, 2007.
- ^ Custom House and attached rear area wall and piers. Images of England. Retrieved on February 22, 2007.
- ^ Terrace of 9 houses, now offices. Images of England. Retrieved on February 22, 2007.
- ^ No.29 Sailor's Refuge. Images of England. Retrieved on February 22, 2007.
- ^ No.51 Phoenix House and attached railings and piers. Images of England. Retrieved on February 22, 2007.
- ^ No.56. Images of England. Retrieved on February 22, 2007.
- ^ No.57. Images of England. Retrieved on February 22, 2007.
- ^ No.58. Images of England. Retrieved on February 22, 2007.
- ^ No.59-62. Images of England. Retrieved on February 22, 2007.
- Andrew Foyle, Bristol, Pevsner Architectural Guides (2004) ISBN 0-300-10442-1
