Cynthia Stiles – författare

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.

The ancient county of Gloucestershire is steeped in folklore and unique traditions. Its landscapes encompass the Cotswold uplands which became wealthy in the Middle Ages through the wool trade, the Forest of Dean and its mining history and the River Severn with its valley flatlands. Alongside stories of dragons, ghosts, witches, saints and sinners, flood, fire and hidden treasure are old customs handed down through the ages. Here one will find the Witch of Berkeley, Tom Long, the highwayman, the Deerhurst Dragon, mummers and morris dancers and cheese throwing amongst many other tales and traditions. Illustrated Tales of Gloucestershire will explore Gloucestershire’s hidden history where legend, folklore and reality are intertwined in a compelling story of the county's often magical past and present-day traditions.These strange and spooky stories are accompanied by illustrations of places featured in the text, both present-day and historical, in this hugely entertaining book.

Bristol has been one of England’s largest cities since it became a county in 1373. In the seventeenth century writers described Bristol as ‘a little London for merchants’ and it held its status as a major port from the Middle Ages. Yet despite its mercantile wealth Bristol has been called paradoxical and down the years the quirks have shone through. Not least is why Bristol was ever successful as a port in the first place. Inland on a river with a dangerous bend, it has a tidal rise and fall that is the second greatest of any in the world, which left ships stranded in mud for several hours of the day. In Quirky Bristol author Cynthia Stiles delves into lesser-known but fascinating tales from Bristol’s past. In this book, readers will find stories of ‘diamonds’ and rare plants found in the Avon Gorge, architectural oddities, early medical practices and practitioners in the city, the nineteenth-century craze of pedestrianism, the famous Bristol Milk and Bristol Cream and much, much more.Quirky Bristol celebrates the unusual and often strange history of the city and its characters over the years. This fascinating insight into Bristol will be of interest to all those who want to know more about the city’s quirky history.

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.

Bristol has been reinventing itself continuously, which has always brought new people and new ideas into a city with many old traditions. From its beginnings it was a port and many nationalities have made their home here, some for generations, some for just long enough to make their mark before moving on. Bristol was also the starting point for several voyages to the New World including John Cabot’s discovery of Newfoundland in 1497.Even in the early twentieth century Bristol was called ‘a grand muddle’ and now it may seem a city that has lost much of its past, through enemy action, bad planning and indiscriminate demolition. Glancing around, there are many modern buildings of concrete, steel and glass, but scratch the surface and layers of history are uncovered, while here and there that history still remains in view – if you know where to look.In this book, local author Cynthia Stiles takes readers on an engaging history tour of Bristol to discover some of its places and the people who have lived and worked there over the centuries, including Samuel Plimsoll. There are the famous ships including SS Great Britain and The Matthew, the inns, hidden lanes, buildings and bridges. From hot-air balloons to explorers, press gangs to carnivals, and Cary Grant to Wallace and Gromit, this is a fascinating look at a vibrant and surprising city.

Over the last few years Bristol has received many accolades such as the UK’s ‘happiest city’, ‘most desirable location to live’, ‘kindest and most selfless people’, and ‘most artistic city’. Although such titles can be subjective, there’s no doubt that there is much in Bristol to celebrate both in its past and its present. Bristol has changed over the centuries, being a port, an industrial centre, a university city, absorbing new people and ideas into the old.In this book, local author Cynthia Stiles looks at some of the accomplishments, actions and events that have given Bristol its distinct identity and character, and made it a place worth celebrating. Among the subjects she highlights are the city’s traditions, festivals and diversity; its arts scene – from works by Banksy to statues and sculptures in the streets – and the notable people including philanthropists, physicians and politicians. Here too are the city’s sportspeople and achievements, together with its royal connections across the ages. Other chapters focus on the revival and regeneration of old buildings, the shipbuilding and aviation industries, and the city as a centre for today’s film-makers such as the BBC Natural History Unit and Academy Award-winning Aardman Animations.Illustrated throughout, Celebrating Bristol will be a valuable contribution to local history and of immense interest to residents, visitors and anyone with links to this fascinating city.