}
Wine and cloth
Over time, Bristol's European trade changed according to the political and economic circumstances. For a while in the 1400s and 1500s, Bristol merchants were the middlemen in trade between northern and southern Europe. Trade with France became increasingly less important because of war and political changes, while trade with Spain and Portugal increased.
Woollen cloth and wine were the staples of trade. In addition, merchants exported Woollen cloth, hides, tin, fish, coal and, later, tobacco and imported wine, port, sherry, salt, olive oil, grain, woad, cork and timber
Bristol's trade with France probably begins in the 11th century when voyages would have been likely. By the 12th century Anglo-French trade is firmly established. Aided by the marriage of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine in 1152, which brought Aquitaine under English rule, trade flourished. In a charter of 1155 Bristol burgesses are freed of toll and passage and all custom throughout Henry II's lands, including the land he owned in France. This meant that Bristol merchants did not have to pay tax on goods they imported and exported out of the English ruled areas of France, making trade a lucrative business. In the centuries that followed commodities such as wine, iron, resin and woad were shipped into Bristol's port and wool, cloth, leather, tin and foodstuffs shipped back to France. How much was imported and exported often depended on the political events of the time. Outbreak of war in 1294, the Hundred Years War (1337 - 1453), and subsequent skirmishes all hindered trade, whilst the loss of Bordeaux to the French in 1453 had a huge impact on business.
Woollen cloth and wine were the staples of trade. In addition, merchants exported Woollen cloth, hides, tin, fish, coal and, later, tobacco and imported wine, port, sherry, salt, olive oil, grain, woad, cork and timber
Bristol's trade with France probably begins in the 11th century when voyages would have been likely. By the 12th century Anglo-French trade is firmly established. Aided by the marriage of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine in 1152, which brought Aquitaine under English rule, trade flourished. In a charter of 1155 Bristol burgesses are freed of toll and passage and all custom throughout Henry II's lands, including the land he owned in France. This meant that Bristol merchants did not have to pay tax on goods they imported and exported out of the English ruled areas of France, making trade a lucrative business. In the centuries that followed commodities such as wine, iron, resin and woad were shipped into Bristol's port and wool, cloth, leather, tin and foodstuffs shipped back to France. How much was imported and exported often depended on the political events of the time. Outbreak of war in 1294, the Hundred Years War (1337 - 1453), and subsequent skirmishes all hindered trade, whilst the loss of Bordeaux to the French in 1453 had a huge impact on business.