The River Severn gave Bristol's merchants an important route to the midlands and the north. From the 1500s to the coming of the canals and railways, the River Severn as far as Shrewsbury and the River Wye as far as Hereford were Bristol's main inland trade routes. Bristol was the distribution centre, taking imported goods up the rivers to sell and bringing back woollen cloth and agricultural produce.

In 1582, the merchants of Bristol petitioned Elizabeth I against the granting of rights to the port of Gloucester, which stood between Bristol and all the towns 'upp Severn where the merchauntes of Bristoll did usually make their vent of suche Comodyties as they bringe from beyonde Seas'. Bristol's merchants were concerned at the effect on Bristol's trade, and argued that only Bristol had the infrastructure to function as a regional port. The queen refused their petition to quash Gloucester's rights and confirm Bristol's rights to the trade upriver, despite a reminder about the taxes Bristol paid on its trade. In fact, Bristol kept its position as second city after London: maybe the merchants were exaggerating the effect it would have on their trade?