Mariner marriages, St Augustine The Less, Bristol (General)

by Jefff , West London, Middlesex, Tuesday, October 18, 2011, 23:31 (4791 days ago) @ eromdap

A quick "Google" has shown many posts on various FH Forums discussing marriages of Mariners at this Church, the few discussions I've read give no clues or even discussion as to why this particular Church. This article about the Church is interesting, it shows it was of medieval origin, important enough to became Bristol's first "Cathedral" way back in 1542.
http://www.churchcrawler.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/bristol4/augless.htm

This was very much the time of famous Bristol sailor/explorer John Cabot (or as I've just found Giovanni Caboto, born in Italy !), and the start of Bristol's real importance in the nautical world. I've seen no suggestion at all that St Augustine The Less is of particular importance to mariners, and it's my opinion that its essentially a case of mathematical probability; as high numbers of the local people were associated with the sea trades, and that St Augustine was for many the senior Church/Cathedral in Bristol, so it's reasonable to find the two apparently closely related. Perhaps more so to outsiders who might reasonably but perhaps incorrectly assume the Cathedral of Bristol is "the" place for English and particularly West Country mariners to marry.

I've had a quick look at potted histories of various Bristol churches & chapels and it seems the one most likely to be linked to seafarers & merchants is St Mary at Redcliffe in the City centre overlooking the River.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Mary_Redcliffe

This states "The first church .. was built in Saxon times, as the port of Bristol first began. The present building is probably the fourth or fifth church that has been built on this site.
In medieval times, St. Mary Redcliffe, sitting on a red cliff above the River Avon, was a sign to seafarers, who would pray in it at their departure, and give thanks there upon their return. The church was built and beautified by Bristol's wealthy merchants, who paid to have masses sung for their souls and many of whom are commemorated there. "
The present spire is amost 100m high and the tallest building in Bristol !

I hope this is of interest and helps with your query.