Kingswood Chase
The development of the forest from the monarchs hunting grounds to busy industrial township with a thriving boot and shoe industry. Until the 19thc greater Kingswood was inhabitied by a rough and ready population of miners, small holders and cottagers who were ever ready to take what they could from the land and neighbouring communities, like Bristol, in order to survive. In the 13thc it was seen by some astute business men that Kingswood was ripe for exploitation, the problem was that the forest was owned by the crown and used for hunting. The solution was to come into the area and defy authority and take the naurtal resources ie Coal and wood. Succesive monarch tried to claw back control but were thworted by the powerful landlords who had taken Liberties, the name applied to these holdings. Various bailiffs were appointed by the monarch but none were unable to take back control of the area. Over time these efforts became less and less vigourous until the status quo was allowed to remain. Reformers including John Wesley, George Whitefield, John Cennick and Samuel Budget came to educate and convert the local populace. Churches and schools were set up which were whole heartedly embraced by the people, proving that the former supposed villainy was a matter of survival rather than evil intent. The area now supports many small firms which came into excistance to service the aircraft factories at Filton and Patchway. Today urban and rural communities make up the present day area of the former Borough of Kingswood which is now part of South Gloucestershire.