::: the christmas steps (bristol 1)

originally called queene street in medieval times

before becoming known as knyfesmyth street, after the tradesmen there

the middle english pronunciation of knyfesmyth, with the ‘k’ sounded, may be the origin of the street’s modern name

an alternative theory is based on the nativity scene found in a stained glass window of the chapel of the three kings of cologne, which stands at the top of the steps

in the 17th century, the christmas steps is also believed to have been called lonsford’s stairs for a short period, in honour of a cavalier officer who was killed at the top of the steps during the siege of bristol in the english civil war

the song christmas steps by mogwai is named after the street