Footwear was recovered from 13 burials from the Stapleton Workhouse cemetery. Six were recorded from the original cemetery dating c. 1832-1852 and seven from the extension dating c. 1882-1895.

Where it could be determined, almost all were burials of men of mature years. Two were 50-75 years of age and eight were over 75 years old. Only one was recovered from an infant burial.

The leather is dry and desiccated which has caused a notable degree of distortion and the estimated shoe sizes do not make allowance for shrinkage.

An article in The Western Daily Press of Tuesday 19 June 1894 entitled ‘Life in Bristol Workhouse Part 2’ states that ‘all the boots worn by inmates are made in these (work)shops heavy boots for farm work to light boots for female wear’. However, the better surviving shoes present here are all front-lacing with low stacked leather heels occurring in various styles and constructions, ranging from sturdy working boots to dress shoes. As such, they would appear unlikely to have been issued as part of official workhouse uniform.

The shoe bottoms comprised several layers, usually an insole (the upper layer), middle layers and a sole (tread sole, the lower layer), often with repairs, with a separate heel nailed to the sole. The area between the insole and sole may be filled by additional layers or various small pieces of packing, often offcuts of leather, or other filling material.

The method by which these bottom layers are joined to each other and the shoe upper is called the shoe construction. Three shoe constructions were present here consisting of riveted, welted and stitched. The majority of the riveted examples use copper alloy (brass) rivets, including the adult size 7 (41) example.

One pair of well preserved boots, recovered from the original cemetery, are of blucher style (an open tab front-lacing boot). These are of welted construction with nailed repair soles added and are heavily hobnailed, this suggesting they were used for heavy outdoor work wear. They are the classic labourers boot with square toes and sturdy uppers. They are estimated to be an adult size 5 (38).

The balmoral boots, estimated to be an adult size 7 (41), were from the extension to the cemetery. This style was very popular from the middle of the 19th century through to the first quarter of the 20th century. They represent everyday dress worn by all classes, but were not intended for heavy labouring or agricultural work.

The shoe of stitched construction was located in the extension to the cemetery. It is of a drawstitch construction known as ‘machine-sewn’ or lockstitch in modern footwear manufacture. The facings/eyelet tabs at the front openings are poorly preserved but two lace holes have survived. The vamps have curving lapped side seams and stay stitching indicating an open tab front of Derby style. It is of adult size 8 (42).