| Medieval bridge site, Bridgwater | |
| Type: Bridge |
| Period: C13 |
| County: Somerset |
| District: Sedgemoor |
| Parish: Bridgwater |
| HER number: 12392 |
| Grid reference (NGR): |
| View record on Somerset HER:
www.somersetheritage.org.uk/record/12392 |
Designations:
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Description:
The C13 bridge over the River Parrett was demolished in 1795, when a cast iron bridge was substituted. A print is in the Blake Museum. {1}
{2}
The original bridge, according to William Worcestre had three arches and was 122ft long with a chapel on it. Surviving drawings indicate it was hump-backed but with no building present. In 1795 it was replaced by a single span iron bridge made at Coalbrookdale which was also replaced in 1883. {3}
The first element of Bridgwater, commonly thought to refer to a bridge built by the Domesday lord Walter of Douai, is more likely to be derived either from the Old Norse bryggja, meaning a quay or jetty, or from the Old English brycg, a gang plank between ship and shore. The grant of pontage to William Brewer in 1200 indicates that a bridge either already existed or was planned. Brewer was later remembered as the builder of the bridge. In the later 13th century there was apparently a common fund to maintain the bridge, known by 1286 as the great bridge. Sir John Trivet gave 300 marks to rebuild the bridge in the 1390s, and work on it was in progress in 1399-1400. There were houses on both the old and the new bridge. In the 1480s tides and military vehicles damaged the bridge, which was repaired in 1532 and 1678. It was of stone, with three arches and cutwaters. By the end of the 18th century all the houses on it had been removed It proved difficult to demolish and its piers were still standing when the new bridge was constructed. {4}
Charter granted by King Henry VII, 1486: "Furthermore we have granted that the said Mayor Bayliffs and Burgesses [of Bridgwater] and their Successors shall forever have and Receive for every Plough or Cart drawen or passing with Merchandizes or Gross wood over the Bridge of the Town or Burrough aforesaid One penny And the Money thereby arising to be applyed for and about the amending and fortefying the Bridge there from time to time and that it shall be Lawfull to them the said Mayor Bayliffs and Burgesses and their Successors to Cleanse Secure and amend the Banks and Walls of the Water within the Town or Burrough aforesaid Liberties and precincts thereof and the Rocks and Stones lying and being in the Bottom of the same water to draw from thence as often as it shall be necessary for the safe bringing and lying of Ships and other Vessells there and the same Stones to have and retain for the amending and repairing of the Bridge aforesaid and for paving the said Town or Burrough without any let molestation hindrance or Impediment of us our Heirs or Successors or of any other our Ministers whatsoever..." {5}
Leland described the bridge as "a right auncient stronge and high Bridge of stone of 3. Arches begon of William Bruer, the first Lord of that Toune, yn King Richard the first and King John's Dayes. One Triveth, a Gentilman, as I there lernid, of Devone or Cornewalle, finished this Bridge: and the Trivetes, beyng the Armes that Triveth gave, appere there in a Sheld yn the coping of the Chekes of the Bridge ..." {6}
The 1st ed. OS 1/2500 map marks the site of the medieval bridge about 20 metres north of the present bridge. {7} |
Sources:
1: Record card: Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division record card. Record ID: ST 33 NW 13 (1964) Copy in HER file.
2: Journal article: Baker, W. Bridgwater old bridge. <i> Somerset Archaeology and Natural History, </i> <b>1</b> (1851), 64 and plate <a href="https://sanhs.org/16baker/" target="_blank"><img src="/img/link_icon.png" alt="Globe icon" style="padding-bottom:4px;" /> Available online</a>.
3: Book: Aston, M and Leech, R. <i>Historic Towns in Somerset</i>. (1977), 17.
4: Book: Dunning, RW (ed). <i>Victoria History of the County of Somerset</i>. Vol. 6 (1992) <a href="https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/som/vol6" target="_blank"><img src="/img/link_icon.png" alt="Globe icon" style="padding-bottom:4px;" /> Available online</a>.
5: Archive or record: <i>Charters, Minutes etc., Record Keeping</i>. (early C19). Copy available in Archives and Records at Somerset Heritage Centre. Reference: D/B/bw/2418.
6: Journal article: Bates, EH. Leland in Somersetshire, 1540-1542. <i> Somerset Archaeology and Natural History, </i> <b>33</b> (1887), 60-136 <a href="https://sanhs.org/12bates/" target="_blank"><img src="/img/link_icon.png" alt="Globe icon" style="padding-bottom:4px;" /> Available online</a>.
7: Email: Greenfield, D (David), to Somerset HER (19/11/2002) not retained. |