Monument Type(s):

• BRIDGE? (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1540 AD)
• CAUSEWAY? (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1540 AD)
• WALL (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1540 AD)

Summary

The remains of a red sandstone wall were recorded in the 19th century. They were originally interpreted as a bridge abutment indicating the original length of the medieval English Bridge (PRN 62645). It has also been interpreted as part of a causeway from the medieval English Bridge to the bottom of the hill at Wyle Cop.

Related records

Associated Finds: None recorded

Associated Events

• ESA3716 - 1881 observation
• ESA4796 - 1998-1999 WB on Shrewsbury South Central (Phase 1) Water Mains Renewal by SCCAS

Description

In 1881 workmen digging a drain outside a new building, 35 or 35a Wyle Cop, encountered a red sandstone wall 8 feet (2.44m) from the frontage, at least 3 feet wide, with another parallel wall 14 feet (4.27m) to the south. They were interpreted by the observer as bridge abutment walls to mark out the line of the road leading to the Old Bridge [<1>]. The same observation was re-reported a decade later [<2>]. If this observation does indeed refer to the approach to the Stone Bridge (and the information is consistent with this) then the bridge is c.50 metres longer than previously thought, and the extent of the floodplain, possibly associated with dumping activities and waterlogged strata, also that much greater. <3>

A series of sandstone blocks and walls were identified during a watching brief on the Shrewsbury South Centrral (Phase 1) water mains renewal, at the E end of Wyle Cop. ->

-> It is probable that these blocks of sandstone masonry represented the remains of the causeway that is thought to have led from the old Stone Bridge to the bottom of the hill at Wyle Cop. One section of the wall seen in 1881 (see <1>) was re-recorded and interpreted here as part of this causeway. <4>

<01> 'Boileau', 1881-Nov-18, Under-the-Wyle (Article in serial). SSA10395.

<02> Burgess, 1892-Nov-25, Underground Shrewsbury (Article in serial). SSA10396.

<03> Baker Nigel J, UAD Analysis (SMR comment). SSA20432.

<04> Hannaford Hugh R, 1999, An Archaeological Watching Brief on the Shrewsbury South Central (Phase 1) Water Main Renewal, p.8 (Watching brief report). SSA20813.

Sources

Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.