Monument Type(s):

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

Summary

19th century accounts indicate the finding of bridge arches under the present roadway. Recent archaeological work has corrobrated this account, and indicates these were part of the Monk's Bridge in the medieval period (PRN 62645).

Related records

Associated Finds: None recorded

Associated Events

• ESA3866 - 1878 observation
• ESA4796 - 1998-1999 WB on Shrewsbury South Central (Phase 1) Water Mains Renewal by SCCAS

Description

A note published in December 1878 describes the old Stone Bridge and Monks' Bridge, and recounts that 'Some years ago, in excavating the foundation of new houses opposite the National School, one or two of these arches were found in existence under the present roadway'. <1>

This report is at slight variance to A W Ward's account of labourers in 1771-3 taking down the Abbey Bridge arches, filling in the spaces, and raising the road level. <2><3>

A series of features were recorded at the eastern end of the former Stone Bridge, and of the Monk's Bridge, during a watching brief on the Shrewsbury South Central (Phase 1) water mains renewal, largely corrobrating accounts from the 19th century (see PRN 62645). <4>

<01> W H, 1878-Dec-11, The Old East Bridge (Article in serial). SSA10487.

<02> Ward A W, 1935, Bridges of Shrewsbury, p55 (1983 repr) (Monograph). SSA5617.

<03> Baker Nigel J (ed), 2002, Shrewsbury Abbey: Studies in the Archaeology of an Urban Monastery, pp.206-207 (Monograph). SSA10481.

<04> Hannaford Hugh R, 1999, An Archaeological Watching Brief on the Shrewsbury South Central (Phase 1) Water Main Renewal, pp.9-10 (Watching brief report). SSA20813.

Sources

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