Building record 7859/1/1 - Road Bridge Over The River Nene

The present bridge was designed by George Portwood (a Stamford architect) and dates from 1722.

{1} In 1468-9 and 1470-1 the bridge by the castle was described as 'le Newebrigge'. South of the river in Warmington township it is served by a long causeway, seen in the early C17th cutting obliquely across the meadow boundaries, and presumably was constructed at the same time as the new bridge. It seems likely that this was an integral part of the works conducted by Edward IV from 1461 onwards. The removal of the road from the north side of the castle presumably allowing the expansion of the castle defences to create the outer court and particularly to enable the creation of the little park and other landscaping around the castle. Despite the diversion the road continued to be of importance for in 1586 it was specifically stated that the road from the bridge running north by the castle wall was a 'comon highe wayye for many passengers had between London and the northe partes'.
When Leland saw Fotheringhay bridge in the mid C16th it was constructed of timber. The stone bridge had been built in 1573, comprising four piers of stone covered with wood and fenced on either side, part in stone and part timber. The bridge was depicted by Tillemans in 1718 before it was rebuilt in 1722.

{2} Bridge over River Nene, stone-built with four segmental arches. The present bridge was built in 1722 and Leland records an earlier "timber bridge".

{3} Standing structure; possible medieval/post medieval bridge.

{4} The present bridge was designed by George Portwood (a Stamford architect) and dates from 1722. It has four semicircular arches, all at different heights. Stone from the King's Cliffe quarries was used in its construction.

{6} Four undated photos, also one photo dated January 1994, and four dated August 1995;

<1> FOARD G., 1999, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Fotheringhay (Medieval and Post Medieval), (unchecked) (Digital archive). SNN100481.

<2> Goodfellow P., 1998, Northamptonshire Bridges, (unchecked) (Gazetteer). SNN42745.

<3> Leland J., 1543, Itinerary, (unchecked) (Series). SNN13988.

<4> Northamptonshire Industrial Archaeology Group, 2001, NIAG Industrial Gazetteer, p.31 Site 124 (checked) (Draft). SNN101121.

<5> IVENS R.J., 2007, Report on An Archaeological Watching Brief at Castle Farm, Fotheringhay, Northamptonshire, 2007, p.3 (checked) (Report). SNN106007.

<6> Photographs of buildings in Fotheringhay (Photographs). SNN112503.

<7> Historic England, Undated, BRIDGE OVER NENE, FOTHERINGHAY, BF084375 (Archive). SNN116036.

Record last edited

Feb 9 2024 12:47PM