Building record 1862/1/1 - Thrapston Bridge & Attached Causeway

{1} Bridge over River Nene. Medieval origins, partly rebuilt and widened mid/late C18 and restored C19 and C20. Squared coursed limestone and limestone ashlar, part restored with blue brickwork. East elevation of 9 arches. 4 arches to left are medieval, double chamfered, with 2-centred heads; widened C18 with semi-circular outer arches. 5 arches to centre and right are probably C18, semi-circular, with plain string course above 4 arches to right. All rches have orange brick dressings. 2 arches to far right have panels of blue brickwork between. 4 cutwaters, with refuges, between centre arches. Plain parapet with chamfered ashlar coping. West elevation is similar with panels of blue brickwork to left and 2 cutwaters with refuges between centre arches. In 1224 Bishop Hugh of Wells granted an indulgence to travellers contributing to the repair of the bridge and in 1313 Bishop Dalderby granted an indulgence for the fabric of the Chapel of St. Thomas the Martyr next to the bridge. In C14 and C15 grants were obtained for its repair. Leland mentions a bridge of 8 arches in 1543 and a brief for repairs mentions a bridge of 24 arches in 1664.

{4} It is uncertain exactly when Thrapston bridge was constructed but it was certainly in existence by 1224. In the C13th the maintenance of the bridge was probably primarily through payments made to the chapel at its west end, for in 1224 there was a grant of relaxation of ten days penance to all travellers who gave alms for the repair of the bridge. Leland, writing in the mid 16th century, describes a bridge of 8 arches, but in 1664 the bridge, then needing repair, was described as being of 24 arches. Although the 1720 description of the bridge as being of 8 arches may simply derive from Leland's account this is unlikely for Bridges goes on to say that its maintenance was the joint responsibility of Thrapston and Islip and that a hollow stone stood on the centre of the bridge on the south side to mark the extent of the responsibility of each township. At that time a toll was still collected at the bridge, as it had been in the medieval period, for the maintenance of the structure. Significantly, the document of 1664 states that upon the bridge 'depends most of the course and commerce of the neighbouring parts'.

{8} Bridge over River Nene; stone built with 9 arches. Mentioned in Indulgence of 1224.

{7} In 1224 Bishop Hugh of Wells granted an indulgence to travellers contributing to the repair of the bridge. In 14th and 15th centuries grants were obtained for its repair. Leland mentions a bridge of 8 arches in 1543 and a brief for repairs mentions a bridge of 24 arches in 1664.Partly rebuilt and widened mid/late 18th century and restored 19th and 20th centuries. East elevation of 9 arches. 4 arches to the left are medieval.

{10} Undated photo;

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 16/153 (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), G08 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN41470.

<3> Page W. (ed), 1930, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.139 (unchecked) (Series). SNN100370.

<4> Foard G., 1999, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Thrapston (Medieval + Post Medieval), (checked) (Digital archive). SNN100460.

<5> Islip Inclosure Map, (unchecked) (Map). SNN100469.

<6> 1781 (circa), Thrapston Inclosure Map, (unchecked) (Map). SNN100461.

<7> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, p.72 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN41061.

<8> Goodfellow P., 1998, Northamptonshire Bridges, (checked) (Gazetteer). SNN42745.

<9> Goodfellow P., 1986, Medieval Bridges in Northamptonshire, p.143-58 (checked) (Article). SNN1781.

<10> Photographs of buildings in Thrapston (Photographs). SNN113630.

Record last edited

Jul 6 2022 11:02AM