Monument record 849/9/1 - Kislingbury road bridge

The current bridge is thought to have been constructed in the 16th century, but documentary evidence and the remains of a masonry structure adjacent to it indicate the presence of an earlier bridge.

{1} The current bridge, although much repaired, is thought to have been constructed during the 16th century. In 1517 one Thomas Billing bequeathed money in his will for the repair of the Kislingbury bridge. This suggests that a bridge had been in operation at this site for some time prior to this. The remains of a masonry structure were observed immediately west of the current Kislingbury Road bridge. This wall was revealed during the re-instatement of a blocked river channel. Its proximity to the current road bridge, and the bank of the original river course, both suggest that this wall was part of an earlier bridge over the river Nene. It was not possible to assign an exact date to this wall. However the fact that it pre-dates the current road bridge, itself of considerable antiquity, suggests that it was constructed during the medieval period.

{2} Kislingbury Bridge is a five arch stone-built structure. It is thought to date from the sixteeneth century although the majority dates to the late eighteenth or nineteenth centuries. The two northnermost arches contain the earliest stonework but are both suffering decay, cracking and partial collapse. Documentary detail and recording of two northern arches.

<1> Abrams J., 2003, Watching Brief: Kislingbury Flood Alleviation Scheme, Northamptonshire, P. 14 (checked) (Report). SNN103356.

<2> Prentice, J., 2007, Archaeological assessment of Kislingbury Bridge, Northamptonshire August 2007, (checked) (Report). SNN107998.

<3> Chapman P. (Editor), 2008, Archaeology in Northamptonshire in 2007, p.299 (checked) (Article). SNN106430.

<4> Horne B. (Editor), 2008, South Midlands Archaeology: CBA Group 9 Newsletter (38), 38/42 (checked) (Journal). SNN106282.

<5> Gaimster, M., 2008, Post-medieval fieldwork in Britain, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands in 2007, 42 pt.2/374 (checked) (Article). SNN107517.

Record last edited

Mar 21 2022 10:42AM