Monument record 1160/3/11 - East Gate

{1} East Gate located at the end of Abington St leading to St Edmund's End.

{2} "The Eastgate, much the fairest of all, was large and high, embellished with shields of arms and other ornaments of stonework."

{3} The East gate is mentioned in John's reign. Probably built in the C14th, the East Gate being very handsome and adorned with coats of arms.

{4}Mentions the East gate.

{5} Mentions in his description that the East gate appeared to have been built in the C14th. He describes it as being very handsome and adorned with coats of arms.

{6} Quotes Bridges description of the East Gate.

{7} East Gate almost certainly belonging to medieval period recorded prior to 1166


[SMR note 20/11/2009: the cooments below seem to refer to a different monument and do not correspond with the sources listed]
{1}West Bridge is shown with four arches
{2}{3}{4} West Bridge shown
{5}West bridge may have been built in 1150 after the founding of St James's Abbey. Leland mentions the bridge being constructed of stone. 1615 repairs were made to the bridge due its ruinous state. 1622 Nene floods recorded of an arch being destroyed. In 1642 bridges were chained up. During the Civil war drawbridges were added to both the bridges. West Bridge was rebuilt in the 19th century. When reopened in 1857 it was only 30ft wide and later in 1903 widened to 50ft due to traffic congestion.
{6}Mentions "that the Prior and Convent of St Andrew's, Northampton have obstructed the king's road near to the West Bridge of Northampton.
{7}Mention of the Bridge in the assembly orders for town traders.
{8}Taxation order for the repairs to the bridge as it was in a ruinous state of repairs.

<1> Speed J., 1610, Map of Northamptonshire, (checked) (Map). SNN559.

<2> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Book). SNN100366.

<3> Page W. (ed), 1930, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.30 (checked) (Series). SNN100370.

<4> CHARTER, (unchecked) (Document). SNN2668.

<5> Lee H., 1931, A History of Northampton, p.91 (unchecked) (Article). SNN42839.

<6> Wetton, 1849, Guidebook to Northampton and its Vicinity, p.27-29 (checked) (Book). SNN1032.

<7> 1166, BL ROYAL, (unchecked) (Document). SNN42656.

<8> Welsh T.C., 2000-01, Documentary Sources for The Course of The Medieval Town Wall, Northampton, (unchecked) (Article). SNN103958.

Record last edited

Nov 20 2009 4:16PM