Monument record 622/1/1 - West Bridge

{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 it reopened in 1857 it was only 30ft wide & later in 1903 widened to 50ft due to traffic congestion.

{6} Mentions "that the Prior & 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, (unchecked) (Map). SNN559.

<2> Noble; Butlin, 1746, Town Map, (unchecked) (Map). SNN430.

<3> Roper; Cole, 1807, Map of The Town of Northampton, (checked) (Map). SNN621.

<4> Wood; Law, 1847, Town Map of Northampton, (checked) (Map). SNN752.

<5> Goodfellow A. V., 1980, The Bridges of Northampton, p.155 (unchecked) (Article). SNN2568.

<6> 1274, Hundred Rolls, (unchecked) (Document). SNN2569.

<7> 1556, Borough Assembly Book, 567 (unchecked) (Document). SNN2570.

<8> Borough Assembly Book, 771 (unchecked) (Document). SNN2571.

Record last edited

Sep 2 2014 4:25PM