Whitefriars Bridge
Whitefriars Bridge | |
|---|---|
Whitefriars Bridge in 2023 | |
| Coordinates | 52°38′03″N 1°18′01″E / 52.63426°N 1.30040°E |
| OS grid reference | TG 23429 09170 |
| Carries | Whitefriars |
| Crosses | River Wensum |
| Locale | Norwich, England |
| Next upstream | Fye Bridge |
| Next downstream | Jarrold Bridge |
| Characteristics | |
| Material | Stone |
| History | |
| Built | 1920s |
| Location | |
Interactive map of Whitefriars Bridge | |
Whitefriars Bridge, also known as the Bridge of St Martins, is a stone bridge over the River Wensum in Norwich, England, carrying the street Whitefriars.
History
The St Martin's Bridge is known to have existed since at least 1106, named after the nearby St Martin at Palace church; as such, it may have been pre-Norman Conquest in origin.[1] During Kett's Rebellion in 1549, John Dudley, Earl of Warwick ordered the destruction of all bridges to Norwich, though later modified the order to include only Whitefriars Bridge; this order was successful, and the bridge was destroyed.[2] This bridge is, however, depicted on William Cuningham's map of Norwich drawn up in 1558.[3]
It was subsequently rebuilt in stone in 1591 with a large arch and two turrets. This was taken down during the reign of James I (1603–1625). The bridge was repaired or altered in 1835.[4][5] That year, a stone coin mould was dredged from the river close to the bridge, seemingly a 19th-century attempt to duplicate Roman coins.[6]
The bridge was rebuilt in 1924–5 by city engineer A. E. Collins.[5][4] Aerial photographs of the bridge during World War II depict a road block and a possible above-ground air raid shelter.[7]
See also
- Carrow Bridge, another bridge built in the 1920s in Norwich
- Media related to Whitefriars bridge, Norwich at Wikimedia Commons
References
- ^ Ayers, Brian; Haynes, Clare; Heslop, Sandy; Lunnon, Helen; Dobson, David (2026). The parish churches of medieval Norwich: city, community and architecture. Oxford and Philadelphia: Oxbow Books. p. 78. ISBN 979-8-88857-182-8.
- ^ Beer, Barrett (2013). Rebellion and Riot: Popular Disorder in England During the Reign of Edward VI. Ashland: Kent State University Press. pp. 133–134. ISBN 978-0-87338-840-5.
- ^ Rawcliffe, Carole; Wilson, Richard; Clark, Christine, eds. (2004). Norwich since 1550. London; New York: Hambledon & London. p. 6. ISBN 978-1-85285-450-8.
- ^ a b "Whitefriars Bridge (Bridge of St Martins)". Norfolk Heritage Explorer. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
- ^ a b Pevsner, Nikolaus; Wilson, Bill (2002). Norfolk 1: Norwich and North-East. Yale University Press. p. 279. ISBN 9780300096071.
- ^ "MNF42854". Norfolk Heritage Explorer. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
- ^ "MNF59700". Norfolk Heritage Explorer. Retrieved 26 September 2025.