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Bridgnorth Severn Bridge

In the civil parish of Bridgnorth.
In the historic county of Shropshire.
Modern Authority of Shropshire.
1974 county of Shropshire.
Medieval County of Shropshire.

OS Map Grid Reference: SO71869300
Latitude 52.53417° Longitude -2.41590°

Bridgnorth Severn Bridge has been described as a certain Fortified Bridge.

There are masonry footings remains.

This is a Grade 2 listed building protected by law*.

Description

The earliest bridge may have been at Quatford. Until the building of Bewdley Bridge c1447 the Bridgnorth bridge was the main crossing point of the Severn in this area. The Chapel was known variously as 'The Holy Trinity and St Sythe', 'St Clement and St Syth' or 'St Sythe'. St Sythe was a Saxon Saint who narrowly escaped drowning crossing a footbridge and was a favoured saint of Richard de Belleme. Buildings on the bridge stood more or less intact at the end of the 18th century but were gradually removed to aid traffic flow. By 1924, no buildings survived. A gatehouse stood on the bridge. This may be the roundheaded archway with rooms above shown in 18th century illustrations. It was removed by 1824, for in 1823-24 the bridge was widened throughout and both ends rebuilt (Clark-Maxwell). (Shropshire HER 00423)
The precise location of the chapel to St Osyth or St Sythe is uncertain, but it was probably over the fortified gate on the bridge. The foundation of the chapel may go back to the founding of the town, c1100. A detailed inventory of the chapel of the early C16 is published. The Gateway is shown in a painting of 1797. It seems probable that the Gatehouse was sited upon the second pier of the bridge. (Shropshire HER 00382)

Of medieval origin but largely rebuilt 1795 with further reconstruction by Telford 1823. (Listed Building Report)
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This record last updated 26/07/2017 09:21:28

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