Caernarfon Cadnant Bridge

Description

The lower estuarine part of the Cadnant was crossed by a second bridge which linked the East Gate and the walled town with the eastern bank of the river. A stone bridge of six arches was built about 1301~2 and was defended by an outer gateway by 1310. The bridge like the walls, quay and haven was a royal responsibility. In 1319 the burgesses are found petitioning the Crown for its repair and extensive repairs were carried out in 1320. Speed's map and eighteenth~century engravings show the gate with a pair of rectangular towers and the bridge with a similar smaller structure. (Carter 1969)

Bridge outside Porth Mawr, formerly with drawbridge, which formed main access to the medieval town. Now survives under road/buildings along Stryd y Porth Mawr (Eastgate Street). Series of arches still survive towards E end, and (later) arch visible under Tan y Bont. Described by RCAHM.
Demolition along N side of Eastgate Street in 1961 allowed recording of further details of bridge (Jones 1962). (Gwynedd Archaeological Trust)

£1 7s. 21/2d. was applied to the reconstuction of of the fore gate which eigtheenth-century engravings show standing on the bridge in front of the Exchequer gate proper. (HKW)