History
The bridge was constructed in 1160 during the time of Bishop Hugh de Puiset (1153–95). Hugh Du Puiset, also known as "Bishop Pudsey" was a powerful Prince Bishop, who instigated a significant amount of building work in northern England. The bridge has a total of ten arches. There is, however, some dispute over how many arches exist. Sixteenth-century antiquarian John Leland believed the bridge had 14 arches, but this has never been proven. The river flows through four full arches - the remaining are dry or semi-dry. Ten arches have been identified, others may be hidden beneath the street on the Elvet side or beneath Souter Peth. A key reason for the construction of the bridge was because of the urban development taking place in what was the then Elvet borough.
The bridge was repaired extensively under Bishop Fox between 1495 and 1501, and again in 1601. In 1771 a flood badly damaged the bridge.
In the mediaeval period Elvet Bridge was guarded by a gate and towers, and a number of buildings were situated upon the bridge. This included two chapels which stood at either end (one of which was later replaced with a House of Correction (prison)). The chapel upon the eastern, Elvet, side of the bridge has survived partially intact to the present day and is particularly visible when viewed from the riverbanks to the south. A number of buildings incorporate part of the bridge structure, and 18 Elvet Bridge is also Grade I listed as a result.
The bridge is reputed to be the narrowest row-through bridge in Europe.
Read more about this topic: Elvet Bridge
Famous quotes containing the word history:
“English history is all about men liking their fathers, and American history is all about men hating their fathers and trying to burn down everything they ever did.”
—Malcolm Bradbury (b. 1932)
“You that would judge me do not judge alone
This book or that, come to this hallowed place
Where my friends’ portraits hang and look thereon;
Ireland’s history in their lineaments trace;
Think where man’s glory most begins and ends
And say my glory was I had such friends.”
—William Butler Yeats (1865–1939)
“Boys forget what their country means by just reading “the land of the free” in history books. Then they get to be men, they forget even more. Liberty’s too precious a thing to be buried in books.”
—Sidney Buchman (1902–1975)