Whitefriars Bridge
Whitefriars Bridge | |
|---|---|
Whitefriars Bridge in 2022 | |
| 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
A bridge on the site named the Bridge of St Martins dates to 1110–20.[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]
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.[1][3] That year, a stone coin mould was dredged from the river close to the bridge, seemingly a 19th-century attempt to duplicate Roman coins.[4]
The bridge was rebuilt in 1924–5 by city engineer A. E. Collins.[3][1] Aerial photographs of the bridge during World War II depict a road block and a possible above-ground air raid shelter.[5]
See also
- Carrow Bridge, another bridge built in the 1920s in Norwich
- Media related to Whitefriars bridge, Norwich at Wikimedia Commons
References
- ^ a b c "Whitefriars Bridge (Bridge of St Martins)". Norfolk Heritage Explorer. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.