An old engraving of London Bridge c. 1650 depicting the medieval bridge with buildings from end to end. This stone-built medieval arched structure replaced earlier timber bridges. Work began in 1176. It was finished by 1209. It had a drawbridge to allow for the passage of tall ships, plus defensive gatehouses at both ends. By 1358 it had 138 shops on the bridge. The buildings on London Bridge were a major fire hazard. Traitors’ heads were displayed on spikes at the Stone Gateway on the south bank (bottom right). This began in about 1300 and continued until about 1660.
An old engraving of London Bridge c. 1650 depicting the medieval bridge covered in buildings from end to end. Several bridges named 'London Bridge' have spanned the River Thames in central London. The current crossing, which opened to traffic in 1973, replaced a 19th-century stone-arched bridge, which in turn superseded this stone-built medieval structure, which replaced an early succession of timber bridges, the first of which was built by the Romans. King Henry II commissioned the new stone bridge with a chapel at its centre dedicated to Thomas Becket. The Chapel of St Thomas on the Bridge had an additional river-level entrance for fishermen and ferrymen. Building work began in 1176. It was finished by 1209 during the reign of King John. The bridge was 26 feet (8m) wide and about 800–900 feet (240–270m) long, supported by 19 arches. It had a drawbridge to allow for the passage of tall ships, plus defensive gatehouses at both ends. By 1358 it had 138 shops on the bridge. The buildings on London Bridge were a major fire hazard and increased the load on its arches, several of which had to be rebuilt over the centuries. This illustration shows traitors’ heads displayed on spikes at the Stone Gateway on the south bank (bottom right). This ritual began in about 1300 and continued until about 1660.
Size: 3307px × 2475px
Location: London Bridge, London, England, UK
Photo credit: © M&N / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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