Bishop Bridge

About

Bishop Bridge is a grade II* listed medieval bridge of brick, stone and flint across the River Wensum in Norwich, England. It is the only remaining medieval bridge in the city, located at the east end of the street Bishopsgate, east of the Norwich Cathedral. Bishop Bridge and its former Bishop's Bridge Gate were so named as they gave entrance to the Bishop's Palace. The bridge is scheduled as an ancient monument. Initially a ford that was possibly on a Roman road, it later became a timber bridge. Permission for a more established bridge and gate was granted by Edward I in 1275, and Richard Spynk oversaw the bridge's construction in circa 1340. It featured a gatehouse atop its western side until 1790 when the gate was demolished to protect the bridge.

History: The bridge is located upon what was one of only two fordable places on the Wensum in Norwich, the other being the site of Fye Bridge. It was possibly used as a crossing for the Roman road that ran through the city, known in medieval documents as Holme Street and presently as Bishopsgate. In 1275, Edward I of England granted a patent to William de Kerkeby, the Prior of Norwich, to build a gate with a bridge across the Wensum...