// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did Whitefriars Bridge say? "I'm connected.
Whitefriars Bridge | |
|---|---|
 Whitefriars Bridge in 2023 | |
| 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
[edit]_-_Norwich_Scene_with_Whitefriars_Bridge_-_NWHCM_,_1961.428_,_F_-_Norfolk_Museums_Collections.jpg)
The St Martin's Bridge is known to have existed since at least 1106, named after the nearby St Martin at Palace church; as such, it may have been pre-Norman Conquest in origin.[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] This bridge is, however, depicted on William Cuningham's map of Norwich drawn up in 1558.[3]
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.[4][5] That year, a stone coin mould was dredged from the river close to the bridge, seemingly a 19th-century attempt to duplicate Roman coins.[6]
The bridge was rebuilt in 1924–5 by city engineer A. E. Collins.[5][4] Aerial photographs of the bridge during World War II depict a road block and a possible above-ground air raid shelter.[7]
See also
[edit]- Carrow Bridge, another bridge built in the 1920s in Norwich
Media related to Whitefriars bridge, Norwich at Wikimedia Commons
References
[edit]- ↑ Ayers, Brian; Haynes, Clare; Heslop, Sandy; Lunnon, Helen; Dobson, David (2026). The parish churches of medieval Norwich: city, community and architecture. Oxford and Philadelphia: Oxbow Books. p. 78. ISBN 979-8-88857-182-8.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Rawcliffe, Carole; Wilson, Richard; Clark, Christine, eds. (2004). Norwich since 1550. London; New York: Hambledon & London. p. 6. ISBN 978-1-85285-450-8.
- 1 2 "Whitefriars Bridge (Bridge of St Martins)". Norfolk Heritage Explorer. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
- 1 2 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.