Before the Inauguration of Westminster Bridge in 1750, London Bridge was the City's Only Crossing Over the Thames
Before 1750, London Bridge was the city's only crossing over the Thames. Its modern avatar may not be beautiful or attractive by any stretch of imagination, but no one can ever deny its rich and varied history.
LOCATION
The current London Bridge is located between the City of London and Southwark also forming the western end of the Pool of London. On its south is Southwark Cathedral and London Bridge station, while the Monument is on the north to the Great Fire of London.
HISTORY
There are evidences of a bridge existing at or near the present site for almost 2000 years. The first bridge was a wooden one built by the Romans sometime around AD 46. The bridge was not paid due attention after the Romans left, although it appears that at some point thereafter it was either repaired or replaced by a new timber bridge. In 1013, King Ethelred burnt down the bridge to split apart the invading forces of the Dane Svein Haraldsson.. The reconstructed London Bridge was destroyed twice again – first by a storm in 1091 and then by fire again in 1136.
Old London Bridge
After the destruction of London Bridge in 1136, the renewed work started in the reign of Henry II in 1176. The construction took 33 years to complete.The new bridge was incomplete even in 1209.
The tidal waters roared through the 19 arches of the mediaeval bridge and until 1831 “shooting the bridge,” i.e., steering a boat between the starlings in a small boat was one of the major thrills of London. Many were drowned trying to do so.
A chapel was built at the center of the bridge in memory of St Thomas a Becket, martyred in 1170. The bridge was soon lined by shops between the fortified gates at either end. Even houses were constructed above the shops. In 1350, the number of such shops was 138. Installation of water mills in Queen Elizabeth I’s time added to the uproar. The bridge became so thickly populated that it was made a ward of the City with its own alderman, which it retained until the 18th century.
Heads on the bridge
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