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TY - ELEC
A1 - Stow, John
A1 - fitz-Stephen, William
ED - Jenstad, Janelle
T1 - Survey of London (1598): Bridges in London
T2 - The Map of Early Modern London
ET - 7.0
PY - 2022
DA - 2022/05/05
CY - Victoria
PB - University of Victoria
LA - English
UR - https://mapoflondon.uvic.ca/edition/7.0/stow_1598_bridges.htm
UR - https://mapoflondon.uvic.ca/edition/7.0/xml/standalone/stow_1598_bridges.xml
ER - Bridges in London chapter of
Project Manager, 2022-present. Research Assistant, 2020-2022. Molly Rothwell was an undergraduate student at the University of Victoria, with a double major in English and History. During her time at MoEML, Molly primarily worked on encoding and transcribing the 1598 and 1633 editions of Stow’s
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Director of Pedagogy and Outreach, 2015–2020. Associate Project Director, 2015. Assistant Project Director, 2013-2014. MoEML Research Fellow, 2013. Kim McLean-Fiander comes to
Janelle Jenstad is Associate Professor of English at the University of Victoria, Director of
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King of England
King of England
King of England
Bishop of London
King of the English
Biographer and clerk.
King of England
King of England
King of England
King of England
King of England
King of England
Historian and author of
King of England
Printer.
Bookseller and printer. Husband of
Sheriff of London
Historian.
Earl of Wessex under
King of Denmark
Archbishop of Canterbury
Sheriff of London
Last Prior of St. Saviour (Southwark).
Father of
Bishop of Chichester
Priest of the Parish of St. Mary (Colechurch). Helped organize the rebuilding of London Bridge.
Sheriff of London
Merchant of London. Finished the rebuilding of the London Bridge.
Merchant of London. Finished the rebuilding of the London Bridge.
Warden of London
First Earl of Crawford. Won a jousting contest against
Fifth Baron Welles. Soldier and Champion of England. Lost a
jousting contest against
Queen consort of England
Gentleman.
Witness to a contract between
Founder of a nunnery that would eventually become St. Saviour (Southwark).
Founder of a chantry in the Chapel of St. Thomas on the Bridge.
Administrator and supposed chronicler.
The
. Website.
We’d also like to acknowledge students who contributed to MoEML’s intranet
predecessor at the University of Windsor between
These are all MoEML team members since 1999 to present. To see the current members and structure of our team, see
The
As the only bridge in London crossing the Thames until
St. Saviour (Southwark) dates back at least
to S. Mary Owber
.
The city of London, not to be confused with the allegorical character (
Westminster Abbey was and continues to be a historically significant church. One of its many notable features is
St. Botolph’s Wharf was located in Billingsgate Ward on the north bank of the Thames. Named after
According to
St. George Southwark was located adjacent to Suffolk House, just south of the area depicted on the Agas map (Stow 1598, sig. Y8r). While there is no mention of the church in the
London Stone was, literally, a stone
that stood on the south side of what is now Cannon Street (formerly Candlewick Street). Probably Roman in origin, it is
one of London’s oldest relics. On the Agas map, it is visible as a small
rectangle between Saint Swithin’s
Lane and Walbrook Street, just
below the nd
consonant cluster in the label Londonſton
.
Aldgate was the easternmost gate into the walled
city. The name Aldgate
is thought to come from one of four sources:
Eastern gate
(Ekwall 36), ale
, public gate
or open to all
, or old gate
(Bebbington
20–21).
St. Paul’s Cathedral was—and remains—an important church in London. In
Rotherhithe, also known as Redriff, was a neighbourhood on the Surrey side of the Thames, between Bermondsey and Deptford
(Sugden). Rotherhithe is famous for being the home of the first docks in London, which fostered a bustling commercial scene in the area (Walford).
Located on London Bridge, the Chapel of St. Thomas on the Bridge was a chapel dedicated to
Cornhill was a significant thoroughfare and was part of the cityʼs main major east-west thoroughfare that divided the northern half of London from the southern half. The part of this thoroughfare named Cornhill extended from St. Andrew Undershaft to the three-way intersection of Threadneedle, Poultry, and Cornhill where the Royal Exchange was built. The name Cornhill
preserves a memory both of the cornmarket that took place in this street, and of the topography of the site upon
which the Roman city of Londinium was built.
Note: Cornhill and Cornhill Ward are nearly synonymous in terms of location and nomenclature - thus, it can be a challenge to tell one from the other. Topographical decisions have been made to the best of our knowledge and ability.
Queenhithe is one of the oldest
havens or harbours for ships along the Thames. landing place
. Queenhithe
was known in the ninth century as Aetheredes hyd or the landing place of
.
Located in Farringdon Within Ward, Ludgate was a gate built by the Romans (Carlin and Belcher 80). for his owne honor
(Stow 1:1).
The Fleet, known as
Holborn Bridge or Oldboorne bridge (Stow) spanned the Fleet Ditch at Holborn Street. Located in the ward of Farringdon Without, the bridge was part of a major westward thoroughfare.
The gaol at Newgate, a western gate in the Roman Wall of London, was constructed in the twelfth century specifically to detain fellons and trespassors
awaiting trial by royal judges (Durston 470; O’Donnell 25; Stow 1598, sig. C8r). The gradual centralisation of the English criminal justice system meant that by the
Cow Lane, located in the Ward of Farringdon Without, began at Holborn Street, and then curved north and east to West Smithfield. Smithfield was a meat market, so the street likely got its name because cows were led through it to market (Bebbington 100). Just as Ironmonger Lane and Milk Street in Cheapside Market were named for the goods located there, these streets leading into Smithfield meat market were named for the animals that could be bought there.
A ditch to the north of Christ’s Hospital, filled in by
Moorgate was one of the major gates in the Wall of London (Sugden). It was situated in the northern part of the Wall, flanked by Cripplegate and Bishopsgate. Clearly labelled as More Gate
on the Agas map, it stood near the intersection of London Wall street and Coleman Street (Sugden; Stow 1598, sig. C6v). It adjoined Bethlehem Hospital, and the road through it led into Finsbury Field (Rocque) and Mallow Field.
Cripplegate was one of the original gates in the city wall (Weinreb, Hibbert, Keay, and Keay 221; Harben). It was the northern gate of a large fortress that occupied the northwestern corner of the Roman city.
Aldersgate was one of London’s four original gates (Stow 1598, sig. C7r), labelled Alders gate
on the Agas map. The gate was likely built into the Wall of London during the Roman Conquest, marking the northern entrance into the city.
Located in Farringdon Within Ward, Christ’s Hospital was a opened in
The largest and wealthiest friary in England, Blackfriars was not only a
religious institution but also a cultural, intellectual, and political centre of London. The friary housed
London’s Dominican friars (known in England as the Black friars) after their move from
the smaller Blackfriars precincts in Holborn. The Dominicans’ aquisition of the site,
overseen by
Bridewell was a prison and hospital. The site was originally a royal palace (Bridewell Palace) but was transferred to the
Bride Well
.
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Our editorial and encoding practices are documented in detail in the Praxis section of our website.
THe originall foundation of London bridge, by
report of
laſt Prior of S. Marie
Oueries, Church in
Southwarke was this: a Ferrie being kept in
place where now the Bridge
length the Ferrimar and his wife
deceaſing,
left the ſame Ferrie to their
onely daughter, a
maiden named
as alſo with the profites riſing of the ſaid Ferrie, builded a houſe of
Siſters in place where now ſtandeth the eaſt part of S. Marie Oueries church aboue the Quier, where
ſhe was buried, vnto the
which houſe ſhe gaue the ouerſight and profites of the
Ferrie, but
afterwardes the ſaide houſe of Siſters being conuerted into a
colledge
of Prieſtes, the Prieſtes builded the Bridge (of Tymber)
as all other the
greate bridges of this Land were, and from time to
time kept the ſame in good
reparations, till at length conſidering
the greate charges of repayring the ſame
there was by aide of the
Citizens of London and others a bridge builded
of ſtone as ſhal
be ſhewed.
But firſt of the timber bridge, the antiquity thereof being vncer
taine, but I remember to haue red, that in the yeare
of Chriſt,Sweyn king of Denmark
by water and by land, the Citizens manfully defended themſelues,
and their
Ethelred
in battaile, and
parte of them were drouned in the Riuer of
Thames, becauſe in their
haſtie rage, they tooke no heede of the
Bridge.
Moreouer in the yeare Dane with a
greate
nauie came vp to London, and on the ſouth of the Thames,
cau
ſed a Trench to bee caſt, through the which his ſhips were
towed
into the weſt ſide of the bridge,
and ſtreight
ſiege he compaſſed the citie round aboute.
Alſo in the yeare Godwin
taking his courſe vp the Riuer of Thames, and finding none that
ſaid riuer. Furthermore aboute
the yeare Wiliam the ConquerorCharter, to the church of S. Peter at
weſtminſter, confirmed to
the Monkes ſeruing God there, a gate in Lon
don, then called Buttolphes gate, with a
wharfe which was at
the heade of London bridge. We read likewiſe that in the yeare 14. of Henry the firſtThames was ſo
dried vp,
and ſuch want of water there was that betwéene the
Tower of London, and
the bridge,
ly with horſe, but alſo a greate number of men, woemen and
children, did wade ouer on foote. In the yeare 22. of Henry the
firſt
mondſey, the church of S. George in
Southwarke, and v.s̃. rent
by the yere, out of
the land perteyning to London bridge, I alſo
haue ſeene a
Charter vnder ſeale to the effect following. Henry king of England to Ralfe B. of Chicheſter. and all
the Miniſters of Suſſex ſendeth
greeting, know ye &c. I commande by my kingly authority that the Mannor
called Alceſtone, which my Father gaue with other Landes, to the Abbey of
Battle, be free and quiete from ſhieres and hundredes, and all other Cuſtomes
of earthly ſeruitude, as my father helde the ſame, moſt freely and quietely,
and namely from the worke of London bridge, and the worke of the Caſtle at
Penanſey: and this I command vpon my forfeyture, witneſſe VVilliam de
Pontlearche at Byrry, the which Charter with the Scale
very fayre
remaineth in the cuſtody of
man.
In the yeare Stephen
in the houſe of one Ailewarde, neare vnto
Londonſtone which
conſumed eaſt to Aldgate and weſt to
Erkenwals ſhrine, in
Powles Church: the bridge of timberThames,
was alſo burnt, &c but afterwards againe
repayred. For
phenStephenHenry
the ſecondThames,
men ſtoode in greate numbers on the
bridge, wharfes, and hou
ſes to beholde.
Now in the yeare 1163Peter of Colechurch
Thus much for the olde timber bridge maintainde partly by
the proper landes
thereof, and partly by the liberality of diuers
perſons 215. yeares before the
bridge of ſtone was finiſhed.
Now touching the foundation of the ſtone bridge,
it followeth
thus. Aboute the yeare
Thames, at London, was begunne to be founded by the foreſaide
Peter of ColeChurch
what more towardes the weſt, for I reade that Buttolfe wharfe
was in
the
king aſſiſted this
worke: A Cardinal then being Legate here, and
Canterbury, gaue one thouſand
markes,
towardes the foundation, the courſe of the riuer for the time was
turned
an other way aboute by a Trench caſt for that purpoſe be
ginning as is ſuppoſed Eaſt, aboute Rodriffe, and
ending in the
Weſt about Patrickſey now tearmed Baterſey, this
worke, to
wit, the Arches and ſtone bridge ouer the riuer of Thames, at
London, hauing beene 33. yeares in building was in the
yeare,
cer
maiſters of that worke, for Peter of Cole
Church
yeares before this worke was finiſhed, and was
buried in the
Chappell builded on the ſame bridge
Iohn
pon, the profites thereof to remaine
towardes the charges of buil
ding and repayring of the ſame bridge: a Maſon being maiſter
workemam of the bridge, builded from the foundation, the Chaple
on London
bridge,
of his owne proper expences, it was indowed
for two Prieſtes, foure Clarkes and
other. There was alſo a
Chantrie for 23. of 4. Chaplens in the ſaide chappell, after
that
example ſundry houſes were thereupon ſhortly after erected,
the firſt action on
this bridge was lamentable, for within 3. yeres
after the finiſhing thereof, to
wit, in the yeare 1212. on the 10. of Iuly
of
London vpon the ſouth ſide of the riuer of Thames as alſo the
Ladie of
the Canons in Southwarke being on fire,
and an exceeding greate multitude of people paſſing the bridge,
eyther to
extinguiſh and quench it, or els to gaze at and behold it,
ſuddenly the north
part, by blowing of the ſouth winde was alſo ſet
on fire, and the people which
were euen now paſſing the bridge,
perceiuing the ſame, woulde haue returned, but
were ſtopped by
fire, and it came to paſſe, that as they ſtayed, or protracted
time, the
other ende of the bridge alſo, namely the South ende, was fired, ſo
that
the people thronging themſelues betwéene the two fires, did
nothing elſe but
expect preſent death: then came there to aide them
many ſhips and veſſels, into
the which the multitude ſo vnadui
ſedly ruſhed that the ſhips being drowned, they al periſhed:
it was
ſaid that through the fire and ſhipwracke there were deſtroyed a
bout thrée thouſand perſons whoſe bodies were found in
parte, or
halfe burned, beſides thoſe that were wholy burnt to aſhes, and
could
not be found. Aboute the yeare
froſt and deepe ſnow,
5. Arches of London bridge, were borne
downe and carried
away. In the yeare
ſo ſore decayed, for want
of reparations, that men were a
fraid to paſſe thereon, and a Subſidy was graunted towardes
the
amendement thereof, Iohn Britaine
don. In the yeare 1395. on S. Georges day
iuſting
on London bridge, betwixt Dauid Earle Craforde
Scotland, and the VVels
VVels
hiſtorie prooueth, that at that time the bridge being coaped on ey
ther ſide was not repleniſhed with houſes builded thereupon,
as
ſince it hath beene and now is. The next yeare on the 13. of
NouemberIſabell
little, for ſhe
was but 8. yeares olde, was conueyed from Kenington beſides Lamhith, through
Southwarke to the Tower of London, and ſuch a multitude of
people went out to ſee her, that
on London bridge. 9. perſons were
crowded to death, of
whome
the Prior of Tiptre a place in Eſſex was one, and a Matron
on
Cornhil was an other. The Tower on London bridge, at the
north ende of the draw bridge, for that bridge was then readily to
be drawne vp,
aſwell to giue paſſage for ſhips to Queene hith, as
ded
in the yeare
An other tower there is on the ſaide Bridge ouer the gate at
the South end towards
Southwarke, whereof in an other place
ſhalbe ſpoken.
In the yeare
London bridge fell downe into the Thames: through the fall
whereof 5. men were drouned: to conclude I affirme of this bridge
ouer the ſaide
riuer of Thames, as in other my deſcriptions, that
it is a worke very
rare, hauing with the drawe bridge, 20.
Arches made of ſquared ſtone, of height
60. foote, and in breadth
30. foote diſtant, one from an other, 20. foote, compact
and ioy
ned together with vaultes and ſellers: vpon both ſides bee
houſes
builded, ſo that it ſeemeth rather a continuall ſtreete then a bridge
for
the continuall fortifying, whereof againſt the inceſſant aſſaults
of the riuer, it
hath ouerſeers and Officers, vz.
Fleete bridge
in the weſt without
Ludgate, a bridge of ſtone
faire coaped, on eyther ſide with iron
piked, on the which towards
the ſouth be alſo certaine Lanthornes of ſtone, for
lightes to bee
placed in the winter eueninges, for commodity of trauellers. Under
this bridge runneth a water ſometimes called (as I haue ſaid) the
riuer of the
VVels, ſince Turnemill brooke, now Fleete dike,
becauſe it runneth by the Fleete, and ſo vnder Fleete bridge,
in
to the riuer of Thames. This bridge hath beene far
greater in
times paſt, but hath beene leſſened, as the water courſe hath béene
narrowed. It ſeemeth, this laſt bridge to bee made at the char
ges of
is engrauen Wels imbraced by Angels, like as on the Standarde
in
Cheape, which he alſo builded: thus much of the Bridge: for of
the
water courſe and decay thereof I haue ſpoken in an other
place.
Oldebourne bridge
ouer the ſaide riuer of
the VVels more
towardes the North was ſo called, of a Bourne that
ſometimes
ranne downe Oldborne hill into the ſaide Riuer, this bridge of
ſtone like as Fleet bridge, from Ludgate weſt, ſerueth for
paſſen
gers with carriage or otherwiſe from Newgate toward
the weſt
and by North.
Cowbridge
more north ouer the ſame water
by Cowbridge
ſtreete or Cowlane: this bridge being lately
decayed, an other of
timber is made, ſomewhat more North, by Chicke lane,
&c.
Bridges ouer the Towne ditch, there are diuers: to weete
without Aldgate, without
Biſhopſgate, the Poſterne called
Moregate, the
Poſterne of Cripplegate without Alderſgate,
the
Poſterne of Chriſtes Hoſpitall, Newgate and Ludgate,
all
theſe be ouer paued likewiſe with ſtone leauell with the ſtreetes.
But one
other there is of Timber ouer the riuer of wels, or Fleete
dike
betweene the precinct of the Blacke Friers, and the houſe of
Bridewel.
There haue been, of old time alſo diuers bridges in ſondrie pla
ces, ouer the courſe of Walbrooke. I read that
euery perſon ha
uing landes on eyther ſide of the ſaide walbrooke,
ſhould vaulte,
or bridge, and clenſe the ſame ſo farre as his landes extended. The
11. of Edwarde the
thirde
this Brooke were forced to
pile and wall the ſides thereof. In
the
Henry the fift
ges, (as ye haue hearde) I haue
reade of one by the name of Hor
ſhew
bridge, by the
Church of S. Iohn Baptiſt now called S. Iohns vpon
walbrooke, which hath béene ſince vaulted ouer with
bricke, and the
Streetes and Lanes where through it paſſed ſo pa
ued, that the
ſame watercourſe or brooke is now hardly diſcerned.
Order was taken the 2. of Edwaarde the
fourth
ground on eyther ſide of walbrooke,
ſhoulde vaulte and paue
it ouer ſo farre as his grounde extended. And thus much for
Bridges may ſuffice.