Bridges

Analytical Index to the Series of Records Known as the Remembrancia 1579-1664. Originally published by EJ Francis, London, 1878.

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Citation:

'Bridges', in Analytical Index to the Series of Records Known as the Remembrancia 1579-1664, (London, 1878) pp. 34-36. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/index-remembrancia/1579-1664/pp34-36 [accessed 14 May 2024].

"Bridges", in Analytical Index to the Series of Records Known as the Remembrancia 1579-1664, (London, 1878) 34-36. British History Online, accessed May 14, 2024, https://www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/index-remembrancia/1579-1664/pp34-36.

"Bridges", Analytical Index to the Series of Records Known as the Remembrancia 1579-1664, (London, 1878). 34-36. British History Online. Web. 14 May 2024, https://www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/index-remembrancia/1579-1664/pp34-36.

Bridges.

I. 49. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor. informing him that the Great Bridge at Startford-the-Bow (fn. 1) and causeway leading from the same to Charles Bridge, next Stratford Langthorne, in the county of Essex, was in such decay for want of repairing in time, and by reason of great inundations, that persons and carriages could not pass over without danger, and that several persons had been drowned; that for the repairing thereof Her Majesty had by commission under the Great Seal granted two years' toll to be gathered at the bridge; that the toll pressed very hard upon victuallers, bush-colliers, (fn. 2) and other poor people bringing produce, &c., to the City from Essex and Suffolk. They therefore requested that steps might be taken for raising a contribution from the parishes within the City for assisting in the said work, estimated to cost about 6001.
The Star Chamber, 22nd June, 1580.

I. 103. Letter from the Lord Mayor to the Lords of the Council, acknowledging the receipt of the foregoing letter, and stating that the Court of Aldermen had directed steps to be taken for a collection to be made in the different parishes for that object; but as they had been informed that the charge of the bridge belonged to certain owners of the land adjoining, they requested that instructions might be given to the Court of Exchequer, that it might be there expressly set down of record where the charge hereafter should be laid, in order that the City's contribution might not be drawn into a precedent.
5th July, 1580.

I. 104. Letter from William, Lord Burghley, to the Lord Mayor, Sir Nicholas Woodrof, (fn. 3) Knight, thereon, and requesting that due expedition might be made for carrying out the same, in order that the work might be the sooner finished, and the poor people eased of the continual toll.
Dated from Otelands, 17th July, 1580.

I. 105. Letter from the Lord Mayor to William, Lord Burghley, in reply, stating that an answer had been sent to the Lords of the Council on the 5th of July, and that the City had been and were still waiting for the order to the Court of Exchequer, when the citizens would contribute more willingly.
19th July, 1580.

VII. 150. Order in Council for the repair, restoration, and enlargement of the passage way of London Bridge ("become ruinous by the late accident of fire") (fn. 4), and for the removal of buildings thereon.
5th August, 1635.

VIII. 165. Same as No. 150, Vol. VII.
5th August, 1635.

IX. 96. Proceedings of the Council touching a proposal for building a Bridge over the Thames, between Westminster and Lambeth, (fn. 5) reciting that the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen, the Bailiff and Magistrates of the City of Westminster, the Master and Wardens of the Watermen's Company, and the Farmers of the Ferry at Lambeth attended, according to an order of the Council, dated the 10th August instant, and that the matter, after some discussion, had been adjourned until Wednesday before Michaelmas-day ensuing, when they were directed to attend with their reasons for or against the proposal.
Whitehall, 17th August, 1664.

IX. 97. Proceedings of the Council upon a petition from the Lord Mayor and Aldermen requesting a further postponement of the hearing of the business, on account of the swearing-in of the Sheriffs on the day fixed. It was thereupon agreed to be taken on the 5th of October next.
Whitehall, 19th September, 1664.

IX. 98. Reasons against the building of the proposed Bridge over the river at Lambeth, delivered to the Council by the Lord Mayor and Aldermen.

Footnotes

  • 1. From an ancient inquisition taken in 1302, the thirty-first year of King Edward the First, it appears that Roger de Brabanzon, William de Beresford, Roger de Hegham, and Stephen de Gravesend were commanded by the King to inquire who ought to repair the Bridges and chalk causeway in the King's Street, between Stratford-atte-Bowe and Hamme Stratford. A Jury of twenty-four, twelve from Essex and twelve from Middlesex, were summoned, and they found that Queen Matilda, wife of King Henry the First, caused two Bridges to be erected—one over the water at Lee, at the upper end of the town, which is said to have been the first stone Bridge erected in England, the other at "Channelesbrigge." She also left some property to the Abbey of Barking, which was afterwards conveyed to the Abbey of Stratford, to keep them in repair. The Jurors decided that the Abbey of Stratford ought to repair Channelsbridge. An Agreement was entered into, in 1315, between the Abbot of Stratford and the Abbess of Barking, whereby the former, in consideration of a sum of 200l. paid by the latter, undertook the repairs of the Bridges. It would seem that the Abbot of Stratford did not faithfully discharge the duty; and in the year 1366 a toll for the repair of the Bridge was granted, to continue for three years. How long it subsequently continued does not appear. The Bridge was from time to time repaired by contributions of the charitable, &c. (Lysons's 'Environs of London'; Thomson's 'London Bridge.')
  • 2. Probably charcoal-burners.
  • 3. Haberdasher, elected Alderman of Bridge Without, February 8th, 1570; removed to Dowgate, March 30th, 1574; chosen Sheriff, August 1st, 1572; Lord Mayor, 1579; President of St. Thomas's Hospital, 1584–6. William Elkyn, Alderman, removed to Dowgate, loco Woodroffe, surrendered March 28th, 1588. He was the Son of Alderman David Wodroff, Sheriff in 1554, of whom a curious note is to be found in Machyn's 'Diary,' p. 395. He married Grisild, Daughter of Alderman Kyrton, Merchant Taylor, and lived at Leadenhall. He left 100l. to the poor of the parish of St. Andrew Undershaft. He died, May 18th, 1598. For a Pedigree of this family, see Manning and Bray's 'Surrey,' vol. iii., p. 176. Sir H. V. Stonhouse, Bart., is his descendant.
  • 4. On the 9th of February, 1633, a fire broke out on the Bridge and burnt until Tuesday, the 19th: it began at Mr. John Brigge's. For a list of the houses destroyed, see Thomson's 'London Bridge,' p. 401.
  • 5. Several ineffectual attempts were made in the reigns of Elizabeth, James the First, Charles the First, Charles the Second, and George the First, to obtain the consent of Parliament to the building of another Bridge over the river, the only one being London Bridge. A question was carried in the House of Commons on February 16th, and in the Lords, on March 31st, 1731, for building a Bridge from Palace Yard to the Surrey side, the cost to be raised by a Lottery. After several years of delay, the first stone was laid by Henry, Earl of Pembroke, January 29th, 1739; it was opened, November 17th, 1750.
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