More information : [SJ 48941278] St. George's Bridge [GT] (Site of) (1)
Jervoise, with reference to ancient documents, etc. says the
bridge over the Severn at Shrewsbury on the Welsh side was
called St. George's Bridge in 1154-89 (temp.Henry II) and in
1275-7; Walshebrugge in 1336, and Walshemanne's Brigge in 1351.
A cage of wood and 'pryveys' erected on the bridge, 1496-7 were
taken down 1576-7. Jervoise also quotes Leland as saying '....
the Welsh Bridge having 6 great Arches of Stone... hath at the
one End of it a great Gate to enter by into the Towne, and at
the other End towardes Wales a mighty strong Towre'. The
Welsh Gate (earlier St. George's Gate) says Ward (3) had a
massive, square battlemented tower which contained a Guard Room.
The Gate was taken down in 1773. There is reference in 1672 to
the 'fall of the tower and great part of the gate-house at the
Welch Bridge...' The Mardol gate was demolished in 1791.
A new Welsh Bridge was erected in 1793-5, 200 ft. downstream
on the Frankwell side, and 186 ft. on the town side of the river,
apparently for reasons of economy. Telford and Simpson disapproved
of the position selected for the new bridge.
In 1795, the old Welsh Bridge was demolished and sold by lot.
AO/60/245/8 (4) (2-4)
No trace was found of the old bridge. The waters of the River
Severn were murky throughout the period of field investigation. (5)
(SJ 48881277) Welsh Bridge (NAT) (6)
1632 Welsh Bridge
SJ 4812 NE 2/4 10.1.53
II*
2.
This bridges the River Severn and connects with Frankwell.
1792-5. Architects John Carline and John Tilley. Built of stone
with 5 spans and a balustrade. Original lamp irons. (7)
Welsh Bridge, erected 1791-5 by Carline and Tilley. (8-9) |