Medieval bridges are remarkable achievements of design and engineering comparable with the great cathedrals of the period, and are also proof of the great importance of road transport in the middle ages, and of the size and sophistication of the medieval economy. This book rewrites their history from early Anglo-Saxon England right up to the Industrial Revolution, providing insights into many aspects of the subject. Looking at the role of bridges in the creation of a new road system, which was significantly different from its Roman predecessor and which largely survived until the 20th century, ... More

Medieval bridges are remarkable achievements of design and engineering comparable with the great cathedrals of the period, and are also proof of the great importance of road transport in the middle ages, and of the size and sophistication of the medieval economy. This book rewrites their history from early Anglo-Saxon England right up to the Industrial Revolution, providing insights into many aspects of the subject. Looking at the role of bridges in the creation of a new road system, which was significantly different from its Roman predecessor and which largely survived until the 20th century, the book examines their design. Often built in the most difficult circumstances — broad flood plains, deep tidal waters, and steep upland valleys — these bridges withstood all but the most catastrophic floods. The book also investigates the immense efforts put into their construction and upkeep, ranging from the mobilisation of large work forces by the old English state to the role of resident hermits and the charitable donations which produced bridge trusts with huge incomes. The evidence presented in this book shows that the network of bridges, which had been in place since the 13th century, was capable of serving the needs of the economy on the eve of the Industrial Revolution. This has profound implications for our understanding of pre-industrial society, challenging accepted accounts of the development of medieval trade and communications, and bringing to the fore the continuities from the late Anglo-Saxon period to the 18th century.