Elvet Bridge

Building of the bridge began in AD 1160[2] in the time of Bishop Hugh de Puiset (1153–95).[3] De Puiset, also known as "Bishop Pudsey" was a powerful Prince Bishop who instigated a significant amount of building work in northern England.[4] A key reason for building the bridge was the urban development taking place in what was the then Elvet borough.[4] The bridge took many years to complete: in 1225 and 1228 indulgences were still being granted to people who contributed to "the building of the new bridge at Elvet".[3] Of the current arches only one is late 12th century; the remainder are 13th century.[1]

Elvet bridge was not Durham's first bridge over the Wear. The Foedarium of Durham Cathedral Priory, compiled early in the 15th century, records:

Bishop Hugo built the bridge of Elvit, called the New Bridge to distinguish it from the other bridge, already built, which is called the Old Bridge.[3]

The bridge has 10 visible arches,[2] but there is some dispute over how many arches exist in total.[4] The early 16th-century antiquary John Leland believed there were 14 arches,[5] but this has never been proven.[4] The river flows through four full arches – the remaining are dry or partly so.[4] The early 19th-century antiquary Robert Surtees wrote that there were 10 arches,[5] and this number has been verified. Others may be hidden beneath the street on the Elvet side or beneath Souter Peth.[4]

Albany E. Howarth (1872 - 1936) - Elvet Bridge, Durham - ABDAG006323 - Aberdeen City Council (Archives, Gallery and Museums Collection)

The bridge was repaired extensively in the time of Bishop Foxe between 1495 and 1501, and again in 1601.[2] A flood in 1771 badly damaged the bridge and the three central arches were renewed.[1] The bridge was 15 feet (4.6 m) wide until 1804–05, when it was widened by 18 feet (5.5 m)[5] on its upstream (northern) side.[1]

Buildings on the bridge at its southeastern end

In the Middle Ages Elvet Bridge was guarded by a gate and towers, and there was a number of buildings on the bridge. They included a chapel at either end: St James' at the western end and St Andrew's on a pier at the eastern end.[6] St Andrew's may have been the larger of the two, as an inventory compiled in 1549 in the Edwardine Reformation measured the lead on their roofs as 36 square yards (30 m²) at St James' but 88 square yards (74 m²) at St Andrew's.[6] St James' chapel was replaced with a House of Correction (prison) in 1632.[1][6] In the 18th century the House of Correction and many buildings at the north end of the bridge were demolished.[6]

The chapel on the eastern, Elvet, side of the bridge has partially survived and is particularly visible from the riverbanks to the south. A number of buildings incorporate part of the bridge, and 18 Elvet Bridge is also Grade I listed as a result.[7]

The bridge is reputed to be the narrowest row-through bridge in Europe.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Elvet Bridge.

• Jervoise, Edwyn (1931). The Ancient Bridges of the North of England. Vol. II. Westminster: The Architectural Press for the SPAB. pp. 40–43.
• Johnson, Margot (2004). Durham: Historic and University City. Jarrold Publishing. ISBN 0-946105-16-2.
• Simpson, David (2006). Durham City. Business Education. ISBN 978-1-901888-50-8.