Chantry Bridge - Misplaced Pages

Mediaeval bridge in Wakefield, England

Chantry Bridge, sometimes known as Wakefield Bridge, is a mediaeval bridge in the city of Wakefield, in West Yorkshire, in England.

In the early 14th century, there was a timber bridge over the River Calder in Wakefield, with Kirkgate connecting the bridge to the town centre. The bridge was damaged by flooding in the 1330s, and a decision was taken to rebuild it in stone.

Construction of the new bridge began in 1342, with spans connecting the north bank to a small island. The Chantry Chapel of St Mary the Virgin was built on the island. The bridge was then completed from the island to the south bank, in similar style, but only the arches supporting the northern part of the bridge have ribs. The chapel was consecrated in 1356, and this is sometimes taken to be the completion date of the bridge.

The bridge was widened by nine feet in 1758. It was painted by J. M. W. Turner in 1797, in which year it was widened by nine feet for a second time. This work was probably designed by John Carr of York and undertaken by Bernard Hartley. Wakefield New Bridge was constructed immediately upstream of Chantry Bridge in 1933, and now carries the large majority of traffic. Chantry Bridge was Grade I listed in 1953.

The bridge has nine arches. The original arches are visible on the downstream side, and are pointed, while the widened section on the upstream side has round arches. Each arch is supported by a platform with a cutwater. There is a plain parapet.

References

^ Thornborrow, Peter; Gwilliam, Paul (2018). Wakefield in 50 Buildings. Amberley Publishing. ISBN 9781445659077.
"Road and bridge works". The Surveyor & Municipal & County Engineer. 2 June 1933.
^ Historic England. "Wakefield Bridge (1273508)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 21 November 2023.

v t e Road bridges in Yorkshire
East Riding of Yorkshire	Boothferry Bridge Humber Bridge Kexby Old Bridge Myton Swing Bridge Ouse Bridge Stamford Bridge Sutton Bridge
North Yorkshire	Aldwark Bridge Beggar's Bridge Blackwell Bridge Borough Bridge Burnsall Bridge Cattal Bridge Catterick Bridge Cawood Bridge Coverham Bridge Croft Bridge Downholme Bridge Duck Bridge Grassington Bridge Green Bridge Grinton Bridge Grosmont Bridge Holgate Bridge Kexby Old Bridge Kildwick Bridge Kilgram Bridge Mercury Bridge North Northallerton bridge Princess of Wales Bridge River Ouse swing bridge Selby toll bridge Sutton Bridge Tadcaster Bridge Tees Jubilee Bridge Tees Newport Bridge Tees Transporter Bridge Tees Viaduct Ulshaw Bridge Whitby Swing Bridge
South Yorkshire	Don Bridge Lady's Bridge Tinsley Viaduct
West Yorkshire	Beckfoot Bridge Chantry Bridge Collingham Bridge Crawshaw Woods Bridge Ferry Bridge Ireland Bridge Kirkstall Bridge Leeds Bridge Linton Bridge Scammonden Bridge Thorp Arch Bridge Wentbridge Viaduct Wetherby Bridge

53°40′36″N 1°29′23″W / 53.67657°N 1.48966°W / 53.67657; -1.48966

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