Bridges in Oxford - Folly Bridge, Magdalen Bridge, Donnington Bridge, Bridge of Sighs, Medley Footbridge, Osney Bridge (Paperback)

Chapters: Folly Bridge, Magdalen Bridge, Donnington Bridge, Bridge of Sighs, Medley Footbridge, Osney Bridge, Logic Lane Covered Bridge, Osney Footbridge, Oxford Footbridge, Osney Rail Bridge, Hythe Bridge, Rainbow Bridge, Oxford. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 38. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Folly Bridge - The bridge apparently stands at the site of the ford over which oxen could be driven across the Isis, the ancient name of the reach of the Thames between Folly Bridge and Iffley Lock. The first known bridge on the site was built by Robert d'Oilli in around 1085, but there was believed to be a bridge in the time of Ethelred of Wessex. Remains of the Saxon structure may still be seen beneath the present bridge. Until the late 17th century the bridge was known as South Bridge, and formed part of a long causeway known as Grandpont, which stretched along most of the line of Abingdon Road. In the 13th century, the alchemist Roger Bacon lived and worked at "Friar Bacon's Study" which stood across the north end of the bridge until 1779, when it was removed to widen the road. Samuel Pepys visited Bacon's study in 1669, noting: "So to Friar Bacon's study: I up and saw it, and gave the man 1s." In 1369, when there was a grant of pontage on "Grauntpount," the structure was said to be "so dangerous as to be well nigh impassable." A toll-booth gateway tower used to straddle the approach to the bridge, which was on the Abingdon to Banbury turnpike. The toll house was rebuilt in 1826 and is now Grade II listed. The former bridge and "Bacon's Tower" were drawn by many artists, including the twelve-year-old Joseph Mallord William Turner. There was also a weir underneath the bridge which had a flash lock and later a "pen" lock. At the beginning of the 19th century this and the poor state ...More: http: //booksllc.net/?id=3388400