The New Murrey and Blue blog

The story of “Old” Ouse Bridge, York….

, , ,
Old Ouse Bridge in 1791 by John White Abbott, York Art Gallery

The earliest mention of a bridge at this spot across the Ouse was way back in the 10th century. This timber structure served as a critical crossing point over the River Ouse, facilitating trade and movement between the bustling marketplaces of York and the surrounding regions. The necessity for a robust and reliable crossing became increasingly apparent as the city flourished as a commercial hub.

In the early 14th century the original timber bridge was replaced by a Gothic stone structure with pointed arches and elaborate detailing. At first it consisted of three large arches to allow the passage of boats and relieve the risk of flooding due to constricted flow. Well built and well surfaced, it allowed traffic to move easily to and fro on top, as well as the Ouse to flow freely below. It was “….lined with shops and houses, which created a bustling atmosphere and contributed to the economic vitality of the area….These buildings, with their overhanging timber frames, provided a unique charm and character, as well as additional shelter for traders and travellers….” (from https://www.exploringgb.co.uk/blog/old-ouse-bridge-york).

Old Ouse Bridge York, Artist J Varley, Engraver Frederick Christian Lewis, 1816.

Things were going well, and York had become one of the major trading cities in the land, until the winter of 1564, when a disastrous flood caused the collapse of the central arches with the loss of twelve houses that fell into the river and took as many people with them. A new bridge commenced in 1566, this time with five arches, to give the river even more freedom to flow beneath. The central arch was “…a remarkable engineering feat, spanned 81 feet in width and rose more than 17 feet high…” This bridge remained in place until the 19th century, when it became beyond repair and was demolished, to be replaced by the bridge that is there today.

The following three magnificent drawings are the work of Allen T Adams, BA FSA FSAI, about whom you can read more here https://www.flickr.com/photos/56545646@N07/, and here https://thelonggallery.blogspot.com/2017/12/highlighting-not-so-lost-arts-allan-t.html. He has created many such fine drawings, of which some can be seen at the above links.

Old Ouse Bridge, York from the north. Based on a drawing by Francis Place of 1703. It is possibly the oldest view of the bridge and clearly shows buildings that were on the bridge before several were removed in the 1760s and 1795. On the right are the Council Chamber, sometimes referred to as the common hall. Adjoining it is St William’s chapel. Possibly dating from the 1150s it was given new windows and other fittings in the 1220s. The central arch was built in 1564-6, replacing two of the original arches after flooding in January 1564. Several buildings on the bridge were also destroyed. Until the bridge was demolished the buildings on it continued to be used by tradesmen dealing in high value goods, there was also a public house among them. By 1800 the bridge was in need of major repair but the costs were enormous so it was decided to replace it with a new bridge which was completed in 1820. Allen T Adams BA FSA FSAI
A drawing based on a pen and wash study by Joseph Farington in 1783, with details from various other pre-1820 illustrations of the bridge….The earliest part of this structure was built in 1154-55 after the wooden bridge on the site collapsed. Consisting of six arches, the stone bridge was noted for the houses, shop and other buildings along its length and its similarity to the Ponte Vecchio in Florence. To the left, or west, end these included a Maison Dieu for poor women, later replaced by a prison for debtors carried over the River Ouse on arches. This was rebuilt in 1724. Across the roadway was the Council Chamber and chapel, the clock tower and east end of which can be seen in the drawing. In the 1220s the chapel was improved with lancet windows and dedicated to St William. The central arch was built in 1565-56 after a flood destroyed the two central arches of the bridge. Buildings were again added to the edges of the bridge, extending all the way to Ousegate to the east, overlooking King’s Staith. The old bridge and associated buildings were demolished and a new bridge built 1820-22. Allen T Adams BA FSA FSAI
The precarious nature of the buildings on the bridge show clearly, with timber props radiating out from a small number of corbels. An early rounded arch was also reinforced with a pointed arch, with what looks like a patchwork of stonework making use of other corbels up to the large central arch. By 1800 the old bridge was clearly getting to a point of being too difficult to repair and a new bridge was needed. The Merch. Allen T Adams BA FSA FSAI

Other posts on this blog concerning the River Ouse include https://murreyandblue.org/2020/07/16/what-really-happened-in-1385-when-the-earl-of-staffords-son-and-heir-was-killed-on-a-yorkshire-road/, here https://murreyandblue.org/2019/01/02/collecting-tolls-on-the-ouse-at-york/

If you refer to the links below you will learn a great deal more about the bridge and its history: http://www.historyofyork.org.uk/themes/tudor-stuart/ouse-bridge, here https://her.york.gov.uk/Monument/MYO4801, here https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/15630890.forgotten-york-great-victorian-sketches-of-the-old-ouse-bridge-lady-peckitts-yard-and-bootham-bar-with-its-barbican/ (with some lovely old illustrations of York), here https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/24470407.revealed-amazing-history-yorks-ouse-bridge/ and here https://www.british-history.ac.uk/rchme/york/vol3/pp48-68

And about the most famous of all England’s medieval bridges, Old London Bridge: https://murreyandblue.org/2020/12/12/old-london-bridge-a-medieval-wonder/

Subscribe to my newsletter

Leave a comment