usual in medieval bridges, both up and down stream. These cut-waters have chamfered plinths just above normal water level, and pyramidal terminations against the parapets. The side arches are pointed; they have but a slight rise and are formed of very slightly curved arcs, but they spring

from the piers with a sharp curve worked entirely on the springing stone. The central arch has, I think, a similar springing, but for the rest consists of one flat arc. Each arch consists

of two chamfered orders. Over the western arch on the down-stream side there is a weathered and throated string-course of the usual medieval section, and this is continued along a part of the west abutment. Above this level there is a high and plain brick parapet.1

The cut-waters and their pyramids are built of stone. The abutments are also faced with stone, as are the arches and the spandrels above them up to the level of the string-course. The stone is of good quality and looks like a Northamptonshire oolite. The masonry is first rate. The mass of the piers seems to be flint faced with brick; the arches, except the above-mentioned faces, and the parapets are of brick.

a stone

I know nothing of the early history of the bridge. That it was rebuilt in 1668 is recorded on built into the outer face of the south parapet. The

The stream is about 12 yards wide. The central arch is about 12 feet wide and the side arches about 8 feet. The piers are 3 feet 2 inches thick. From the water level (September 14th, 1912) to the top parapet is 9 feet 8 inches; from the road to the top of the parapet is 3 feet.

1

inscription is partly illegible; the following transcript gives the conjectural parts in italics:

ATTLEBRIDGE

STONBRIDGE
REBVILT BY

Ye COVNTY OF
NORF: AO 1668.

The second line might have been Mortonbridge but that there is not space enough. I read “stonbridge for "stone bridge." The exact reading is, however, of no great moment, as the essential parts are perfectly distinct namely the date and the fact that the building was a rebuilding.

At the beginning of these notes I implied that the bridge is medieval. I have little doubt that that is practically true. Rebuilding is a vague term which was very loosely used in old days and was often applied to an extensive repair. Whatever the extent of the work in this case, there can hardly be the shadow of a doubt that all the masonry is of the fifteenth century, perhaps of the latter part when the county was settling down to peace and prosperity under Henry VII., or possibly earlier, say two hundred years or two hundred and fifty years before the rebuilding. The general form of the piers and arches, the details of the arches and stringcourse, are all thoroughly medieval, and it is not impossible that some of the brickwork and flintwork is medieval also. It recalls two medieval buildings at Norwich the Bishop's Bridge and the Water-gate to the Close at Sandling's Ferry.

The bridge was severely damaged by the flood on the 26th of August, 1912. The current undermined the foundations of the piers on the up-stream side so that they settled seriously. It is sincerely to be hoped that

in the necessary repairs the old character and the old materials will be preserved. The whole building is on so small a scale and the stream is so shallow, that the expense would be trifling. The old foundations stood for one year short of two and a half centuries. It can be no great matter for modern science to put in foundations which will last twice as long. The present craze for building bridges of wide spans hardly applies to this bridge, under which no boats pass and very little water. The roadway is narrow, but not so narrow as to be dangerous, and if it were wished to widen it, this could easily be done without altering the character of the bridge.

Most people have now learned to appreciate the value of our show pieces of architecture; cathedrals, churches, castles, great houses and the like are carefully preserved. But this way-side architecture, as one may call it, has an importance which few realise, because most people go about with their eyes shut unless they are out on a sight-seeing expedition, when they half open them. The old bridges, the old cottages, even the old garden walls, are precious now, because they are rare and because in the old days these things were made comely and gracious, and now they are made, for the most part, harsh and ugly.

INDEX TO VOL. XVIII.

NOTE. The same name may occur more than once on a page.