Britain was once home to a remarkable feat of medieval engineering that doubled as a thriving urban centre: the longest inhabited bridge in all of Europe. This was the original Old London Bridge, a bustling, shop-lined thoroughfare that stood for centuries before being demolished and replaced.
A Medieval Metropolis Over the Thames
The construction of the famous medieval bridge was ordered by King Henry II in 1209, an act of atonement following the murder of Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury. When completed, the structure stretched an impressive 282 metres across the River Thames. Far from a simple crossing, it evolved into a densely populated mini-city, complete with houses, shops, and even a chapel perched above the water.
The bridge was adorned with defensive parapets and towers, and its narrow central road was flanked by buildings on both sides. At its peak in the late 14th century, it was home to around 140 houses, some rising four or five storeys high. The chapel dedicated to Thomas Becket was believed to be a starting point for pilgrimages to his tomb in Canterbury.
A Bridge of Fire, Flame and Macabre History
Life on the bridge was far from tranquil. It witnessed numerous disasters and dark chapters throughout its long history. A major fire in 1212 caused significant loss of life. Public toilets were situated at either end, and legend states that in 1481, one collapsed into the Thames, drowning five men.
The bridge also served a grim judicial purpose. The heads of executed traitors, including Scottish hero William Wallace and statesmen Thomas More and Thomas Cromwell, were displayed on spikes above the wooden drawbridge as a warning. The Great Fire of London in 1666 further damaged the already fragile structure, which by then required traffic to stick to one side.
Demolition and an American Adventure
By the 18th century, the dilapidated bridge was beyond repair. The buildings were cleared, and a decision was made to build a completely new structure. Architect John Rennie won a design competition in 1799, and his new bridge, featuring five elegant stone arches and no buildings, opened in 1831.
Yet, this is not the bridge that stands in London today. In a bizarre twist, in 1968 the stonework of Rennie's bridge was sold to an American entrepreneur. It was meticulously dismantled, shipped overseas, and reassembled as a tourist attraction in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.
The current London Bridge is a modern box-girder construction made from concrete and steel. It was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1973 at a cost of £4 million, providing a functional, if less characterful, crossing where a vibrant medieval street once stood.
