Ouse Bridge.
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The 1815-22 Ouse Bridge, the third known on this site.The first possible bridge (after the Roman Bridge further upstream) was reported as collapsing under the weight of people who had come out to see the return of Archbishop William in 1154. 200 people fell into the river and all were rescued, it is said, by a miracle. A stone bridge of six arches followed on which was built, apart from a multitude of shops and houses, a chapel dedicated to St William (nearside, right on the current bridge), the City Council Chamber (further right), with it's goal underneath it, and an arms-house for women. In the winter of 1564 two arches of the bridge collapsed in floods taking 12 houses with them. By 1566 a second stone bridge of one arch had been built, together with houses and shops (the Council had moved over to the Guildhall!). In the second half of the 18th century these houses were removed. However, by 1795 the bridge was in such a state as to require rebuilding. This was finally carried out in 1815-22 when the current three-arched bridge was built - sans houses. Photo: taken 19 March 2006. |
