NHER 614 (Structure record) - St Miles or Coslany Bridge

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Summary

This river bridge was originally built in 1186-1210 from timber. It was rebuilt in stone in 1521 and then in cast iron in 1804. It is a single span example with simple parapet rails. It may well be the oldest metal bridge in East Anglia and is made from five bolted sections.

Protected Status/Designation

Listed Building (II) 1051286: ST MILES BRIDGE

Location

Map sheet	TG20NW
Civil Parish	NORWICH, NORWICH, NORFOLK

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Full Description

St Miles Bridge.

Named 'Coslanie Bridge' between 1186 and 1210 according to (S1).
Originally of timber, rebuilt in stone in 1521. Replaced by cast iron structure in 1804.
According to (S2) this was "originally the most ancient of the city bridges".
Information from (S3).
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 23 January 2018.

June 1972. Listed, Grade II.
Listing Description excerpt:
"River bridge. 1804 on panel. Built by James Frost. Cast iron. Stone abutments. Single span with simple parapet rails. Panelled sides."
Information from (S1).
Please consult the National Heritage List for England (S1) for the current listing details.
P. Watkins (HES), 23 January 2018.

1990. Watching Brief.
Maintained during repair works.
Cast iron bracing, brick arched base, stone abutments visible. Whole length of bridge exposed, half width.
See notes (S5) for further details.
J. E. Bown (NAU) 26 October 1990.

According to (S6) this is possibly the oldest metal bridge in East Anglia.
James Frost worked in St Faith's Lane.
Approximately 11m [36ft 2ins] long, four cast iron ribs each of five bolted sections.
E. Rose (NLA) 10 January 1997.

See Norfolk Industrial Archaeology Society fiche (S7) for further details.

Associated Sources (9)

--- SNF58263 Monograph: Pevsner, N. and Wilson, B. 1997. Norfolk 1: Norwich and North-East. The Buildings of England. 2nd Edition. p 279.
--- SNF8804 Secondary File: Secondary File.
<S1> SNF1769 Monograph: West, J. R. 1932. St. Benet of Holme, 1020-1210. The eleventh and and twelfth century sections of Cott. Ms. Galba E.ii, the register of the abbey of St. Benet of Holme. Norfolk Record Society Publications. Vol II. p 152.
<S2> SNF757 Publication: Blyth, G. K. 1842. The Norwich Guide. pp 53-54.
<S3> SNF87229 Record Card: Clarke, R. R. and NCM Staff. 1933-1973. Norwich Castle Museum Record Card - Norwich - Post Roman.
<S4> SNF48662 Designation: Historic England. National Heritage List for England. List Entry 1051286.
<S5> SNF98418 Unpublished Document: Bown, J. 1990. [Notes on watching brief at St Miles Bridge, Norwich].
<S6> SNF6664 Publication: Labrun, E. A. 1994. Civil Engineering Heritage, East and Central England. p 118.
<S7> SNF8808 Fiche: Exists.

Site and Feature Types and Periods (1)

BRIDGE (Medieval to 21st Century - 1186 AD to 2100 AD)

Object Types (0)

Related NHER Records (0)

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Record last edited

Mar 21 2021 7:49AM