• Dating back to the 10th century, it was originally a timber structure.
• In the 14th century, the current structure was built by the Benedict Brothers (Crowland Abbey’s monks). It bridged the point where the River Welland split in 2 directions: 1 towards Spalding and the other past the Abbey to the River Nene.
• It was intended as a footbridge only.
• It is still a footbridge but the river has dried up and it stands over a paved area near the central market place.

Architecture:

It is constructed from limestone and consists of 3 'half pointed arches' concentrated in 1 apex. The arches are built 120 degrees apart, each carrying a footway with steps. Each part is about 1.83m (6ft) wide and has 3 ribs. The points where the middle ribs enter the ground form an equilateral triangle with sides 20 feet in length.

On the southern set of steps there is a seated figure of Christ holding an orb, and it is believed to be a representation of the Blessed Lord in Glory. It corresponds with the other statues on the West front of Crowland Abbey as the Tudor flowers and border of the dress are the same as some of the statues. This may suggest that it originated on the front of the Abbey and was moved to the bridge. The arches are also decorative.

Social history:

King Edward IV, when visiting the Abbot of Crowland, walked from the Abbey to the bridge, where he embarked for Fotheringhay in 1469.

The shape of the bridge was probably emblematic of the Holy Trinity, and would have been a desirable spot for pilgrims approaching the abbey to offer their prayers and perform penance before entering the monastery. It would also have been a convenient place for the monks to perform their open air preaching.