Respryn Bridge
| Respyn Bridge | |
| Cornwall | |
|---|---|
 Respryn Bridge over the River Fowey | |
| Location | |
| Crossing: | River Fowey |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SX099634 |
| Location: | 50°26’26"N, 4°40’41"W |
| Structure | |
| History | |
| Built 15th century | |
| Information | |
The Respryn Bridge is a mediæval stone bridge which crosses the River Fowey in the midst of Cornwall. It is the lowest bridge on the river apart from those at Lostwithiel to the south.
The bridge adjoins the grounds of Lanhydrock House, which is owned by the National Trust.
History
The bridge was built in the Middle Ages and and once led to a small hamlet of the same name, now vanished. It is thought that the bridge was built on the site of a ford. A bridge is known to have been here by 1300: records show that in that year a jury found that the fishing and other rights in the river Fowey 'from St Saviour's Port [Polruan] at the haven mouth to the Bridge of Reprenne so long as two oxen yoked together could advance there' belonged to the Lords of Restormel Castle.
No trace of the thirteenth century bridge now remains. The earliest span of the current bridge is of the 15th century, and the rest is of later work.
During the Civil War, in 1644, King Charles rode over the bridge on his way from Boconnoc to Lanhydrock. In August 1644, a battle was fought for control of the bridge, and thus for passage over the Fowey, between the Royalist forces under Sir Richard Grenville and the Parliamentarians commanded by the Earl of Essex (Parliamentarian). The bridge was successfully secured by the royalists. After the war, the avenue of trees leading up to Lanhydrock House from Respryn Bridge was planted by Lord Robartes to celebrate his party's victory.[1]
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Respryn Bridge) |