Difference between revisions of "Bellever Clapper Bridge"

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(Created page with "{{Infobox bridge |name=Bellever Clapper Bridge |county=Devon |picture=Bellever Clapper Bridge, Devon.jpg |picture caption=Bellever Clapper Bridge |os grid ref=SX65847733 |lati...")
 
m (clean up, replaced: medieval → mediæval (2))
 
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The '''Bellever Clapper Bridge''' is a remarkable clapper bridge, of huge granite slabs, which spans the [[River Dart|East Dart River]] at [[Bellever]], a hamlet on [[Dartmoor]] in [[Devon]].
 
The '''Bellever Clapper Bridge''' is a remarkable clapper bridge, of huge granite slabs, which spans the [[River Dart|East Dart River]] at [[Bellever]], a hamlet on [[Dartmoor]] in [[Devon]].
  
The bridge is of unknown age but appears to be medieval in origin:  the construction is too detailed and tooled to be prehistoric. It consists of three piers of large granite blocks standing in the river, with granite slabs lying across them to form the bridge. Originally there were four spans, but only two slaps remain in place.  The main, central slab is gone, presumably carried away at some time for re-use as it is not found lying in the river.
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The bridge is of unknown age but appears to be mediæval in origin:  the construction is too detailed and tooled to be prehistoric. It consists of three piers of large granite blocks standing in the river, with granite slabs lying across them to form the bridge. Originally there were four spans, but only two slaps remain in place.  The main, central slab is gone, presumably carried away at some time for re-use as it is not found lying in the river.
  
 
==Historical context==
 
==Historical context==
The bridge is likely to have been on the medieval track known as the lich way which led from the 'Ancient Tenements on the Forest' to the church at [[Lydford]],<ref>Groves</ref> along which bodies were carried for burial at Dartmoor's parish church.
+
The bridge is likely to have been on the mediæval track known as the lich way which led from the 'Ancient Tenements on the Forest' to the church at [[Lydford]],<ref>Groves</ref> along which bodies were carried for burial at Dartmoor's parish church.
  
 
Today the East Dart is crossed by a modern (18th century) bridge immediately upstream of the clapper bridge.
 
Today the East Dart is crossed by a modern (18th century) bridge immediately upstream of the clapper bridge.

Latest revision as of 11:57, 30 January 2021

Bellever Clapper Bridge
Devon
Bellever Clapper Bridge, Devon.jpg
Bellever Clapper Bridge
Location
Type: clapper bridge
Crossing: East Dart River
Location
Grid reference: SX65847733
Location: 50°34’49"N, 3°53’46"W
Structure
Type: clapper bridge
History
Built Unknown
Information
Condition: incomplete

The Bellever Clapper Bridge is a remarkable clapper bridge, of huge granite slabs, which spans the East Dart River at Bellever, a hamlet on Dartmoor in Devon.

The bridge is of unknown age but appears to be mediæval in origin: the construction is too detailed and tooled to be prehistoric. It consists of three piers of large granite blocks standing in the river, with granite slabs lying across them to form the bridge. Originally there were four spans, but only two slaps remain in place. The main, central slab is gone, presumably carried away at some time for re-use as it is not found lying in the river.

Historical context

The bridge is likely to have been on the mediæval track known as the lich way which led from the 'Ancient Tenements on the Forest' to the church at Lydford,[1] along which bodies were carried for burial at Dartmoor's parish church.

Today the East Dart is crossed by a modern (18th century) bridge immediately upstream of the clapper bridge.

References

  1. Groves