{{Use British English|date=September 2025}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2025}} {{Infobox bridge | name = Whitefriars Bridge | image = Norwich, Whitefriars Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 7537017.jpg | caption = Whitefriars Bridge in 2023 | coordinates = {{coord|52.63426|N|1.30040|E|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}} | os_grid_reference = TG 23429 09170 | carries = Whitefriars | crosses = River Wensum | location = Norwich, England | upstream = Fye Bridge | downstream = Jarrold Bridge | material = Stone | built = 1920s }} '''Whitefriars Bridge''', also known as the '''Bridge of St Martins''', is a stone bridge over the River Wensum in Norwich, England, carrying the street Whitefriars.
== History == [[File:Henry Ninham (1793-1874) - Norwich Scene with Whitefriars Bridge - NWHCM , 1961.428 , F - Norfolk Museums Collections.jpg|left|thumb|A painting of the Wensum with Whitefriars Bridge in the distance, by Henry Ninham (1793–1874)]] The St Martin's Bridge is known to have existed since at least 1106, named after the nearby St Martin at Palace church; as such, it may have been pre-Norman Conquest in origin.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ayers |first=Brian |title=The parish churches of medieval Norwich: city, community and architecture |last2=Haynes |first2=Clare |last3=Heslop |first3=Sandy |last4=Lunnon |first4=Helen |last5=Dobson |first5=David |date=2026 |publisher=Oxbow Books |isbn=979-8-88857-182-8 |location=Oxford and Philadelphia |page=78}}</ref> During Kett's Rebellion in 1549, John Dudley, Earl of Warwick ordered the destruction of all bridges to Norwich, though later modified the order to include only Whitefriars Bridge; this order was successful, and the bridge was destroyed.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Beer |first=Barrett |title=Rebellion and Riot: Popular Disorder in England During the Reign of Edward VI |date= |publisher=Kent State University Press |year=2013 |isbn=978-0-87338-840-5 |location=Ashland |pages=133–134 |language=en}}</ref> This bridge is, however, depicted on William Cuningham's map of Norwich drawn up in 1558.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Norwich since 1550 |date=2004 |publisher=Hambledon & London |isbn=978-1-85285-450-8 |editor-last=Rawcliffe |editor-first=Carole |location=London; New York |page=6 |editor-last2=Wilson |editor-first2=Richard |editor-last3=Clark |editor-first3=Christine}}</ref>
It was subsequently rebuilt in stone in 1591 with a large arch and two turrets. This was taken down during the reign of James I (1603–1625). The bridge was repaired or altered in 1835.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Whitefriars Bridge (Bridge of St Martins) |url=https://www.heritage.norfolk.gov.uk/record-details?MNF616 |access-date=2025-09-26 |website=Norfolk Heritage Explorer}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Pevsner |first=Nikolaus |title=Norfolk 1: Norwich and North-East |last2=Wilson |first2=Bill |publisher=Yale University Press |year=2002 |isbn=9780300096071 |pages=279}}</ref> That year, a stone coin mould was dredged from the river close to the bridge, seemingly a 19th-century attempt to duplicate Roman coins.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MNF42854 |url=https://www.heritage.norfolk.gov.uk/record-details |access-date=2025-09-26 |website=Norfolk Heritage Explorer}}</ref>
The bridge was rebuilt in 1924–5 by city engineer A. E. Collins.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":0" /> Aerial photographs of the bridge during World War II depict a road block and a possible above-ground air raid shelter.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MNF59700 |url=https://www.heritage.norfolk.gov.uk/record-details |access-date=2025-09-26 |website=Norfolk Heritage Explorer}}</ref>
== See also ==
* Carrow Bridge, another bridge built in the 1920s in Norwich * {{Commons category-inline|Whitefriars bridge, Norwich}}
== References == {{Reflist}}
Category:Bridges of Norwich Category:Bridges completed in 1925