Chapels on bridges are not so unfrequent in architectural history as
the rarity of their remains would indicate. Among the early records
of bridge-building we read that "the Romans built many bridges in
the provinces; viz. in France, Spain, Germany, Britain, &c. some
of which had arches or towers on them."[1] Plutarch derives the word
_Pontifex_, (high priest,) from sacrifices made upon bridges, a
ceremony of the highest antiquity. The priests are said to have been
commissioned to keep the bridges in repair, as an indispensable part of
their office. This we may conclude to have given rise to the annexation
of chapels to almost all our bridges of note; and the offerings were
of course for repairs: so that priests are considered to have been the
olden surveyors of bridges, and chapels on them to have been displaced
by the more secular establishment of toll-houses.[2]
The bridge, upon which stands the above chapel, crosses the Calder, at
the south-east entrance into Wakefield, in the West Riding of Yorkshire.
It was built in the reign of Edward III. and is a fine specimen of the
masonry of that age. In the centre projecting from the eastern side, and
resting partly on the sterlings, is the chapel, built in the richest
style of Gothic architecture. It is about ten yards in length, and about
eight in breadth. The east window, overhanging the river, is adorned
with various and beautiful tracery, and the parapets are perforated.
The windows on the north and south sides are equally rich. But the west
front facing the passage over the bridge, (as shown in the Engraving,)
exceeds all the rest in profusion of ornament; being divided by
buttresses into compartments, forming recesses, with lofty pediments
and pointed arches; whilst above is an entablature bearing five
basso-relievos, the whole being crowned with battlements. The
buttresses, finials, tracery, &c. form an assemblage of Gothic
embellishments, which, for richness and delicacy can scarcely be
equalled. This chapel was built by Edward IV. in memory of his father,
Richard, Duke of York, and those of his party who fell in the battle of
Wakefield.[3] It appears, however, that a chapel had been built on this
bridge by Edward III., and dedicated to St. Mary; but it was undoubtedly
rebuilt and embellished by Edward IV. who, on this account, may be
regarded as the founder of the present structure.
The beautiful embellishments have received considerable injury; and,
about twenty years since this superb relic of ecclesiastical
architecture was used as a warehouse. As architectural renovation is
becoming somewhat the taste of the day, it is to be hoped that the
restoration of the chapel at Wakefield will not be overlooked.
[1] Britton, Arch. Dict. art. Bridge. On the decline of the Roman
Empire, travelling became dangerous, and robberies and murders
were frequently committed. To check this system, and protect
travellers, several religious persons associated in fraternities,
and formed an order called the "Brothers of the Bridge." Their
object was to build bridges, establish ferries, and receive and
protect travellers in hospitals, raised near the passes over
rivers. In like manner we account for the erection of many
bridges in England. According to Stow, the monks of St. Mary
Overie's were the first builders of London Bridge: and Peter of
Colechurch, who founded the first _stone_ bridge, also built
a chapel on the eastern central pier, in which the architect was
afterwards interred: his remains, as we first communicated to the
public, were found as aforesaid during the recent removal of the
old bridge; and "the lower jaw and three other bones of Peter of
Colechurch" were sold by auction a few days since.
[2] At the old bridge at Droitwich, the high road passed through the
midst of the chapel, the reading-desk and pulpit being on one
side, and the congregation on the other. Other public buildings
were not uncommon on bridges. In 1553 an alderman of Stamford
built the Town Hall upon the bridge there; and on an old bridge
at Bradford, Wills, there is a sort of dungeon, or prison raised
on one of the piers.
[3] Camden. Tindal's Notes on Rapin.
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