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ondon Bridge's construction across the river Thames in London was begun in 1176 by Peter de Colechurch and the work lasted until 1209. The stone bridge replaced a wooden structure that had been damaged by a storm in 1091 and a fire in 1136. The stone bridge had 19 small arches, a gate tower at each end and was wide enough to have houses and shops running along both sides. The arches constricted the flow of the Thames creating a row of fast flowing rapids between them.


London Bridge Reconstruction

Ships could not pass under the arches so goods had to be unloaded from ships on one side and reloaded onto new ships on the other.

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Mini Timeline
1091    Violent storm hits London
   London was hit by a terrible storm, possibly a tornado. Damage was done to the Tower of London, the old wooden London Bridge and many churches and buildings. 
1136    London Bridge damaged by fire
   The old wooden London Bridge across the Thames was destroyed by fire this year or in 1135. Note that St. Paul's was also damaged so the fire must have affected a large area of the city.1 
1176    Work begins on new London Bridge
   Peter de Colechurch began the construction of a new London Bridge across the Thames, replacing the old wooden structure that had been destroyed by fire in 1136. The new bridge was built of stone and took until 1209 to complete.1 
1212    A Great fire of London
   Fire broke out on the southern shore of the River Thames and crossed the river starting more fires on the northern shore. Many people were killed. Boats tried to rescue people trapped on London Bridge but the boats became overloaded and many drowned. This appears to be a big a disaster as the fire of 1666.2 
1437  Jan  London bridge collapse
   The severe cold of this year caused a collapse at London Bridge. One of the piers that held a gate fell down taking some houses as well.3 
1450  Summer  Matthew Gough made Captain of the Tower
   On his return from Normandy Matthew Gough was made Captain of the Tower of London. Gough was killed in the fighting with Jack Cade and the rebels on London Bridge soon afterwards.4 


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The map shows the location of this medieval building and other buildings close to it. Coastline and rivers nearby are also shown. Click on the icons to see more information about the medieval place.Select the 'Centre Map Here' option to move the selected place to the centre of the map. Zoom in and outusing the small portcullis icons at the top right of the map.

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Selection of references used:

1. Christopher Hibbert, Tower Of London, 1971
2. The Plantagenet Chronicles, 1-85501-685-0
3. Hubert Cole, Teh Wars of the Roses, 1973, 0 246 10618 2
4. H.T. Evans, Wales and the Ware of the Roses, ISBN 0-905-778-278

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Medieval and Middle Ages History Timelines - London Bridge
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