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sixteenth century structure, rather after than before the year 
1500. The gate of the early or 13th century bridge was allowed 
to remain. This is Norman in character and besides bearing 
every appearance of antiquity, is not a gate that would have 
been built late in the 15th or early in the 16th century. The 
writer in Cox of 1727 seems to recognise a difference, as he 
speaks of it as an “old gateway,” thus implying that it was 
visibly older than the bridge. When the bridge seen in the 
drawings was built, the drawbridge being abolished its place 
was taken by another arch; the bridge then as an unguarded 
-approach became rather a source of weakness. Thus it happened 
in the Civil War when in July 1645 Fairfax sent two companies 
of dragoons to Bath, no opposition was offered at the river 
Bridge or until the bridge at the South Gate was gained. 
In the time of Monmouth’s Rebellion the bridge was ordered 
to be destroyed, but the quick march of events prevented this as 
it became unnecessary. 
A thirteenth century bridge would be flat or level on the 
roadway, the arches rather narrow or close together would be 
somewhat pointed and turned on a distinctive rather rough 
moulding. Perhaps the view of Bristol old bridge, the houses 
being removed, as given in Seyer’s History of Bristol, Vol ii. p. 
14, will help to give an idea of what the Bath early bridge was 
like. In the drawings we have fine and well turned round arches 
and a rise to the cenire, all and each distinctive of a late date. 
Although no earlier mention than 1273 can be given there 
must with fair certainty have been a bridge in times before that. 
Such bridge however would have been more or less of wood. 
Ingulph in his Chronicle under date A.D. 1085, relating the 
confirmation by William of the Laws of Eadward, makes an 
especial mention of the Fosse as one of four Royal roads. When 
remembering the known great Roman city Bath was, and 
that the Royal Fosse road passed not only through it but 
actually over the river near about where the bridge was and is, 
