36 THE ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF THE MONK’S BRIDGE. 
authority and eminent in learning, he afterwards became 
Abbot, the same procured special licence from the Mon- 
astery out of property of his father and mother, deceased, 
for the health of their souls made the bridge of Egenton 
over the waters of the Dove and of charity maintained 
it a long time.” 
I have before stated that I believe he made use of the 
piers of the old Roman bridge, the roadway of timber 
having fallen into a ruinous condition, his new work being 
to case these piers afresh with new stone and to throw the 
arches from one to the other. The three arches counting 
from the Derbyshire side are 13th century work and were 
undoubtedly built by him. 
The Annales go on to say—‘‘But after his death the 
inhabitants of Egenton unwilling to know that it had been 
charitably built, but feigning ignorance, they asserted that 
the Abbot of Burton ought to repair, and in perpetuity 
maintain the said bridge, desiring to convert this act of 
favour and charity into a customary right. Wherefore, 
Abbot Laurence who then presided over the Monastery, by 
means of Henry de Mercentone, a clerk of chancery, his 
friend, obtained divers letters from the King (Henry III.) to the 
Sheriffs of the Counties of Stafford and Derby as follow— 
LETTER OF THE KING. 
“Henry by the Grace of God King of England, &c., to the Sheriff of 
“Stafford, salutation. Because, by the breaking of the bridge of Egenton, 
““which is over the waters of the Dove, between the County of Derby 
“and the County of Stafford, we have heard that it is perilous to cross 
“over by that bridge and also the whole country suffers loss. There- 
“fore, we command you with our Sheriff of Derby, who we have also 
“commanded by the oath of upright and lawful men of the County of 
‘Derby and the County of Stafford, the better to be able to determine 
“the truth of the matter in that place, because that bridge is in the 
“confines of the counties aforesaid diligently to enquire—who ought 
“to repair and keep up that bridge, in whole or in part; and if any 
“one out of favour at any time repaired that bridge; who repaired it ? 
“and who by right ought to repair it? And all they by right who 
“ought to repair that bridge, to distrain and fine for delay in repairing. 
““As witness, &c.”’ 
