THE GREAT BRIDGE OF BURTON-ON-TRENT, 6 
The references are four in number: 
1st.—“ William de la Warde gave land to the bridge at Burton. 
‘6 Denarios to be paid to him and his heirs in perpetuity.” 
2nd.—“ Robert de Bersing Coate gave over one acre of land in 
‘meadow of Burscote-upon-Trent for the repairs (or re-building) of 
“‘ Burton bridge.” : 
These first two are from Erdeswicke. Shaw goes on to quote 
two other deeds without date. 
3rd.—‘‘ The Abbot Bernard granted to John de Bersicote and his 
“heirs, amongst other lands of Bersicote, a meadow of his under Burton 
“* bridge.” 
4th.—‘* William dela Warde released to the said Abbot and Convent 
“his claim which he had in the croft of the said bridge peaceably and 
“quietly, the same as he and his heirs from all claims in perpetuity.” 
There is a little danger in these undated deeds that cannot now 
be traced. Erdeswicke mentions Robert de Bersing Coate, in 
the time of Abbot Bernard, 1151-75. Shaw mentions John de 
Bersing Cote at same date ; there may have been two, but I find a 
Robert de Bersing Cote witnesses a Charter, 1223-29, in connection 
with the Abbey ; of course there may have been another Robert, 
but you see very little faith can be put in the dates of this evidence, 
Our next evidence is from the Burton Chartulary, where it is 
said of William Melburne, Abbot, 1197-1210—* he made the new 
street from the great Bridge of Burton to the new Bridge against 
Horninglow.” 
The next three pieces of evidence I may claim as new :—1284, 
‘Patent Roll 12 Edward I memb. 15, Feb. 12th, “ Protection with 
clause rogamus for John de Morff, Monk, of Burton-upon-Trent, 
and keeper of the works of the bridge there, which has in great 
part been swept away by flood; and for his men begging alms 
for the said bridge.” 
I believe we have here the first recorded flood of the many that 
damaged the bridge. 
Now we come to one of the stirring events in which the Old 
Bridge bore its part, namely, the battle fought between the forces of 
