THE GREAT BRIDGE OF BURTON-ON-TRENT. 10 
London Bridge, was built out on what was called the Great Pier. 
Ours at Burton was of a different type. The river running from 
South to North, no better place could be found than over the gate, 
and it would undoubtedly have been somewhat similar to the Chapel 
of the Leicester Hospital at Warwick, which is over the West gate. 
I get another extract from Patent Roll, [1324-5] 18, Edward IT, 
part 1, memb. 2 :-— 
‘‘Burton-upon-Trent, concerning the custody of the bridge and 
‘the collection of alms for repair of the same.” 
Also another, [1384, August 5th,] 7, Richard II, part 1, 
memb, 36 :— 
“Grant to William Pryst, vicar of Stapunhull, Thomas Wombbwell, 
‘John Peyntowe, and John Cartwright, Chaplain of Pontage for three 
‘‘ years in aid of repair of the bridge of Burton-on-Trent.” 
Molyneux says, early in 1400 (Shaw gives no dates) :— 
“ Roger de Huncedon, by his charter, grants to God and the support 
‘¢ of the bridge for the health of his soul, and that of his anzestors and 
‘“successors, an acre of arable land, namely, that which belongs to 
‘*Nicholas de Lomp extending towards the Mill of the More, between 
“the land of Walter de Scobenhal, and that of Richard de Lomp.” 
And that :-— 
‘3rd October, 1426, Alice Bolde, of Burton-on-Trent, by her will 
“amongst other things, bequeathes to this bridge two silver spoons ; 
“‘also two silver spoons to the sustentation of the ferry boat of 
“ Stapenhill.” 
This bit of information with regard to Stapenhill Ferry Boat is 
interesting on account of its early date. 
Shaw says he can show that previous to the dissolution, the 
Bridge was entirely supported and repaired by charities and volun- 
tary contributions as appears from several curious instruments 
granted by different Abbots for that purpose, and appointing proc- 
tors or bailiffs to superintend the same for a term of years—(Moly- 
neux adds sometimes for life, and at others, for a fixed term of 30 
years). Shaw says the first information of this kind is a beautifully 
