Cyclic Notions in the West: A Closer Look at the Bridge in the Middle Ages
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Transcript of Cyclic Notions in the West: A Closer Look at the Bridge in the Middle Ages
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8/6/2019 Cyclic Notions in the West: A Closer Look at the Bridge in the Middle Ages
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ARCH 3605
Prof. Mark Cruvellie
12/11/2010
Cyclic Notions in the West:
A Closer Look at the Bridge in the Middle Ages
By Hugo Lemes
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Int
In po
meta
exa
when
the R
of th
actu
oducti
pular culture,
physical qual
ples are to
three brothe
ings (the setti
bridge with
lly goes bac
n
at least in to
ities, or aspe
e found in H
rs build a bri
ng for the du
a moral mes
k to very anci
days fantas
cts transcendi
rry Potter, w
dge across a
el between th
sage or with
ient times. It i
y world, the
ng its utilitari
ith the Tale o
treacherous
e demon Bal
deeper, sacr
also import
Accor
The Z
oldest
and t
work
later
colla
crosse
China
Fig. 1
Fig. 3:
bridge is oft
an notion as
the Three Br
iver, in the fi
rog and the
d, supernatu
nt to note th
ding to resea
haozhou Brid
spandrel bri
sted by eigh
by traversing
became the s
se, jumped i
d. This scene
. (Fig. 3)
haozhou Bridg
n found as p
connector o
thers (Fig. 2)
lms Bridge to
age Gandal
ral, superhu
t this is not e
rch on Chines
ge, the oldes
idge in the w
t immortals
simultaneous
aint of carpe
to the water
can be foun
e
art of an alle
f paths acros
in which per
Terabithia an
lf) (Fig. 1), an
an character
xclusive to th
e bridges co
bridge in C
orld, was leg
ho wished to
ly over the st
nters, fearing
to support th
in wood blo
gory or feat
s obstacles. R
onified Deat
d inTolkiens
d so on. This
istics is not ne
e West.
ducted by R
ina (still stan
ndarily built
check the qu
ructure. Its b
that the brid
e structure as
cks througho
res
ecent
h is defied
The Lord of
association
w, and
onald Knapp,
ding) and the
by Lu Ban
ality of the
uilder, who
ge would
the gods
t northern
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2
Cyclical Notions in the West
The scholarly observation of western bridges suggests that the very notion of the bridge has changed cyclically because of
key historic events, from periods in which it is secularized, to periods of mystification, correlating to the respective high and
low points of engineering aptitude. Or, namely, Roman engineering > medieval engineering > modern engineering. Like
most of the present engineers, the Romans very much saw the bridge as serving mostly utilitarian purposes, with minimal
links with the metaphysical realm. Then, in the Middle Ages, bridges became highly connected with culture and religionlargely because monasteries were the sole possessors of engineering knowledge. In the twelfth century, Benedictine monks
formed the powerful order called The Brothers of the Bridge (frates pontifices) in order to build bridges and hospices for
the assistance of travelers at important farriers and river crossings. From this period we find new emergent typologies, such
as bridge chapels, dedications of bridges to various saints, as well as fascinating legends associated with the construction
process and motivations. In the Renaissance, bridges started to become secular again, as demystification happened leading
up to the Age of Reason although the cultural-religious associations still remained very strong.
These cyclical periods have not only been marked by varying levels of technology and artistic expression, but also by
characteristic living and working styles. According to William Watson (1927), positive characteristics that seem to exist in
low-tech epochs, such as freedom and community, are lost in high-tech periods, further distinguishing these recurring epochs
from each other:
Following the fall of the Roman Empire and the decay of Roman Civilization, engineering skill sank to a comparatively low level, and throughout the Middle
Ages continued to be almost non-existent. On the other hand, slavery disappeared and such structures as were erected were the work of free men
[freemasons], a notable characteristic of the period being the development of the craftsmens guilds, which gradually became powerful organizations [frates
pontifices and the companionnages/freemasons]*1
Since the modern phase shares a somewhat similar high-tech life-style with the ancient Roman phase, it is the goal of this
research to look at the Middle Ages for evidences in which the low-tech, superstitious, metaphysical, are expressed
architecturally, motivationally, or as a post-facto phenomenon in bridge design, while, at the same time, to highlight
relevant historic points and developments. This should offer some background into the potential mindset that prevailed in
the Middle Ages regarding the meaning of the bridge, and perhaps further provide a stronger basis to say whether the
lack of technology in this period actually produced more negative or more positive results.
Church and Ancient Esoteric Associations
Bridges in the Middle Ages, believed to be have been under divine protection, had a direct connection with the Roman
Catholic Church both organizationally and spiritually. In the same way that our modern highways depend on tolls and an
organizational body for their operation, the bridges of the Middle Ages relied on the Catholic Church for indulgences and
operation. Funds for bridge maintenance were raised through pontage grants that allowed for the exaction of tolls on
anyone crossing a bridge. However, such practice ended after the European Reformation started to take control,
particularly in England. Indulgences were abolished, as well as other superstitious uses. (Cook)
Etymological research shows that a connection to the church goes beyond the business relationship, and that the word
bridge (pons), for example, seems to originate from an ancient Umbrian word (puntes), associated with religious ritesinvolving sacrifices. Moreover, there appears to be a priestly link to bridges when one translates the popes title: Pontifex
Maximus, or Greatest Bridge Maker, from the latin words pons+ facere + maximum. Boyer, however, proposes that the
way people looked at the bridge in the Middle Ages was more allegorical than romantic, and that it is a misconception to
link the title of the pope to bridge-making. Perhaps then, the legends concerning the involvement of the devil and divine
interventions that popularly occur in bridge building during this period are likewise not to be taken literally, and instead, to
be understood as moral teachings, even though there are many grounds for debate regarding this proposition.
Again, such close connection to the church and religion was particular of the Middle Ages in western society, since both in
modern and Roman times there is/was a minimal link between religion and bridges. For instance, Romans did not have the
same notion held in medieval times that the bridge had a divine overseer. Rather, they thought that the spirit of the stream
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did n
ancie
data
thro
He
Durin
fordsmyst
(Chri
The r
erect
At Bi
also
trav
feat
mass
ot favor thos
nt Rome whe
supportive o
ing coins into
rmitag
g the Middle
, as travelinrious child th
ist bearer) a
elationship b
ion of a brid
It seems stran
entry in the Lit
Chester, for h
ddenham B
displayed.
lers who w
re four or f
es were kn
e crossing it v
n considering
f this practice
fountains wh
at Cr
Ages it was
was extremat became h
Christ. (Coo
etween Herm
e. Jervoises
e that such an im
chfield Episcopal R
is oratory there, fo
idge, anoth
ook notes t
re endang
ive oclock
wn as celeb
ia a bridge
that Romans
can be foun
ile making a
ssings
customary fo
ely dangeroavier and he
k)
its and river c
observation
ortant bridge shou
egisters recording
r two years. A fur
r English br
hat, in 1295
red by rob
asses in ord
rations calle
r a ford. Ho
thought it wa
in ancient si
wish seems t
Hermits and
s. Legendarilavier as it w
rossings app
of the Dee Br
ld have had no ch
that in 1365 Bisho
ther license was gr
Fig. 4: D
idge, this po
, a chantry
ers or band
er for trave
d chantries
ever, one mi
s wise to thro
tes such as th
stem from th
holy men to
y, the most fs taken acro
eared to be
idge (Fig. 4),
pel, but there is n
p Robert de Strett
anted to Friar Jo
ee Bridge, Che
st-facto, lin
of Biddenha
its. It was al
lers to be a
of morrow-
ight say that
w a coin upo
e Old Londo
is ancient act
help traveler
mous Hermitss the river.
ery strong,
in Chester d
record of one in
n issued a license
n, hermit, in 134
ter
ering conce
m Bridge
so customar
le to atten
ass. (Cook
there was so
n traversing
Bridge, and
ivity.
cross treach
is St. Christohis child reve
nd remained
monstrates s
connection with the
to the Hermit at t
7, also for two ye
rn for the w
as created
y for many
service be
)
e level of su
body of wa
the modern
erous river cr
her, who caraled himself
important e
uch happenin
present bridge. Th
e end of the Bridg
rs.
llfare of tr
for the safe
ridge chap
ore parting.
perstition in
ter. Historic
ractice of
ossings or
ried ao Christophe
en after the
g:
ere is, however, a
e of the town of
velers is
y of
els to
. These
r
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Di
Wes
inter
buil
Tale
the cgen
(as c
prob
The
mor
lege
ine an
tern bridge
vention and
ing process.
s of Devils
onsequentiaral building
ommitting a
lems. A leg
Many years
the master sa
held back, so
ollowing ob
details ab
nd:
The legends t
aid in comple
escapes his p
away with th
that the devil
impossible ta
Devil
medieval fo
motives (Bo
(Watson a
ridges are
l interventioprocess. In
s sacrifice to
nd from Tur
go workmen und
w a beautiful girl
the girl was built
servation fr
ut how the
ell the story of bui
ting the bridge. In
ct with the devil
first living thing t
contracted to carr
k, that of carryin
Interve
lklore is bot
er), and, ve
d Boyer)
ery similar
n of the devhese stories,
the devil)
key, record
r their masters we
accompanied by
alive into the brid
m Boyer re
uilders wer
lders so overcome
variably the work
aries from tale to
o cross the span, t
y out successfully
water in a sieve.
tions
h replete wi
ry interestin
in nature thr
il in construcit is usually
hen they ar
d by Sir M
re set to build the
bitch and her pu
e and only her h
inforces the
e able to e
by the magnitude
progresses marve
tale. At Pont Ecu
e builder arrang
ll the orders of th
(Fig. 5)
Fig. 5: Pont
h fantastic t
gly, allegori
oughout Eur
ing the bridthe case th
e surmounte
rk Sykes in
bridge; three tim
pies and he said,
nd with a gold br
real or alle
cape or ho
of their task that
lously with the coll
ant in the Alps, si
d so that this shou
e mason. Accordin
alentr, Cahor
ales and all
cal or actua
pe, often in
ge overnight the builde
by difficul
Dar Ullsam
s the bridge fell,
We will give the
acelet upon it wa
orical prem
nor their pa
they succumb to d
aboration of the
ce the agreement
ld be a dog. At t
gly, when the bri
, France
egories reg
l involvemen
cluding som
t, or an indirs resort to s
ties in the d
, exemplifi
and the workmen
first life that com
left outside.
ises behind
cts, which va
espair and sell th
evil, but the devic
provided that the
e Pont Valentr (
ge is all but built,
rding divin
ts of the d
e form of lif
ect facilitatiuch extrem
sign, such a
es such tradi
said The Bridge n
s by, but the do
hese tales,
ries in form
ir souls to the dev
e by which the bu
devil should be p
ahors, France) th
the latter assigns
vil in the
e sacrifice,
on in themeasures
s structural
ition:
eeds a life, and
and her puppies
nd adds
in every
il in exchange for
ilder in the end
rivileged to fly
legend states
to him an
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The
tales
such
over
impl
risk
influ
struc
Forof 1
brid
used
trea
and
sup
arbaric no
, scholars h
as another
passes lacki
ing that th
f death up
nced in the
tures being
xample, th0 feet, fou
e is too ste
in its constr
herous, this
material qu
rhuman ori
ion of life-s
ve propose
roposition r
ng parapets
popular as
n crossing.
way peopl
named afte
Devils Bridflanking sp
ep for vehicl
ction and it
bridge is al
lity. In othe
gin and exis
crifice is ve
d other alte
elating to th
(as we see
sociation wit
he anti-life,
generally
a most mal
Fig. 6
ge over theans, and a
les, and that
s rock found
o long-lasti
r words, suc
tence a s
ry difficult f
native expl
eir design.
in Tolkiens
h the devil c
anti-human
redited the
ficent bein
: Devils Bridge
Serchio at Lere overpa
it has laste
ation. One c
g, and in a
immortalit
per person
r modern
nations to t
rchitecturall
ridge). Som
ould also b
characteristi
devil for th
.
over the Serchi
ucca (Fig. 6)ss width of
a very lon
ould then in
metaphoric
y, in the po
a or soul.
inds to fath
he very nom
ly, most devi
e also feat
linked with
ics of these
ir existence
o at Lucca, Ital
, Italy, built.6 feet. It i
time beca
summary sa
l way, imm
ular consen
om, and in o
enclature gi
il bridges fe
re steep, la
the difficult
ridges see
, and theref
in 1,000 A.also interes
use of the u
y that in ad
ortal due t
sus, seems t
rder to hum
ven to these
ature extre
dder-like a
y of access,
to have th
re possibly
., featuresting to note
nusually go
ition to bei
its structur
suggest a
nize these
bridges,
ely narrow
proaches,
and in the
s very much
led to these
a main spanthat this
d mortar
ng
l integrity
somewhat
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Oth
and
(ey
belo
9),
mad
likeli
r devil brid
near Barcel
tan Kprs)
w for an ex
as built by
e any conne
hood that th
A similar beli
human sacrifi
Fig. 7
ges sharing
na) (Fig. 7),
(Fig. 10), in
ended list).
he Romans,
ctions of the
e Moors did
f also exists in N
e was necessary
: The Devils Bri
similar char
over the N
Switzerland
The Devils
and later re
bridge with
, however, s
rthern Africa amo
o the stability of t
dge over the M
cteristics ar
rvia at Dol
(Teufelbruc
ridge near
stored by th
the devil re
eems to be
ng the Moors to th
he structure.
inho at Orense,
to be foun
eaqua, Ital
ke of St. G
Barcelona,
e Moors ar
mains unkno
uch higher,
e effect that the o
Spain, 13th cen
d in Spain (
(Fig. 8), in
tthard Pass)
resently kn
und 1290
wn, althoug
as the follo
ld bridges contai
tury (still in use
cross the Ri
Bulgaria ov
(Fig. 11), e
wn as the b
.D. Whethe
h it is highly
wing passa
a human body b
)
ver Minho a
r the Arda
c (see the
ridge of Ma
r the Roman
improbable
e by Wats
uilt into the mason
t Orense
River
ikipedia lis
rtorelli (Fig.
s saw or
. The
n implies:
ry and that such a
t
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Fig. 8: Th Devils Bridge across the Ner ia, Dolceaqua, Italy
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Fig. 9: Martorelli, Spai
Fi
n - The Devils
g. 10: eytan K
Bridge - Roman
prs, Arda Ri
, Rebuilt by M
er, Bulgaria
ors around 12
0
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Fig. 1
Fig. 11
: A Devils Bri
: Teufelbrcke
ge in England f
f St. Gotthard
rom The Bridge
ass, Switzerla
of MedievalEn
d
landby Harriso
n
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Fig. 13: Die Teufelsbrcke St. Gotthard by Joseph Turner (1803-1804)
1
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W
ikipedi s inco plete list of evils B
ridges:
1
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Boy
She
a bri
later
also
dub
r suggests
observes th
idge built in
appears in
be found in
ed as Pont-
et another
t in modern
the 11th cen
the 1964 e
the depart
du-Diable in
ossibility fo
times a nu
tury across
ition of the
ent of Isre
the modern
r explaining
ber of brid
he Hrault,
Guides Bleu
of a bridg
period.
the reasons
ges have b
near the cov
for France
once know
why some
en named [
ents of Ania
as the Pont
as the Pon
ridges are
or renamed]
ne and Sain
-du-Diable.
Sancti Hug
linked to a s
after the d
t-Guilhem-l
Another exa
nis that als
1
atanic entit
evil, such a
-Dsert. It
mple can
becomes
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The
Mid
be s
brid
beh
reco
conn
Divinbest
117
Bn
Avig
town
uestion of
le Ages, fr
lved. Howe
es were at
lf and to h
rded, and p
ected to ind
e interventiexample is
. According
zet had wh
non, across
to allow hi
Arriving at th
from the pop
into the Rhon
donations. W
and had acco
hether the
m the gene
ver, turning
least very
use their as
hysically ve
ulgences an
ns and motiin the story
to this lege
n he was t
he Rhone. B
to procee
town on the day
lace, threats of p
, to found the firs
itnesses at the inv
mpanied him on h
evil was re
al opinion o
the focus a
uch connect
es. The divi
ified than th
popular lo
vations canehind the e
nd, the inspi
elve years-
oyer describ
with his mi
of an eclipse of t
hysical violence fr
pier, a stone whic
stigation leading
is journeys to colle
ally indirectl
f various sc
ay from thi
d to saints,
ne aspect
e devil as
re.
Figs. 14-17: Po
be found inrection of th
ration for th
old. The mes
es the mean
sion:
e sun, he harangu
m the bishop of
h would have req
to Bnezts beati
ct funds. Daily he
y, directly,
olars, conse
association
and that ch
f bridges is
ect, as we l
nt St. Bnzet a
many folk te Pont St. B
e constructio
sage from t
s through w
ed the people to
vignon, and skept
uired thirty men to
ication testified th
performed miracl
r allegoric
quently rem
, substantial
pels were
thus certainl
earn from in
t Avignon
les that gennezet at Avi
n of the bri
he vision re
hich the sain
persuade them to
icism from the pro
move. This triump
at they had pers
s, curing many of
lly involved
ains open-e
historical re
rected, in
ly more pre
numerous c
erally involgnon (Figs.
ge originat
uired him t
t was able t
carry out the divin
vost, he performe
h assured the enth
nally known him,
blindness, lamene
in bridge d
ded and a
cord affirms
any cases,
alent, histor
urch-relate
e a saint. P4-17), com
d from a vi
erect a bri
o convince t
e mission. After m
the miracle of ra
usiastic response t
ad seen him plac
ss and other ills.
1
esign in the
mystery to
that
n their
ically
documents
rhaps thepleted in
sion that St.
ge in
e people o
eeting with jeers
ising and throwin
o his request for
the first stone,
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Wat
empi
hous
pro
in th
pred
brid
The i
it be
Borg
of S
saint
Eu
Alth
chap
the cfour
in hi
alth
on o
Lond
of th
way
sepa
son notes th
ire, containi
es the ashes
inently in m
East throu
ominantly d
e, but can
mportance
comes dram
o San Donni
n Donnino
encased wi
opean
ugh very fe
els were ve
hapel of Steenth centu
book Medi
ugh there
ne side of th
on Bridge (
e chapel at
in which the
rating the p
t St. Bnz
g twenty-t
of St. Bn
edieval Eur
h his resear
edicated to
lso happen
f a saint an
atized in rel
no which de
re shown ju
thin the brid
Bridge
w remain d
ry common t
James at thy, appearin
eval Bridge
ere many ki
e bridge o
ig. 18), for
Turvey Brid
chapel on
ulpit from th
ts bridge
o masonry
et on the se
pean bridg
ch on Chines
a saint, ofte
in pairs, an
d his/her as
igious sculpt
picts the coll
mping into t
ge. The sain
Chape
e to time a
hroughout E
bridge ofg in British c
, delineates
nds and pro
r at one end
example, a
e, Bedforsh
roitwich bri
e congrega
as one of t
rches of wh
cond pier. C
s, expressi
e bridges f
n appear a
involve mu
sociation wi
ural artwork
apse of a w
e river as t
, in turn, is
ls
d (in Englan
rope, datin
urton-uponities like No
the types o
cedures, the
. However,
two storey c
ire, which w
ge in Woc
ion, accordi
Fig. 18: Old
e first majo
ich only four
hapels, whic
g similar sp
aturing Bud
single units
ltiple dedic
h a bridge
such as the
ooden brid
ey just lear
ramatically
d) the Englis
back to th
Trent. Chaptingham, Hu
chapel bri
general rul
hese rules
hapel was
as located o
rtershire, w
ng to obser
London Bridge
r bridge wo
stand. It int
h are the to
iritual and
dhist templ
on a mid-pi
tions.
eems to be
one found
e, as noted
n of the exis
depicted a
h Reformati
e twelfth ce
el bridgesntingdon, St
ge typolog
e was to bui
ere not foll
uilt within o
n an island
as laid so th
ations by L
Chapel
rks since the
erestingly f
pic of the n
elfare princ
s and sanct
ier or on the
so profound
n the faad
by Boyer. I
tence of the
preserving
on measures
tury: an ea
ecame morockport and
ies and vari
ld a chapel
wed in eve
ne of the pi
in the river.
at the over
land.
fall of the
atures a ch
xt section, f
iples that K
aries. These
eastern sid
in the Midd
e of an Itali
the work, t
tomb of the
the faithfu
against the
ly example
numerous iBedford. M
eties, noting
on or abov
ry case. On
rs. Another
It is also fas
ass crossed
1
oman
pel that
eature
app notice
chapels,
of a
le Ages tha
n church at
he follower
ir beloved
l.
m, bridge
including
n theartin Cook,
that
e a starling
the Old
case is that
inating the
the chapel,
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It is
brid
occu
ascinating t
es, as evid
rrence inclu
1. Bamfeatu
2. Illchone
to d
3. CattMar
find, at le
nced in Jer
e:
er Bridge,
ring the cha
ster Bridge,
edicated to
ellings, as n
wade Bridg
. (Fig. 20)
st in Englan
oises resea
ussex, over
pel of St. M
16th centur
Little St. M
oted by Stu
e, Stour Riv
d, that the V
rch on Nort
the Adur (1
ry.
, Somerset,
ry, and the
eley. (Fig. 1
Fig. 19
r, East Angl
Fig. 20:
irgin Mary
ern, Mid, a
54), mentio
over the Ye
other called
9)
: Illchester Brid
ia and Esse
Cattawade Bri
eems to ha
d Southern
ned in a bul
o River (rest
the White
e
(1256), ha
ge
e been a c
bridges in E
l of Sextus
ored 1825),
hapel. The
s a chapel
mmon patr
ngland. Exa
I, dated 14
featuring t
e were late
edicated to
1
n saint of
mples of thi
73, as
o chapels,
r converted
the Virgin
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Cha
1
4. Brygbyld
locat
in 17
5. Theof th
centu
6.
TheWilli
Virgi
el bridges
. St. Ives Bconsecra
e in Bunga
ing of the ch
d at the ea
33.
reat Bridg
Ouse, feat
ry.
ridge of Brm of Worc
. (Leland)
dedicated t
ridge over t
ed in 1384,
, River Wa
apel of our
st end of th
of 5 Arche
ured a Cha
ggenorth, aster, is des
The chapel
other saint
he Ouse (ea
according t
evey, East
Lady on th
overpass,
of Stone at
pelle of our
cross the Rivribed as ha
no longer e
in England
rly 15th cent
o the Victori
Fig. 21: St. Ives
Fig. 22: St. Ive
nglia and
bridge, wh
n the south
the North E
Lady whic
er Severn, ring the cha
ists.
include:
ury), dedica
a County Hi
Bridge before r
s Bridge after r
ssex. There
ich, accordi
rn side of t
de, built in
stood until
ecorded in 1pel of the
ted to St. L
tory, and b
estoration
storation
is a record
g to Rev. Al
e river. The
1314 in Don
the beginni
478 as beirinite and o
ger (Figs. 2
uilt on a pie
rom 1532
fred Sucklin
chapel was
caster, over
g of the eig
g a stone bf Seynt Sith
1-22). The c
. (Harrison)
1
f the
g, was
demolished
a tributary
hteenth
ridge bythe Holy
hapel was
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. Newcastlfeaturing
. Elvet BriFoedariu
another
Bank.
. A bridgeto Saint
. High Bridnotes tha
e Bridge ov
the chapel
ge (Fig. 24)
m of the Pr
edicated t
in the town
nn.
ge, built in
t in 1235 th
er the Tyne,
of St. Thom
, built by Hu
iory of Durn
St. Andrew
of Natewyc
1160, in Linc
e overpass
mentioned
s the Marty
Fig. 23:
gh Pudsey,
ham), had a
s on the pie
Fig.
he, over the
oln, over th
as widene
s early as 1
r.
Newcastle Brid
the bishop o
chapel ded
r which curr
4: Elvet Bridge
River Mers
Witham, f
on the eas
384 in an I
ge
f Durnham f
icated to St.
ntly divides
y in Wester
atured the
ern side for
quisition do
rom 1153-1
James at it
the water
n England, h
Chapelle o
the placem
cument, is d
195 (accor
western en
nd land on
as a dedica
f St. Georg
nt of the ch
1
scribed as
ing to the
d, and
the Elvet
ted chapel
. Leland
apel.*2
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In a
entir
Brid
men
the
. Burrow B
. The Oldcentral p
his death
place, fe
private r
dition to th
ely humanis
e (Figs. 27
ioned by Le
arish church
The two chap
resorte that t
ridge, in So
London Brid
ier dedicate
in 1205. Th
aturing ima
esidence. (C
existence
ic purpose,
28), a mostl
land as bei
for the use
lains were to pra
e rest of the paro
erset, over
e (Figs. 25
d to St. Tho
e elaborate
es of giants
alabi & Con
f chapel bri
s evidence
y reconstruc
g used in th
of the rest o
for all Cristen so
chians may come
the Parrett,
26), started
as Becke
structure of
and champ
forti)
Figs. 25-2
dges dedic
in the Cha
ted Decorat
e times of pl
f the parishi
wlez and to do di
o ther paroch chu
Fig. 27-2
has a Cha
in 1177 by
t. The ashes
the bridge i
ions. Later o
: Old London
ted to saint
try Certific
ed Gothic b
ague to en
oners. (Co
ine service in the
rch withowte dang
8: Wakefield Bri
pell dedica
Peter Cole
of Colechur
itself allowe
n, the Refor
ridge
s, there wer
te of 1546
ridge locate
able the sic
k)
saide chapel in ty
er of infection of
Survey fo Chantr
idge
ted to St. M
hurch, featu
ch were pla
d for great
mation turne
also chap
. This is the c
d in West Y
to attend
mes of the plage f
the secke.
ies of the County o
ichael (Jer
red a chap
ed in the ch
royal page
d the chape
ls that serv
ase of Wak
orkshire, whi
ivine servic
or the secke peop
f York, 1548
1
oise)
l on its
apel upon
nts to take
l into a
d an
efield
ich is
, leaving
le thither to
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Addi
1
Re
Alth
tried
influ
havi
pro
At S
angfund
Pop
two
of r
itional Englis
. Robertsba.
. Rocheste
. Bramber
. BiddeforBishop o
aissan
ugh philoso
to counter
ncing publi
g served a
ane spaces
ntAngelo (
lic statues hamentally i
s chose to b
octagonal c
birth, the co
h Chapel br
ridge, 1176
riginally co
Bridge, Ke
Bridge, Sus
d Bridge, 1
Exeter, for
e Brid
phical ideas
he oncomin
work and
canvases f
: The Ponte
Figs. 29-33)
olding elemportant in s
e relocated
apels bord
nnection be
idges includ
, Sussex, ov
sisting of s
nt, 1276 (Ch
ex, over theth century, s
the acquisiti
e Buil
from ancien
enlightenm
rt. This peri
r the lavish
SantAngelo
, Bernini em
nts from therving as a
to the ancie
ring the ne
ween bridg
e:
r The Rothe
all brick ar
apel locate
Adur, 125
upported a
on of funds
ing
t Rome star
ent and secu
od is marke
display of r
in Rome, an
loyed a sy
passion ofconnection f
nt city from
monument
s and chap
Fig. 29:
r
hes, this bri
on east en
chapel from
for the com
ed to be re
larization b
by two m
eligious sym
d the Karlsb
bolically r
Christ (Fig.om the sacr
their headq
l prison, fa
els does not
Ponte SantAng
dge was re
d of the bri
which indul
letion of th
awakened
y becoming
jor exampl
bolism, also
rcke, in Pr
ligious pro
1) along thed Vatican
uarters in A
cing the city,
seem to go
elo
uilt in concr
ge)
ences were
structure.
uring the R
even more
s of bridge
served as c
gue.
ram on the
e parapets.ity to Rom
ignon at th
, were built.
away.
te in 1911
sold by Gr
naissance, t
ogmaticall
s that, in ad
nnectors of
bridge, plac
The bridge(Fig. 30), a
t point. Aro
Even during
1
ndison,
he Church
aggressive
ition to
sacred and
ing eight
becamefter the
und 1450,
this period
,
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Fig. 30: C nnection to Vatican
2
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Fi
Fig. 31: T
. 32: Some An
he Passion of
els from Ponte
hrist
SantAngelo
2
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Karl
to S
year
atte
the
whic
and
brcke, duri
n Giovanni
s-war (calle
pt to take
atholic po
h can be cle
Conforti not
ing the Rein
Nepomucen
d Gothorum
ver the city
er over the
arly seen in
e that in the
ssance, bec
o (1330 1
Vandolorum
. After their
city. This wa
the decorati
Christian W
Fig. 33: Pon
ame a symb
383), was t
que, or the
victory, the
s partly don
on found on
orld, and to
e SantAngelo,
ol of Cathol
e setting in
othic and t
church assur
e through th
the legend
the Jesuits,
Statues
ic supremac
which the S
he Vandals),
ed that the J
e artistic dis
ry bridge. I
the bridge
y in Prague.
iss reforma
, were halte
esuit presen
play of ide
In the follow
as/is assoc
The bridge,
tion troops
d in 1648 in
ce in Pragu
logical ide
ing passage
iated not on
2
dedicated
f the 30-
their
reinforced
s, some
, Callabi
ly with a
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phys
use i
With
signi
the K
fidelwas
tom
app
ical, but als
t as a mean
Nel mondo cr
sia teologica
this in mind,
icant emphas
arlsbrcke i
ity of his wialready not
, in which it
arance.
with a the
s of commun
istiano, dove la sc
o metafisica: nella
he Jesuits, th
is in bringing
nto the river
e, who hadiceable in th
was discove
logical or m
icating their
la associata all
Genesi Dio appa
refore, deci
san Giovann
after his to
made her ine 1600s, a
red that his
etaphysical
message, w
ascensione, la tan
re, dopo il diluvo
ed to erect s
i Nepomucen
ngue refuse
timate confd in 1719,
tongue was
Fig. 3
connection,
hich reffere
sizione e la transc
universale, nelle v
tatues of pro
o to attention
d to answer
ssions to thehis canoniza
still very mu
-37: Karlsbrc
and that to
back to th
endenza, il ponte
esti di construttore
tector saints
. Nepomucen
his contemp
future saintion process
ch physicall
e
hem it was
story of G
rappresenta ogni
del ponte tra la s
along the bri
o was a mart
orary king
. A cult of Nwas aided
intact and
f utmost im
enesis, to th
progetto di congi
fera umana e que
ge, and inve
yr who was t
question r
epomucenoby the open
miraculousl
2
ortance to
populace.
nzione sia fisica
lla divina.
sted
hrown from
garding th
followersing of his
y rose in
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24
Conclusion
Watson notes that it is clear that through the Middle Ages and up to the eighteenth century, all notable bridges were
designed by the priests and by architects, and that the engineer had not yet emerged as a separate profession. This
separation, of course, coincides with the Age of Reason, in which science became skeptical of whatever could not be
rationally proven or be efficient enough. This is the point in which, one might say, a good amount of esoteric associations,
cultural contexts, and play were quickly lost to welcome in an entirely new era of enlightenment modeled after one ofmany possible interpretations of glorious ancient civilizations. The transition from Roman times to modern times in the
western world was marked by a very particular, and perhaps more community-based, pious, and less arrogant way of
looking at the world. This was certainly reflected in bridge design, as we have seen in the emergence of chapel bridges, in
the concern of the hermit for the safety of travelers (like St. Christopher), and in many legends in which individuals, like St.
Bnzet, devote their lives to a calling, to a mission in order to achieve a greater good. At the same time, however, we are
confounded by stories involving barbaric actions, such human sacrifice, as implied in legends behind the construction of
Devils Bridges. Thus, from briefly looking at the extensive research on medieval bridges one starts to realize that, although
engineering knowledge was low during the Middle Ages, allegorical or real play seemed plentiful. We have to be
critical, however, of the extend of this play. David Billington, in his essay The Legacy of Maillart: Structural Art and
Architecture, makes a very good comment concerning this:
So-called play without discipline is just as demonic as discipline without play.
This undoubtedly encapsulates the idea that there must be a balance between reason and irrationality, between
the mathematically-based and the metaphysical-cultural worlds. In human recorded history we have been
fortunate enough to see how too much of one or the other can be detrimental in a design scheme through the
historical cycles of high and low technological periods. Too much superstition (brought by a low-tech period) or
too much science (brought by a high-tech era) can veer too far from producing optimal results. That is, whereas
Romans and the moderns have enjoyed high quality engineering, on the other hand, cultural, religious, and even
a sense of community have been left aside for the sake of efficiency, time, and money. The Middle Ages and
Renaissance, while lacking a highly advanced discipline, seemed to have enjoyed, again, a more humane,
community-based, free work-environment in which more play, even if allegorical in nature, was common. If weare to understand all these periods through Billingtons lens we have to therefore say that all eras have been
largely demonic in nature: in medieval times this condition perhaps being more strikingly reflected in the
allegoric or real connection of the bridge with the devil, and in modern times, with a total lack of cultural
context in highway bridge engineering, for example. Nevertheless, it seems that currently a shift is starting to
take place in which both architects and engineers are reuniting in attempts to provide more holistic designs. This is
something which certainly brings all of us hopes for a less profane future.
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Ap
mark
mark
than
pendix
In the boo
s on the Lond
for Southwa
a reference t
: Some
k I Ponti Dell
on Bridge (as
rk. However,
o a place. It
Sacre
Capitali DE
recorded in
this symbol, h
appears to b
Fig.
Fi
Pecul
uropa, Donat
1758). One s
aving been s
e, rather, a v
38: Symbol fo
. 39: Mason Si
iarities
lla Calati a
ymbol, 10 in
udied by sch
ery ancient s
nd on the Old
n on the Old L
d Claudia C
ches high (Fig
olars like Alb
mbol, accor
London Bridge
ndon Bridge
nforti note t
. 35-36), is d
ert Churchw
ing to the fol
e existence
escribed as
rd, appears
lowing passa
2
f mason
eing an old
to be more
ge:
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26
Fig. 40 Fig. 41 Fig. 42
They [Nilotic people] converted (Fig. 40) into a double cross, (Fig. 41), by placing the two sticks in a different way, and it is used amongst these people as one
of their most sacred signs in their Totemic Ceremonies, and has been adopted by those who followed down to our present Christian and other Cults as one of
their sacred signs, and is used by Brothers [Freemasons] of the higher degrees. The symbolism and meaning are identical all through. Amongst the Stellar
Mythos people (those who first reckoned time and kept their record by observation of the precession of the seven Pole Stars) it was used in the primary form,
and is an Egyptian ideograph for Amsu i.e. it is the first name given to the risen Horus, or, as Christians would say, the risen Christ. In a later phase, in the
form of a double-headed Hammer or Axe, it was the symbol of the Great One, the Great Prince (Fig. 42).
[Derivations of this symbol] are found in the old Temples of Egypt, in the Ritual of Ancient Egypt, in Central and South America, Asia, and, as Evans found, at
Knossos.
Churchward also observes that variations of this symbol exist in Wales, Devon, and Cornwall, as well as
in other countries (Fig. 43).
Fig. 43: Variations found in Wales, Devon, and Cornwall
He further explains that the symbol below (Fig. 44) is commonly depicted on many stone walls of many
old churches in the West of England, and the interpretation [in this case] is that it represents Christ in his spiritual
form in the Christian Cult:
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An a
Its m
ncient Baby
odern versi
lonian scene
n is used in
(Fig. 45) int
the Catholic
erestingly d
Church to s
Fig. 44
isplays a va
Fig. 45
mbolize Ch
Fig. 46
riation of thi
ist: (The Chi
is symbol:
Rho) (Fig. 4
6)
2
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28
Notes
1. Modern Freemasonry appears to be partly or fully derived from the companionnages, although the philosophical outlook ofthese two organizations very much differed and still differs from each other. While the companionnages have been associated
with traditionalism and Catholicism, Freemasons have been associated with Republicanism and Socialism (at least in the
francophone world, as observed by Birksted in his book Le Corbusier and the Occult). Once the builders of the ancient
cathedrals of Europe, the companionnages have more rencently been involved in great works such as the Eiffel Tower. The
Freemasons, on the other hand, have remained mostly philosophical and political in nature, as it emerged during theEnlightenment era.
2. It is interesting that an ornamented obelisk was erected on the east side of the bridge in 1765 obelisks being objects oftenassociated with philosophical Freemasonry.
Citations
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R e i n f o r c e d C o n c r e t e . P r i n t .
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2 - 1 2 6 . P r i n t
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H a r r i s o n , D a v i d . T h e B r i d g e s o f M e d i e v a l E n g l a n d : T r a n s p o r t a n d S o c i e t y 4 0 0 - 1 8 0 0 . O x f o r d : C l a r e n d o n
P r e s s , 2 0 0 4 . 1 7 - 2 7 . P r i n t
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29
J e r v o i s e , E . T h e A n c i e n t B r i d g e s o f t h e N o r t h o f E n g l a n d . W e s t m i n s t e r , S . W . : T h e A r c h i t e c t u r a l P r e s s ,
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J e r v o i s e , E . T h e A n c i e n t B r i d g e s o f M i d a n d E a s t e r n E n g l a n d . We s t m i n s t e r , S . W . : T h e A r c h i t e c t u r a l P r e s s ,
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J e r v o i s e , E . A n c i e n t B r i d g e s o f W a l e s a n d W e s t e r n E n g l a n d . We s t m i n s t e r , S . W . : T h e A r c h i t e c t u r a l P r e s s ,
1 9 3 6 . 7 - 1 4 0 . P r i n t .
K n a p p , R o n a l d . C h i n e s e B r i d g e s : L i v i n g A r c h i t e c t u r e F r o m C h i n a ' s P a s t . T o k y o | R u t l a n d | V e r m o n t |
S i n g a p o r e : T u r t l e P u b l i s h i n g , 2 0 0 8 . 4 0 . P r i n t .
W a t s o n , W i l l i a m . B r i d g e A r c h i t e c t u r e : C o n t a i n i n g T w o - H u n d r e d I l l u s t r a t i o n s o f t h e N o t a b l e B r i d g e s o f t h e
W o r l d , A n c i e n t a n d M o d e r n w i t h D e s c r i p t i v e , h i s t o r i c a l a n d L e g e n d a r y T e x t . N e w Y o r k : W i l i a m
H e l b u m I N C . , 1 9 2 7 . 5 1 - 9 7 . P r i n t .
Image C i tat ions
C o v e r I m a g e : Illus.in Albert Churchward, The Arcana of Freemasonry196.
1. 2. 3. Illus.in Ronald Knapp, Chinese Bridges: Living Architecture From China's Past40.4. Illus.in E. Jervoise, Ancient Bridges of Wales and Western England31.5. < https://reader009.{domain}/reader009/html5/0518/5afed488be75d/5afed4fc96eed.jpg >6 . < h t t p s : / / r e a d e r 0 0 9 . {d o m a i n } / r e a d e r 0 0 9 / h t m l 5 / 0 5 1 8 / 5 a f e d 4 8 8 b e 7 5 d / 5 a f e d 4 f d 1 5 8 2 6 . j p g >7 . < https://u22mxw.bay.livefilestore.com/y1mkKGNb2JB-
EHitY7JV2EZ4yyAFsy3H0Ukhu9Due4Gmksx4Kcv04Od8Xtf2438I5rfXCcUPaLPU9na8jtDkaObHzzmK-b132BPl-
EmOd87mKjxglfhMbAERyU9wrIi7VLesqwCO417hu0At1_cpTzXmw/Imagen%20011.jpg >
8 . Illus.in William Watson, Bridge Architecture: Containing Two-Hundred Illustrations of the Notable Bridges of the World, Ancient and Modernwith Descriptive, historical and Legendary Text69.
9 . Illus.in William Watson, Bridge Architecture: Containing Two-Hundred Illustrations of the Notable Bridges of the World, Ancient and Modernwith Descriptive, historical and Legendary Text70.
1 0 . < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Devils-bridge-Ardino1.jpg >1 1 . < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Teufelsbr%C3%BCcke01.jpg >1 2 . Illus.in David Harrison, The Bridges of Medieval England: Transport and Society 400-1800 27.1 3 . < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Joseph_Mallord_William_Turner_028.jpg>1 4 . Illus.in Donatela Calabi and Claudia Conforti, I Ponti Delle Capitali DEuropa 147.1 5 . Illus.in Marjorie Boyer, Medieval French Bridges: A History125.1 6 . Illus.in William Watson, Bridge Architecture: Containing Two-Hundred Illustrations of the Notable Bridges of the World, Ancient and Modern
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1 7 . Illus.in Marjorie Boyer, Medieval French Bridges: A History125.1 8 . Illus.in Donatela Calabi and Claudia Conforti, I Ponti Delle Capitali DEuropa 196.19. Illus.in E. Jervoise, Ancient Bridges of Southern England92.20. Illus.in E. Jervoise, Ancient Bridges of Mid and Eastern England145.21. Illus.in Martin Cook, Medieval Bridges 40.2 2 . Illus.in David Harrison, The Bridges of Medieval England: Transport and Society 400-1800 113.
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27. Illus.in E. Jervoise, Ancient Bridges of the North of England106.28. Illus.in Martin Cook, Medieval Bridges 41.2 9 . Illus.in Donatela Calabi and Claudia Conforti, I Ponti Delle Capitali DEuropa 104.3 0 . Illus.in Donatela Calabi and Claudia Conforti, I Ponti Delle Capitali DEuropa 105.3 1 . Illus.in Donatela Calabi and Claudia Conforti, I Ponti Delle Capitali DEuropa 108.3 2 . Illus.in Donatela Calabi and Claudia Conforti, I Ponti Delle Capitali DEuropa 109.3 3 . Illus.in Donatela Calabi and Claudia Conforti, I Ponti Delle Capitali DEuropa 125.3 4 . Illus.in William Watson, Bridge Architecture: Containing Two-Hundred Illustrations of the Notable Bridges of the World, Ancient and Modern
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3 5 . Illus.in Donatela Calabi and Claudia Conforti, I Ponti Delle Capitali DEuropa 132.3 6 . Illus.in Donatela Calabi and Claudia Conforti, I Ponti Delle Capitali DEuropa 134.3 7 . Illus.in Donatela Calabi and Claudia Conforti, I Ponti Delle Capitali DEuropa 135.3 8 . Illus.in Donatela Calabi and Claudia Conforti, I Ponti Delle Capitali DEuropa 191.3 9 . Illus.in Donatela Calabi and Claudia Conforti, I Ponti Delle Capitali DEuropa 191.4 0 . Illus.in Albert Churchward, The Arcana of Freemasonry137.4 1 . Illus.in Albert Churchward, The Arcana of Freemasonry137.4 2 . Illus.in Albert Churchward, The Arcana of Freemasonry137.4 3 . Illus.in Albert Churchward, The Arcana of Freemasonry191.4 4 . Illus.in Albert Churchward, The Arcana of Freemasonry196.4 5 . Illus.in Albert Churchward, The Arcana of Freemasonry193.4 6 . < h t t p : / / w w w . a b h u s . c o m / a d m i n / i m a g e s / c h i _ r h o . J P G >