https://the-past.com/feature/life-across-the-water-exploring-london-bridge-and-its-houses-1209-1761/ Logo * Home * News * Features * Comment * Culture + Books + TV & Film + Museums + What's on + Travel * Miscellany + The Picture Desk + Objects + People + Groups + Places + Ideas * Magazines * Quiz * Podcast * More + Magazines + Quiz + Podcasts Login | Subscribe [ ] Suggestions * Home * News * Features * Comment * Culture * Miscellany * Magazines * Quiz * Podcast * More Logo [post-1_image0-79] Above This drawing by Peter Urmston shows the bridge as it might have looked in about 1250, based on the evidence from leases and rent books; the drawbridge is being raised to let masted ships through. Feature Life across the water: exploring London Bridge and its houses, 1209-1761 When it was completed in 1209, medieval London Bridge was the only fixed crossing of the Thames downstream of Kingston-upon-Thames (until Fulham Bridge was built in 1729). Remarkably, it was also home to some 500 people - equivalent to the population of a small medieval town. In London Bridge and its Houses, Dorian Gerhold has scoured the archives of Bridge House - the medieval charity that managed the bridge - to find out more about the community that lived on this extraordinary structure, as Chris Catling reports. Start [CA_512x512][CA_512x512] Current Archaeology September 1, 2022 First, let's deal with the obvious: London Bridge survived two major fires, and parts of the bridge collapsed twice - in 1281 and 1437 (it also required constant repair and modification later in its life) - but it did not fall down. The well-known rhyme about the bridge exists in many European languages and many versions, each referring to a different structure. The London-focused song, first printed in England in the 17th century, probably accompanied a May Day game in which two players linked hands to form the 'arch' of the bridge, raising and lowering these to capture or release other players at the words 'down' and 'up'. This drawing by Peter Urmston shows the bridge as it might have... To continue reading this article... Start your subscription today Enjoy our trusted journalism, with unlimited access to The Past's website dedicated to History, Archaeology, Heritage and the Ancient World. Start your subscription PS7.99 per month or PS79.99 per year. Cancel anytime. Already a subscriber? Log in Login Share this * Facebook * Twitter * Whatsapp * Reddit * Email Latest [post-1_image0-80] Secrets of a secluded life: updating the story of the All Saints 'anchoress' February 25, 2023 When an unusual female burial was discovered in the apse... 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