Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 August 1898 — VETERAN AMONG BRIDGES. [ARTICLE]

VETERAN AMONG BRIDGES.

Its Peculiarities of Construction Make It a Great Curiosity. The triangular bridge at Croyland, In Lincolnshire, Is proWhbly not only the most ancient bridge in England, but, on account of Its peculiar construction, one of the greatest curiosities in-Europe. It is built in the middle of the town at the confluence of the Welland and the Nene. The plan of the bridge Is formed by three squares and an equilateral triangle, about which they are placed. It has three fronts, three thoroughfares over and three under it. There are the same number of abutments, at equal distances, from which rise three half arches, each composed of three ribs meeting in the center at the top. Seen from any point of view a pointed arch appears in front. Antiquaries—often fanciful writers—have suggested that the piece of masonry was built as an emblem of the Holy Irlnlty; for, though the bridge possesses three arches, it yet properly has but one groined arch. More mat-ter-of-fact archaeological authors hold the structure to have been designed as a startling place for measuring ecclesiastical boundaries, with the additional utility of forming a support for a market cross.

An exceptionally interesting feature of the bridge is a nauch-weather-worn effigy, traditionally said to be a representation of King Ethelbald. The rudeness of the design, the uncouthness of the headdress and drapery, lead to the conclusion of the effigy being a genuine Saxon sculpture. Placed In a sitting posture at the end of the southwest wall, the figure Is embellished with a crown. In one of Eldred’s charters the triangular bridge at Croyland was mentioned, but that now existing is supposed to from its style of architecture, of the time of Edward I. The statue must be of much greater antiquity. Croyland, ten miles tonth of'Spalding and eight and a half north of Peterborough, should greatly Interest, artists and lovers of antique associations.—Lloyd’s Newspaper.