Finally acknowledging wooden bridges were not built to last, King William II agreed it was time a more permanent structure was invested in. He imposed a tax to raise funds for a stone alternative. 

Years passed and it was not until 1176 when Henry II took to the throne, that building began. He used funds from taxation on wool, as well as contributions from Bridge House Estates, a charity that dates back to as early as 1097. It took donations from people to be used for ‘God and the Bridge’.

King Henry wanted not just a steadfast new crossing to ferry across people, goods and livestock, but one that housed a grand chapel at the centre. It was to be dedicated to his old friend and martyr Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury, who had been recently murdered. The king blamed himself for his death.

Building began once again under the watchful eye of Peter de Colechurch. The plans were impressive, including a drawbridge to allow bigger boats to pass through, as well as gatehouses. Plots of houses would also be rented out to raise money for the upkeep of the bridge.

Despite committing his life to the project, the bridge took 33 years to complete, by which time Peter de Colechurch had passed away. He was never able to see the completed version, boasting 20 gothic arches that curved dramatically to points and a road 300 yards long and 20 foot wide. He was however honoured. The priest was buried in the crypt of the Chapel of St. Thomas that sat at its centre – a chapel with entrances at both road and river level.

 

Life on London Bridge

The bridge soon became a roaring hub of life in London. Shops and houses spanned its length, towering several stories high and some were joined and supported by stout timbers that created dark tunnels. The irony of it was that this huge expanse of buildings brought so many people to the bridge, it made it very difficult to cross from one side to another – the key reason for its creation in the first place. It also put a huge strain on the stone frame and the starlings it was built upon.

As time passed into the 13th century, the bridge started to fall into disrepair. Unpopular Queen Eleanor was gifted the tolls from the bridge by her husband Henry III. Instead of putting it to good use, she spent it on herself. The song lyrics ‘London Bridge is falling down, my fair lady’ soon reared their head once again, but this time in anger at Queen Eleanor, jibing her for her selfish behaviour.

There was no doubt a sigh of relief when the control of the bridge was returned to the City of London in 1281, but the damage had already been done. That winter, with heavy ice causing yet more strain, the structure started to crumble. Five arches collapsed into the river below. The City bridged the gap with a temporary timber frame – it had life in it yet.