During later medieval times, the bridge wasn’t just used for crossing the river, living on and shopping, it was also a focal point to expose traitors.

In 1304, heads of the dead who had crossed the monarchy were placed on spikes on Stone Gate House. Oliver Cromwell’s was one of many that sat there for some time, because of the part he played in the execution of Charles I.

Another notable displayed head was Jack Cade’s, a rebel who on 5th July 1450, led a rebellion against unpopular King Henry VI and his advisors. The idea was to force the government to restore order and stop the corrupt royal advisors abusing their positions of power by removing them. Jack Cade’s men however lost focus and began stealing from houses before setting fire to them, causing huge damage to London – one of the worst nights in the bridge’s history.  Jack Cade later died and his head was put on a pole over the drawbridge – a practice that continued until 1678.

 

The perils of London Bridge

The bridge continually lent itself to varying uses, including a location for jousting. In 1390, a joust took place in front of a royal court, between Lord Welles, English ambassador to Scotland, and Sir David De Lindsay, a Scots knight. The pair had frequently quarrelled over the bravery of their respective countrymen. The Scots knight was the victor and showed true sportsmanship and was later made ambassador to England. 

While some put their lives in danger on the bridge in the name of sport, others found themselves accidentally at peril. One was a little girl who lived on the bridge and fell out of her window into the river below. She was the daughter of Sir John Hewitt, one of theLord Mayors Of London. Sir John’s apprentice however, Edward Osborne, dived into the Thames and rescued her. As she grew up, the little girl had several potential suitors, but Sir John allowed his apprentice to marry her for his bravery. Edward Osborne in turn became Lord Mayor of London too.