Respryn Bridge
{{short description|Bridge over the River Fowey in Cornwall}}
{{Use British English| date=November 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates| date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox historic site
| name = Respryn Bridge
| native_name =
| native_language =
| image = File:Bridge across the Fowey river at Lanhydrock - geograph.org.uk - 1310165.jpg
| caption = Respryn Bridge in 2009
| alt = Granite and stone bridge with five arches and trees in the foreground
| type =
| locmapin = Cornwall
| coordinates = {{coord|50.4404|-4.6780}}
| location = Lanhydrock, Cornwall, England
| area =
| built =
| architect =
| architecture =
| governing_body =
| owner =
| designation1 = Grade II*
| designation1_offname = Respryn Bridge
| designation1_date = 6 June 1969
| designation1_number = {{listed building England|1143087}}
}}
Respryn Bridge ({{langx|kw|Pons Resbrini}}) is a 15th-century granite and stone bridge over the River Fowey in the parish of Lanhydrock in Cornwall, England. The bridge is a Grade II* listed building.
History
The current Respryn Bridge was built in the 15th century, replacing an earlier bridge over the River Fowey built around 1300.{{cite web| url= https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/strategic-historic-environment-service/cornwall-and-scilly-historic-environment-record/access-to-monuments/find-by-name/find-monuments-by-name/r-z/respryn-bridge/| title= Respryn Bridge| publisher=Cornwall Council| date=20 February 2018| accessdate=29 November 2020}}{{cite web| url= https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1143087| title=Respryn Bridge| publisher=Historic England| accessdate=29 November 2020}} The bridge was on the old road from Bodmin to Looe. During the English Civil War, the bridge was used a strategic crossing point between Lanhydrock and Boconnoc, who were on opposing sides in the conflict. The bridge was initially held by Roundheads led by Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex, but was captured by Cavaliers led by Sir Richard Grenville, 1st Baronet in 1644.{{cite book| url= https://books.google.com/books?id=jzI5AQAAMAAJ| title=Volume 2 of History of the Great Civil War, 1642-1649| last=Gardiner| first=Samuel Rowson| publisher=Longmans, Green| date=1894| pages=13–14}} That same year, King Charles I crossed over the bridge. The bridge carries a through road, with the entrance of Lanhydrock House a short distance away.{{cite book| url= https://books.google.com/books?id=-t8HAAAAQAAJ| title=A complete parochial history of the county of Cornwall| last=Polsue| first=Joseph|date=1870| pages=7–8}}
In 1969, Respryn Bridge became a Grade II* listed building. In 2006, the bridge was closed for a month after being struck by a lorry, causing thousands of pounds' worth of damage. In 2019, stone bollards were added to the entrance of the bridge, to prevent large vehicles from crossing the bridge.{{cite news| url= https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/fears-lives-ambulance-gets-stuck-2507355| title= Fears for lives as ambulance gets stuck on bridge following work by Cornwall Council| work=Cornwall Live| date=4 November 2019| accessdate=29 November 2020}}
Architecture
The current Respryn Bridge is constructed from granite and stone, and has five arches. Only the central arch is original to the bridge; the other four were added later, and the two arches on the western side are the newest. The bridge is {{convert|40|m|abbr=off}} long, and has a width of {{cvt|3|m}}. The central arch has a span of {{cvt|15|ft}}.{{cite book| url= https://books.google.com/books?id=00KoAwAAQBAJ| title= Exploring the River Fowey| last=Neale|first=John| publisher=Amberley Publishing| date=March 2013| isbn=9781445623412}}
References
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{{coord|50.4404|-4.6780|type:landmark_region:GB|display=title}}
Category:Grade II* listed buildings in Cornwall
Category:Grade II* listed bridges in England