John Norden, The View of London Bridge from east to west, [1597] - lower right corner of the engraving, panel descibing the bridge.

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Date:1597

Description:London's bridge described in Shakespeare's time.

John Norden's engraving of London Bridge carries a description. Here we learn that along its length lay 102 homes, built alongside and over the 30 foot (10m.) wide road into the city. This was the route travelled by apprentices, journeymen, merchants, and their wives on their way to see the plays in the Southwark theatres.

Transcript:

To the beholder
The bridge leadeth from London to Southwark.
It was finished of stone by the Citizens in time of King John.
It is in Length more 800 foot, Height 60 foot, Breadth 30 foot
There inhabit upon this bridge above 100 households
where also are all kinds of wares to be bought and sold
The houses are on either side so artificially combined
As the bridge seems not only a continual street
But men walk as under a firm vault or loft.

Full title: John Norden, The View of London Bridge from east to west, [1597] (hand-coloured)


Timeline

The timeline shows resources around this location over a number of years.

1570s
Georg Braun and Franz Hogenberg, Londinium, c. 1572  - detail - decorative title panel
Georg Braun and Franz Hogenberg, Londinium, c. 1572 - detail - decorative title panel

'Londinium': ancient capital of Shakespeare's England. London had been founded ...

1590s
John Norden, The View of London Bridge from east to west, [1597]
John Norden, The View of London Bridge from east to west, [1597]

London Bridge, looking upstream in Shakespeare's time. London's medieval bridge ...

1610s
Jodocus Hondius, America, 1619 Map of the Americas - whole map, hand-coloured.
Jodocus Hondius, America, 1619 Map of the Americas - whole map, hand-coloured.

The Americas in the reign of James I, Shakespeare’s patron. Courtiers of ...

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Donor ref:SR/OS Flat storage 87.7 [27,140] (33/10690)

Source: Shakespeare Birthplace Trust - Library

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