The Drawbridge

A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.

Occupied one of the twenty arches of the Old London Bridge, erected in 1176. It had to be raised for the passage of ships, and it was this fact that led to the gradual decline in the prosperity of Queenhithe and the growth in importance of Billingsgate, which, as standing below the bridge, was more readily accessible for trade purposes.


Mentioned in 1416. "le Drawebrigge"(Cal. L. Bk. I. p. 166).

The passage of the drawbridge having been found so narrow as to obstruct the increasing commercial traffic of the river, it was reconstructed in 1426, over the seventh opening or lock from the Surrey shore with a tower on its north side (S. 25 and 209).

Traitors' heads were set up over the drawbridge at one period.

Related Words