Caernarfon Cadnant Bridge

Has been described as a Certain Fortified Bridge

There are no visible remains

NameCaernarfon Cadnant Bridge
Alternative NamesPorth Mawr
Historic CountryCaernarfonshire
Modern AuthorityGwynedd
1974 AuthorityGwynedd
CommunityCaernarfon

The lower estuarine part of the Cadnant was crossed by a second bridge which linked the East Gate and the walled town with the eastern bank of the river. A stone bridge of six arches was built about 1301~2 and was defended by an outer gateway by 1310. The bridge like the walls, quay and haven was a royal responsibility. In 1319 the burgesses are found petitioning the Crown for its repair and extensive repairs were carried out in 1320. Speed's map and eighteenth~century engravings show the gate with a pair of rectangular towers and the bridge with a similar smaller structure. (Carter 1969)

Bridge outside Porth Mawr, formerly with drawbridge, which formed main access to the medieval town. Now survives under road/buildings along Stryd y Porth Mawr (Eastgate Street). Series of arches still survive towards E end, and (later) arch visible under Tan y Bont. Described by RCAHM.

Demolition along N side of Eastgate Street in 1961 allowed recording of further details of bridge (Jones 1962). (Gwynedd Archaeological Trust)

£1 7s. 21/2d. was applied to the reconstuction of of the fore gate which eigtheenth-century engravings show standing on the bridge in front of the Exchequer gate proper. (HKW)

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law

Not Listed

County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSH479628
Latitude53.1408500671387
Longitude-4.27432012557983
Eastings247970
Northings362830
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Carter, H., 1969, 'Caernarvon' in Lobel, M.D. (ed), Historic Towns: Maps and Plans of Towns and Cities in the British Isles, with Historical Commentaries, from Earliest Times to 1800 Vol. 1 (London: Lovell Johns-Cook, Hammond and Kell Organization) p. 1-8 online copy
  • Colvin, H.M., Brown, R.Allen and Taylor, A.J., 1963, The history of the King's Works, Vol. 1: the Middle Ages (London) p. 383-4, 385
  • RCAHMW, 1960, A Survey and Inventory of the Ancient Monuments of Caernarvonshire Vol. 2: Central (HMSO) p. 153 no. 1105 online copy

Journals

  • Jones, C.N., 1962, Archaeology in Wales
  • Kenrick Evans, 1944, 'Porth Mawr, Caernarvon' Transactions of the Caernarvonshire Historical Society Vol. 6 p. 1-11
  • Kenrick Evans, 1941, 'Porth Mawr, Caernarvon' Transactions of the Caernarvonshire Historical Society Vol. 6 p. 34-5