NHER 5476 (Monument record) - Site of High Bridge or Stone Bridge

April 1975. Found during sewerage works.
North abutment of the presumably medieval bridge for High Street to pass over the Purfleet.
The lower part of the facing was made of limestone blocks forming courses 0.2m (8 in) high. The upper facing and the arches were made of brick; this suggests two phases with the upper section being rebuilt in brick. The core of the foundation was made of lumps of limestone and a few pieces of carstone and mortar. Emerging from the north side of the hole in line with the middle of High Street was a culvert lined with similar limestone blocks about 6.1m (20ft) down. It was paved neatly with slabs which sloped down as they passed through the abutment, apparently to allow the culvert to discharge into the Purfleet under the bridge. This drain seemed to be contemporary with the earlier phase.
See (S1).
P. Wade-Martins (NCM), 17 April 1975.

Sketch plan and photo in file.

The construction date of the High Bridge is not known. However, (S2) notes an agreement for the repair of the southern end of the High Bridge dating from 14 November 1429, including details of the depth and thickness of the brickwork required.
According to (S3) the Stone Bridge or High Bridge had only one arch but was furnished on either side with houses.
A. Cattermole (King's Lynn UAD), 22 July 2019.

In May 1865 the Paving Commissioners decided to add the removal of the High Bridge to their scheme of improvement while the Purfleet was being filled in. The Commissioners' surveyor reported on 4 April 1866 that the remaining houses had been taken down and that the bridge was being removed. On 14 April 1866 the Advertiser reported that the bridge had been pulled down.
See (S4) for further information.
A. Cattermole (King's Lynn UAD), 23 July 2019.

The grid reference for this site has been moved slightly further south from TF 61762 20040 to TF 61769 20030, to align with the known line of the Purfleet.
A. Cattermole (King's Lynn UAD), 23 July 2019.