Monument record BNT 026 - Cattawade Bridge/s

Cattawade Bridges. Listed Building Grade II. Shown on Bowen's, Saxton's, Speede's and Hodskinson's maps (S1)(S2)(S4)(S5) crossing Catawade Creek & River Stour. First crossing point of Stour into Essex, especially from Ipswich. Area defined includes (both?) bridges and causeway.
Cattawade Bridge has three semicircular arches spanning a distance of 24 yards. It is built of brick, but has stone arch-rings, and a stone string-course at the road level. The width between parapets is 15 feet.
Walter de Suffield, Bishop of Norwich, who died in 1256, left the sum of 2 marks towards the repair of `Cattawade Bridge', and in 1350 Roger de Kenton, warden of the bridge, applied for a grant of land `on the high road, to himself and his successor', in order that he might build a chapel by the bridge. The confirmation of this grant is recorded in the Patent Rolls of June that year, and it was specified therein that the plot of land was to be `100 feet long and 48 feet broad, parcel of the King's highway by the causey of the bridge, and of a value of one half-pence yearly and no more'. The chapel was to be dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Ten years later protection was granted to the hermit of `Cattawade', to seek alms towards the maintenance of the bridge and causeway, and the Quarter Sessions Records for the County of Essex, include many entries of money spent on the repair of Cattawade Bridge, including 105 pounds in 1653 and 250 pounds in 1680 (S3).
Extent of survival of earlier elements not established.
Chapel of St Mary occupied by hermit Br. John attewelle in 1360. (S6)