Crowland Bridge

Trinity Bridge, Crowland, England was built 1360. This is an unusual 3-​way bridge that now sits high & dry in the center of Crowland.
Sure enough, the River Welland now flows on a dead straight course to the west of the town along what is termed the Deeping High Bank.
The Trinity or Triangular Bridge is said to be unique. Certainly, it is unusual and rather special. It stands in the middle of the town, at the junction of North, South, East and West Streets. Before the town was bypassed by the A1073 leading south to Peterborough, it was a familiar
landmark for through traffic.
It holds at least one mystery the identity of its mysterious carved stone figure, which people still argue about. The story of the bridge goes back to the 7^th century when this part of the country was very different a time when England was divided into many kingdoms and when lonely saints found their way to remote islands. Some say it is King Ethelbald, complete with royal orb.
Far more likely is that the statue is a representation of God or Jesus holding the world in His hands. If so, it bears a striking resemblance to statues on the surviving west front of the abbey and it is more than likely taken from there and placed in a more lowly position on the bridge.
The current bridge dates to the 14^th century (built between 1360 and 1390) and replaced previous wooden bridges but the earliest known mention of the bridge is by Ethelbald of Mercia in 716.
The early bridge was probably made of timber, and not a trace survives.
What we see today has an odd triangular design it has three arches but is one structure hence its name ‘Trinity’ or three in one. This came about because in those days it stood at the point where the River Welland divided into two streams. One led past the abbey at the water gate on the south side of the abbey site and the townspeople used it for sanitary and sewerage purposes. It drained into the
River Nene. The main branch of the Welland meanwhile carried on northwards towards Spalding. These waterways were eventually covered over by the current street pattern. Arched over, they now serve as sewers.
The bridge at one time had a large cross at its apex. It may have been used as a platform by preaching monks and as a centre of devotion for pilgrims approaching the abbey. During the Middle Ages it had gentle slopes leading upwards in more recent times steep steps have been substituted.
If you are close by it is well worth taking time out to see the bridge and the abbey.