MEDIEVAL TOWN DEFENCES OF BRIDGWATER

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Parts of the medieval town ditch and bank have been found during excavations in the 1970's and 1980's. The ditch was 5 metres deep and was open until the 16th century, before being sealed by 18th and 19th century material. There were four town gates, which were removed before 1878.

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[ST 2970 3719] NORTH GATE [GT] (Site of)
[ST 2996 3687] SOUTH GATE [GT] (Site of)
[ST 2949 3693] WEST GATE [GT] (Site of)
[ST 3029 3713] EAST GATE [GT] (Site of)
[ST 2956 3709] MOAT [GT] (Site of) (1)

Opinion, generally, holds that Bridgwater was never walled. Leland
(a) recorded only the four gates. Jarman (3) thought it had been
walled but that all traces had gone by the mid. 16th cent. The gates,
which were of iron, were wheel hung 'under strong stone arches'; they
were removed some years before 1878 (4). The North Gate was situated
outside King's Square; South Gate was in the lower part of St. Mary
Street, near Holy Trinity Church vicarage, and the East Gate spanned
the roadway where the present Queen's Head stands in Eastover; West
Gate was sited by the corner at Penel Orlieu.
The Moat extended from the North gate to the West gate, thence along
Moat Lane (4). (2-4)

There is a 'moat' shown from North Gate (AO/64/274/1) (b) eastwards
to the River Parrett on 18th cent. plans (AO/64/274/7) (d). This
moat was probably also the northern defence of Bridgwater Castle
(ST 23 NE 9).
There are no remains of the town gates or any surface indications of
a town ditch. No trace of the West Gate or a ditch around the
south-western perimeter of the town has been observed by the
Bridgwater Arch. Soc. during building demolition and the construction
of a By-Pass road in this area. (5)

The town ditch was revealed at ST 29453700 when topsoil was removed
and a drain cut across the Classic Cinema car park in Mount Street.
A 14m wide stretch of dark earth was found to be at least 4-5m deep
cut into Keuper Marl. (6)

Parts of the medieval town ditch and wall have been located during excavations and watching briefs throughout the 1970s and 1980s. the ditch was located at 43 Friars Street (ST 29670 36830) where it was found to be at least 3m deep with a bank on its eastern side. It was open until the C 16 before being sealed by C 18 and C 19 material. (7)

ST 298 372. Site of the north gate was located during a watching brief. (8)

SOURCE TEXT

(1) Ordnance Survey Map (Scale / Date)

OS 25" 1930

(2) General reference

Hist & Arch of Somerset 3 1791 75 (Rev J Collinson)

(3) General reference

History of Bridgwater 1889 260 (S G Jarman)

(4) Somerset archaeology and natural history : the proceedings of the Somersetshire Archaeological and Natural History Society

(G Parker) 23 - 1878 Page(s)46-7

(5) Field Investigators Comments

F1 GHP 11-NOV-64

(5b) General reference

Illustration in Blake Museum Bridgwater 18th cent (? Chubb)

(5c) General reference

Plan of Castle Grounds 1777 (R Locke)

(5d) General reference

Map of Bridgwater 18th century (? Strachey)

(6) Somerset archaeology and natural history : the proceedings of the Somersetshire Archaeological and Natural History Society

(M Langdon) 120 - 1976 Page(s)73

(7) Somerset archaeology and natural history : the proceedings of the Somersetshire Archaeological and Natural History Society

(P Ellis) 129 - 1985 Page(s)69-74

(2a) General reference

Leland II Itin II 96

(8) Somerset archaeology and natural history : the proceedings of the Somersetshire Archaeological and Natural History Society

(M Langdon) 130 - 1986 Page(s)152

(9) Council for British Archaeology CBA research reports

Medieval Towns in England and Wales (ed) Barley 14 - 1975 Page(s)58-9

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BRIDGWATER
BRIDGWATER

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Medieval Town of Bridgwater established by a charter of circa 1200. It was defended with earthworks and a ditch, though these appear to have become in...

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