Cromwell's Bridge on the River Hodder by Hannah Blundell
Cromwell's Bridge
Cromwell’s Bridge, Old Lower Hodder Bridge or Brandywine Bridge
The bridge spanning the River Hodder close to Stonyhurst is disused and in a ruinous state but it’s spans are still intact.
Built in 1562 by Richard Shireburn the bridge was intact until it is said Oliver Cromwell crossed the river here in 1648 on the eve of the Battle of Preston, crossing with an army of over 8000. According to tradition it is Cromwell who ordered the bridge parapets to be dismantled to widen the top of the bridge for crossing.
In the 20th Century it is reckoned that Tolkien took inspiration for the Brandywine Bridge in Fellowship of the ring from the Old Hodder Bridge - although sites from which Tolkien derived inspiration are now more frequent than those where Arthur is said to have fought. However, the Lower Hodder Bridge seems to me to look a lot like the Brandywine in one’s mind. Tolkien did spend time in the area around Stonyhurst.
Created: 8 June 2019 Edited: 29 November 2023
Cromwell's Bridge
Cromwell's Bridge LiDAR Map
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0
Local History around Cromwell's Bridge
There are some historic monuments around including:
Portfield hillfortThe Old Lower Hodder BridgeWhalley BridgeWhalley Cistercian abbeyBowl barrow 170m north east of Hacking Boat HouseClitheroe Castle; medieval enclosure castleBowl barrow 250m north of Hacking Boat HouseEadsford (or Edisford) BridgeBailey Hall moated site, fishponds and chantry of St John the Baptist.Three high crosses in St Mary's churchyardLength of Roman road N of Bateson's Farm.
