London Group Members' Evening: Medieval bridges and books

Event details

5 September 2019, 18.00-20.00

Traditionally, it was assumed that until the 18th century bridges were scarce over major rivers, and those bridges were timber. David Harrison’s classic book on the Bridges of Medieval England overturned these assumptions. So we now know that one of the greatest civil engineering achievements of medieval England was the creation of an extensive network of stone arched bridges. Most of the bridges standing in 1750 were at a site where there had been a bridge 500 years earlier. And many of these bridges were medieval structures.

Old London Bridge was the best-known and most impressive of England’s medieval bridges. So much has been written about this structure, but only this year, thanks to Dorian Gerhold’s new research published in London Bridge and its houses, c.1209 -1761 , do we know how and when the houses on the bridge were constructed, their original layout and their occupants.

The authors will speak about their books, which will be available at a 10% discount of the normal price.

The evening will start from 6pm, with talks starting at 6.30. Tickets include drink and nibbles. There will be time for drinks, nibbles and browsing. Hatchards has generously offered a 10% discount for all books purchased in-store on the evening on production of your entrance ticket (digital or paper).

The programme allows around half an hour at the end of the evening for browsing and purchasing books in Hatchards. Please feel free to visit the shop earlier if you would like more shopping time.

Members and their guests are welcome.

Please book early as there are a limited number of tickets available.

About the London Group
The SPAB London group was formed in 2015 and it brings together over 1,000 SPAB members living or working in the metropolitan area. London’s diversity of built heritage gives members the opportunity to share knowledge of historic buildings, conservation projects and craft skills. The SPAB London group offers visits to see conservation works on historic buildings, lectures, concerts and its monthly Walks to Nowhere, guided walking tours discovering London’s many distinctive neighbourhoods and ending at an historic pub. Recent walks traversed Bloomsbury, Smithfield and Borough.

Booking Terms & Conditions

Accessibility: please contact the Group Organiser before booking to discuss any special access requirements.