Horse-shoe Bridge

   A bridge over the stream of the Walbrook by the church of St. John upon Walbrook (S. 27 and 230).

   Earliest mention: "Horssobregge," 1277-8 (Ct. H.W. I. 33).

   Other forms : "Horschobrigge," 1306-7 (ib. 182). "Horshobridge," 1307 (ib. 190). "Horsshobrigge," 1329 (ib. 346).

   In Walbrook Ward. This bridge in common with others over the Walbrook was kept in repair by owners of property in the neighbourhood (Cal. L. Bk. A. p. 177 and L. Bk. C. p.71).

   In 3 Ed. IV. (1462-3) it was ordained in the Common Council that the owners of land on each side of the ditch of Walbrook should clean their several portions and pave and vault the ditch up to the middle, and if anyone refused to comply with this ordinance it was provided that his land should pass to anyone prepared to carry the ordinance into effect (Cal. L. Bk. L. p. 22).

   When the Walbrook was paved over in accordance with this ordinance, and ceased to be an open stream, the owners of property, who had formerly kept the bridges in repair, having now to make and keep the pavement in order, would not maintain the double burden, and the bridges having become superfluous gradually fell into disrepair and in process of time were removed. They had indeed ceased to exist in Stow's time, and are not shown in any of the maps prior to the date of his survey.

   See Walbrook.