CHAPEL ON THE BRIDGE, WAKEFIELD

Chapels on bridges are not so unfrequent in architectural history as the rarity of their remains would indicate.  Among the early records of bridge-building we read that “the Romans built many bridges in the provinces; viz. in France, Spain, Germany, Britain, &c. some of which had arches or towers on them."[1] Plutarch derives the word Pontifex, (high priest,) from sacrifices made upon bridges, a ceremony of the highest antiquity.  The priests are said to have been commissioned to keep the bridges in repair, as an indispensable part of their office.  This we may conclude to have given rise to the annexation of chapels to almost all our bridges of note; and the offerings were of course for repairs:  so that priests are considered to have been the olden surveyors of bridges, and chapels on them to have been displaced by the more secular establishment of toll-houses.[2]

The bridge, upon which stands the above chapel, crosses the Calder, at the south-east entrance into Wakefield, in the West Riding of Yorkshire.  It was built in the reign of Edward III. and is a fine specimen of the masonry of that age.  In the centre projecting from the eastern side, and resting partly on the sterlings, is the chapel, built in the richest style of Gothic architecture.  It is about ten yards in length, and about eight in breadth.  The east window, overhanging the river, is adorned with various and beautiful tracery, and the parapets are perforated.  The windows on the north and south sides are equally rich.  But the west front facing the passage over the bridge, (as shown in the Engraving,) exceeds all the rest in profusion of ornament; being divided by buttresses into compartments, forming recesses, with lofty pediments and pointed arches; whilst above is an entablature bearing five basso-relievos, the whole being crowned with battlements.  The buttresses, finials, tracery, &c. form an assemblage of Gothic embellishments, which, for richness and delicacy can scarcely be equalled.  This chapel was built by Edward IV. in memory of his father, Richard, Duke of York, and those of his party who fell in the battle of Wakefield.[3] It appears, however, that a chapel had been built on this bridge by Edward III., and dedicated to St. Mary; but it was undoubtedly rebuilt and embellished by Edward IV. who, on this account, may be regarded as the founder of the present structure.

The beautiful embellishments have received considerable injury; and, about twenty years since this superb relic of ecclesiastical architecture was used as a warehouse.  As architectural renovation is becoming somewhat the taste of the day, it is to be hoped that the restoration of the chapel at Wakefield will not be overlooked.