The Old Bridge,
which is of considerable antiquity. A wooden bridge was erected on the same spot by the Mercian Princess Ethelfleda, early in the tenth century; but from the ‘Chronicle of Chester Abbey,’ we learn that in 1227 “pons Cestriæ totus cecidit;” and that in 1279 “mare erupit, pontem Cestriæ confregit et asportavit.” The wooden bridge being thus disposed of, we next find from the ‘Red Book of St. Werburgh,’ that “in 1280 the King (Edward I.) compelled the citizens of Chester to rebuild Dee Bridge at their own charge, contrary to the privileges which had been granted to them.” In 1500, the south end of the Bridge, having fallen into decay, was rebuilt, and a tower for its defence added at the entrance into Handbridge, which was taken down about sixty years ago. In 1826 the Bridge was widened to the extent of seven feet, by the addition of a flagged footpath, on the east side, bounded towards the river by a good iron railing, the projection supported by two courses of corbels.
It consists of seven irregular arches, and when viewed from the west, presents an appearance of venerable antiquity; but on the east it no longer holds out that recommendation to the eye of the observer, modern alterations having left nothing on that side to render it worthy of notice.
At the north end of the Bridge stand the