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.

[1] Britton, Arch. Dict. art. Bridge. On the decline of the Roman
Empire, travelling became dangerous, and robberies and murders
were frequently committed. To check this system, and protect
travellers, several religious persons associated in fraternities,
and formed an order called the "Brothers of the Bridge." Their
object was to build bridges, establish ferries, and receive and
protect travellers in hospitals, raised near the passes over
rivers. In like manner we account for the erection of many
bridges in England. According to Stow, the monks of St. Mary
Overie's were the first builders of London Bridge: and Peter of
Colechurch, who founded the first _stone_ bridge, also built
a chapel on the eastern central pier, in which the architect was
afterwards interred: his remains, as we first communicated to the
public, were found as aforesaid during the recent removal of the
old bridge; and "the lower jaw and three other bones of Peter of
Colechurch" were sold by auction a few days since.

[2] At the old bridge at Droitwich, the high road passed through the