Monnow Gate & Bridge, Wales

The Monnow Bridge and Gate is actually the only surviving fortified gate, which spans a river, still standing in Britain. It sits at the southern entrance to Monmouth and until 2004 it was still used as the main thoroughfare for vehicles into the town.  The town of Monmouth itself today is part of Wales, but in the 9th Century it was conquered by Mercia, and was part of England when the country was created. It was not until the 16th Century that it was returned to Wales. 

The medieval bridge in Monmouth was built at the end of the 13th Century to replace an earlier timber bridge.  The defended gate was used to control this strategic river crossing and to defend the town against Welsh raiders. Men would have kept constant watch from the battlements and rooms in the gatehouse.

The town of Monmouth also used the bridge to earn funds.  Traders would flock to Monmouth’s markets, but they had to pay a toll called ‘murage' in order to bring their goods and livestock through the gate.  The right to charge for murage was granted to the town by Edward I in 1297. These tolls paid for the upkeep and building of the town’s defensive walls. 

In 1705, Monmouth’s Common council ordered that

‘the present Chamberlains of ye said town do forth with cause Monnow Gate and the Gates thereof to be repaired and fitted up.’ 

After this gate was converted into a house.  The battlements were replaced by a higher roof, and an extension was built to its side which hung over the river.  The gatehouse itself has throughout its existence also served as a toll-house, guard room, and gaol. In 1768, James Powell Naylor took a lease on the house adjoining Monnow Gate for use as a dwelling, at a charge of 10 shillings a year. One of the conditions of the lease required that he vacate the building whenever it was required as a militia guardroom.  The lean-to addition was demolished in 1815. The two side pedestrian footpaths though the building were added in the 19th Century.