X-Files from the Bog: The Devil's Bridge

Devil's Bridge, Kirkby Lonsdale

The bridge across the river Lune near Kirkby Lonsdale is a truly impressive feat of medieval engineering. It has three arches spanning the gorge, each almost semi-circular in form, and which measure 16.7m, 16.7m and 8.5m across. Each one is made up of four ribs. The height of the bridge from the river to the highest point is about 13.7m, depending upon the level of the water.

The piers of the bridge continue upwards into rounded breakwaters. These in turn become parapets at road level in which pedestrians can stand to avoid oncoming traffic, or to look out over the scene.

How was it built?

The bridge is thought to have been built by the monks of St. Mary’s Abbey, York, around the year 1365. It is certain that it was constructed before the time of Edward I since there is a record of its repair in the third year of his reign. However, as the true story of its origin receded into the past, so the myths around it have grown. One early reference to this can be found in "A Guide to the Lakes", by Thomas West, first published in 1778:

"The country people have a tradition that it was built by the Devil one night in windy weather; he had but one apron full of stones for the purpose, and unfortunately his apron-string breaking as he flew with them over Casterton-fell, he lost many of them out, or the bridge would have been much higher."

But why was he supposedly building the bridge in the first place? Well, there is a folk-tale behind it, and variants of the same legend are associated with many other "impossible" bridges around Europe.

The Devil's bargain...

Once upon a time there was a woman who became separated from her cow which was on the other side of the river. Ever obliging to help folk out of their small troubles, the Devil appeared and a pact with him was made. The Prince of Darkness agreed to build a bridge across the river in return for the soul of the first living thing that crossed it, thinking of course that it would be the woman herself. By morning the bridge was complete and the old woman had to fulfill her part of the bargain. But she coaxed her dog to run across the bridge by throwing a bun to the other side. The animal duly scampered after it, and so the Devil was cheated. In a fit of rage at being so thwarted, he let out a howl of anguish and disappeared in a puff of fire and brimstone.