Built for Queen Elizabeth I nearly five centuries ago, this little stone bridge, the 'Essex Bridge', crosses the River Trent a few miles from Cannock Chase.
The Earl of Essex built it, they say, so that the Queen could ride across it, from his stately home on the one side, to the forests beyond. Thus she could do some hunting whenever she stayed in this neck of the woods.
The little v-shaped niches are for passers-by to stand aside in safety when something broader comes on.
Of course, the locals just use it to cross the water, as a short-cut, not bothering too much about its history. And, why not?
It is gorgeous, the lines and the proportions are exquisite. Great capture.
ReplyDeleteIt reminds me some bridges here in Spain too.
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