Archaeology at the New Entertainment Venue Site

Historically, Frankwell Quay has been the scene of high drama. In 1485, when the Earl of Richmond (later Henry VII) was marching east with his army to fight Richard III (at the Battle of Bosworth), Shrewsbury's Senior Bailiff, Thomas Mytton, initially ordered the Welsh Bridge to be defended against the Earl's army – having vowed that rebels would not pass over the bridge unless they walked over his body. Persuaded to change his allegiance, Mytton then lay on the bridge as the future king stepped over him, thus keeping his word and his job.

Ongoing archaeological work has uncovered one intact arch of the medieval St George's (or Welsh) Bridge, which was constructed during the 12th century. The bridge served as part of the town's defences with a barbican (also known as the Welsh Gate) at the Frankwell end and the Mardol Gate at the Shrewsbury end. The excavations have also revealed the sandstone ashlar foundations of the twin bastions of the Welsh Gate on either side of the bridge.

The superstructure of the Welsh Gate was demolished in 1773 and the rest of the medieval bridge was demolished in 1795 after the completion of the new bridge 60 metres downstream. The remaining arch of the bridge was preserved by incorporation into cellared buildings and the former bridge approach road became a cul-de-sac known as 'Severn Court'. The area of the riverbank between the Welsh Gate and the modern river wall was reclaimed between 1769 and 1832. 

It is intended to record, conserve, and retain the bridge arch and associated remains beneath the new theatre in situ.

Below are PDF versions of the information boards for the archaeology dig as displayed at the NEV site. You may use the information and images as long as you clearly attribute them to Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council.

 (pdf, 218kb)  (pdf, 230kb)

You can find out more about the dig by going to the Music Hall website.