Summary

Magdalene Bridge used to be known as “Great Bridge” and marks the site of an important Roman era river crossing. During Roman times the River Cam could be navigated from the Wash, all the way to Cambridge and all routes met at this crossing point, for trade during peaceful times and also armies and supplies in times of war such as the English Civil War. The river continued to be an important trade route delivering goods to places such as Stourbridge Common for the Fair until the opening of the railway in 1845, which became the dominant route  from the seaside in Norfolk at a place called ‘the Wash’.

Story

This history trail is narrated by the poet Michael Rosen, with script researched by Helen Weinstein and the team at Historyworks. This recording is part of a series of Cambridge history trails which have lyrics inspired by 'history beneath our feat' performed by local schoolchildren, with poems by the top poet Michael Rosen and songs by the funny team at CBBC's songwriters commissioned by Historyworks. 

To find the teacher resources including powerpoints and laminates click here. 

During Roman times, the River Cam was fully navigable from the Wash as far as Cambridge and was the northernmost point where transport from East Anglia to the Midlands was practicable. Therefore, Magdalene Bridge marks the site of an important Roman era river crossing. It used to be known as “Great Bridge”. All routes, both local and long- distance, had to converge on this crossing point, giving it immense strategic importance in times of peace for trade and in times of war to control armies and supplies, which happened during the English Civil War, when the city was divided between those who supported the King and those who supported Parliament. The River was the most important means of transport for goods and services for Cambridge between 1118 onwards, but this all changed in 1845 with the opening of the railway to London, which dealt the river trade its death-blow. Up until then the River Cam was the essential travel and trading route by which Cambridge was fed and built with boats bringing fish and grain, meat and salt, coal and reeds, timber and stone.  

Click links below to listen to our Horrible Histories Style Songs about the River Cam

TO THE WASH (to the tune of Row Row Row your Boat)

RIVER CAM: River Cam and Dirty River Cam In Queen Vic's Time