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Bridges and More

How London's Bridges Came to Span a River and a City
By Ian Doolittle
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Brief Description
City Bridge Foundation is the oldest charity in London still operating under its original purpose. Established over 700 years ago to maintain London Bridge, it now cares for five of the Thames's great crossings while distributing surplus income to charities across the capital. Worth £1.5 billion,... Read More
Format: Hardback
$7000
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Releases 11th January 2027 (Approx. Date) Pre-order  "Bridges and More" now to secure your copy from our first shipment

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An engaging and accessible history of City Bridge Foundation, the extraordinary charity behind London’s bridges and one of the capital’s oldest civic institutions.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

City Bridge Foundation is the oldest charity in London still operating under its original purpose. Established over 700 years ago to maintain London Bridge, it now cares for five of the Thames's great crossings while distributing surplus income to charities across the capital. Worth £1.5 billion, it remains managed by the City of London Corporation.

This lively and original book traces the development of the Foundation from its religious origins as the 'Bridge House,' through political intrigue, civic evolution and remarkable acts of giving. Written by legal historian Ian Doolittle, it introduces a little-known but extraordinary organisation whose assets were built from the donations of ordinary Londoners.

The Foundation's story spans medieval craftsmanship, royal interference, and the complexities of modern governance, all while helping shape the physical and civic landscape of London. It is a story of bridges, certainly, but also of money, power, and purpose.

AUTHOR: Ian Doolittle is a legal historian and former academic barrister with a long-standing interest in London's civic and charitable institutions. He has written extensively on property law, urban governance, and historical legal structures, and is a former editor of the Journal of Legal History. This is his first book for a general readership.

SELLING POINTS:

  • First accessible and thematic history of the City Bridge Foundation
  • Reveals the fascinating story behind London's best-known bridges
  • Rich with archival insight, civic drama, and overlooked history
  • Written by leading legal historian Ian Doolittle
  • Covers 700+ years of London life, finance, and philanthropy
  • A vital read for anyone interested in London's urban or civic history

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781836360391

Publisher: Kulturalis

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 14 September 2026

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Kulturalis

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 138.0mm

Height: 216.0mm

Weight: 300g

Pages: 128

Collections

Arts & Culture Education & Reference Engineering, Technology & Agriculture European History History & Archaeology History & Military Ian Doolittle Non-Fiction Non-Fiction Pre-Orders Pre-order Books Pre-orders Pre-orders by Release Date

About the Author

Ian Doolittle is a legal historian and former academic barrister with a long-standing interest in London's civic and charitable institutions. He has written extensively on property law, urban governance, and historical legal structures, and is a former editor of the Journal of Legal History. This is his first book for a general readership.

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