The High Bridge, built over the river Witham, is one of the few mediaeval bridges in England with houses upon it. High street itself passes over the original portion of the bridge, which is a fine ribbed Norman Arch of 22-foot span, dating from about 1160. The dark vault beneath, formerly named “The Murder Hole”, now bears the romantic title of “The Glory Hole”. In mediaeval times the bridge was an important centre for the merchants of those days. Fish, brought up from the coast and also caught locally in the Witham itself, was sold on the bridge. Farmers from the surrounding district brought meat, either by boat or waggon, to be bartered at this busy spot. Under the bridge passed vessels, loaded with wool, on their way to Flanders, whilst above, on the bridge, porters stood around waiting to be hired. The bridge must often have assumed the appearance of an open-air market, swarming with life and activity.

In about the year1235, an addition was made to the eastern side of the bridge; namely, a chapel dedicated to St. Thomas a Becket of Canterbury. Unfortunately the reformation in 1594 led to its desecration, however it was later used by the Guild of Tanners and Butchers as an assembly room and by the middle of the eighteenth Century it was being used as a chandler’s shop and was finally pulled down in 1763. An Obelisk was erected to mark the site of the chapel and for many years this formed an object of interest for visitors to Lincoln, but it was removed in 1939.

It was about 1540 that a further extension was made to the bridge and the half-timbered houses were built. In the nineteenth century the Victorians plastered over the picturesque front of these houses, covering over all the charm. Fortunately they were carefully restored in 1902 and most of the timber beams visible today are the original ones, dating back to the sixteenth Century.

Earlier in the history of the High Bridge, in the early 1790's a fierce discussion was in progress as to whether the river should be made navigable all through the year, or left as it was. It was navigable during the winter months, but in the summer the water sometimes sank so low that horses and carriages were known to ford it, rather than cross by the bridge. It was at last decided, after much opposition from some citizens, that the river should be made narrower and deeper and this was accordingly done in 1793. However, before it was done, a celebration dance was held under the bridge, planks having been laid across the water for the purpose.
Also at this time there are known to have been two posts placed at the foot of the bridge with a chain stretched between them. The chain marked the two municipal divisions of the city, and whether or not you were entitled to common rights depended upon if you lived "above" or "below" the chain.