Bridges often appear in folklore as eerie places, symbolising a crossing place between the natural world and the supernatural. There are several Devil's Bridges in Britain, the best known can be found near Aberystwyth. We all remember the fairytale of the troll which lived under a bridge, threatening to eat Billy Goat Gruff. Fords, little used today, had a similar reputation.
It was believed evil spirits could not cross running water, so both fords and bridges frequently appear in folk tales as places of safety. Folklorist and scholar of Norse and Anglo-Saxon literature, J R R Tolkein, was well aware of this when he wrote Lord of The Rings. If you have seen the 2002 spectacular film adaptation, you will recall three scenes where the forces of evil are so thwarted. The Ringwraiths are halted at a ferry crossing and later destroyed at a ford which magically becomes a raging torrent.
In the mines of Moria, the wizard Gandalf makes a stand against the Orcs and the terrifying Balrog on a bridge. When this collapses, taking poor Gandalf with it, the rest of the company get to safety.There is at least one haunted bridge in North-East Wales - the medieval sandstone bridge which spans the Dee at Holt, on the Wales-England border.
The haunting recalls a despicable murder which took place soon after the bridge was built. Madog ap Gruffudd of Dinas Brân, Llangollen, had died, leaving two young sons with no trustees.
John, Earl Warren, and Roger Mortimer of Wigmore, were appointed as guardians but the cruel lords plotted to gain for themselves the wealth the boys would inherit on their coming of age. One night they took the boys on horseback from Chester to Dinas Brân and, as they crossed the bridge, they halted and gently took down from their mounts their sleeping wards.
Then, as one, they heaved the helpless boys over the parapets into the freezing waters of the river beneath. The boys screamed in terror, begging for rescue as their sodden clothes dragged them relentlessly down.
But Warren and Mortimer stood and watched and waited until they were drowned, smiling with satisfaction the while.
It is said those pitiful cries are still heard at dead of night echoing from beneath the bridge so that the cruel deed should not be forgotten. 
your comments
Ruth Bell, Holt
I'm from Holt and I've never seen or heard these ghosts although I cross the bridge a lot! I would love to see a programme or something on this. Has anybody got any links or anything for one?
Mon May 18 10:01:05 2009
Paula Roscoe, Mold
Hi all, sorry I'm not a historian! Wish I was as I love to know about our history - but as you say - it is catch 22. I learnt long ago mediums cannot win with everyone and I don't bother to try. I see, hear and feel whatever comes to me and pass it on - what you do with that is up to you. I don't do it for financial gain like others, I do it because I am meant to help these spirits. Giving knowledge helps them begin their journey and find peace. To some, this may not make sense, but to those who know truth and love will recognise it for what it is. I am known through word of mouth, but sadly, ghost hunting has made whores of spirit. Ignoring their needs. Greed has taken over as people grasp for some' entertainment'. I cringe away from this madness and wait to pick up the pieces.
Wed Nov 5 08:48:29 2008
Robyn, West Sussex
Mike from Gwernymynydd, that's a very good point, why don't psychics do more historical research? Maybe it's because if they did, people would then say that they researched their findings, it's a bit of a catch 22. But, I agree, it can be very frustrating as a historical era would be extremely helpful in finding out who or what is haunting a location.
Tue Aug 26 16:44:20 2008
Kenny Jones, Chester
Paula, maybe the woman crying uncontrollably is the same woman who lost both her sons in 1858. They drowned by the bridge after one fell in and the other tried to rescue him but also drowned. They are buried in Farndon churchyard in the eastside of the churchyard.
Tue Aug 26 07:50:32 2008
Andrea, Wrexham
I am in North Wales Paranormal Group, we did an investigation at Holt/Fardon Bridge. We found it to be very active so have visited the site a few times since. Me and the group spent hours under and around the bridge. It was very interesting. If you would like to see our report please view it and also some on the best pitures at northwalesparanormal.com
Mon Jul 14 08:01:23 2008
Jess from Holt
I have lived in Holt all of my life and walked over the bridge on countless occasions at all times of the day and night. Not once have I heard a scream.
Fri Apr 18 10:26:46 2008
P, Gwynfryn
What you need to understand is our friends are all around us and if you are one of the lucky ones who does see or feel it's OK, but if you point blank say that there is no ghost, that's OK, even when there are two like minds in the same room. If it's not meant for you then you will not see it! I have never been to this bridge but I will go in the near future.
Wed Jan 30 08:59:40 2008
Nigel, Wirral
Whether or not there are spirits in the area, Adam from Bangor on Dee is right about the massacre in the year 616. The site of the monastery, long known to have been at Bangor, has been identified recently as this Bangor (they searched at the several other Bangors for years). There were said to have been 2,100 monks who marched out unarmed to oppose the Saxons. The figure of 50 is the number reputed to have escaped to Bardsey Island, which had a settlement of monks for centuries. So, Bangor on Dee has a very special place in Welsh history. According to George F Jowett, in his book The Drama of the Lost Disciples, first published in 1961, the monastery was founded by St Paul. All the abbots that followed considered themselves as direct successors of Paul and were elected, usually from the royal families of Wales. Its Abbot Morgan was said to have been Pelagius of the Pelagian heresy, which stemmed from the simple Welsh form of faith. Paul is said to have written the famous 'Ancient British Triads' here - they are well worth reading for they correspond to the teachings of the Celtic Church.
Tue Aug 28 11:04:57 2007
Laura from Wrexham
I lived in Farndon for about a year and crossed that bridge late at night every weekend coming hom from various pubs in Holt and Farndon. I'm not sure if I believe in ghosts or not but I have never heard anything crossing that bridge. I also went to school at the foot of Dinas Brān in Llangollen and never heard of a tale of two young princesses. The screams could possibly be from teenagers drinking down by the river or by the castle.
Wed Jul 18 08:29:21 2007
Mike, Gwernymynydd
Something Paula from Mold said about not being sure of the period her visions came from, why don't psychics learn more about history? A knowledge of costume would give us a better understanding of time and place and enable their claims to be verified better. This lack of knoweledge seems to be very common in celeb psychics too. It's very frustrating.
Fri May 4 10:47:04 2007
Kenny Jones, Broughton
To Dave from Wrexham: They are looking for the monastry at a place called Poulton about 3 miles way.
Thu Feb 1 08:21:25 2007
Paula Roscoe, Mold
Hello all,
Our group went to the bridge 2006 it was early evening and still light. As busy as it was with cars, cyclists and general people, it does have a different feel to it. I didn't necessarily pick up children, but I did connect with the energy of a woman, a mother, who was weeping uncontrollably for someone. I was shown people in the river dragging people out, dead. I was also shown another time of two men cowering beneath the bridge. They seemed to be hiding from a group of men and they showed me their thoughts - they knew they would be caught and killed. It was quite overwhelming. I sensed another time, much further back with many men gathering near the banks. Not the Civil war, I think the two men may have been around that time. This was much further, before this bridge was built. I want to say Saxon, but I'm not too sure on styles of helmets and dress?
Going over the bridge, we were drawn to a house, the field beneath it and more so the lane running beside it. Why, I'm not sure, it just felt different.
Blessings to you.
Mon Jan 15 16:19:05 2007
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