Between 1100 and 1118 Matilda of Scotland, also known as Queen Maud, wife of Henry I, ordered a bridge to be built across the River Lea and a causeway through the surrounding marshes. The bridge was located at what is now the Bow Interchange and the causeway ran along what is now Stratford High Street.

It is suggested that Queen Maud demanded these works after her entourage suffered a soaking trying to cross the ford (near today’s Old Ford) to get to Barking Abbey.

The bridge was made of stone and had a distinctive arch, which was likened to a bow. This unusual feature may have been why the place became known as ‘Stratford att Bowe’, from which today’s ‘Bow’ originates.