For those of you still following that have maintained the will to live the journey' next stop is Maldon, where Jeremy appeared before the Magistrates for burglary of his own caravan site, oh and 5 counts of murder.
Maldon is one of the two ancientest towns in Essex. It is recorded in records as Maudone, Maudine, Mealdona, Meaudone, Maldun and Meldun. Some have imagined that it was the Camulodunum mentioned in Antonine's Itinerary, the Colonia Camulodunum was 52 miles from London, very nearly the measured distance from the Great City of Colchester. Whether there was a Roman settlement here Morant was unable to determine. Her was found a gold coin so valuable a treasure it was always in the keeping of the bailiffs. On it was was the heads of Nero Claudius and his Mother Agrippina; and round them, NERO CLAVD. DIVI F. CAES. AVG. GERM. IMP. TR. P. COS. On the reverse, the Emperor is represented sitting in a quadrigga ( Chariot ) drawn by four Elephants, holding in one hand a hasta pura
By him sits his mother holding a Legionary ensign; with this legend, AGRIPP. AVG. DIVI CLAVD. NERONSIS
CAES. MATER. EX S. C. Another Medal the same but in silver was found at Colchester.
The Town stands on an eminence, or side of a hill, south of the river Idumanum, or Blackwater Bay. It consists of one wide street extending from west to east, near a mile; which is crossed near the top by anther wide street; much in the same form as Colchester: From these streets branch out several lanes. On the west side of the town are the remains of a camp through the middle of which is the road to Chelmsford ( Caeseromagus ? ). On the north side there is a fine spring. Unlike Colchester it is not enclosed by walls. The Bay makes a convenient harbour for Ships, the Chelmer was navigable to Chelmsford. The first mention Morant finds for Maldon in history is 913, When King Edward the Elder came with some forces when a great part of the people submitted to him who had been under the Government of the Danes. The same King fortified the town in 920. 921 sees the return of the Danes who besieged Maeldune, till forces came to its relief and killed great numbers of the enemy. 993 and Unlaf the Dane with numerous forces attacks Maeldune and with numerous forces kills Earl Byrhtnoth who came to oppose them, peace was forced to be made with them.
At the general Survey Meldune the King had one house in it, pasture for 100 sheep and one Socheman; He also has 180 houses which the Burgess's held of him; and a Hall. Suene and his undertenant Guner had lands here, which were charged with providing a horse in the King's Army and building a Ship. Ralph Piperell and Hugh de Montfort hold lands here. St Martin's le Grand in London held an Estate under Eustace Earl of Bologne. The Manors are divided as follows, Great Maldon, Little Maldon,
Jenkins and lesser ones.
The distinction of Great and Little Maldon began about the reign of King Henry II, Great Maldon comprehends the Town, and Little Maldon Where Bilegh-Abbey stands. The Maner of Great Maldon contained what was of the King at the time of the Survey; and what escheated to the Crown upon the forfeiture of Suenes grandson, Henry de Essex. It remained chiefly with the Crown, King Stephen is said to have granted the Seigniory of Maldon to the Earl of Bologne which doth belong to the Corporation of Maldon. They also have a Court-lete and hold by Charter a Court of View of Frankpledge. de Pryers, de Bourchiers, Darcy, Parr, Devereux, all have involvement with Great Maldon. The Maner of Little Maldon is Biley- Abbey, a Roger Baynard who died 1295 held the service of one knights fee, half a knights fee came from Great Maldon. Bouchier, Earl of Essex, The Marquis of Northhampton, Viscount of Hereford being granted it by Queen Elizabeth I in 1570. The viscount of Hereford became the Earl of Essex, as were the others. The Borough of Maldon belonged like most others to the King, Robert Fitz-Richard being
its first Lord. The Charter granted by King Henry II at the request of William de Mandeville, Earl of Essex exempted the Burgess's of Maudone to have and to hold for ever their liberties and free customs, they were exempted from Aids, Amerciaments, Danegeld,Hydage Carriage, Summage, Scutage, Tallage, Stallage, Lastage and Toll in every market and fair, and at the passage of bridges and roads belonging to this Kingdom; of working at the building or repairs of Castles,Bridges, Causeways and fencing of Parks; and from all Foreign service, except finding forty days at their own expense, one Ship whenever he wanted one being first summoned by royal letters to a certain day and place. Among other ancient privileges were to common of pasture, and estovers upon Tiptre-Heath. They updated it in 1553 under Queen Mary I. There was a Priory of Carmelite or White Monks founded in 1292.
The olde and ancient custom of this borough is and has been since time of mind of man, That if a Father dies seized in a house or land within the Franchise of the Borough, the youngest son of the first wife shall have heritage. And if the first wife dies having no son or sons by her but daughters and afterwards marries another woman, and by her has a son or sons, that then the youngest son of the second wife shall have the heritage and so to the third, forth, fifth and so forth, and if no son sons but daughters, then the daughters as well as first wife, second,third,fourth etc shall have together the heritage and the youngest shall choose first according to custom. I am now going to lay down in a dark room. !!!
