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Woodham Walter Village- Historical Jottings Woodham Walter is a small village in rural farmland about 3 miles to the south west of Maldon. The topography of the village hasn't changed greatly over the ages with a small compact centre and small outlying hamlets and scattered farms. Prehistoric and Roman Archealogical surveys have made finds dating to the Bronze and iron age indicating early settlement of the land. The most significant find was made in 1991 at Oak Farm where three twisted Bronze and gold torcs dating back to about 1000 BC were found. These were ornaments worn on the arm by important people. Pottery and flint were found in the immediate area. The other important find was near to How Mill where an enclosure that stood in the iron age was excavated finding pottery and some millstones. Saxon and Medieval By the 6th century the area was settled by the Saxons. At this time the area was still covered by woodland with clearing for farmland and houses although the population growth there was a steady erosion of the wood. The Domesday Book records Woodham with 12 villagers and 6 slaves. 24 acres were in meadow with 500 pigs in the woodland, 1 Mill , 2 cattle, 7 pigs, 37 sheep, and 13 beehives. Woodham is a Saxon name meaning a settlement in the wood. Sixteenth Century onwards
The later medieval times saw the building of a moated Manor House which became the base for the powerful Fitzwalter family for several hundreds of years. Sadly the manor house no longer stands but in its time it was grand building surrounded by a deer park The life of Woodham Walter at this time revolved around the Fitzwalter family although it appeared that the line may die out in 1431 when Walter Fitzwalter dies leaving only a baby daughter called Elizabeth as heir. Sir John Radcliffe bought the estate and kept Elizabeth until she was 14 when she married John junior his oldest son and thereby the family line continued until 1573 when Thomas Radcliffe moved to New Hall, Chelmsford and sold the Manor House to Sir William Fytche. The house saw its share of intrigue with John Junior fighting in the War of the Roses on the side of York being fatally wounded at the battle of Towton. The son of John and Elizabeth was also called John was beheaded in 1495 for his part in a plot to remove Henry 7th. Although the manor was confiscated the family were allowed to buy it back . Johns son Robert and was later awarded the title of Viscount Fitzwalter thus bringing the name back to the manor house. At the death of Henry 8th there was much intrigue and the Fitzwalter family were loyal to Mary Tudor. During this period Mary was under house arrest at New Hall , Chelmsford and plans were hatched to use the Hall as a staging post into an escape to Holland via a small boat berthed at Maldon. This plan never need to be put into action but the family received favoured treatment from Queen Mary on her succession to the throne. Ever pragmatic Henry Radcliffe became a supporter of Queen Elizabeth after the demise of Mary and the family fortunes continued to rise By 1700 the manor house was in such poor repair that it collapsed. The manorship of Woodham Walter continued to exist although the main building was Warren House. After the excitement of the Fitzwalter's life at Woodham Walter returned to that of a rural village with the majority of the villagers working on the land. Two other building in the village were both built in the 1600's and played an inportnat part in village life. The Bell Public House was the centre of village life brewing beer and providing the entertainment centre for the village. The original church was pulled down and the current church consecrated in 1564. Being built from red bricks the Chutch was unusual for its time and nowadays at first glance it does not appear to be 400 years old.
The Indutrial age hit the village in 1793 with the building of the Chelmsford and Blackwater Canal which ran through the Northern Edge of the village with barges carrying loads from the lock at Heybridge to Chelmsford
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Woodham Walter Bell Public House
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