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One of the most enduringly famous Maldonians is Edward Bright (1721–1750), historically known as The Fat Man of Maldon - a much-loved grocer and family man who gained unexpected fame in his short life thanks to his great stature.
At the time of his death, aged 29, Edward was believed to be the heaviest man in Britain, with his weight estimated at around 57.5 stone (302kg). He was a thoroughly average 5ft 9in tall, but the measurement around his chest was 5ft 6in and around his stomach was an incredible 6ft 11in.
Despite his size, Edward led an active life until the last couple of years of his life. He is thought to have worked as a post boy as a young lad, riding daily to Chelmsford, then was apprenticed to Maldon grocer Joseph Pattison at the age of 12 (when he was already almost adult in size, weighing in at over 10 stone). At the age of 13, he was one of the people called to be witness to the Will of the Revered Joseph Billio, another famous Maldonian – a fact that shows his good character and standing in the community.
Court records show that Bright was discharged from his apprenticeship at the end of seven years, but as his skill and knowledge had grown so had his waistline – evidently by the age of 19 he was a sturdy 24 stone. As he left his apprenticeship to forge his own business, not only did he become a Freeman of the Borough of Maldon, but he also married his wife Mary, who went on to have six children, although only three survived to adulthood.
Bright had his grocery store and his married home in the building which is now 57 and 59 High Street (Kate Lifestyle nail salon and its neighbour) between Timpson and Coes – look out for the blue heritage plaque. He also had a candle-making factory near the top of Market Hill, where the Town Hall now stands.
At the age of just 29, Edward fell ill with what was called Miliary Fever – an old-fashioned medical term that referred to an infectious disease with a high-temperature and a rash (possibly scarlet fever or typhoid). By this time, his weight had more than doubled from a few years before, weakening his constitution. Contemporary reports state that during his final two weeks of illness, “his corpulence so everpower'd his strength that his life was a burden and his death a deliverance”.
After he died in the upstairs rooms above his shop, his size and weight provided a logistical challenge, and eventually a wall and staircase had to be knocked down to enable his coffin, 3ft 6in wide and 3ft 2in deep to be transported to All Saints Church on a carriage. Inside the church, the coffin was transported on rollers, rather than carried by pallbearers, and a pulley arrangement was used to safely inter it in a vault near the tower arch.
His burial record notes: “He was a very honest tradesman, a facetious [witty] companion, comely [handsome] in his person, affable in his temper, a tender father and valuable friend.” As you look around Maldon today you can find many references to this upstanding citizen, including his tomb in All Saints Church, the blue plaque on his home and his name immortalised in Brights Walk and Edward Bright Close.
You can also see the bronze statue that stands on the wall behind 38 High Street, created by well-known local artist and sculptor Catharni Stern. Rather than showing Bright himself, the sculpture recalls an incident not long after his death, when seven local men were buttoned inside his old waistcoat as part of a wager. The story goes that a man in a local pub tempted a gambler to bet that 700 men wouldn’t fit inside the jacket – well seven Hundred men (ie residents of the Dengie Hundred) did exactly that, and the gambler lost his bet. The following year, a second wager, over a ham and some wine, was settled when nine men, including Edward’s old boss Joseph Pattison, were successfully buttoned inside. You can see a full-size replica of the jacket at Maldon Museum, as well as a completely three-dimensional version of the artwork.
Bright’s son Ned (Edward) is also commemorated by a blue plaque, this one on the side of Mrs Salisbury’s tea room. He carried on the family grocery and candle-making business, as well as making Maldon salt, and became a prominent local politician, elected Mayor in 1837. One of his greatest accomplishments was setting up Maldon’s first bathing facility at the Promenade Park, off the sea wall. You can find the tomb of Ned’s son, also named Edward Bright, in the grounds of St Peter’s Church, which houses the Maeldune Centre, where the original Edward Bright is immortalised in the Maldon Embroidery. And if you are passing West Square and see Bright & Sons Solicitors – well the founder Frederick Bright was his great, great, grandson, and his descendants still serve the people of Maldon through that family business.
Follow in his footsteps...
Number of results: 248
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The Hythe, Maldon
Wednesday 27 to Friday 29 December & 13 January. A leisurely one and half hour cruise from Maldon Quay to Mill Beach and back. Add an optional warm baguette filled with slow roast pork and apple chutney.
Maldon
Historic sailing barges ‘Hydrogen’ and ‘Thistle’ are available for regular public cruises and also for private hire for groups up to 50 from a variety of East Coast locations including Maldon and Ipswich.
Maldon
The White Horse is a busy town-centre pub, with restaurant and bed and breakfast facilities, in the historic town of Maldon close to the Blackwater Estuary.
Maldon
12 & 13 and 20 & 21 January. Maldon Pantomime Society returns with a new and highly anticipated version of Cinderella, written by Louise Markham and directed by Kevin Jennings and with a new Junior Chorus group.
Maldon
Moonlight Balti Express is an Indian takeway in Maldon High Street which offers a wide range of dishes for collection or delivery. From tasty thali and tandoori to mouthwatering Mughlai prawns, all your favourite Indian dishes are available here.
Maldon
Friday 9 February. Architect Hilary Brightman presents the fourth in a series of Winter Heritage Talks, called Renovating an Essex farmhouse: Woodbarns, Belchamp St Paul.
Maldon
Maldon Chandlery
Maldon
Unisex hairdressing salon with a full range of treatments including cutting, colouring, balayage and men's beard trimming.
Maldon
This is a basic bedroom that meet your needs but need a little glamour and that will come in time!
Maldon
A fun, family friendly variety show consisting of live music, comedy, prize bingo, magic and more!!
Maldon
Experience the pleasure and excitement of sailing on a historic Thames sailing barge.
The Thames Sailing Barge Trust, a registered charity which owns the sailing barges Pudge and Centaur.
To view and book our trips visit www.bargetrust…
Maldon
The Community Gaming Initiative (CGI) is a project to use gaming as a social tool to bring young people together to socialise and develop skills.
The Hythe, Maldon
Various dates. Enjoy a two-hour chill-out cruise on a traditional Thames Sailing Barge with live Blues music and a cheese grazing platter.
Maldon
Costcutter convenience store with everyday essentials, frozen food, pet food, confectionary and off-lience. Also home to the Post Office with a full range of counter services including Vehicle Tax, international Driving Permits, MoneyGram, document…
High Street, Maldon
Well known historian, Adrian Wright, will give an illustrated presentation which considers earthquakes on a world scale including large events in Assam, Alaska and New Zealand as well as the much smaller one in Victorian Essex with its impact on the…
Maldon
Monday 11 December. Affectionately known as 'The Aggies' and 'The Christmas Band'. The beloved 'St Agnes Fountain' have toured every December since 2001 bar one, and we all know which one that was! Now they are ready to tread the tinsel boards once…
Maldon
Join our special Homes for Ukraine Christmas Event at the United Reformed Church in Maldon.
Park Drive, Maldon
Sunday 10 September. Riverside & Historic Maldon. Part of The Saltmarsh Coast Walking Festival - As you take in both Maldon's historic town centre and its riverside and quay, you’ll hear stories about many of the historic buildings and places you’ll…
Maldon
We have now opened our own unique gift shop on Maldon High Street, specialising in Star Wars as well as expanding our range to include iconic science fiction and fantasy from film, TV and gaming franchises.
Maldon
Katie's Therapies offers a way to manage stress and tension, putting clients more in control, to promote their wellbeing through massage, reflexology, far infrared light therapy and Reiki. Katie's massages can be a way to manage stress. All are…
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