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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
, currently showing 81 to 100.
Maldon
A "Two Island" evening cruise from Maldon Quay past Northey Island to Osea Island and back. Choose to add a cheese and ham Ploughmans or Fish Platter.
Maldon
Maldon
Greggs serves breakfast rolls, sandwiches and salads, savouries and bakes including its famous sausage roll and the new vegan sausage roll, and sweet treats and drinks to eat in or takeaway.
Maldon
Mens (Hair)
Maldon
SMUGGLING IN ESSEX: The Romance and Reality
The Trust in partnership with the Workers Education Association are holding a 3 hour course on the history of smuggling.
How do the popular representations of smuggling in novels, songs, poems, paintings…
Maldon
HAUS is the latest addition to the Maldon dining scene, offering seasonal menus with small plates of locally sourced, fresh British foods for the whole table to enjoy. The restaurant sources its fresh ingredients only from suppliers and other small…
Maldon
Welcome to LunaBlue Interiors, a place for quirky home decor and upcycled furniture! All products are hand made, hand painted and made with love. We are passionate about inspiring customers to be creative with your interiors and therefore all…
Maldon
St. Mary's Church is known locally as the Fisherman's Church as its tower guides sailors and their craft into the Hythe Quay. The existing building dates from 1130, but archaeological evidence suggests that it used to be the site of a Saxon church.
Maldon
Gentlemen's barber shop in Maldon Essex offering a premium barber service to all. All inclusive time-based fee system - for example, the Full Works includes wash, cut, beard trim and styling.
Deli & Fizz offers fresh hot and cold deli lunches, snack boxes, grazing boards and platters to eat in or takeaway, as well as a sociable Champagne Bar experience into the evenings.
MALDON
Marks and Spencer Simply Foods has a wide selection of food and drink, along with flowers and greetings cards. Food can also be ordered for collection from M&S
The Hythe, Maldon
Various dates. A "Two Island" evening cruise on a historic Thames Sailing Barge from Maldon Quay past Northey Island to Osea Island and back.
Maldon
Julian Harrap is the specialist conservational architect who has overseen "the saving of West Smithfield market and its Translation into the New Museum of London" and the role of Maldon Shipwrights in the project.
The Hythe, Maldon
Saturday 13 July. See the Blackwater Barge Match from the vantage point of a traditional Thames Sailing Barge.
Maldon
Situated in the heart of Maldon is our tiny, quaint townhouse. Formerly a smokehouse in the mid-19th century, history suggests it was used as a food store, most likely to air-dry bacon or to hold cheese for the shop located in the main building. At…
Maldon
The Bell is in the centre of the historic town of Maldon, dating from the 15th Century, it has many interesting features. This delightful home is opening as a family run guest house.
Maldon
Small family run business which specialises in the best authentic Belgium waffles with sweet and savoury toppings, delicious pancakes/crepes, delicious milkshakes, loaded Freakshakes, good coffee and light lunches and afternoon teas. Vegan and…
Maldon
From 13 December. Serendipity Gift and Tea Shop is hosting craft workshops to make either a Christmas Table Centre or a Rag Wreath .
Maldon
Today, the SUBWAY® brand is the world's largest submarine sandwich chain with more than 44,000 locations around the world. We've become the leading choice for people seeking quick, nutritious meals that the whole family can enjoy. Wide range of subs…
Tolleshunt Knights
Tolleshunt Knights is a small village close to Tiptree, home to a Greek Orthodox Monastery set in an ancient church, as well as a large and modern village hall.
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