Woodham Walter

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Woodham Walter
Essex
St. Michael; the parish church of Woodham Walter - geograph.org.uk - 733815.jpg
St Michael's, Woodham Walter
Location
Grid reference: TL808070
Location: 51°43’55"N, 0°37’5"E
Data
Population: 532  (2011[1])
Post town: Maldon
Postcode: CM9
Dialling code: 01245 & 01621
Local Government
Council: Maldon
Parliamentary
constituency:
Witham

Woodham Walter is a village about three miles west of Maldon in the Dengie hundred of Essex.

History

The village was first recorded as "Wudeham" in c. 875. The name, which means "village in the wood"[2] is derived from the old English words "wudu" (wood in modern English)[3] and "ham" (home, or homestead). The modern name may derive from the Fitzwalter family who owned Woodham Walter Hall, a moated manor house in the village for many generations. The house was demolished in the 17th century by William Fytch[4]

There is evidence of earlier settlement. A hoard of silver coins was found in the village, dated to c. 700.[5] At Oak Farm in 1991 three gold and bronze torcs were discovered. They have been dated to c. 1000 BC.

The Domesday Book entry for Woodham Walter lists a population of 18.

Local amenities

There are three public houses, the Bell Inn, the Queen Victoria and The Cats.

Education

There is one school in the village, Woodham Walter Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School. There are c. 75 students[6]

Religious sites

Thomas, Earl of Sussex, obtained a licence from Elizabeth I on 26 June 1562 to build the new parish church of St Michael the Archangel. It was largely completed (of red brick) in 1563 and consecrated on 30 April 1564, making it probably England's first new post-Reformation Church of England place of worship.[7]

References

Outside links

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