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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: 243
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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.
Maldon
Maldon's Act of Remembrance & wreath laying
Maldon
Master butchers in Maldon High St since 1928, Ansell & Sons is a meat and game specialist. Its meat, game and poultry produce ranges are primarily locally sourced from Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk farms, as well as direct from Smithfield Market…
Maldon
Embark on a delightful Brunch Cruise with Topsail Charters, departing from Maldon Quay. This scenic river cruise along the River Blackwater promises a tranquil and memorable experience.
Maldon
This 15th Century former manorial home houses a unique brick spiral staircase, a Georgian court room, a former prison and a Victorian Council Chamber.
Maldon
Saturday 16 December. An outstanding tribute to the music of Fleetwood Mac. Brentwood Mac are a six-piece amalgamation of some of the finest local musicians and they all love the Fleetwood Mac catalogue.
Maldon
Crystal Cafe is a simple, friendly, good value traditional cafe offering full English fried breakfast, hearty lunches, drinks and snacks.
The Hythe, Maldon
Various dates. A Two Island Cruise on board a historic Thames Sailing Barge from Maldon Quay, past Northey Island, Mill Beach to Osea Island and back.
Maldon
The original modest chapel on this site was replaced by this handsome building in 1801. This was as a result of the popularity of the resident preacher Reverend Joseph Billio. His enthusiasm and inspirational energy had caused the congregation to…
Maldon
Friday 8 March. Conservation Officer Tim Howson and local historian John Smith present the last in a series of Winter Heritage Talks about Recent Discoveries at 18 and 20 High Street, Maldon, one of Maldon's oldest timber-framed buildings.
Maldon
NEW FOR 2024!
A gripping tale of greed, murder and the supernatural, this production features an all-female cast who have performed open-air Shakespeare all over the country.
Maldon
The Quaker Hall
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
SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 7.25 miles. This most enjoyable waterside walk provides the perfect introduction to Maldon’s countryside and riverside, including the scenic Beeleigh Falls and the seawall beside the Blackwater Estuary.
Maldon
Happicabs has been in operation since 1958 and has branches in Maldon, Chelmsford and Stansted. We understand that when you order a taxi for a certain time you expect it to be there. At Happicabs, we don’t take bookings unless we are sure we can be…
Maldon
Thursday 13 September. SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL EVENING EVENT - TV location manager Harriet Lawrence and marine co-ordinator Jonjo Strickland talk about the challenges of filming The Essex Serpent in the wild saltmarshes of the Maldon…
Maldon
The Friary Walled Garden is a secret garden in the centre of Maldon, red brick walls and black gate. Whitehorse Lane, behind Iceland. Open to the public on the first Sunday of each month.
Maldon
Indian restaurant in Maldon.
Former mayor and mayoress restaurant adds spice to Maldon Current town mayor Mr Ogg joined at the official opening by mayoress Sharon Ogg, Maldon MP John Whittingdale, Maldon District Council chairman Mark Heard, Deputy…
Maldon
The historic town centre of Maldon has had a street market since medieval times, and the tradition is rejuvenated with the launch of a new outdoor market.
The market is weekly at Butt Lane car park on Thursday mornings,featuring artisan,…
Maldon
Walking tours filled with ghoulish tales and tantalising tidbits of history (with some honest laughs to round it out).
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