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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...
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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…
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
The trademark Penny Farthing bicycle entices visitors to explore the treasures of this compact museum. Housed over two floors of the former Park Keepers Lodge, the exhibits are wide ranging. The replica waistcoat of the Fat Man of Maldon, which…
Maldon
Balti Bhujon is an exclusive Indian restaurant situated in the historic ancient town of Maldon in Essex situated on the banks of the River Blackwater.
Maldon
The hotel offers a range of elegant accommodation with 28 en-suite bedrooms, 4 historic suites, and rooms range from a standard single or doubles with imposing four poster beds.
Maldon
20, 22 and 23 December. Maldon Museum will be providing half term entertainment with a spooky vibe. Halloween themed activities include a new children's search guide throughout the Museum and Halloween themed arts and crafts.
Maldon
Specsavers has been a family-run business for over 35 years, working together with our store partners to provide the best value optometry, audiology and other healthcare service for our customers.
Services include eye tests for adults and children,…
Maldon
Public Toilet situated on White Horse Lane in Maldon.
Maldon
First Stop Supermarket is a well-stocked convenience store with an array of genuinely fresh vegetables, fruit and generous bunches of herbs, as well as all the everyday grocery and household essentials. The store also has an off-licence and is open…
Maldon
A "Two Island" cruise from Maldon Quay past Northey Island to Osea Island and back. Includes Afternoon Tea of freshly baked scone with cream and jam, homemade cake, tea or coffee.
Maldon
Established family orientated restaurant serving best authentic Indian/ Bangladeshi dishes. The owners pride themselves in their customer service endeavouring to give every customer a great experience.
Maldon
Car Parking with High Street Access.
RINGO Location Code: 21804
Maldon
Luxury home fragrances and scented products made on the premises in Maldon by Rachel Holland. The range includes diffusers, scented candles, wax melts, fragranced hand washes and lotions, room sprays, car diffusers and floor fragrance. Special…
Maldon
At the British Heart Foundation charity shop you will find a great range of preloved items and new items, from clothing, shoes and accessories to books, toys and homeware. We also have greetings cards for all occasions, pin badges and small gifts.…
Maldon Fitsteps incorporates Country Walks for the Over 50s, is an accredited walking for health scheme coordinated and led by volunteers in the local community. The scheme is supported by a partnership including the Ramblers Association and other…
Maldon
Set in a magnificent 18th-century building, The Indian Chefs features a wide variety of traditional Indian food.
Butt Lane, Maldon
Saturday 9 September. Along the Blackwater Estuary to Goldhanger. Part of The Saltmarsh Coast Walking Festival - This linear walk of approximately 7.3 miles takes in a long stretch of the England Coast Path alongside the spectacular Blackwater…
Maldon
Friday 8 to Sunday10 December. The beautiful setting of All Saints Church will be decked out with dozens of Christmas trees, all covered in themed decorations by local organisations, children's groups and businesses. The festival will also feature…
Maldon
Selling gifts, homeware personalisation and accessories in Maldon High Street. Creating an emporium of gifts. Making anything that one's heart desires. Gifts and homewares with a boho, scandinavian, rustic and contemporary feel.
Specialising in…
Maldon
The Vintage Rose is a vintage style tea room located at Quest Place just off of Maldon High Street.
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