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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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Maldon
Each year, local residents gather to remember the brave men and women who kept our “Island Nation” afloat during both World Wars in a special service of Commemoration on the Quay. Maldon Town Council invites you to join this special service, run in…
Maldon
Mens (Hair)
Maldon
Unisex hairdressing salon with a full range of treatments including cutting, colouring, balayage and men's beard trimming.
St Peter's Tower, Market Hill, Maldon
Saturday Family Craft workshops at
the Maeldune Heritage Centre
Free to all - first come basis.
Times: 11.30am – 12.30pm, 1.00pm – 2.00pm, 2.30pm - 3.30pm
• 3rd August - Mayoral paperchain making - celebrate 150 years of Maldon's Mayoral chains by…
Maldon
Katherine Gilchrist of the National Trust will give a presentation about The Northey Island Project
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.
White Horse Lane, Maldon
Men's Gaming Cove is a video gaming night for like-minded gamers, a space for men to create new social groups and start open conversations, all while enjoying the latest and retro video games
The Maldon Community Gaming Initiative will be…
Maldon
Self-catering apartment close to Maldon's Promenade Park.
Maldon
This fantastic pub, with its enviable and superb river location, is run by Charlie & Vivian Little.
Maldon
One of the architectural gems of Maldon, part of this quaint pub and hotel date back to the 14th century. The oldest part of the complex is the timber framed range immediately to the left as you pass through the coaching archway from Silver Street,…
Maldon
QD Stores, which stands for Quality Discounts, is an independently owned discount retailer offering a great selection of goods at value prices. Stock is constantly changing in store, but you will find home and garden products, kitchenware, motoring…
Maldon
First Thursday of the month. Founded in 1957, the Maldon Society aims to promote and preserve the historical heritage of this town and its surrounding area by encouraging civic pride in the area and promoting co-operation with other organisations…
Maldon
With its beautiful ever-changing window display including an array of plants, Dillys has already become an attractive feature of Market Hill. Just off the High Street, in a historic timber-framed building, Dillys offers a complete range of floristry…
Maldon
King Traditional Indian Curries brings a taste of authentic home-cooked cuisine from around the country's regions, made with traditional spice blends from the different states of India.
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
Tuesday 19 December. Join in with carols and a lantern-lit service at All Saints' church, in a Mexican "posada" celebration.
Maldon
Maldon Gig Rowing Club has 2 Harker's Yard gigs and arrange club rowing, adventure rowing and race training to club members.
Maldon
Annual beer and cider festival held in the historic market town of Maldon. Enjoy a range of beer and cider from breweries across the region.
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
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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