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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: 252
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Maldon
Founded in London by Italian brothers Sergio and Bruno Costa in 1971, Costa Coffee is present in 41 countries around the world, with over 2,700+ coffee shops in the UK&I and 1,100+ globally. We are proud to be the Nation’s Favourite coffee shop,…
Maldon
Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant, with a separate upstairs cocktail bar. Sark serves a wide and frequently changing menu of specialities such as kebabs and grills, including sharing platters, sea food, pasta, hot and cold meze selections and…
Maldon
Maldon Town Council is thrilled to announce Light Up Maldon, this year's Christmas lights switch-on event and market, taking place on Thursday 28th November from 5pm to 9pm. The lights will be switched on at 6pm.
High Street, Maldon
Well known historian, Adrian Wright, will give an illustrated presentation which considers earthquakes on a world scale including large events in Assam, Alaska and New Zealand as well as the much smaller one in Victorian Essex with its impact on the…
The Hythe, Maldon
Sunday 14 July. Fully day sail on a traditional Thames Sailing Barge learning about the history of barges, Maldon as a port and the River Blackwater.
Maldon
Flanked by several grade II listed properties, this building is said to be ‘early 16th century’ and is recorded in some of the earliest local trade directories from the 1780s.
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
An established independent family-run business that opened its first shop in Maldon of spring of 2012 followed by a second store in Witham. Online shopping is also available. Specialising in women's fashion, classic clothing and accessories,…
Maldon
Pamper me Pretty offers a dedicated space for children to have a luxury pamper party. With a custom built stylish pamper room it is the perfect location for an unforgettable experience.
Maldon
Lovely selection of ladies clothing, jewellery and accessories. Now in a larger shop in Maldon High Street.
Maldon
The Easter school holidays bring another Children's Activity Day on our historic sailing barges.
If you are a Parent or Grandparent of a child between 5 & 11 years, then why not book a place on our Easter Children's Activity Day on Thursday 11th…
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
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
Various dates. Explore the River Blackwater on board a traditional Thames Sailing Barge with experts from Swallow Birding. Fully catered from breakfast to tea.
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.
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
Join M3HA at the Maldon & Heybridge Heritage Harbour for a day of activity on Saturday 14 September 24.
Maldon
Large public car park located within walking distance of Maldon High Street. Please visit the Maldon District Council website for charges and other information.
Maldon
Friday 19 January. Local historian Kevin Bruce presents the third in a series of Winter Heritage Talks, called The Bishops of London and their Palace at Southminster Hall.
Maldon
Maldon Society's AGM and talk by Stephen Nunn
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