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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: 328
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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
Serving a selection of fine ales straight from the cask, as well as some superb wines, ciders, soft drinks, and tea & coffee. Cheese & pate boards with Tiptree relish also available.
Maldon
Come along and take part in fun craft activities to celebrate the Christmas season and take home some beautiful handmade festive treasures. Admission, materials and refreshments are all free! Come along for the whole session or drop in and out.…
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…
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
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
Barber shop providing cuts and beard trimming for men and boys.
Maldon
Thursday 9 November to Friday 23 December. Buy something local and unique for Christmas this year at the Maeldune Heritage Centre Christmas Craft Shop, including pottery, jewellery, glass, textiles, knits, and more.
St Peter's Tower, Market Hill, Maldon
An exhibition and sale of art to raise funds for the Thames Sailing Barge Trust which is a registered charity. All profits will go to the Trust to help maintain the sailing barges Pudge and Centaur.
Each artwork should have a sailing barge…
The Hythe, Maldon
Sunday 11 August. Two hour chill out cruise with vocalist Evangeline Brown on board a traditional Thames Sailing Barge. Includes light nibbles.
Maldon
A local Independent health food store offering supplements, superfoods, health and nutrition advice and delicious fresh juices and smoothies.
Maldon
The Emporium has been trading in Maldon since 1974 and is a one-stop shop for all your household needs as well as offering an amazing selection of presents and gifts for all occasions. The shop includes wedding gifts and baby keepsakes, china, glass…
Maldon
Historic sailing barge moored at top of River Blackwater on Maldon's Hythe Quay. Ideal base for winter walks and bird watching.
Maldon
Beautiful bespoke and ready made jewellery hand made on the premises by an award-winning goldsmith and designer, including engagement and wedding rings, bridal jewellery and jewellery repairs and alterations.
The Hythe, Maldon
Various dates. A "Two Island" cruise on a historic Thames Sailing Barge from Maldon Quay past Northey Island to Osea Island and back. Includes Afternoon Tea.
Maldon
Monday 11 September. SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL EVENING EVENT - Join National Trust ranger David Mason for a talk about Northey Island and learn more about the National Trust project to conserve and protect the saltmarsh habitat on the island.
Maldon
For well over a thousand years Hythe Quay has been the home to Maldon's maritime community and the gateway to Maldon for vessels arriving from the sea. From the award winning Promenade Park to the pubs, restaurants and shops of Maldon High Street,…
Maldon
Brent has been a much loved local landmark for over 40 years. It is the last surviving steam tug of the Port of London Authority’s fleet. Full restoration is planned for this unique vessel.
Maldon
Maldon Chandlery
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