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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
Maldon Society's AGM and talk by Stephen Nunn
Maldon
Gentlemen's barber shop in Maldon Essex offering a premium barber service to all. All inclusive time-based fee system - for example, the Full Works includes wash, cut, beard trim and styling.
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
Kazen Kai Karate at The Martial Arts Centre in Maldon offers a wide range of classes for adults and children, focusing on traditional Karate along with kick-boxing, Taekwondo and self-defence.
Maldon
The White Horse is a busy town-centre pub, with restaurant and bed and breakfast facilities, in the historic town of Maldon close to the Blackwater Estuary.
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
This is a basic bedroom that meet your needs but need a little glamour and that will come in time!
Maldon
A local pub that offers an all day food menu that caters for everyone. From sandwiches to pizza and burgers, we have it all.
High Street
Founded in 2014, Mrs Salisbury's optimises the Great British tea room. Our tea room is proudly situated in the blue plaque dwelling of the late Edward Bright, The Fat Man of Maldon.
Maldon
Join M3HA at the Maldon & Heybridge Heritage Harbour for a day of activity on Saturday 14 September 24.
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
SMUGGLING IN ESSEX: The Romance and Reality
The Trust in partnership with the Workers Education Association are holding a 3 hour course on the history of smuggling.
How do the popular representations of smuggling in novels, songs, poems, paintings…
Maldon
Easter crafts with no clearing up! Maldon United Reformed Church is holding a free craft morning for children on Saturday 9 March, 10am to 12 noon, in the church hall, near the top of Market Hill. Suitable for children from toddlers to year seven,…
Maldon
The war memorial in Maldon stands in the High Street outside All Saints Church and is a Grade II Listed white stone cross on a plinth and base, with bronze plaques set into the design. It was designed by Chelmsford Architect Wykeham Chancellor and…
Maldon
Visitors have been coming to Maldon district for a day out or holiday for many a long year. During the 18th century the growth in interest in saltwater bathing began to bring leisure visitors to Maldon.
Maldon
Monday 11 December. Affectionately known as 'The Aggies' and 'The Christmas Band'. The beloved 'St Agnes Fountain' have toured every December since 2001 bar one, and we all know which one that was! Now they are ready to tread the tinsel boards once…
Maldon
An attractive blend of rustic charm and modern style, The White Horse is a popular high-street pub that provides a great place to dine, drink and stay in Maldon. For those just popping in for a pint, there’s a choice of ales and lagers from Shepherd…
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
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
Wellbeing and Creative Sessions for primary age children.
Stay & Play
Sensory Fun!
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