Maldon History

Maldon is ancient and the name derives from the Old English words for stone (mael) and hill (dun). In the 9th century Maldon and Colchester were the only towns in the kingdom of Essex and by the mid 10th century Maldon was significant enough to warrant having its own mint for the issuing of coins. The town’s prosperity attracted unwelcome attention from the Norse men, and it suffered two attacks. The most damaging was in 991 and is chronicled in the epic Old English poem, the Battle of Maldon.

The town recovered well and by the time of the Doomsday book some ninety-five years later it was prosperous borough. Town life was centred around the quay or ‘Hythe’ and until the 1600s there were distinct byelaws, governing waterside trading. Maldon’s long and rich heritage is in evidence all around the town and the 13th century All Saints’ Church boasts the only triangular tower in England, as well as a window depicting American president George Washington, whose great grandfather is buried in the churchyard.