Robert the Bruce was not really Scottish! Some unusual facts about Chelmsford.
Posted: Friday, March 05, 2010
by John E Altham
Activ Bishop's Stortford
Discover some strange and interesting facts about the town of Chelmsford in Essex. It's history may surprise you!
Robert the Bruce was born in Chelmsford
It is thought that Robert the Bruce was born in Writtle at Montpeliers Farm in 1274. This is disputed by some historians who claim that records show it was actually his father, also called Robert de Brus.
In 1566, the first witch trial in a secular court in England was held in Chelmsford.
The first of the witches to be tried was Elizabeth Frances, who confessed to using a cat called Sathan to harm a number of people. The cat was given to Agnes Waterhouse, who was found gulity and hung, but Elizabeth Frances was only sentenced to a year in prison.
In 1579, the unfortunate Elizabeth Frances appeared in the Second Chelmsford Witch Trial, where along with several other women, she was found guilty and hung.
The Third Chelmsford Witch Trail was held in 1589, which saw a further three women found guilty of witchcraft, and again, hung.
Chelmsford Cathedral
Did you know that Chelmsford Cathedral is the second smallest in England, after Derby Cathedral?
It was built in the 15th & early 16th centuries and was the parish church for the very prosperous medieval town.
Chelmsford Prison - A TV History
The 1979 film special of the TV series Porridge was filmed on location at Chelmsford Prison (while it was closed for repairs after a fire). In the film it was known as Slade prison, with its most famous resident being Norman Stanley Fletcher played by Ronnie Barker.
Chelmsford was previously called Celmeresfort
In the Doomesday Book of 1086 the town was called 'Celmeresfort', but by 1189 it had changed to 'Chelmsford'.
Discover more about the town of Chelmsford in Essex by visiting http://www.activchelmsford.com
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