Bradfield Combust
Encyclopedia
Bradfield Combust is a village in Suffolk
, England
. According to Eilert Ekwall
the meaning of the village name of "Bradfield" is "the wide fold" (syn. Bradefeld, Bradfelda, Bradefelda). "Combust" is derived from "Combusta" Latin fem. = burnt or burned; medieval syn. "Brent"
records the population of Bradefelda manor, including Bradfield St Clare and Bradfield St George
. Bradefelda/fella existed before the Conquest. The book states that then (i.e. before the Conquest), as in 1086, there were fifteen villans and eighteen bordars; 'then' one slave, and in 1086 six slaves; and three free men. Over these men St. Edmund (the Abbey of Edmund the Martyr
) had sake and soke with regard to every customary due. They were not allowed to sell their lands without the Abbot's say so. In the same place (i.e Bradfield) other men had more rights: there were in 1086, as before the Conquest, nine free men who could sell their lands but the soke and service belonged to the Abbey or anyone who purchased the land. The Book also records that the church of this 'vill' owned ten and a half acres of free land for alms.
Before the Conquest, the manor was probably owned by Ulfketel, Saxon King of the East Angles, who gave this part of his manor to the monks of St. Edmund, while reserving the lordship.
The name Bradfield Combust is traditionally said to have derived from an incident in the autumn of 1327, when an angry mob burned down Bradfield Hall at Bradfield, at the time the property of the Crown (a young Edward III) and managed by the Abbot of Bury St Edmunds. However, it is reliably asserted that a Bradfield Hall (the King's own hall) inside the Abbey at Bury St Edmunds was burnt down during that insurrection. Thus there were two Bradfield Halls and there arose a debate as to the naming of the village, and the circumstances surrounding it. The settlement is certainly known to have been called 'Bradefeld Combusta' in 1302/03. Thus the naming of the village cannot originally have been associated with the 1327 insurrection. It is reasonable however, to deduce that the name of Bradfield Combust (appearing certainly in the early 1300s, and in the 15C synonymous with Brent Bradfield or Burnt Bradfield) does derive from some conflagration - but of what, when prior to 1302, and exactly where, is presently unknown.
Bradfield Hall at Bradfield Combust is perhaps best known from the 17C as the seat of the Young family, spanning several generations (from 1620 to the early 20C) and famous heads of the household. The most eminent member was Arthur Young (1741–1820), an agriculturalist and great socio-political writer and campaigner for the rights of agricultural workers. This Arthur Young entertained or corresponded with such notable people as William Wilberforce
, George Washington
, Edmund Burke
, François Alexandre Frédéric, duc de la Rochefoucauld-Liancourt
, and Joseph Priestley
. According to Matilda Betham-Edwards
, never perhaps had been seen in Suffolk such distinguished international gatherings. The present flint and brick Hall was built in 1857 on the exact site of its predecessor, by his son Arthur John Young. It lies adjacent to a square moated area, possibly modified to make it more impressive when the 1857 Hall was built beside it, but of antiquity.
The current village sits astride the A134, originally a Roman road just here, and the same highway that Will Kempe
(one of the co-founders of the Globe Theatre
) took in Shakespearian times on his famous dance from London to Norwich.
The church, All Saints, is officially dated 1066-1539 AD, with a late 12C Norman font and doorway to the north of the nave. Two wall paintings appear in the nave, one representing St. George and the Dragon (circa 1400), and the other St. Christopher. The tomb of Arthur Young, in the form of a sarcophagus, lies in the churchyard. It is inscribed "Let every real patriot shed a tear, For genius, talent, worth, lie buried here."
Presently the village is the site of several commercial fruit orchards and strawberry fields. Suffolk Scouts operate the Bradfield Park Campsite for the benefit of Scouting, Guiding, Educational and Youth Organisations.
The Manger public house is a grade II listed 15C building with 16C and 17C alterations. It was referred to as "Bradfield Manger" in will of Thos. Roberson, 16 July 1660. It is a popular pub/restaurant and a handy meeting place for clubs and special-interest groups
lists the following listed buildings within Bradfield Combust.
NB: The above property details represent the names and addresses that were used at the time that the buildings were listed. In some instances the name of the building may have changed over the intervening years
Suffolk
Suffolk is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in East Anglia, England. It has borders with Norfolk to the north, Cambridgeshire to the west and Essex to the south. The North Sea lies to the east...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. According to Eilert Ekwall
Eilert Ekwall
Bror Oscar Eilert Ekwall , known as Eilert Ekwall, was Professor of English at Lund University, Sweden, from 1909 to 1942, and one of the outstanding scholars of the English language of the first half of the 20th century...
the meaning of the village name of "Bradfield" is "the wide fold" (syn. Bradefeld, Bradfelda, Bradefelda). "Combust" is derived from "Combusta" Latin fem. = burnt or burned; medieval syn. "Brent"
History
The Domesday BookDomesday Book
Domesday Book , now held at The National Archives, Kew, Richmond upon Thames in South West London, is the record of the great survey of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086...
records the population of Bradefelda manor, including Bradfield St Clare and Bradfield St George
Bradfield St George
Bradfield St. George is a village and civil parish in the St Edmundsbury district of Suffolk, England. According to Eilert Ekwall the meaning of the village name is the wide field. The Domesday Book records the population of Bradfield St. George in 1086 to be 76 this includes Bradfield Combust and...
. Bradefelda/fella existed before the Conquest. The book states that then (i.e. before the Conquest), as in 1086, there were fifteen villans and eighteen bordars; 'then' one slave, and in 1086 six slaves; and three free men. Over these men St. Edmund (the Abbey of Edmund the Martyr
Edmund the Martyr
St Edmund the Martyr was a king of East Anglia, an Anglo-Saxon kingdom which today includes the English counties of Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.D'Evelyn, Charlotte, and Mill, Anna J., , 1956. Reprinted 1967...
) had sake and soke with regard to every customary due. They were not allowed to sell their lands without the Abbot's say so. In the same place (i.e Bradfield) other men had more rights: there were in 1086, as before the Conquest, nine free men who could sell their lands but the soke and service belonged to the Abbey or anyone who purchased the land. The Book also records that the church of this 'vill' owned ten and a half acres of free land for alms.
Before the Conquest, the manor was probably owned by Ulfketel, Saxon King of the East Angles, who gave this part of his manor to the monks of St. Edmund, while reserving the lordship.
The name Bradfield Combust is traditionally said to have derived from an incident in the autumn of 1327, when an angry mob burned down Bradfield Hall at Bradfield, at the time the property of the Crown (a young Edward III) and managed by the Abbot of Bury St Edmunds. However, it is reliably asserted that a Bradfield Hall (the King's own hall) inside the Abbey at Bury St Edmunds was burnt down during that insurrection. Thus there were two Bradfield Halls and there arose a debate as to the naming of the village, and the circumstances surrounding it. The settlement is certainly known to have been called 'Bradefeld Combusta' in 1302/03. Thus the naming of the village cannot originally have been associated with the 1327 insurrection. It is reasonable however, to deduce that the name of Bradfield Combust (appearing certainly in the early 1300s, and in the 15C synonymous with Brent Bradfield or Burnt Bradfield) does derive from some conflagration - but of what, when prior to 1302, and exactly where, is presently unknown.
Bradfield Hall at Bradfield Combust is perhaps best known from the 17C as the seat of the Young family, spanning several generations (from 1620 to the early 20C) and famous heads of the household. The most eminent member was Arthur Young (1741–1820), an agriculturalist and great socio-political writer and campaigner for the rights of agricultural workers. This Arthur Young entertained or corresponded with such notable people as William Wilberforce
William Wilberforce
William Wilberforce was a British politician, a philanthropist and a leader of the movement to abolish the slave trade. A native of Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire, he began his political career in 1780, eventually becoming the independent Member of Parliament for Yorkshire...
, George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
, Edmund Burke
Edmund Burke
Edmund Burke PC was an Irish statesman, author, orator, political theorist and philosopher who, after moving to England, served for many years in the House of Commons of Great Britain as a member of the Whig party....
, François Alexandre Frédéric, duc de la Rochefoucauld-Liancourt
François Alexandre Frédéric, duc de la Rochefoucauld-Liancourt
François Alexandre Frédéric, duc de la Rochefoucauld-Liancourt was a French social reformer.-Early life:...
, and Joseph Priestley
Joseph Priestley
Joseph Priestley, FRS was an 18th-century English theologian, Dissenting clergyman, natural philosopher, chemist, educator, and political theorist who published over 150 works...
. According to Matilda Betham-Edwards
Matilda Betham-Edwards
Matilda Betham-Edwards was an English novelist, travel writer and francophile. She was also a prolific poet and wrote several children's books. She also corresponded with well-known English male poets of the day.-Biography:She was the daughter of a clergyman...
, never perhaps had been seen in Suffolk such distinguished international gatherings. The present flint and brick Hall was built in 1857 on the exact site of its predecessor, by his son Arthur John Young. It lies adjacent to a square moated area, possibly modified to make it more impressive when the 1857 Hall was built beside it, but of antiquity.
The current village sits astride the A134, originally a Roman road just here, and the same highway that Will Kempe
Will Kempe
Will Kempe may refer to:*William Kempe, 17th century English actor and dancer, one of the original actors in Shakespeare's plays*Will Kempe , television actor...
(one of the co-founders of the Globe Theatre
Globe Theatre
The Globe Theatre was a theatre in London associated with William Shakespeare. It was built in 1599 by Shakespeare's playing company, the Lord Chamberlain's Men, and was destroyed by fire on 29 June 1613...
) took in Shakespearian times on his famous dance from London to Norwich.
The church, All Saints, is officially dated 1066-1539 AD, with a late 12C Norman font and doorway to the north of the nave. Two wall paintings appear in the nave, one representing St. George and the Dragon (circa 1400), and the other St. Christopher. The tomb of Arthur Young, in the form of a sarcophagus, lies in the churchyard. It is inscribed "Let every real patriot shed a tear, For genius, talent, worth, lie buried here."
Presently the village is the site of several commercial fruit orchards and strawberry fields. Suffolk Scouts operate the Bradfield Park Campsite for the benefit of Scouting, Guiding, Educational and Youth Organisations.
The Manger public house is a grade II listed 15C building with 16C and 17C alterations. It was referred to as "Bradfield Manger" in will of Thos. Roberson, 16 July 1660. It is a popular pub/restaurant and a handy meeting place for clubs and special-interest groups
Listed buildings
English HeritageEnglish Heritage
English Heritage . is an executive non-departmental public body of the British Government sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport...
lists the following listed buildings within Bradfield Combust.
Grade II*
- All Saints Church, Sudbury Road - Images of England
Grade II
- Bradfield House, Sudbury Road - Images of England
- Stable And Coach House Immediately East Of Bradfield House, Sudbury Road - Images of England
- Bradfield Hall, Sudbury Road - Images of England
- Lodge Cottage, Bradfield Hall, Sudbury Road - Images of England
- The Manger Public House, Sudbury Road - Images of England
- Tomb Chest, 6 Metres South Of Chancel Of All Saints Church, Sudbury Road - Images of England
- Tomb Chest, 14 Metres South Of Chancel Of All Saints Church, Sudbury Road - Images of England
- Yew Tree Farmhouse, Sudbury Road - Images of England
- Block Farmhouse, Sudbury Road - Images of England
- Bradfield Loft Farmhouse, Sudbury Road - Images of England
NB: The above property details represent the names and addresses that were used at the time that the buildings were listed. In some instances the name of the building may have changed over the intervening years