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Lavenham in Suffolk County England History and GeographyLAVENHAM, a market town and parish in the hundred of BABERGH, county of SUFFOLK, situated on the river Brett, 18½ miles (W. by N.) from Ipswich, and 61 (N.E.) from London, containing 1898 inhabitants. The town, which is remarkably healthy, occupies the declivities of two hills rising gradually from the river, and consists of several small streets, which are neither paved nor lighted; the houses are in general of mean appearance; the inhabitants are well supplied with water. The manufacture of blue cloth formerly flourished here, under the direction of several guilds, each of which had its separate hall; but at present wool-combing and spinning, and these on a small scale, are the only trades carried on. The market, now almost disused, is on Tuesday: the market-place is a spacious area, containing a stone cross. Fairs are held for horses and cattle on Shrove-Tuesday, and October 11th, 12th, and 13th, for toys. Lavenham was formerly governed by six capital burgesses, who held their office for life, assisted by inferior officers, but their authority has long since ceased, and the rector, who is a magistrate, possesses considerable authority in the town. Courts leet and baron are held at the will of the lord of the manor. The county magistrates hold their meetings at Lavenham; and there is a bridewell, which is also partly used as a work-house. The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry of Sudbury, and diocese of Norwich, rated in the king's books at £20. 2. 11., and in the patronage of the Master and Fellows of Caius College, Cambridge. The church, which is dedicated to St. Peter, was rebuilt, in the reign of Henry VI., partly by the De Veres, Earls of Oxford, who formerly resided here, and partly by Mr. Thomas Spring, a rich clothier, whose armorial bearings are jointly displayed in many parts of the building. It is an eminently beautiful structure, in the later style of English architecture, with a lofty clerestory, enriched battlements, and a fine square tower: the entrance is by a porch, supposed to have been erected by John, the fourteenth Earl of Oxford, and enriched with most elaborate embellishments: the ceiling of the church is covered with exquisite tracery; and the pews of the Earl of Oxford, and the Spring family, are beautiful models of the most highly-finished carving in the latest English style. In the church is a curious mural monument to Allaine Dister, a wealthy clothier of this town; and another of alabaster and marble to the Rev. Mr. Copinger. There are places of worship for Independents and Wesleyan Methodists. The free school was founded, in 1647, by Richard Peacock, Esq., with an endowment of £5 per annum, augmented, in 1699, by Edward Colman, Esq., with £16 per annum; a dwelling-house and garden for the master have been added by subscription: there are at present only five boys on the foundation. Two National schools for boys and girls are supported by the proceeds of a bequest of £2000 three per cent. consols., by Henry Steward, in 1806; the income is £53.17.6. per annum. There are thirty almshouses, the maintenance of them being chargeable on the old town lands, which produce an income of £186 per annum, being partly distributed among the necessitous poor, who enjoy the benefit of some other benefactions. The Rev. George Ruggle, author of a Latin comedy entitled 'Ignoramus,' and other dramatic pieces, was born at Lavenham, in 1575. From Lewis's Topographical Dictionary of England 1831, courtesy of Databases 4 Sale |
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