Hadleigh, Suffolk

Guthrum, King of the Danes, is said to be buried in the grounds of St Mary's Church in the town. He was defeated by King Alfred at the Battle of Edington in 878. Hadleigh was a moderately-sized town, with a reckoned population of about 1,100 or 1,200 in 1306. At that time, there were 118 "unfree tenants", who had to pay rent and provide labour services, and 75 "free tenants" who had had fewer obligations and dues. The manor had 2000 acre. The manor was a working farm, with crops and some animals, and had quite an important dairy. Hadleigh Hall was the site of the medieval manor house, in 4 acre. In 1438, administration was passed from manorial control to trustees. The market was eventually…