Hannah Salisbury from the Essex Record Office traces the ups and downs of St Osyth Priory, which takes its name from a ghostly walk by a saintly figure
ST OSYTH’S PRIORY was once one of the largest monasteries in Essex. Its impressive medieval gatehouse, with its fine decorative flint work, survives today. In later centuries it was a lavish private home, although it has suffered periods of abandonment and neglect.
The priory was founded in the manor of Chich in about 1121 by the Bishop of London, Richard de Belmeis. Over time, the local place name of Chich would come to be largely replaced by the name St Osyth.
The priory was dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul, and to St Osyth. St Osyth was believed to be a daughter of an English king, Frithwald, who having been married against her will, took vows as a nun and founded a nunnery at Chich. The story goes that when a party of Danes invaded the Essex coast, Osyth was beheaded for refusing to abandon her Christianity, but after her execution she arose and walked to the church at Chich, carrying her head in her hands.
This story is from the January 2018 edition of Essex Life.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 2018 edition of Essex Life.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The rise of maskne
With the term ‘maskne’ becoming an increasingly common search online and on social media, Krystal Prince explains what it is and how you can control mask-induced acne
The forgotten lady
Charlotte Christie shares the life story of Anne Knight, an Essex pioneer for the abolition of slavery and women’s suffrage who’s achievements have almost been air-brushed from history
Stride out in the Sampfords
This charming, circular winter walk takes you on a tour from the village of Great Sampford to its neighbour, Little Sampford, and back again
MUCH TO TALK ABOUT
As a presenter on Sky Music and the host of two TV talk shows of her own on Gidea Park-based Sky channel Spotlight TV, Hayley Palmer is never short of words. Nicky Adams asks her how she came to be in front of the camera
LIFE and SOUL
Radio 1 broadcaster and producer Charlie Hedges began her career as Britain’s youngest breakfast show host and is now one of the world’s most successful female DJs. Denise Marshall caught up with the Essex-based queen of the air waves
Lest we forget
Remembrance Sunday will have a special poignance this month as 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. Stephen Roberts profiles how much the county of Essex contributed to the war effort and how much it cost
Lakeside Magic
The Lake House, nestled in Mill End on the outskirts of the village of Bradwell on Sea, has been owned by the same family for 60 years and was once a thriving four-buoy water-ski lake.
Keep on running
BBC presenter and director David Whiteley shares his insightful view on stories from across the county of Essex
Cheers!
Starting to get that festive vibe? Why not plan ahead by selecting not only the drinks you want to serve this Christmas, but also ticking off a few presents too?
A doggy day out on… Saffron Walden
Join Ernie, the county’s most famous Westie, as he steps back in time on a trip to this medieval market town
