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THE MALDON MINT
This is recorded in the 1086 Domesday Survey:-
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Documentary Evidence
..................And the burgesses of Colchester and Maldon pay £20 for
their mints and
this was decided by Waleram and they call on the Kinq to vouch for them that he
has condoned to them £10: and Walchelin the Bishop, who now is in possession,
claims of them £40......................
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Coin Evidence
The earliest known Maldon coin was minted in the reign of Athelstan (A.D.
924-939) and the latest in the reign of William Rufus shortly after 1066. The
coins are of silver and are known as pennies. None of the known specimens have
been found in Maldon and many have been found in Scandinavia. Although there
is no direct burh evidence it is probable that the mint was inside the
protection of the fort earthwork.
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THE DOMESDAY SURVEY 1086
Documentary Evidence
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Again no direct burh evidence is recorded but the number of Maldon entries and
the 'Borough' ascription are significant, emphasising the town's importance at
this early time.
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NATHANIEL SALMON
Documentary Evidence
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THE HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES OF ESSEX (1740)
................There are the remains of a camp on the west side of
town, through the
middle of which the road to Chelmsford goes; three sides of the fortification
are visible. The ground within the vallum seems to be of about twenty-two
acres. Just without it, on the north side, is a fine spring, which improved the
situation. We see sides of a square or oblong, the rest being built upon and
defaced. This has a fair pretence to be Roman; but as Edward the elder encamped
here, it is not certain whether he fortified it or found it ready done to his
hands.......................
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Comment
Salmon provides an interesting first hand account of the earthwork but his
suggested area of twenty-two acres is hard to understand and conflicts with
Strutt's later measurements. There does appear to be some correlation of All
Saints Parish boundary to the burh and twenty-two acres would suit the Parish
area better than the earthworks described by Strutt.
The most significant words are – 'on the west side of town, through the middle
of which the road to Chelmsford goes'. He was referring to London Road which
until earlier this century would have been the traveller's quickest route to
Chelmsford.
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