About Essex

Country: England
Region: East of England
Established: Ancient
Area: 3,664 km2 (1,415 sq mi)
Population: 1,877,000
Largest settlement: Southend-on-Sea

Essex county in the East of England, and one of the home counties. It is bordered by Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, the North Sea to the east, Kent across the Thames Estuary to the south, Greater London to the south-west, and Hertfordshire to the west.

The name Essex originates from the Anglo-Saxon (Old English) name Ēastseaxe, which means East Saxons, that described the eastern kingdom of the Saxons, who had settled in Britain.

Prehistoric Times:
There is evidence of prehistoric activity in Essex. Including a sequence of prehistoric monuments, worked flint, pottery, barrows and burial sites.

In the Iron Age, up to the Roman invasion, Essex was inhabited by the Trinovantes. The Trinovantes were a celtic tribe and considered to be the most powerful tribe in Britain.

Roman Times:
In AD 43 the Roman conquest of Britain saw the Romans build a colonia (settlement) in Essex. They soon also built their first fortified city known as Camulodunum (now known as Colchester). With temples, other buildings, villas, roads and other infrastructure networks, Essex soon became the Roman’s Capital city in England. Under Roman rule the Roman rule contributed to economic prosperity.

Anglo Saxon Times:
Following the collapse of Roman authority, Essex was settled by Saxons, and in the 6th century the kingdom of the East Saxons, from which Essex gets its name, emerged. The early East Saxons were pagan, but were converted to Christianity by Cedd, who is now the county's patron saint, in 653. Later the Saxons established parishes and spread Christianity in the region.

Norman Times:
TheNorman Conquest in 1066 had another big impact on Essex. During this time thenumber of castles and fortified manors and estates rapidlincreased. This wasfor both defence and also as a display of authority by newly elected land owners. The new land owners were William the Conquerer’s supporters who were given land as a reward for their loyalty.

The lasting influence of Norman governance laid the start of the development of local customs and administrative systems, instead of only having control from London.

Tudor and Stuart Times:
The Tudor and Stuart eras brought changes to Essex, including the religious upheavals of the 16th century that led to ending the hold of the monasteries and the redistribution of land they had controlled.

Industrial Revolution Times:
The construction of railways linked Essex more closely with London. The growth of industry and manufacturing also provided new employment opportunities and led to local population changes. The county experienced a migration influx, with workers drawn from rural areas looking for opportunities in the newly forming urban areas.

Victorian Times:
People from Essex were heavily involved in the colonisation of the Americas.
The Mayflower, which carried the first settlers to New England, was a Harwich ship.

Five of America's presidents (George Washington, John Adams, John Quincy Adams, George H. W. Bush, and George W. Bush) can trace their ancestry to Essex.