The Borough Business of a Suffolk Town (Orford), 1559–1660

Abstract

Orford is an East Anglian town or village, not widely known, and apt to be confounded in the post with famous Oxford unless one complies with official instructions and adds Woodbridge, Suffolk, to the address on the envelope. In this present century there are two opinions possible with regard to it according to one's temperament and circumstances: it may appear to be either a derelict town fallen on evil days, to be left at the first opportunity, or a delightfully quaint, old, picturesque village, remote from the multitude, abode of peace and quiet, peace and quiet now not even periodically broken, as once it was, by the shrill noises of weekly market and occasional fair. Its history, authenticated by monument in stone—in church, castle and house; and by muniment in parchment,—in charter, actbook and deed,—goes back beyond the ancient legal line “when the memory of man runneth not to the contrary.” Even before that, in the 12th century, it was an established port, with considerable trade, as proved by the amount of customs-duties collected. Historically, its first charter of liberties and privileges was granted by King Henry III, which was confirmed by succeeding kings from reign to reign.