Emneth
Encyclopedia
Emneth is a village and a civil parish in the English
county
of Norfolk
. The village is 58 miles (93.3 km) west of Norwich
, 15.4 miles (24.8 km) south-west of King's Lynn
and 99.6 miles (160.3 km) north of London
. The nearest town is Wisbech
which is 3.3 miles (5.3 km) north-north-west of the village. The Village lies to the south-west of the route of the A47
between Peterborough
and King's Lynn
. The nearest railway station is at Downham Market
for the Fen Line
which runs between King's Lynn
and Cambridge
. The nearest airport is Norwich International Airport
. The parish of Emneth in the 2001 census
, has a population of 2,466. For the purposes of local government, the parish falls within the district
of King's Lynn and West Norfolk
.
in the south west of Norfolk. The village is located south of Walsoken
and north of Outwell
. Within the parish boundaries of Emneth there are also the settlements of Emneth Hungate and Holly End.
Over the years the meaning of the name Emneth has been debated. It is derived from old English and therefore probably has Saxon origins, and may have the meanings of smooth meadow, junction of streams on the River Aemenan, river confluence belonging to Eana or mowing grass meadow. The Hungate suffix suggests this area may have been associated with the keeping or rearing of hounds. The village is not mentioned in the Domesday Book. This may well be because the village was valued with another parish and not named. There is evidence for activity in the parish from the Roman period and metal detectorists have found many medieval and post medieval finds.
's was built in the 12th century and extended dramatically in the 13th century. It remains a large and imposing building. Other buildings from the medieval period which stood in the parish have been demolished. Hagbeach Hall a medieval hall was demolished in 1887, although its 17th-century stables remain and have been converted into houses. The medieval hall on the site of 17th-century Oxburgh Hall
was also demolished when the new hall was built. Other buildings have disappeared. Emneth was also recorded in a document in 1389 but this document's location has since been lost. Other sites have lost their names and sense of importance. A medieval moated site has been recorded and a seal used by Pope Innocent III
to secure documents was found there along with other finds which included a medieval seals matrices, a horse harness pendant and medieval coins. Within the parish other more domestic sites with less status have also been identified. Medieval hearths were excavated along with many medieval finds including pottery, coins and personal objects. These include a spectacular strap end with the initials S and J. The number of items recovered at this site suggests that this was an area of substantial medieval settlement.
with its aisles and clerestory
are all built in the perpendicular style. There is a sanctus bellcote which has six bells, on the east gable of the nave. Crowning the nave, with its arcades of six bays is a 15th-century roof. Angels adorn its tiebeams and hammerbeams, and figures of the apostles with others carved in the wall posts. The chancel
screen dates from the 15th century and has the remains of old painting and gilding
and in the north aisle windows in glass as old as the screen are of more angels. The chancel is 13th century and the east window is a fine trinity of lancets reaching up to the roof. The rood-stairs are in a turret by the chancel arch, and there is a simple 15th-century font. The oldest memorials are coffin-lids, one with a border and a cross of leaves. Only the matrix is left of the 11 feet (3.4 m) brass of a cross-legged knight dressed in chain mail of about 1300. Sir Thomas Hewar, who died in 1631, planned for himself the fine alabaster tomb on which he lies in gold and white armour and a ruff, with his wife in a black gown and ruff. He had paid Nicholas Stone
a London Mason the huge sum of £95 for the tomb in 1617. At their feet lies a sleeping child.
. The station's location, like that of the neighbouring Middle Drove station
, was fairly rural and the line eventually closed in 1968, a casualty of the Beeching Axe
. In October 1942, a hoard of Roman
silver coins together with fragments of an urn in which they were stored was found near the station. Emneth's station building survived closure, and has since been converted into a private residence.
books, and creator of Thomas the Tank Engine
, was Vicar of Emneth between 1953 and 1965. Many of his books were written in the old vicarage in Emneth.
, Norfolk, nicknamed "Bleak House". He claimed to have been burgled several times, losing £6,000 worth of furniture. Martin also complained about police inaction over the burglaries. Police sources, however, have expressed doubts that all these incidents took place.
On the night of 20 August 1999, two burglars - Brendon Fearon
, 29, and Fred Barras, 16, entered Bleak House. When confronted, they attempted to flee through a window, but were shot by Martin, Fearon in the leg, and Barras in the back. Fearon was able to leave and obtain aid from a couple that lived near the house. He was then taken into hospital, where he was treated. Martin subsequently left the farm and fled to his mother's house, where he hid the firearm. Later that evening, he arrived at a local inn and stayed for the night. Barras was later found dead on the grounds by a police dog.
On 23 August 1999, Martin was charged with the murder of Barras, the attempted murder
of Fearon, "wounding with intent to cause injury" to Fearon, and "possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life".
The jury
at the trial
were told that they had the option of returning a verdict of manslaughter
rather than murder, if they thought that Martin "did not intend to kill or cause serious bodily harm". However, they found Martin guilty of murder by a 10 to 2 majority.
He was sentenced to life in prison, the mandatory sentence
for murder under English law.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
county
County
A county is a jurisdiction of local government in certain modern nations. Historically in mainland Europe, the original French term, comté, and its equivalents in other languages denoted a jurisdiction under the sovereignty of a count A county is a jurisdiction of local government in certain...
of Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk is a low-lying county in the East of England. It has borders with Lincolnshire to the west, Cambridgeshire to the west and southwest and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North Sea coast and to the north-west the county is bordered by The Wash. The county...
. The village is 58 miles (93.3 km) west of Norwich
Norwich
Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
, 15.4 miles (24.8 km) south-west of King's Lynn
King's Lynn
King's Lynn is a sea port and market town in the ceremonial county of Norfolk in the East of England. It is situated north of London and west of Norwich. The population of the town is 42,800....
and 99.6 miles (160.3 km) north of London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. The nearest town is Wisbech
Wisbech
Wisbech is a market town, inland port and civil parish with a population of 20,200 in the Fens of Cambridgeshire. The tidal River Nene runs through the centre of the town and is spanned by two bridges...
which is 3.3 miles (5.3 km) north-north-west of the village. The Village lies to the south-west of the route of the A47
A47 road
The A47 is a trunk road in England originally linking Birmingham to Great Yarmouth. Most of the section between Birmingham and Nuneaton is now classified as the B4114.-Route:...
between Peterborough
Peterborough
Peterborough is a cathedral city and unitary authority area in the East of England, with an estimated population of in June 2007. For ceremonial purposes it is in the county of Cambridgeshire. Situated north of London, the city stands on the River Nene which flows into the North Sea...
and King's Lynn
King's Lynn
King's Lynn is a sea port and market town in the ceremonial county of Norfolk in the East of England. It is situated north of London and west of Norwich. The population of the town is 42,800....
. The nearest railway station is at Downham Market
Downham Market railway station
Downham Market railway station serves the town of Downham Market in the English county of Norfolk. The station lies on Fen Line from Cambridge to King's Lynn, which is electrified at 25 kV AC overhead...
for the Fen Line
Fen Line
The Fen Line is a railway in the United Kingdom that runs between the cities of Cambridge, Cambridgeshire and King's Lynn, Norfolk; the line is so called because it runs through The Fens. The line is part of the Network Rail Strategic Route 5 and comprises SRS 05.06 and part of 05.05...
which runs between King's Lynn
King's Lynn
King's Lynn is a sea port and market town in the ceremonial county of Norfolk in the East of England. It is situated north of London and west of Norwich. The population of the town is 42,800....
and Cambridge
Cambridge
The city of Cambridge is a university town and the administrative centre of the county of Cambridgeshire, England. It lies in East Anglia about north of London. Cambridge is at the heart of the high-technology centre known as Silicon Fen – a play on Silicon Valley and the fens surrounding the...
. The nearest airport is Norwich International Airport
Norwich International Airport
Norwich International Airport , also known as Norwich Airport, is an airport in the City of Norwich within Norfolk, England north of the city centre and on the edge of the city's suburbs....
. The parish of Emneth in the 2001 census
United Kingdom Census 2001
A nationwide census, known as Census 2001, was conducted in the United Kingdom on Sunday, 29 April 2001. This was the 20th UK Census and recorded a resident population of 58,789,194....
, has a population of 2,466. For the purposes of local government, the parish falls within the district
Non-metropolitan district
Non-metropolitan districts, or colloquially shire districts, are a type of local government district in England. As created, they are sub-divisions of non-metropolitan counties in a so-called "two-tier" arrangement...
of King's Lynn and West Norfolk
King's Lynn and West Norfolk
King's Lynn and West Norfolk is a local government district and borough in Norfolk, England. Its council is based in the town of King's Lynn.-History:...
.
Description
This fenland village and parish is on the border with the county of CambridgeshireCambridgeshire
Cambridgeshire is a county in England, bordering Lincolnshire to the north, Norfolk to the northeast, Suffolk to the east, Essex and Hertfordshire to the south, and Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire to the west...
in the south west of Norfolk. The village is located south of Walsoken
Walsoken
Walsoken is a village and a civil parish in the English county of Norfolk. The village is west of Norwich, west-south-west of King's Lynn and north of London. The nearest town is Wisbech which is east-north-east of the village. The Village straddles the route of the B198 which was the old A47...
and north of Outwell
Outwell
Outwell is a village and a civil parish in the English county of Norfolk The village is west of Norwich, south-west of King's Lynn and north of London. The nearest town is Wisbech which is north west of the village. The Village is on the route of the A1101 Bury St. Edmunds to Long Sutton road...
. Within the parish boundaries of Emneth there are also the settlements of Emneth Hungate and Holly End.
Over the years the meaning of the name Emneth has been debated. It is derived from old English and therefore probably has Saxon origins, and may have the meanings of smooth meadow, junction of streams on the River Aemenan, river confluence belonging to Eana or mowing grass meadow. The Hungate suffix suggests this area may have been associated with the keeping or rearing of hounds. The village is not mentioned in the Domesday Book. This may well be because the village was valued with another parish and not named. There is evidence for activity in the parish from the Roman period and metal detectorists have found many medieval and post medieval finds.
History
The earliest mention of Emneth is in documents dating back to 1170 giving proof that a village was settled in the parish by this date. The parish church of Saint EdmundSaint Edmund
Saint Edmund may refer to:* Saint Edmund the Martyr , king of East Anglia who was venerated as a martyr saint soon after his death at the hands of Vikings* Saint Edmund Arrowsmith , Jesuit, one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales...
's was built in the 12th century and extended dramatically in the 13th century. It remains a large and imposing building. Other buildings from the medieval period which stood in the parish have been demolished. Hagbeach Hall a medieval hall was demolished in 1887, although its 17th-century stables remain and have been converted into houses. The medieval hall on the site of 17th-century Oxburgh Hall
Oxburgh Hall
Oxburgh Hall is a moated country house in Oxborough, Norfolk, England, today in the hands of the National Trust. Built around 1482 by Sir Edmund Bedingfeld, Oxburgh has always been a family home, not a fortress...
was also demolished when the new hall was built. Other buildings have disappeared. Emneth was also recorded in a document in 1389 but this document's location has since been lost. Other sites have lost their names and sense of importance. A medieval moated site has been recorded and a seal used by Pope Innocent III
Pope Innocent III
Pope Innocent III was Pope from 8 January 1198 until his death. His birth name was Lotario dei Conti di Segni, sometimes anglicised to Lothar of Segni....
to secure documents was found there along with other finds which included a medieval seals matrices, a horse harness pendant and medieval coins. Within the parish other more domestic sites with less status have also been identified. Medieval hearths were excavated along with many medieval finds including pottery, coins and personal objects. These include a spectacular strap end with the initials S and J. The number of items recovered at this site suggests that this was an area of substantial medieval settlement.
Saint Edmund Parish Church
This parish church built of stone sits on the bend of the main road. The tower, porch, and naveNave
In Romanesque and Gothic Christian abbey, cathedral basilica and church architecture, the nave is the central approach to the high altar, the main body of the church. "Nave" was probably suggested by the keel shape of its vaulting...
with its aisles and clerestory
Clerestory
Clerestory is an architectural term that historically denoted an upper level of a Roman basilica or of the nave of a Romanesque or Gothic church, the walls of which rise above the rooflines of the lower aisles and are pierced with windows. In modern usage, clerestory refers to any high windows...
are all built in the perpendicular style. There is a sanctus bellcote which has six bells, on the east gable of the nave. Crowning the nave, with its arcades of six bays is a 15th-century roof. Angels adorn its tiebeams and hammerbeams, and figures of the apostles with others carved in the wall posts. The chancel
Chancel
In church architecture, the chancel is the space around the altar in the sanctuary at the liturgical east end of a traditional Christian church building...
screen dates from the 15th century and has the remains of old painting and gilding
Gilding
The term gilding covers a number of decorative techniques for applying fine gold leaf or powder to solid surfaces such as wood, stone, or metal to give a thin coating of gold. A gilded object is described as "gilt"...
and in the north aisle windows in glass as old as the screen are of more angels. The chancel is 13th century and the east window is a fine trinity of lancets reaching up to the roof. The rood-stairs are in a turret by the chancel arch, and there is a simple 15th-century font. The oldest memorials are coffin-lids, one with a border and a cross of leaves. Only the matrix is left of the 11 feet (3.4 m) brass of a cross-legged knight dressed in chain mail of about 1300. Sir Thomas Hewar, who died in 1631, planned for himself the fine alabaster tomb on which he lies in gold and white armour and a ruff, with his wife in a black gown and ruff. He had paid Nicholas Stone
Nicholas Stone
Nicholas Stone was an English sculptor and architect. In 1619 he was appointed master-mason to James I, and in 1626 to Charles I....
a London Mason the huge sum of £95 for the tomb in 1617. At their feet lies a sleeping child.
Emneth railway station
Emneth had a railway station which served the village, situated in Station Road and accessed from the village via Ladys Drove. The station was opened in 1848 as an extension of the East Anglian Railway's line from Magdalen Road station (now known as Watlington) to Wisbech EastWisbech East railway station
This article is about the Great Eastern Railway station in Wisbech. For the Midland and Great Northern railway station see Wisbech North.Wisbech East was a railway station in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. It was opened in 1848 and became part of the Great Eastern Railway network, providing connections...
. The station's location, like that of the neighbouring Middle Drove station
Middle Drove railway station
Middle Drove was a railway station which served the village of Tilney Fen End near Downham Market in Norfolk, England. The station was opened in 1848 as an extension of the East Anglian Railway's line from Magdalen Road station to Wisbech East...
, was fairly rural and the line eventually closed in 1968, a casualty of the Beeching Axe
Beeching Axe
The Beeching Axe or the Beeching Cuts are informal names for the British Government's attempt in the 1960s to reduce the cost of running British Railways, the nationalised railway system in the United Kingdom. The name is that of the main author of The Reshaping of British Railways, Dr Richard...
. In October 1942, a hoard of Roman
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
silver coins together with fragments of an urn in which they were stored was found near the station. Emneth's station building survived closure, and has since been converted into a private residence.
The Reverend W. V. Awdry
The Reverend Wilbert Awdry, the author of The Railway SeriesThe Railway Series
The Railway Series is a set of story books about a railway system located on the fictional Island of Sodor. There are 42 books in the series, the first being published in 1945. Twenty-six were written by the Rev. W. Awdry, up to 1972. A further 16 were written by his son, Christopher Awdry; 14...
books, and creator of Thomas the Tank Engine
Thomas the Tank Engine
Thomas the Tank Engine is a fictional steam locomotive in The Railway Series books by the Reverend Wilbert Awdry and his son, Christopher. He became the most popular character in the series, and the accompanying television spin-off series, Thomas and Friends.Thomas is a tank engine, painted blue...
, was Vicar of Emneth between 1953 and 1965. Many of his books were written in the old vicarage in Emneth.
Tony Martin
In 1999 Tony Martin was living in an isolated farmhouse in Emneth HungateEmneth Hungate
Emneth Hungate is a small settlement in Norfolk, England. It is close to the village of Emneth in Cambridgeshire. It once had its own Emneth railway station on the now closed line between Watlington and Wisbech.- Notable residents :...
, Norfolk, nicknamed "Bleak House". He claimed to have been burgled several times, losing £6,000 worth of furniture. Martin also complained about police inaction over the burglaries. Police sources, however, have expressed doubts that all these incidents took place.
On the night of 20 August 1999, two burglars - Brendon Fearon
Brendon Fearon
Brendon Fearon of Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire was convicted for conspiring to burgle the home of farmer Tony Martin on 20 August 1999. His accomplice, 16-year-old Fred Barras, was fatally shot by Martin near his remote farmhouse in Emneth Hungate, Norfolk...
, 29, and Fred Barras, 16, entered Bleak House. When confronted, they attempted to flee through a window, but were shot by Martin, Fearon in the leg, and Barras in the back. Fearon was able to leave and obtain aid from a couple that lived near the house. He was then taken into hospital, where he was treated. Martin subsequently left the farm and fled to his mother's house, where he hid the firearm. Later that evening, he arrived at a local inn and stayed for the night. Barras was later found dead on the grounds by a police dog.
On 23 August 1999, Martin was charged with the murder of Barras, the attempted murder
Attempted murder
Attempted murder is a crime in England and Wales and Northern Ireland.-Today:In English criminal law, attempted murder is the crime of more than merely preparing to commit unlawful killing and at the same time having a specific intention to cause the death of human being under the Queen's Peace...
of Fearon, "wounding with intent to cause injury" to Fearon, and "possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life".
The jury
Jury
A jury is a sworn body of people convened to render an impartial verdict officially submitted to them by a court, or to set a penalty or judgment. Modern juries tend to be found in courts to ascertain the guilt, or lack thereof, in a crime. In Anglophone jurisdictions, the verdict may be guilty,...
at the trial
Trial (law)
In law, a trial is when parties to a dispute come together to present information in a tribunal, a formal setting with the authority to adjudicate claims or disputes. One form of tribunal is a court...
were told that they had the option of returning a verdict of manslaughter
Manslaughter
Manslaughter is a legal term for the killing of a human being, in a manner considered by law as less culpable than murder. The distinction between murder and manslaughter is said to have first been made by the Ancient Athenian lawmaker Dracon in the 7th century BC.The law generally differentiates...
rather than murder, if they thought that Martin "did not intend to kill or cause serious bodily harm". However, they found Martin guilty of murder by a 10 to 2 majority.
He was sentenced to life in prison, the mandatory sentence
Mandatory sentencing
A mandatory sentence is a court decision setting where judicial discretion is limited by law. Typically, people convicted of certain crimes must be punished with at least a minimum number of years in prison...
for murder under English law.