Sheshen Eceni: Saffron Walden History

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Saffron Walden history.

Saffron Walden was known as Wealh Denu, which means "valley of the Britons" or the Serfs.
It seems the Romans avoided Saffron Walden altogether because of the landscape as it was situated between two hills.

The first invaders (foreigners) to establish a settlement here were the Saxons. They founded a small community at the highest level, this included a church, and a castle, and a large burial ground which was surrounded by a defensive boundary known as Battle Ditches.

The 12th century Norman castle built by the De Mandevilles now lies in ruins. The De Mandevilles were a powerful family, and loyal and trusted members of William the Conquerors forces. The towns planning and development and subsequent transformation into the market town that we know today was due to the Normans.

The earliest reference to the castle in the manor of Walden was found in a charter of Empress Maud. Geoffrey de Mandeville II was granted permission for the castle in 1141. It is not known exactly as to when the castle was completed, but by 1143 Geoffrey was forced to surrender the castle to King Stephen.

Saffron Walden's Origins:

The town was known simply as "Walden" so named by the Anglo-Saxons - Walh meaning foreigner e.g. Briton or Wealh as in Wales - denu means valley.

Saffron was added in the fourteenth century thus distinguishing the town from several other Waldens in the region. The name Saffron takes its name from the fields of the Saffron Crocus a rare type of crocus which became the local produce.

This plant was cultivated mainly for medicinal purposes, the bright orange-yellow coloured stigmas were dried then crushed and ground into powder form.