Fobbing
Encyclopedia
Fobbing is a small village in Thurrock
, Essex, England and one of Thurrock's traditional (Church of England) parishes. It is located between Basildon and Corringham, and is also close to Stanford-le-Hope.
Fobbing is one of seven conservation areas in Thurrock.
The now quiet village is renowned for its history, which includes being one of the main villages involved with the Peasants' Revolt
. On 30 May, 1381 John Brampton attempted to collect the poll tax from villagers at Fobbing. The villagers, led by Thomas Baker
, a local landowner, told Brampton that they would give him nothing and he was forced to leave the village empty handed. Sir Robert Belknap
was sent to investigate the incident and to punish the offenders. On 2 June, he was attacked at Brentwood. By this time the violent discontent had spread, and the counties of Essex and Kent were in full revolt. Soon people moved on London in an armed uprising. In 1981 a metal sculpture by B R Coode-Adams was erected as a memorial to the Peasants' Revolt at Fobbing to commemorate the 600th anniversary .
One of the major features of the village is Saint Michael's Church. It is renowned for its historic association with the smuggling
trade. Once upon a time the church was near the waterfront of Fobbing Harbour. Smugglers sailed up Fobbing Creek guided by the distinctive church tower but after the great flood of 1 February 1953
, the creek and harbour were sealed up by a dyke and drained. Underneath the church are many tunnels which were used by the smugglers in the fourteenth century.
Thurrock
Thurrock is a unitary authority with borough status in the English ceremonial county of Essex. It is part of the London commuter belt and an area of regeneration within the Thames Gateway redevelopment zone. The local authority is Thurrock Council....
, Essex, England and one of Thurrock's traditional (Church of England) parishes. It is located between Basildon and Corringham, and is also close to Stanford-le-Hope.
Fobbing is one of seven conservation areas in Thurrock.
The now quiet village is renowned for its history, which includes being one of the main villages involved with the Peasants' Revolt
Peasants' Revolt
The Peasants' Revolt, Wat Tyler's Rebellion, or the Great Rising of 1381 was one of a number of popular revolts in late medieval Europe and is a major event in the history of England. Tyler's Rebellion was not only the most extreme and widespread insurrection in English history but also the...
. On 30 May, 1381 John Brampton attempted to collect the poll tax from villagers at Fobbing. The villagers, led by Thomas Baker
Thomas Baker (Peasants' Revolt leader)
Thomas Baker, an English landowner, was one of the leaders who initiated the Peasants' Revolt of 1381.Thomas Baker's holding was "Pokattescroft alias Bakerescroft" in Fobbing...
, a local landowner, told Brampton that they would give him nothing and he was forced to leave the village empty handed. Sir Robert Belknap
Robert Bealknap
His Worship Sir Robert Bealknap JP was a British justice. He is first mentioned in June 1351 in a papal register of indults issued to inhabitants of Great Britain, where he is called a "clerk, of the diocese of Salisbury" in Wiltshire. He next appears in 1353 as a member of a commission to...
was sent to investigate the incident and to punish the offenders. On 2 June, he was attacked at Brentwood. By this time the violent discontent had spread, and the counties of Essex and Kent were in full revolt. Soon people moved on London in an armed uprising. In 1981 a metal sculpture by B R Coode-Adams was erected as a memorial to the Peasants' Revolt at Fobbing to commemorate the 600th anniversary .
One of the major features of the village is Saint Michael's Church. It is renowned for its historic association with the smuggling
Smuggling
Smuggling is the clandestine transportation of goods or persons, such as out of a building, into a prison, or across an international border, in violation of applicable laws or other regulations.There are various motivations to smuggle...
trade. Once upon a time the church was near the waterfront of Fobbing Harbour. Smugglers sailed up Fobbing Creek guided by the distinctive church tower but after the great flood of 1 February 1953
North Sea flood of 1953
The 1953 North Sea flood was a major flood caused by a heavy storm, that occurred on the night of Saturday 31 January 1953 and morning of 1 February 1953. The floods struck the Netherlands, Belgium, England and Scotland.A combination of a high spring tide and a severe European windstorm caused a...
, the creek and harbour were sealed up by a dyke and drained. Underneath the church are many tunnels which were used by the smugglers in the fourteenth century.