LAVENHAM, a market-town and parish in the
hundred of BABERGH, county of SUFFOLK, situated on
the river Brett, 18 miles (W. by N.) from Ipswich,
and 61 (N.E.) from London, containing 1898 inhabitants.
The town, which is remarkably healthy, occupies
the declivities of two hills rising gradually from
the river, and consists of several small streets, which
are neither paved nor lighted; the houses are in general
of mean appearance; the inhabitants are well supplied
with water. The manufacture of blue cloth formerly
flourished here, under the direction of several guilds,
each of which had its separate hall; but at present
wool-combing and spinning, and these on a small
scale, are the only trades carried on. The market, now
almost disused, is on Tuesday: the market-place is a
spacious area, containing a stone cross. Fairs are held
for horses and cattle on Shrove-Tuesday, and October
11th, 12th, and 13th, for toys. Lavenham was formerly
governed by six capital burgesses, who held their office
for life, assisted by inferior officers, but their authority
has long since ceased, and the rector, who is a magistrate,
possesses considerable authority in the town.
Courts leet and baron are held at the will of the lord of
the manor. The county magistrates hold their meetings
at Lavenham; and there is a bridewell, which is also
partly used as a work-house.
The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry of Sudbury,
and diocese of Norwich, rated in the king's books
at £20. 2. 11., and in the patronage of the Master and
Fellows of Caius College, Cambridge. The church,
which is dedicated to St. Peter, was rebuilt, in the reign
of Henry VI., partly by the De Veres, Earls of Oxford,
who formerly resided here, and partly by Mr. Thomas
Spring, a rich clothier, whose armorial bearings are
jointly displayed in many parts of the bxiilding. It is
an eminently beautiful structure, in the later style of
English architecture, with a lofty clerestory, enriched battlements,
and a fine square tower; the entrance is by a
porch, supposed to have been erected by John, the fourteenth
Earl of Oxford, and enriched with most elaborate
embellishments: the ceiling of the church is covered
with exquisite tracery; and the pews of the Earl of
Oxford, and the Spring family, are beautiful models of
the most highly-finished carving in the latest English
style. In the church is a curious mural monument to
Allaine Dister, a wealthy clothier of this town; and
another of alabaster and marble to the Rev. Mr. Copinger.
There are places of worship for Independents and
Wesleyan Methodists. The free school was founded, in
1647, by Richard Peacock, Esq., with an endowment of
£5 per annum, augmented, in 1699, by Edward Colman,
Esq., with £ 16 per annum; a dwelling-house and
garden for the master have been added by subscription:
there are at present only five boys on the foundation.
Two National schools for boys and girls are supported
by the proceeds of a bequest of £2000 three per cent,
consols,, by Henry Steward, in 1806; the income is
£53. 17. 6. per annum. There are thirty almshouses, the
maintenance of them being chargeable on the old town
lands, which produce an income of £186 per annum,
being partly distributed among the necessitous poor,
who enjoy the benefit of some other benefactions. The
Rev. George Ruggle, author of a Latin comedy entitled
"Ignoramus," and other dramatic pieces, was born at
Lavenham, in 1575.