TIMELINE PART 1.         670-1483AD

LAKENHEATH AND ELY ABBEY.

673                 

Princess ETHELREDA founded a monastery for monks and nuns at Ely. 
870 Ely Abbey was sacked by the Danes (Vikings)
900 

There was a landing place here at the edge of the Fen (the Hythe).

1003 -1066         

 Lakenheath was given to the monks by Edward the Confessor.

1010

The Battle of Thetford.  Vikings advanced into the wild Fens.
1061   Pilgrimages to the shrine at Walsingham began.
1066 Ely continued to hold the lordship of the village after the Norman Conquest.
1086 The Little Domesday Book showed Lakenheath to be a large village of 24 households.
1109   Ely Abbey became a cathedral and the monks began the re-building of  St. Mary’s Church.
     Read about Lakenheath and Ely Abbey.


13th. C. THE VILLAGE

1201   

 Lakenheath’s first market was granted by King John.
1304 Warreners were employed to ensure the supply of rabbits to the Abbey.
1339  The vicar’s official seal was lost near the village.

            

 Read about the Village.


TROUBLED TIMES.

1349                  

The Black Death.
1379 Fire in the Village. 
1381  The Peasants Revolt in Lakenheath

           

  Read about Troubled Times


THE BEGINNINGS OF PROSPERITY.

1440                  

Camping Close. 
  The Boy Bishop. A ‘fun’ tradition took place at Christmas time. 

1483

 William Lacy (lLacey), a wealthy villager's gift to the Church.

           

 Read about the Beginnings of Prosperity.