Great Wakering
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Great Wakering is a village in Essex, England.
The nearest large town is Southend which is approximately four miles to the west of the village.
The only public transportation to the village is bus service to Southend via Arriva.
According to a mediaeval tradition, Wakering (probably Great Wakering) was the site of a monastery during the seventh century AD. Two Christian cousins of King Ecgberht of Kent, named Aethelred and Aethelberht, were murdered at Eastry, a royal dwelling in the Kingdom of Kent, during King Ecgberht's reign (664-673). They were prevented by a miracle from being buried at Canterbury, and were taken instead to an existing monastery at Wakering in the Kingdom of Essex and enshrined there as saints. Ecgberht's brother and successor King Hlothhere of Kent is said by William of Malmesbury to have ridiculed the idea of their sanctity.
The village church dates back to Norman times and the board of rectors or vicars inside begins in the year 1200 with simply "Robert", the next incumbent equally simply named "Peter".
The local football team Great Wakering Rovers play in the Isthmian League First Division North. Their home ground Burroughs Park is adjacent to the village recreation ground and sports centre.
[edit] Reference
- Rollason, D.W (1982). The Mildrith Legend. A Study in Early Medieval Hagiography in England. ISBN 0718512014.