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Enfield, London's northernmost Borough
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Friday 25 July, 2008
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London Borough of Enfield
Enfield Today
The London Borough of Enfield is London's northernmost borough. It is the red area on the map that pushes deep into Hertfordshire. Enfield was once a quiet market town in the forest a day's journey north of London but is now a suburb of Greater London and shares borders with Hertfordshire and Essex. Enfield is one of the largest London Boroughs both in terms of area and population. In 1965 Enfield as it is today was formed when the Municipal Boroughs of Enfield, Southgate and Edmonton were merged.
Enfield Middlesex
Prior to 1965 Enfield was situated in the county of Middlesex. Middlesex was abolished in 1965 and most of it was swallowed up by Greater London. Many people, however, refuse to acknowledge that Middlesex no longer exists and it is common for Middlesex to be used as part of a postal address within the London Borough of Enfield (and many other places now officially situated in Greater London). This can cause great confusion amongst visitors who attempt to locate Middlesex on a modern map.
According to the local Council only one third of the land in the Borough is built on and the other two thirds are green belt or open space. There are ongoing battles featuring property developers who want to build and conservationists who want to keep the Borough "green and pleasant".
Enfield Town
Enfield Town was an important business centre from an early date. The first market charter was granted in 1303 by King Edward I to Humphrey de Bohun, Lord of the Manor of Enfield and his wife the Countess of Holland.
Enfield Market
The present market traces its origins to a Royal Charter granted by James I for the benefit of the poor in the Ancient Parish of Enfield. The charter rights relate to the Saturday market . On 15th October 2003 the Queen accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh unveiled a commemorative plaque to celebrate the 700th anniversary of trading in Enfield Market. Visitors to the market can now see the plaque set in the floor of the Market House at the centre of the Market Place.
The Market and Market Place continue to be run by the charity and it is believed to be the only Charter Market run by a charity in the whole of England. The rents from the stalls are used to fund grants for needy residents of the Ancient Parish of Enfield.
Historic Enfield
In the Middle Ages, the open land around Enfield was a great hunting centre. By 1154 what had been known as the Park (or Parc) of Enfield or Enfield Wood had been converted in to a hunting ground, or chase. Around the beginning of the 14th century the area became known as Enfield Chase. The Kings of England would visit Enfield to hunt and there was a royal hunting lodge near the village of Botany Bay, on the edge of Enfield. Queen Elizabeth I had a palace on the site of what is now the shopping centre (PalaceXchange). The connection with royalty and hunting is commemorated in streets with names such as Chase Side and Palace Gardens. There is also a hotel named The Royal Chace close to the area of Enfield known as Botany Bay. How Botany Bay got its name is a mystery. One theory is that this was an overnight stopping place for convicts bound for the docks to board ships to carry them to Botany Bay. Another theory is that a member of a royal hunting party made a comment that the journey to the hunting grounds of Enfield was so arduous, it seemed like travelling to Botany Bay. However, nobody really knows the origin of the name.
Enfield has many historical links to famous people and various other claims to fame including the mysterious case of the Enfield Poltergeist
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