Erwarton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Erwarton |
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 St. Mary's Church, Erwarton |
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 Erwarton
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| Area | 5.23 km2 (2.02 sq mi) |
| Population | 126 (2011) |
| • Density | 24/km2 (62/sq mi) |
| Civil parish |
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| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Ipswich |
| Postcode district | IP9 |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
| UK Parliament |
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Erwarton or Arwarton is a small village and civil parish in the Babergh area of Suffolk, England. It's located on the Shotley peninsula, about 9 miles (14 km) south of Ipswich. In 2011, about 126 people lived here. The parish also includes a tiny place called Shop Corner.
Nearby villages include Shotley, Shotley Gate, Harkstead, Chelmondiston and Holbrook. The name Erwarton comes from an old Saxon word, Eoforweard tūn.
Contents
Exploring Erwarton's Landmarks
St. Mary's Church: A Historical Gem
St. Mary's Church has parts that are very old, from the 1200s. Most of what you see today was built in the 1400s. Inside, there's a copy of a drawing of Queen Anne Boleyn by a famous artist named Holbein.
Under the church organ, a note says that Queen Anne Boleyn's heart was buried here by her uncle, Sir Philip Parker, after she died in 1536. In 1837, a small lead box was found in the church. Many people believe this box holds her heart, even though it doesn't have any writing on it. The church's baptismal font (a large basin used for baptisms) has a special Tudor Rose design.
Erwarton Hall: A Grand Old House
Erwarton Hall is a very old and important building. It was rebuilt around 1575 by Sir Phillip Parker. The gatehouse, which is the entrance building, is especially famous in the area. It's known as a local landmark.
For many years, from 1905 to 1976, the Hall was used by the Admiralty. This was the part of the government that managed the Royal Navy. Commanders from HMS Ganges, a nearby naval training base, lived there. Since 1976, the Hall has been owned by private families.
The Queens Head Pub: A Village Meeting Place
The Queens Head is a historic public house, or pub, in Erwarton. It's been around since at least the 1600s, making it a very old part of the village.
Erwarton's Past: Interesting Facts
The Last Plague Outbreak in England
Between 1906 and 1918, the area around Erwarton saw the last outbreak of plague in England. This happened on the Shotley peninsula and in a nearby place called Trimley. A total of 22 people became ill. Some people got better, but sadly, others did not survive.
The last two cases were from Erwarton itself in 1918. Mrs. Annie Mary Bugg became ill and passed away on June 13, 1918. Her neighbor, Mrs. Gertrude Allice Garrod, also became ill and passed away on June 19, 1918. Mrs. Garrod's gravestone can still be found in the Erwarton churchyard today.
Famous People from Erwarton
- Thomas Sedgwick (around 1512 - 1573): A clergyman and university professor.
- Philip Parker (died 1675): He was a Member of Parliament for Suffolk. This means he helped make laws for the country. He was also a High Sheriff of Suffolk, which was a local official responsible for law and order.
- Sir Philip Parker, 1st Baronet (around 1625 – 1690): Another Member of Parliament, representing places like Harwich and Sandwich.
- Henry Berners (1769 - 1852): A clergyman who became an Archdeacon of Suffolk, an important role in the church.
