The London Borough of Enfield is the most northerly London borough. The current borough was formed by the amalgamation of the old borough of Enfield with those of Southgate and Edmonton. The Armorial bearings of these three boroughs were also merged. Enfield was once a small market town on the edge of the forest about a day's travel north of London. But as Greater London has grown, Enfield has become a residential suburb with fast transport links into central London. The creature on the shield of the Enfield coat of arms is known in Heraldry as an "Enfield", and is used extensively as a logo representing Enfield, particularly by the borough council. Middlesex University has three campuses in Enfield (Enfield, Cat Hill and Trent Park campus).
History
In Roman times, Enfield was connected to Londinium by Ermine Street, the great Roman road which stretched all the way up to York. Artefacts found in the early 1900s reveal that there were Roman settlements in the areas that are now Edmonton and Bush Hill Park.
In 790 King Offa was recorded as giving the lands of Edmonton to St Albans Abbey. The area became strategically important as East Anglia was taken over by the Danes. In the 790s strongholds were built by men loyal to King Alfred the Great, in order to keep the Danes to the south of the River Lea.
After the Norman Conquest, both Enfield and Edmonton are mentioned in the Domesday Book. Both have churches, and Enfield has 400 inhabitants, Edmonton 300. Enfield is also described as having a 'parc'.
This parc - a heavily forested area for hunting - was key to Enfield's existence in the Middle Ages. Wealthy Londoners came to Enfield first to hunt, and then to build houses in the pleasant surroundings. In 1303, Edward I of England granted Enfield a charter to hold a weekly market, which has continued up to this day.
The Barclays Bank in Enfield was the first place in the World to have an ATM.
Enfield has a history of armaments manufacture - see Royal Ordnance. The Lee-Enfield 303 rifle was standard issue for the British Army for many years.
Enfield includes the areas:
The current borough came into existence in 1965, and was formed from the Middlesex boroughs of Enfield, Southgate, and Edmonton.
Last updated: 05-13-2005 07:56:04
