Until 1584, ownership and access to the Beccles Fen served as a key source of tension, dispute, and, in some cases, outright violence within the town. A grant, issued by King Edwy in 960 AD, conferred the advowson (i.e., the right to appoint clergy) of the Beccles benefice, along with ownership of the manor, which included the Fen within its bounds, to the monastery of Saint Edmund’s Bury. A later undated charter attributed to King Stephen confirms the validity of this ownership, as quoted from in this translation of an ancient inquisition relating to Beccles ‘The jurors present that the Abbot and Convent of of St Edmund, hold the town of Beccles of the gift of Stephen … and therein the claim to have the view of frankpledge …and the Abbot comes and says , that himself and his predecessors have held the manor of Beccles , with the liberties aforesaid, from the time of King Edwyn’.
According to the Domesday book of 1086 the Manor owned only 10 acres of viable fen land (400,000 acres now) as a result it is believed that the local monastery permitted the townspeople of Beccles to use and exploit the Fen due to this lack of potential income. However, despite its reduced size of dry, fecund land and instead marshy, bog-like nature, it is believed that the primary value of the Fen lay in its natural resources, particularly reeds, which were likely harvested for thatching roofs. It is presumed that this communal use of the Fen continued for generations.
A surviving historical document does suggest that a yearly rent of ten marks was paid to the abbot in exchange for access to the Fen’s pastureland. This arrangement was supervised by four appointed individuals, implying a form of local governance or stewardship.
‘Thys bylle made the ijde day of September thr iijde yer of Kynge Henry the VIIIte wynessyth that I Herry Fyrmage syrvante of Mr. Chambryer of the monastery of Bury Seynt Edmond hath recevvyd of John Waters, Jihn Herryng, John Thorn, and Richard Buk fenrevys of the town of Beckleys for the yerly ferme of ther fen X marck of good and lawful money to the use and be hofte of hys seyd maystyr In wytnesse here of I the seyd Henry have set to my seal and subscrbyd my name wyth my hand the day and yer a bove seyd.’-“P’me Henricu Furmage”
The ownership landscape changed dramatically following the English Reformation. As part of the dissolution of the monasteries, the Beccles Fen passed into private hands. In 1540, William Rede acquired the Fen for £120, purchasing it directly from King Henry VIII. He secured not only ownership for himself but also inheritance rights for his descendants. However, the transaction soon became controversial. Allegations arose that Rede had acquired over £400—possibly through opportunistic or insider knowledge about the impending Reformation—by appropriating much of the abbey’s wealth before its dissolution. The local population was particularly outraged by how this money was used. Many accused Rede of embezzling public or religious funds, claiming the sum should have benefited the town or the church. In response, Rede asserted that all funds had been used solely to secure the grant.
Tensions escalated until an agreement—an indenture—was reached among Sergeant Gawdy, Thomas Rede (William Rede’s son), John Thorne, and others. This agreement effectively nullified the previous grant, arguing it had failed to meet certain conditions. Instead, they reasserted communal ownership of the Fen, to be governed by four "Fen-reeves" chosen annually from among the town’s inhabitants. This arrangement temporarily restored peace, in part because it resembled the former structure under monastic stewardship, which had been familiar and favorable to many.
However, this period of satisfaction was short-lived. A failed financial investment related to the Fen led to bankruptcy and the withdrawal of the shared ownership model. Control reverted once again to the Rede family, reigniting longstanding disputes. These tensions persisted for four years culminating in Queen Elizabeth I’s charter, issued on January 26th, 1584. This charter officially transferred the Fen to Elizabeth and signed at the church by the churchwardens and other residents and sealed with the town’s common seal.
Yet even this royal intervention failed to fully resolve the unrest. False rumours circulated that the lower classes would be excluded or dispossessed, leading to renewed discontent. Riots ensued in which the windows of the guild hall were demolished.
Today , however , the signing of the charter is celebrated annually through festivities that take place during the Beccles Charter Weekend .
All photos credits to Beccles and District Museum .Most of the information collected for this page has been read from The Corporation of Beccles Fen, 1807, by William Rede.
Page written by Eva Swiffen-Cziczovszki