Colchester Oysters . 
443 
The town of Colchester owed much of its importance 
and wealth to its valuable oyster fisheries. Mr. Thomas 
Cromwell, in his History and Description of Colchester , 
states that— 
“ Bichard I. granted to the burgesses the fishery of the river Colne, 
and the grant was very amply assured and confirmed to them by sub¬ 
sequent charters, especially by that of Edward IV.” (Page 290.) 
Attempts were repeatedly made by landed proprietors in 
the neighbourhood to deprive the burghers of Colchester 
of their ancient rights. The first landowner who endea¬ 
voured to gain for himself the privilege bestowed on the 
town was Lionel De Bradenham, Lord of the Manor of 
Langinhoe, who, in the reign of Edward III., enclosed 
parts of the river, and appropriated them to his own use. 
At a later period John, Earl of Oxford, procured a grant 
from Henry YI. of this royalty; but the Corporation, 
rather than surrender their claim, entered into a contest 
with the earl, and, after some opposition, succeeded in 
obtaining from the king a confirmation of their rights. 
Colchester oysters have been celebrated from the earliest 
period, and have been deemed a valuable present. We 
find them on several occasions sent both to Leicester and 
Walsingham in the reign of Elizabeth. 
The praises of the Colchester oysters are sounded by 
Thomas Fuller:— 
“ The best in England, fat, salt, green-finn’d, are bred near Col¬ 
chester, where they have an excellent art to feed them in pits made 
for the purpose. King James was wont to say, ‘ he was a very valiant 
man who first adventured on eating of oysters ; ’ most probably meet’ 
hunger put men first on that trial.” (Worthies of England , vol. i. 
p. 336.) 
We learn, also, from Nor den that— 
“ Some part of the sea shore of Essex yealdeth the beste oysters in 
England, which are called Walflete oysters : so called of a place in the 
sea; but in what place of the sea it is, hath ben some disputation. . .. 
