Cemetery notes and/or description:
Rochford is a small town in Essex in the East of England. It is sited about 43 miles from Central London and approximately 21 miles from the Essex county town, Chelmsford. The town takes its name from Rochefort, Old English for Ford of the Hunting Dogs. The River Roach was originally called the Walfleet (Creek of the foreigners). It was renamed the Roach in what is known as a back formation. This is where it is assumed that Rochford means ford over the River Roach so they renamed the river to fit the theory. The town runs into suburban developments in the parishes of Ashingdon and Hawkwell It is just to the north of Southend on Sea, but is sufficiently separated from both Southend and Rayleigh to preserve its own identity. Very close to the church,there is the Hall which is privately owned along with the golf course. In 1380 Henry IV was married there. In 1525, Henry VIII awarded Thomas Boleyn the title of Viscount Rochford. Rochford Hall subsequently became the home of Mary Boleyn, sometime mistress of Henry VIII and (probably elder) sister of (Queen) Anne Boleyn, during her second marriage to William Stafford.(text by Geoffrey Gillon) |
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