BURY ST EDMUNDS TOWN COUNCIL

This article was compiled from information held by Bury St Edmund organisations and a former Town Clerk. Grateful acknowledgements are also extended to the material of: Suffolk Records office, Margaret Statham and the former St Edmundsbury Borough Council's website.

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In the autumn of the year 869 the Danes invaded East Anglia. King Edmund fought against them but during the conquest was slain, the anniversary of his death being commemorated on 20 November. By the time of his martyrdom the site of the Abbey of Beodricsworth, afterwards known as Bury St Edmunds, had existed for nearly three centuries. A shine to St Edmund was created by the small religious household who guarded his relics.

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Canute became King of England in 1016 and in recognition of his great belief in St Edmund be ensured that funds were used to create Bury St Edmunds as a town of renown. He established the town's monastery in 1020 with a community of 20 monks. From the King's funding and at the direction of Abbot Baldwin the Abbey Church was rebuilt and the relics of St Edmund translated to the Abbey and the shrine beame the seat of many pilgrimages.