Ipswich Leasing

Did You Know?

 In the 2001 census, Ipswich was the 38th largest urban area in England, its modern name is believed to be derived from the medieval name Gippeswick, although some local historians have surmised that this in turn comes from a small river nearby the River Gipping.

Ipswich soon grew into a fairly prosperous town, with a population of around 2,000 people. In 1200, a Charter was granted by King John. It allowed the townsfolk certain rights, including its own courts and bailiffs

There’s evidence to suggest that Ipswich was initially founded in the early 7th century as a trading settlement.  Being connected to the rest of the country via a large river and the sea made Ipswich a great place to trade for early settlers.

By the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066 Ipswich probably had a population of 2,000. It would seem tiny to us but by the standards of the time, it was a medium sized town. Later in the Middle Ages, the population grew larger and was probably about 3,000 by the 14th century.

Ipswich is on the banks of the River Orwell, which in parts can be as much as 20 yards wide and 10ft deep, the river itself is named afted the town's most famous local, George Orwel.

Cardinal Thomas Wolsey was born here in 1475. As King Henry VIII's Chancellor and ally, he went on to found a college in the town. By the early 16th century, Ipswich had been made a King's Port and the shipbuilding industry was well established

Ipswich is the only town in England not to have a set of traffic lights, although for the past five years, residents have been saving up for some and hope to be able to purchase a nice second hand set very soon.

Although records are a little vague historians believe that Ipswich was captured by Vikings in 869AD.  Eventually Danes lost control of Ipswich, but they regained control in 917AD.  The strengths that led to be founded by traders swiftly became a liability when the Danes came calling.

Thomas Cobbold moved his brewery from Harwich to Ipswich in 1745 because the water, flowing out of the springs and ponds of Holywells Park was much better for making beer than the well water of the Essex town.

The world’s first commercially marketed powered lawnmower was built by Ransomes in Ipswich in 1902? A bit of a difference in scale between that and some of their other lines – combine harvesters, traction engines, and ploughs