Gipeswic - the beginnings
Although the Romans built roads and settlements in the area, and nearby Colchester was a major Roman settlement, Ipswich (originally Gipeswic) did not come into being until the seventh Century when the Germanic tribes arrived in the area. The famous site at Sutton Hoo probably represents the royal burial ground of the Wuffing family, and Ipswich the royal port. Geographically Ipswich is the point at which the River Gipping flows into tidal River Orwell, and is the lowest point at which the rivers were fordable. Initially there were a number of distinct sixth Century settlements, in the area of Stoke Bridge, Boss Hall and Handford Bridge where cemeteries have been found. With the growth of influence of the East Anglian royal family and King Raedwald (died c625) becoming overlord of southern England, the port developed. Raedwald accepted baptism to Christianity c604, but his burial goods believed to be in the great ship burial at Sutton Hoo suggests he did not wholly renounce his pagan past. The Wuffings dynasty shows the trials of the kingdom, with death in battle being a common feature. By the time of the Viking raids Ipswich had become a town worth raiding, and Danes ravaged the town in 991 en route to the meeting with Brytnoth at Maldon. Thurkill the Tall led another raid in 1010, and in 1016 Cnut attacked the town on his way inland. Despite the raiding the Domesday Book indicates the town was prosperous in 1066, but by the book was time it was written in 1086 the town had declined. The decline in the town may even have been down to the raiders, 1069 Sweyn of Denmark was defeated by Roger Bigod, Ralph Wader and Robert Malet in a battle near Ipswich. By 1086 the town had 328 dwellings which were laid waste and the number of burgesses paying dues had dropped from 538 to 110. The town contained 12 Churches in Domesday Book, St Nicholas's church contains a carving of St Michael fighting a dragon (c1050), a carving with a dedication of the Church to All Saints, rare survivals from an earlier Church. The neighbouring building on Cromwell Square has Saxon masonry found during it's building incorporated into its entrance.
The Alderman canal at the back of the recreation ground on Sir Alf Ramsey way is a structural survivor from the 10th Century or before, a channel off the river Gipping to power the Handford and Horsewade Mills. Research by John Fairclough and Bob Malster has helped identify the route of the channel. From Horseshoe Weir (under present Yarmouth Road) the original river channel has been artificially split and a channel cut (now Alderman Canal).
Alderman
Canal
A document from AD970 describes the transfer of land and the boundary includes Handford Bridge and Horsewade, by implication this suggests the waterway is used as the boundary for the land. In the late 19th Cent the stretch from Handford Mill to Stoke Bridge was used as the route of the town sewer with pipes laid into the bed of the canal. A stream running down Mill Street (now upper Portman Road) probably joined the canal and later the sewer at this point. Approx route of the artificial channel known as Alderman canal - Horseshoe weir, Alderman canal to Handford Mill (Portman Road) still open as a waterway. Thereafter now underground, following route of Canham Street, across car park to the site of Horsewade Mill near Friar's Bridge Street, across Princes Street to Chalon Street, New Cardinal street, across Cardinal Park (nb hump in road near night club maybe the sewer line) across to Stoke Bridge. The canal was also altered in c1790 when the Gipping Navigation cut through from the River to the canal at the West End road lock.
The town's growth was focused on the trade through the port, and the number of churches around the dockside attests to the concentration of population in the area. St Peter's church is now redundant, but contains a font of Tournai stone (late 12th Century), decorated with lions.
Alongside the churches, were a number of chapels and of course religious houses which occupied a large area of the town. The Dominicans (or Black Friars) were established in 1263 on the eastern ramparts area, the few remaining walls of their building have been restored and are now part of a walk way from Foundation Street to Fore Street.
Blackfriars