About Willingham

Situated at the edge of the East Anglian fens, early maps show that the village of Willingham was in the Kingdom of Guthrum a Danish king in the 9th century. Formerly known as Wyvelingham, the village was frequented originally by pilgrims on their way to Ely cathedral, on account of it being on the only road across the undrained fens.

According to the Doomsday Book, Willingham had a population of 88 in 1080, presided over by the Bishop of Ely who lived in Willingham Manor from 1109 onwards. Since then, Willingham has had a few rare moments of fame and notoriety...

	1244		King Henry III stayed overnight
	1593		The first school was founded in Willingham
	1637		The Great Fen was drained
	1643		Oliver Cromwell ransacked St Mary's Church
	1940		A German spy parachuted into Willingham. He was eventually captured and converted into a double agent, which remained a secret until the late 1990’s.
	2003		Willingham hosted the Fen Challenge!

‘Famed’ now for its prize fruit, asparagus and flowers, Willingham has a long association with the church and has grown to a population of over 3,000.

The lasting effect of the Fen Challenge will be not only the permanent improvements in the Willingham Community services, but also the creation of the 'Willingham through Time & Space' presentation - a map and aerial imagery based record of the village from the 2000 AD back to 1853 AD.

Willingham links

• Willingham Community Village-Links
• Willingham Primary School
• St Mary & All Saints

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England after 886AD
Courtesy: www.historymedren.about.com

Earith Road and looking out towards Queen Holme taken from Willingham in about 1340 AD
Photograph © philip.greenspun.com