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Chatteris erected into a market town in 1834 is in the Hundred of North Witchford, In the Isle of Ely - 71 miles N. from London, 24 N by W from Cambridge, 12 S by E from St Ives,and the like distance NW from the City of Ely. It is a Place of considerable antiquity: in the Doomsday Book it is written CETRIZ and CATERIZ; by some old authors CHATERIZ; and Camden, differing from all the other authorities, writes it as CHEATERIZH.
A convent of Benedictine monks,was founded here about the year 980, by Alwena, niece to King Edgar, and wife of Athelstan, Earl of the East Angles; in the reign of Henry 1, the nunnary was annexed to the Church Of Ely, and totally suppressed in 1538.
The manor house, an aincient edifice, stands upon the site of the nunnery.
There have been many antiquities dug up here, in excavations for gravel, not many years since, part of the skeleton of an elephant was found, ten feet below the surface of the ground; and in 1824 an earthen vessel, containing about 1000 copper coins was ploughed up about two miles from the town, they were of Roman Origin, cheifly of the Emperors Constantius and Constantine, and a few with the emblem of Romulus and Remus suckled by a wolf.
Several curious relics of the Roman Nation have been found at different periods hereabout - amongst others, celts, and a double edged sword, the hilt embossed with figures of men fighting, this interesting antique was when discovered, in a peculiarily perfect state of preservation.
In several parts of the fen lands large oak trees have been brought to the surface from a considerable depth.
The trade of Chatteris is almost wholly confined to the furnishing necessaries of it's own inhabitants; but it is a place of great thoroughfare - this being the direct road from Norfolk to Huntingdon and the Western Counties; and also situate on a fine line of road, good at all times of the year, between Peterborough and Newmarket.
The principle inn is The George, a well conducted posting and commercial house.
The Bishop of Ely is Lord of the manor, and a court leet by him is held by him on St Matthew's day, when constables are appointed and nuisances presented, petty sessions are also held on the first and third Tuesdays in each month, and a court of requests likewise sits on every sixth Friday.
The Church, dedicated to St Matthew, is a handsome one, with a square tower; the benefice is a vicarage, of which the Rev. Robert Chatfield is the patron and incumbant.
There are places of worship for babtists, independants, the society of friends and methodists; and two free schools - one upon Dr Bells's system, the other on the plan of the British and foreign school societies.
The land around here has lately been rendered very productive, by the operation of draining and a process called 'gaiting'.
The market day is Friday and there are two
fairs. Population of parish, in 1837, 4177.
Copyright ©2002 J.Sharpe - Last Updated 13/04/2004