The history of the Barking and Dagenham area can be traced back to the Stone Age. Axes and other flint implements have been found at various sites in the borough and evidence of settlements during the Bronze Age and Iron Ages have also been discovered in the areas.
Roman bricks and tiles were reused in the building of Barking Abbey, the second oldest Saxon Abbey in the country, as long ago as AD 666. Roman pottery and coins have been found on site.
The area was almost the earliest Saxon settlements in Essex, and the area's name is believed to derive from the ancient name given to Barking - meaning Berica's people and Dagenham - meaning Daecca's village.
It was in Norman times that the area rose to greater prominence. While waiting for the Tower of London to be built, William the Conqueror used Barking Abbey as his headquarters.
The Abbey played a major role in the history of the borough and was at one time the largest Benedictine Nunnery in the country.
The Abbey's demise came during the 16th century when Henry VIII began his reformation. The Abbey escaped the first wave of suppression in 1536 but was dissolved in 1539.
After the Abbey's dissolution, the Crown retained control of the area until selling it to Sir Thomas Fanshawe in 1628. Portraits of the various generations of the Fanshawe family can be seen in the Valence House Museum, in Dagenham.
From the 14th century until the second half of the 19th century the most important industry in the Barking area was fishing, supplying the London market as well as local needs.
Many major fishing fleets operated out of the mouth of Barking Creek and many of Henry VIII's royal ships were repaired and maintained in the area.
There is also evidence of early wool trading, dyeing and brick making and the local community included millwrights, wheelwrights and those with numerous trades associated with ship building.
In 1887 the riverfront at Dagenham was turned into a major dock. The site was bought by local industrialist, Samuel Williams, who built a quay and 2 jetties and formed a tidal basin. It was the beginning of industry in Barking and Dagenham.
In 1924 the Ford Motor Company bought some land from Samuel Williams and between 1929 and 1931 the factory was built in Dagenham.
Group Manager - Heritage and Archives
Valence House Museum
Becontree Avenue
Dagenham
RM8 3HT
Amy Gaimster (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday morning)
Tel: 020 8227 5293
Email: amy.gaimster@lbbd.gov.uk|
Kirstie Bradburn (Wednesday afternoon, Thursday and Friday)
Tel: 020 8270 6769
Email: kirstie.bradburn@lbbd.gov.uk|
Fax: 020 8270 6868
Email: valencehousemuseum@lbbd.gov.uk |
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© 2008 London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
Civic Centre
Rainham Road North, Dagenham, RM10 7BN
Telephone: 020 8215 3000
Fax: 020 8227 5184
Textphone: 020 8227 5755
Email: enquiries@lbbd.gov.uk|
Telephone: 020 8594 8356
Fax: 020 8227 3470