London Borough of Enfield

The London Borough of Enfield is the most northerly London borough.

History

In Roman times, Enfield was connected to Londinium by Ermine Street, the great Roman road which stretched all the way up to York. Artefacts found in the early 1900s reveal that there were Roman settlements in the areas that are now Edmonton and Bush Hill Park.

Related Topics:
Roman times - Londinium - Ermine Street - Roman road - York - 1900s

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In 790 King Offa was recorded as giving the lands of Edmonton to St Albans Abbey. The area became strategically important as East Anglia was taken over by the Danes. In the 790s strongholds were built by men loyal to King Alfred the Great, in order to keep the Danes to the south of the River Lea.

Related Topics:
790 - King Offa - St Albans - Abbey - East Anglia - Danes - 790s - King Alfred the Great - River Lea

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After the Norman Conquest, both Enfield and Edmonton are mentioned in the Domesday Book. Both have churches, and Enfield has 400 inhabitants, Edmonton 300. Enfield is also described as having a "parc".

Related Topics:
Norman Conquest - Domesday Book - Church

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This parc—a heavily forested area for hunting—was key to Enfield's existence in the Middle Ages. Wealthy Londoners came to Enfield first to hunt, and then to build houses in the pleasant surroundings. In 1303, Edward I of England granted Enfield a charter to hold a weekly market, which has continued up to this day.

Related Topics:
Forest - Hunting - Middle Ages - House - 1303 - Edward I of England - Charter - Market

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The Barclays Bank in Enfield was the first place in the world to have an ATM.

Related Topics:
Barclays Bank - ATM

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Enfield has a history of armaments manufacture—see Royal Small Arms Factory. For example, the Lee-Enfield .303 rifle was standard issue for the British Army for many years.

Related Topics:
Armaments - Manufacture - Royal Small Arms Factory - Lee-Enfield - Rifle - British Army

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Enfield today

Currently, Enfield Town centre is undergoing major redevelopment work, scheduled for completion by Autumn 2006. A large extension to the existing shopping centre is being built, under the name PalaceXchange.

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Much of the life of Enfield currently centres around the A10 road which has a wealth of retail facilities, a night club and a very large multiplex cinema which draws film goers from miles around. Unusually, this Cineworld cinema also plays host to a church on a sunday morning. Whilst cinemagoers continue to watch movies in the other screens two screens are hired by a growing charismatic church which draws its worshippers from around London hires a couple of screens for its informal worship. Is this setting a new trend?

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Famous People From Enfield Include:

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• David Jason
• Ray Winstone
• Victoria Beckham
• Amy Winehouse
• Bruce Forsyth
• Jessie Wallace
• Kriss Akabusi
• Paul Mckenna
• Chris Bhantoa
• Danny Swanson

Enfield includes the areas:

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• Bowes Park
• Bulls Cross
• Bush Hill Park
• Cockfosters
• Edmonton
• Enfield Lock
• Enfield Town
• Enfield Chase
• Grange Park
• Hadley Wood
• Lower Edmonton London N9
• New Southgate London N11
• Oakwood
• Palmers Green London N13
• Southgate London N14
• Upper Edmonton London N18
• Winchmore Hill London N21