Facing the ‘Low Countries' across the narrow divide of the North Sea, Essex has been influenced by many European cultures. Colchester's Roman remains are some of the earliest and most impressive examples. The town wall, surrounding much of the centre for 1.5 miles is the oldest of its kind in Britain while the foundations of the enormous Temple of Claudius can still be seen beneath the castle. Elsewhere Roman settlements have been found beneath such towns as Chelmsford, Braintree, Great Dunmow and the recently excavated Romano-British town at Heybridge, Maldon.

With the departure of the Roman army, Saxon raiding parties from the Germanic heartlands of Europe became more frequent and eventually settled in the fertile Essex countryside. Little remains of their influence, although a famous battle fought at Maldon between Saxons and Vikings was commemorated in a rare piece of Saxon epic poetry.

Throughout Essex the consequences of the Norman invasion are still visible. Castles were built, churches reconstructed, towns developed and hunting forests protected. Finest of the Norman castles is that at Hedingham, home of the de Vere family Earls of Oxford, whilst Colchester's vast keep is the largest in Europe. To find out about life in the early castles a visit to Mountfitchet Castle should not be missed.

Waltham Abbey, over on the county's far western boundary, has the most beautiful example of Norman church architecture in the county. Ironically it is also the burial place of King Harold who's claim to the English throne ended at the Battle of Hastings.

Later invasions were generally more peaceful. Harwich, created as a trading port by the Earls of Norfolk in the 13th Century, was one of the key links with the continent. Export of cloth from local weavers was one source of the town's mediæval prosperity. When the fortunes of the declining cloth industry were revived in the 16th century by Flemish weavers escaping persecution in the Low Countries, it was no doubt through Harwich that many of them travelled. With its continental ferries passing in the estuary, Harwich retains the individual character of a seafaring town and some of the excitement of the international travel.

Click here for a list of historic houses and sites in Essex.