Assington


Assington is a village in Suffolk, England, south-east of Sudbury. At the 2011 Census, it had a population of 402. The parish includes the hamlets of Rose Green and Dorking Tye.

History

According to Eilert Ekwall, the meaning of the name is "homestead of Assi". The village was mentioned in the Domesday Book, when it had a 78 households. At the survey in 1086, it had been held by Ranulf Peverel. Before the Norman Conquest, the village was held by Siward Barn.

Historic buildings

The parish church is dedicated to St Edmund the Martyr and built of flint and dressed stone. It dates from the 15th century and was restored in the 19th century. There are six bells that hang in the tower the largest of which weighs about 10.5 cwt. All six were cast and hung in 1890 by John Warner & Sons in a modified frame. Ringing is currently prohibited.
Assington Hall, which is adjacent to the church, was the home of the Gurdon family for several centuries. John Gurdon was elected a Member of Parliament for the borough of Sudbury, Suffolk, in 1571, as was his son Brampton Gurdon in 1621, who became High Sheriff of Suffolk in 1629.
Later members of the family were involved in local charities through the 18th century. The hall was demolished in 1957 after a fire, however the stables and coach house remain and are grade II listed.