Posted: June 2, 2026 • Posted in: Bury Saint Edmunds, General News, Local Interest, Things to see & do
A view looking over Angel Hill from the observatory on top of the Athenaeum. Known in medieval times as Le Mustowe to Muster, it held a very popular fair up until it was abolished in 1871 by parliament for being a nuisance. Now a glorified car park many events are staged here including the popular Christmas Fayre.
Known in Anglo-Saxon times as Thing-Howe where the Hundred Court met, Thingoe was one of the eight and a half ‘hundreds’ given by Edward the Confessor to the Abbey of St Edmundsbury. Dating from the 10th century a hundred being a unit of English local government and taxation, the terminology has survived into the 20th century. As a one-time place of execution, in 1766, ‘Betty’ Burroughs was hung here, her name lending itself to the hill for many years
This ‘curious doll’ was found by workmen during repairs to the north curtain wall of the abbey around 1984. Probably ceramic, this small statuette is a female figure dressed in 18th century costume, petticoat and bonnet, and has her arms crossed clutching an open book. The mortar niche it is set in is 3m/10feet up high and there is a date on it of 1777, though this could be wrong due to the passage of time, and the ravages of the seasons. Nobody knows if it is genuine.
Built in the art deco style in 1933, black marble foundation stones were laid by the two sons of Montague Burton as this was one of his tailor shops. Lithuanian Moshe David Osinsky came to Britain in 1909, his quality, inexpensive suits becoming popular. He changed his name to Maurice, then to the grander Montague, dying in 1952.
This ruined medieval hospital was founded by Abbot Samson in the years 1184-86. In those far off days care of the soul was more prevalent than the body, medical care being minimal. During 1447, Henry VI’s uncle Duke Humphrey Plantagenet died in mysterious circumstances here.
A house that has been referred to in the past as a fine example of medieval pargeting. Fine yes, medieval, no. It was built in the 1960s by Ernie Warren, whose family were local property owners and quality builders, his then wife Carol carried out the decorative work.
Martyn Taylor’s 11th local history book, ‘Quirky Bury St Edmunds’, published by Amberley, comes out later this year.
Information on guided tours of Bury St Edmunds can be found at: burystedmundstourguides.org
Martyn Taylor owns copyright for all pics used with this feature.
