History of Sedgefield
Sedgefield is an ancient village, which dates back to the Roman era and maybe even further. There have been traces of a roman settlement found just on the outskirts of the town. It is thought that Sedgefield received its name from its marshy nature of the area, or from a Saxon Warrior called ‘Cedd' or ‘Secg' who could have been granted the land.
One of the famous historical buildings at Sedgefield is St Edmund's Church. The church was founded by Bishop Cutheard sometime between AD900 and AD915, which would have been a wooden church. However in 1085 when the Normans came they would have built a stone church with rounded arches. The present church would have been built between 1246 and 1256. The tower was erected in 1490 with the original bell still intact. The chancel was roughly built in 1290 and was founded by Sir Andrew of Stanlai. However the Chancel screen and paneling are from the 17 th Century.
Sedgefield village is famous for its Shrove Tuesday game, which has been a tradition for over 1000 years. It was said that, the parish clerk was gratified to furnish a football on Shrove Tuesday, which he would then throw into the market place, where it was be fought for by the farmers against the tradesmen of the village and surrounding area. In the present day the tradition is still maintained. The game starts at 1pm on the village green. The winner of the game gets to keep the ball with its traditional inscription:
When with pancakes you are sated
Come to this ring where you'll be mated
Where this ball will be uncast
May this game be better than the last
