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History of Rochford
ROCHFORD HALL
The Lord of the Manor of Rochford was the dominant personality in the area, with his residence being Rochford Hall.
We know that Sir Guy de Rocheford was resident here in 1257 for it was then that Henry III granted him the right to hold a weekly market here. Anne Boleyn’s grandfather, Thomas Boteler, Earl of Ormond had persuaded Henry VII to return to his family lands that had been confiscated and, so, he came to live at Rochford Hall.
It needed a deal of work, which was continued by Anne’s father. In those days the estate consisted of some 2000 acres of woodland, a favoured hunting ground for Henry VIII; hence, probably, his meeting the two Boleyn girls.
We know what happened to Anne, but her sister, Mary, married Sir William Stafford, inherited the Hall, with the couple making their home here, farming their lands in the area.
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