COLCHESTER, municipal borough, Essex, England; 52 m. north-east from London by L.N.E.R., on the river Colne, 12 m. from the open sea. Pop. (1931) 48,607.
The Roman town, Colonia Victricensis Camalodunum (or Camulodunurn), was founded by Claudius, soon after the Roman conquest, as a municipality of discharged Roman soldiers. Under Boadicea natives burned the town and-massacred the colonists; but Camalodunum soon rose again. Its walls, with remains of the guardroom at the principal gate, can still be clearly traced. Roman sculptures, inscriptions, pavements and pottery have also been discovered. Domesday mentions 276 burgesses and land in commune burgensium. The ruined castle-keep of the reign of William I. or William II. is quadrangular, turreted at the angles, and is the largest of its kind in England. In the castle is a museum of Roman and other antiquities. The Augustinian priory of St. Botolph (early I2th cent.) retains part of the fine Norman west front (in which Roman bricks occur), and of the nave arcades ; and there is the restored gateway of the Benedictine monastery of St. John, a beautiful specimen of Perpendicular work, embattled, flanked by spired turrets, and covered with panel work. The church of Holy Trinity has an apparently pre Norman tower.
The first charter given in 1189 granted freedom of passage and pontage through England, free warren, fishery and custom as in the time of Henry I. The charters were confirmed and new grants obtained in 1447 and 1535. Colchester returned two members to parliament from 1295 until 1885. Fairs were granted by Richard I. in 1189 to the hospital of St. Mary Magdalene, and by Edward II. in 1319 on the eve of St. Denis and the six following days. In the 13th century Colchester was an important port, its ships ply ing to Winchelsea and France. Elizabeth and James I. encouraged Flemish settlers in manufacture of baize ("bays and says"). Both Camden and Fuller mention the trade in barrelled oysters and candied eringo-root. The town was held, apparently against the citizens' will, by Royalists in 1648 against Fairfax, and it was fined in consequence by the Parliament.
Charles I. granted a fresh charter, which was amended in and a new one granted in 1663 ; this one remaining in force with modifications until 1741. In 1763 George III. made the borough a renewed grant of its liberties. The town has long been an important military centre and is the headquarters of the Eastern military district. There is a free grammar school (founded 1539). Castle Park is a public ground surrounding the castle. Colchester is the centre of an agricultural district, and has extensive corn and cattle markets, with some small dependent industries. The oyster fisheries at the mouth of the Colne belong to the corpora tion, and are held on lease by the Colne Fishery Company. The harbour, with quayage at the suburb of Hythe, is controlled by the corporation. Since 1918 the municipal borough of Colchester together with the rural district of Lexden and Winstree (except the detached portion of Inworth Parish) form the Colchester Par liamentary Division of Essex. Area of municipal borough, acres.
Colchester was made the see of a suffragan bishop by Henry VIII., and two bishops were in succession appointed by him; no further appointments, however, were made until the suffragan see was re-established under Victoria.