ES'SEX (AS. East Saxons). A maritime county in southeastern England, bounded on the north by Cambridge and Suffolk, on the east by the North Sea. on the west by Middlesex and Hertford. and divided from Kent on the south by the Thames estuary (Map: Eng land, (-1 5). It has S5 miles of coast-line, and an area of 1533 square miles. On the coast the surface is low-lying and marshy, but from the centre to the north is undulating and well wooded. Chalk, brick. clay, and sea-salt are the chief mineral products. Cereals and hops are largely grown. and stock is raised for market purposes. There are extensive manufactures of doe clothing materials, and valuable brewing, fishing, and oyster industries. Capital, Chelms f•rd. Population, in 1591, 785,445; in 1901, 1.085,445.
Essex figured prominently in early English history. At the time of Ca.sar's invasion it was inhabited by the Trinohantes, of whose advanced civilization 'ouch numismatic evidence remains. The Romans thoroughly colonized the country, as is shown by relics dug up at Colehester, as well as by the Roman military road which crosses the country. When the Boman power declined the Saxons made Essex the object of their raids. finally overrunning the land and incor
porating it with the domain of the Count of the Saxon Shore. After the withdrawal of the Romans. it was occupied by the East Saxons. whence its name, and became a member of the Saxon heptarchy. The East Saxons continued to he ruled by a separate dynasty until about 823, when they were absorbed by the West Saxons, which became the ruling, power in England. During the struggles of Alfred the Gi-eat with the Danes Essex was the scene of many fierce conflicts. till, by the Peace of Wedmore (As). 8791. it was recognized by Alfred as part of the Danish terri tory of Later the Danes were driven nut by Alfred's son, Edward the Elder. In 1045 Essex heeeme part of the earldom of Harold, but at the time of the Norman Conquest it hail passed into the domain of (lie family of Swene. Begin ning with the Norman kings, and continuing to the present time, it has constituted an earldom of the Crown. and has passed through several family histories.