Madeley's Origin

You could argue that Madeley originated when the last Ice Age gouged out the Ironbridge Gorge. Without the resulting exposure of coal, limestone and other natural resources, Madeley might never have come to prominence.

Madda's Lea

Madeley is recorded in The Domesday Book, but it's origin can be traced back to Saxon times.

In the 8th century a forest clearing was made and the Saxon settlement of Madda's Lea was established. Madda was an Anglo-Saxon personal name.

The earliest recorded reference to Madda's Lea (Madeley) was in 727 AD. St Milburga bought the Madeley estate from Sigward, a follower of King Ethelbald of Mercia. It remained in the possession of the priory she founded at Wenlock until the dissolution of the monasteries.

The New Town

In 1269 Madeley expanded its boundaries with the building of the new town east of the original settlement. The forests were cleared to make way for agriculture. Woodlands were coppiced for the production of charcoal, needed to produce the intense heat for the smelting of iron. In 1332 a license was granted to Walter de Calderbrook to dig for coal. It was these events that set Madeley on its course with destiny.