Cavendish, Suffolk
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Cavendish is the name of a picturesque village and civil parish in the Stour Valley in Suffolk, England. It is 18 km from Bury St Edmunds and 23 km from Newmarket.
It is believed that Cavendish is called so because a man called Cafa used to own a pasture or 'edisc' there, and it therefore became known as Cafa's Edisc and eventually Cavendish. It was home to Sir John Cavendish, the ancestor of the Dukes of Devonshire who was involved in the Peasants' Revolt. In 1381 his son had put to death Wat Tyler, the peasants' leader. As a result, John Cavendish tried to flee from the pursuing peasants, and he hung on to the handle of the door of St Mary's Church, Cavendish, to plead sanctuary. His plea was in vain, and he was taken to Bury St Edmunds and beheaded by a mob headed by Jack Straw. He is buried in Bury St Edmunds.
One of the well known views of Cavendish looks across the village green and on to the Pink Cottages, behind which lies St Mary's CofE Church.
The village has a United Reformed Church, where Catholic Services are also held following the closure of the Sue Ryder Home, Museum and Chapel. There are also 3 pubs - The Five Bells, the George and The Bull.
St. Mary's Church had a bequest from Sir John, and its chancel was restored.
Leonard Cheshire and his wife Sue Ryder are buried in Cavendish. There is also the Sue Ryder Foundation Museum with many war memorabilia.
