Framlingham History Society promotes an interest in the social history of the town and the surrounding district. We arrange talks, presentations and visits. On this website you can find a growing set of articles, newsletters and journals, with stories of people, places, objects and events related to the Framlingham area, and some richly illustrated books are available.
For more information, see the links by “Find out more” above (and the Main menu at the top right).
18th January 2026: The book “Framlingham a Portrait Through Time” has proved very popular, and only a few copies remain, details here.
15th Decemberr 2025: The History Society welcomed two visitors – Helen and Ken Lemoine – from Framingham History Society in Massachusetts. Helen and Ken are members of the Framingham History Society, Helen being a past president. The Society showed our visitors around the Castle, the Lanman Museum, the Church and other historical features of Framlingham.
Nicholas Danforth, formerly of New Street Farm in Framlingham moved to Framingham in 1634 and established a farm there. The missing “L” in the name of the Massachusetts town is thought to be a clerical error in transcribing the name! There are articles on the Danforths here and here.
1st November 2025: The launch event today for the new book on Framlingham art “Framlingham a Portrait Through Time 1539 to 2016” was very successful, with well over 100 books sold. This is a limited edition book, and copies are available by post or from some Framlingham shops while stocks last. See here for detailspreview slideshow here.
Older news items here.
Framlingham has many famous sons and daughters, and is the scene of many historical events.
Queen Mary was proclaimed queen from Framlingham Castle in 1553
The first document that Mary wrote as queen was written in Framlingham Castle, and a copy is on display in the Lanman Museum in the Castle.
Sir Henry Thompson, surgeon and polymath, was born in Framlingham in 1820
There is a plaque on the wall of his parents’ shop in Market Hill, which was the home in which he was brought up. This building is now St Elizabeth Hospice charity shop.
Ed Sheeran was brought up and went to school in Framlingham and lives nearby
Framlingham’s spectacular castle is steeped in history, and has been much painted and photographed. This painting is by Leonard Squirrell, copyright © the Lanman Museum
Join us at our meetings to hear talks on many aspects of Framlingham’s history and join us on our summer visits, as detailed in our programme.