Description

Brettenham, a parish in Suffolk, on the river Bret or Breton, 3 1/2 miles NNW of Bildeston, and 5 NE from Lavenham station on the G.E.R. It has a post office under Bildeston (S.O.), which is the telegraph office; money order office, Felsham. Acreage, 1438; population of the civil parish, 336; of the ecclesiastical (St Mary), 354. Brettenham Hall belonged formerly to the Wenyeves, and passed to the Beales. Some vestiges in the parish are supposed to mark the site of the Roman station of Combretonium. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Ely; net value, £320 with residence. Patron, the Lord Chancellor. The church is an ancient building of flint and stone in the Decorated and Perpendicular styles.