The Brede Ogre

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If you happen to find yourself in the small East Sussex village of Brede make sure you take a trip to the Church of St. George of Brede which was built at the end of the 12th Century. Here you will find the tomb of Sir Goddard Oxenbridge of Brede, or as he is locally known the Ogre or Giant of Brede (Died 10th February 1531). Local legend has it that when he was alive he stood 7ft. tall and feasted on the flesh of children every night. It was said that not a sword, spear or arrow could hurt him but that the local villagers eventually succeeded in making him drunk enough that they were able to saw him in half.

In reality he was said to be a pious and generous man who was almost certainly not 7ft tall. It is believed that there are a couple of explanations as to why this story of Sir Goddard was made up. He was a Catholic during a time in British history when admitting such would at best end with you being a hated individual. The other possible explanation is that Brede Place was at some time after Sir Goddards death occupied by smugglers and it is not uncommon for them to use or make up such legends and ghost stories to keep prying eyes away from their ill gotten gains. 

Whatever the true origin of this folkloric tale the Oxenbridge tomb itself attracts many visitors each year looking for the final resting place of the Brede Ogre.

RTI

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