Braintree and Bocking's history goes back to the Roman occupation, when there was a settlement at the junction of Stane Street. Abandoned in the Dark Ages, it was not until the 12th century that their modern history began when the bishop of London established a small trading town. This became known as Braintree, while the nearby village of Bocking developed as an agricultural community. This changed after the Black Death when the growth of industries, such as wool weaving and silk manufacture, ensured steady expansion and comparative prosperity.