Old records mostly wrote about men: kings, lords and priests. That doesn't mean women weren't here! These are women connected to Newham that we know about. Can you find out about more?
MH
Matilda, wife of Henry I
Built Bow Bridge
In 1110 she ordered a bow-shaped bridge to be built over the River Lea, with a causeway across the marshes along what is now Stratford High Street.
EF
Elizabeth Fry
1780–1845
Lived here
A prison reformer and Quaker, called the 'Angel of Prisons'. She lived at Plashet House in East Ham from 1809 to 1829, then in West Ham until 1844. In 1842 King Frederick William IV of Prussia came to the area to meet her.
KF
Katharine (Kitty) Fry
1801–1886
Wrote a history of East and West Ham
Elizabeth Fry's daughter. She wrote A History of the Parishes of East and West Ham, published in 1888 after her death. Katherine Road in East Ham is named after her.
AN
Anna Neagle
1904–1986
Born here
A stage and film actress, singer and dancer. She was born in Forest Gate, and Anna Neagle Close there is named after her.
VL
Vera Lynn
1917–2020
Born here
A singer known as the 'Forces' Sweetheart', who gave outdoor concerts for troops during the Second World War. She was born in East Ham, and Vera Lynn Close in Forest Gate is named after her.
JH
Joan Hughes
1918–1993
Born here
A Second World War ferry pilot and one of Britain's first female test pilots, who flew everything except flying boats. She was born in West Ham.
E
Queen Elizabeth II
1926–2022
Reopened the town hall
In July 1986 she reopened Stratford's Old Town Hall after it had been carefully rebuilt following a fire in 1982.
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In the Middle Ages, the Abbess of Barking and the Abbot of West Ham argued over who should look after the bridge at Bow; the dispute was settled in 1315.