IS there an historic rift between Braintree and Bocking?
That's the question author and local historian Michael Bardell delves into in his new book, The Road That Divides?
Mr Bardell, of Cressing Road in Braintree, was inspired because writers including HG Wells and John Ray have said there is animosity between the towns.
His book explains how Bocking, with its strong cloth trade and freedom from diocesan control, was pre-eminent from medieval times to the early 1800s.
But then Braintree grew in importance, with its market, railway line and growing population.
The old Roman Road, Stane Street - now Coggeshall Road and Rayne Road - also physically divided the two neighbours.
The Road That Divides? costs £4 from Hannay bookshop in Braintree and Braintree Museum. It is out this Friday.
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