1st Baronet, founder of the RSPCA, Member of Parliament and social reformer who was a leading abolitionist in the 19th century and took over William Wilberforce's leadership of the anti slavery movement in the House of Commons when the latter retired. Mark Catesby, naturalist. Aubrey de Vere I, holder of the entire manor of Hedingham (later Castle Hedingham) in the Domesday Book of 1086. Aubrey de Vere III, 1st Earl of Oxford, completed the stone keep at Hedingham. Robert de Vere, 3rd Earl of Oxford, one of the 25 barons of Magna Carta. Robert de Vere, 9th Earl of Oxford. John de Vere, 13th Earl of Oxford, commander of Henry Tudor's army at the Battle of Bosworth Field. Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford, patron of the arts, poet, courtier and proposed alternative author of the Shakespeare works Major-General Daniel Hoghton, British Army officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars with distinction. Anne Lindsay, actor and Jack Lindsay, Australian writer. James Majendie, Conservative Party politician. Lewis Majendie, Conservative Party politician. Musette Majendie, owner of Hedingham Castle. Eric Ravilious, painter, book illustrator and wood engraver. Tirzah Garwood, British artist and engraver (Eric Ravilous' wife) Sir Robert Wilson CBE FRS, astronomer. Henry de Vere Stacpoole, Author of The Blue Lagoon, lived at Astles, Pye Corner Edmund Powell, vicar of St Nicholas Church 1917 - 1921 References External links SEAX Archaeology - Unlocking Essex's Past (archived from the original on 3 June 2016). An in-depth essay about Castle Hedingham. Hedingham School A brief history of the village Voices from the Pews - National Lottery Heritage Fund project which has funded the repair of the church roof, and is sharing church and village heritage with new and diverse audiences. Blue Lagoon - Inscription from Henry de Vere Stacpoole to his friend George Morris Phillips 1915 Villages in Essex Braintree District