A Study of the Strood by W.E. Duane. Chapter 4. Page 20.

The Early Settlement of Mersea Island

... rateable value of £33,533. This shows in some measure development that has taken place over the years. But considering that Mersea Island is approximately 7 miles by 4 ½ miles in area, it certainly was a well developed community in the time of the Domesday Book.

The incidence of Fingringhoe and Peete being included in the Manor of West Mersea, gives the Island an economic, political and geographical link with the mainland and a regular traffic must have been made to and from th island on some form of road or causeway, so that business of the manor could be carried on.

Date: 1965