EssexJOURNAL A REVIEW OF LOCAL HISTORY & ARCHAEOLOGY Spring 2014

COMPLETION OF THE ESSEX MANORIAL DOCUMENT REGISTER

AND SO MUCH MORE...

EJ 20 Questions: Hannah Salisbury

Spring 2014 EJ Text_Spring Text 2011 12/07/2014 13:53 Page 1

Spring 2014 Vol.49 No.1 EssexJOURNAL ISSN-0014-0961 Incorporating Essex Review

he ESSEX JOURNAL is published twice a year under the management CONTENTS of an EditorialBoard consisting of T Editorial 2 representatives of the Essex Archaeolog ic al The Knútsdrápa and the site of the Battle of Assandun 4 andHistor ic al Cong ress, theFriends of James Kemble Historic Essex, theEssex Record Office Great Totham Church in 1821 (or thereabouts) 5 (on behalf of the Essex County Counc il), James Bettley and the Honorary Ed itor. It is recognised Manorial Documents Register for Essex 6 that the statutory duties of the County Alison Cassidy Council preclude the ERO from sharing The Saving of Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome 8 in thefinancial commitments of the Stuart Warburton and Ivor Dallinger consortium . News From The Essex Record Office 10 Hannah Salisbury Chairman:Adrian Corder-Birch: Secrets of the mound: rare frankincense found in c [email protected] Mersea’s Roman barrow 11 Hon. Editor: Neil Wiffen, MA: Sue Howlett neilwiffen@hotm ail.com The Bishops of Danbury Park and their changing styles Hon.Treasurer: Geraldine Willden, MAAT: of diocesan leadership 18 geraldine.w illd en@ hotmail.co.uk Noel Beer Hon. Secretary: Karen Lawrenc e, MA: The Essex Police Museum at 21 25 karenlawrence@ waitrose.com Maureen Scollan and Martyn Lockwood Hon. Membership Sec : Jenepher Hawkins, MA: Obituaries: je [email protected] Brian Burton 30 William Hewitt 31 Deborah Peers 32 The annual subscription of £10.00 should be sent to: Book Reviews: The Hon. Membership Secretary, J.R. Smith, The Borough of Maldon 1688-1800: a Golden Age, 33 13 South Prim rose Hill, Chelmsford, (M. Leach) Essex, CM1 2RF. Brian Buxton, At The House of Thomas Poyntz, Notes to contributors (J. Townsend) Contributions are welcome and should be sent in a Word Arthur Stanley Newens, format to the Honorary Editor at the email listed above. In Quest of a Fairer Society: My Life and Politics, General correspondence can either be emailed or posted to: (M. Leach) 30 Main Road, Broomfield, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 7EF. The Editor is more than happy to discuss any proposed Paul Wreyford, articles as he does not guarantee that unsolicited material The A-Z of curious Essex: strange stories of mysteries, will be published. Contributors are requested to limit their crimes and eccentrics, articles to 2,500/4,000 words, other than by prior (J. Hawkins) agreement with the Editor. Style notes are available. Disclaimer EJ 20 Questions? Hannah Salisbury 37 Items printed in the Essex Journal do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor or Editorial Board. Contributors, on behalf of the Essex Journal, have made every effort to trace and acknowledge ownership of all copyrighted material and to secure permissions. The Editor would like to hear of any inadvertent omission in the acknowledgement of copyright material. Copyright All written material, unless otherwise stated, is the copyright of the Essex Journal. Enquiries to the Editor.

Main cover illustration: An extract from the 1592 manorial survey of Castle Hedingham by Israel Amyce. (ERO, D/DMh M1.) EssexJOURNAL 1 Spring 2014 EJ Text_Spring Text 2011 12/07/2014 13:53 Page 2

EJ Editorial

must apologise for the late arrival of this issue Group formed in of the Essex Journal but not only has family 1935 and directed Iand home life been incredible busy (and that’s by Mr Anthony before you take into account my very large garden) Minoprio, that but my day job at the ERO has taken up much drew my attention more of my time and energy than normal. To top to it, by inviting it all I have been co-ordinating an upgrade to the me to contribute equipment and programmes that EJ is produced on. a brief historical This has been a significant learning curve for me, chapter to the for while I use and appreciate modern technology, final Report I do generally use it as a tool rather than for published in 1945. enjoyment. Basically I’d rather read a papery book I discovered then than go to a computer to find my kicks! All this new that a business ‘stuff’ that the EJ has invested in will pay dividends review of the in the longer term but, combined with all the other Industries of the calls on my time, the result has been to delay the Eastern Counties published in 1888-90 publication of this issue. considered that Chelmsford was ‘happy in One of the things that took up a fair bit of my possessing little in the way of history’; time and energy was hosting one of the ERO’s that Frederick Chancellor confessed to the outreach sessions – Walking with Walker. This was a Essex archaeological Society in 1906 that genteel stroll up Chelmsford High Street talking ‘the ancient history of Chelmsford has still about the layout and buildings and how the modern to be written’; and that in 1921 J.H. Round town relates to the wonderful 1591 map produced dismissed this neglect with the judgement, by John Walker, along with using some of the ‘There seems to be very little about which fantastic images that the various Spaldings took of to write’. My superficial reconnaissance in Chelmsford. The research side of things was made 1945 convinced me that Round might be very easy as Chelmsford historians are fortunate wrong.’ indeed to have access to the two volumes of Sleepers in the Shadows by Hilda Grieve. What a Understated and just right – good on you Hilda, we delight to read and how easily Hilda wears her remember. learning! Pulling out key points was only made I hope that there will be something for everyone difficult by the breadth, width and depth of her in this issue, from the Romans, via King Cnut, knowledge. My only regret is that I never knew to manorial documents, Charles Clark in Great Hilda but by all accounts she was as lovely in real Totham, Essex policemen, nineteenth century life as her writing is still. At the end of the walk, Bishops, a World War One aerodrome and news standing in front of Shire Hall, I had great pleasure from the ERO. Martin Stuchfield remembers in acknowledging the debt that we owe Hilda, as Brian Burton and Bill Hewitt while Stuart Warburton indeed we do to all those historians who have gone shares his memories of Debbie Peers whom we lost before us (and which Noel Beer, in his article on at far too young an age. Finally a few book reviews Danbury Palace, does for Nancy Edwards). To drive and last but by no means least Hannah Salisbury home how important Hilda’s research was/is I read shares her interesting 20 answers with us. out to the assembled company who had taken part Here’s to the autumn issue, may it come out in a in the walk, the following from the introduction of more timely fashion! I’m off for a lie down. volume 1 of Sleepers: Cheerio, ‘When the last war ended in 1945 I was still as ignorant of Chelmsford’s Past as I had been Neil when I first came here in 1939. It was the Chelmsford Planning Survey of 1944-5, PS My congratulations to Martin on his MBE – sponsored by a Chelmsford Area Planning I can only hope it will make him less busy!

STOP PRESS

It is with great pleasure that the Essex Journal Editorial Board is able to congratulate Martin Stuchfield on his appointment to an MBE -well done Martin and thank you for all your support over the years.

‘Her Gracious Majesty is pleased to have appointed Howard Martin Stuchfield as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (M.B.E.) for services to Heritage, Charity and to the community in Essex.’

EssexJOURNAL 2 Spring 2014 EJ Text_Spring Text 2011 12/07/2014 13:53 Page 3

THE PLUME LECTURE INGATESTONE HALL

2014 16th century mansion, Saturday 15th November set in 11 acres of grounds, containing Petre family furniture The Trustees of Thomas Plume’s Library are and memorabilia pleased to announce that this year’s Lecture tea room gift shop will be given by Dr Robert Beaken, author of free parking Cosmo Lang: Archbishop in War and Crisis, parish priest of St Mary the Virgin, Great Bardfield 2014 SEASON and St Katharine, Little Bardfield in Essex. The House and Gardens are regularly open In December 1936, at the height of the Noon - 5 p.m. Abdication Crisis, Cosmo Gordon Lang, on Archbishop of Canterbury, held the fate of WEDNESDAYS, SUNDAYS the British monarchy in his hands. Together & BANK HOLIDAYS with the Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin, he from 20th April to 28th September helped to manoeuvre Edward VIII from the (NB Not Wednesdays in June) throne and to replace him with the king’s brother, the Duke of York, who was to become ADMISSION Adults £6.00 George VI. It was a move which would have Pensioners & Students £5.00 far-reaching consequences for the course of Children (5-16) £2.50 British history. Under 5s FREE For pre-booked parties of 20 or more, the above The period 1928-1942 saw some of the prices are reduced by £1.00 per head greatest political and social upheavals in modern No dogs (except guide dogs) British history and Lang was at the centre of PICNIC AREA in Car Park Meadow these. As Archbishop of Canterbury, he led the Church of England through this tumultuous Details of other special events may be found on period and was a pivotal influence in political our website (www.ingatestonehall.com) and religious decision-making. Although Lang has often been seen as a fairly unsuccessful GUIDED TOURS for groups, by prior arrangement archbishop who was resistant to change, Robert ONLY, are available at other times at a fixed charge of Beaken shows that he was, in fact, an effective £100 for up to 25 persons (26-50 persons - £175) leader of the Church at a difficult time. SCHOOL PARTY VISITS are similarly available outside normal opening hours. Visits generally last He also proved to be a sensitive leader during from 10.00a.m.-2.30p.m. and cost £5 per head wartime, opposing any demonization of the (£100 minimum). enemy and showing compassion to conscientious objectors. Drawing on previously unseen materi- al, Beaken tells the story of a fascinating, yet complicated man, who was Britain’s first ‘modern’ Archbishop of Canterbury. HALL LANE INGATESTONE The lecture will take place on Saturday ESSEX CM4 9NR 15th November 2014 at 7.30 pm in the United Tel/Fax 01277 353010 Reformed Church, Market Hill, Maldon, Email [email protected] CM9 4PZ. There is no entry charge and advance booking is not necessary.

We are also part of Essex Houses & Gardens www.essexhousesandgardens.co.uk

EssexJOURNAL 3 Spring 2014 EJ Text_Spring Text 2011 12/07/2014 13:53 Page 4

PlumeKnútsdrápa Library and the site of the Battle of Assandun by James Kemble

‘You fought a battle beneath the shield at Assatún. Prince, you won renown enough with your great sword north of Danaskogar, But to your men it seemed slaughter indeed.’ 1

n 1016, the Danish leader Cnut defeated King neighbouring Canewdon. In Ashdon, he was distract- Edmund Ironside at Assandun in Essex and was ed to Hales Wood and Shadwell Wood, but noted king within a year, the first non-Saxon to rule fields called Danes Croft, Short and Long Dane in I 2 England for over 400 years. Where this decisive adjacent Hadstock (which fields are fairly widely battle took place as Cnut’s army was making its separated so do not denote a focus).7 way into Mercia, either at Ashdon in north Essex Danes Wood can however be identified. From the or Ashingdon on the River Crouch in the southeast, Enclosure Map and Award of Hadstock, the ancient has been the subject of fierce debate at least since inclosure Danes Croft lies immediately northeast of the sixteenth century when Camden favoured and adjacent to an unnamed remnant of woodland Ashingdon.3 Amongst the more recent significant and the large ancient inclosure named Sour Stockings contributions to the debate have been those of (OS, TL555446). Here is the clue to the site of Danes J. Down, C.R. Hart and W. Rodwell4 who have Wood, the wooded remnant next to Danes Croft plus discussed the documentary evidence, battle strategy, the field Stockings, that is from Old English stoccing, topography, place- and field-names, and the extant ‘land from which tree-stumps have been cleared’.8 churches. All three have, hesitatingly, favoured Before its clearance, this was an extensively wooded Ashdon, but left the question open. This Note adds area, Claydon Grove and The Lays (woodland clear- a further case for Ashdon to which both Hart and ing) lying immediately to the north, no doubt all Rodwell alluded but were unable to pursue. once known, at least in Old Norse, as Danaskogar. Amongst place-name evidence for the battle The topography northwards lies on a ridge above is Assatúnum which Reaney5 included under the 300 ft contour, only 2 miles from the Roman Ashingdon. This name occurs in the Old Norse road into Mercia. poem extolling Cnut, Knútsdrápa, compiled c.1050 North of Danes Wood, so the almost contempo- some 34 years after the battle. Direct reference to the rary poem states, was where the opposing armies geographical site for the battle is here stated as having of King Edmund and Cnut met, and where all the been 'north of Danaskogar', ‘Dane’s Wood’.6 Rodwell flower of England, including monks from Ely Abbey looked in vain for ‘Dane’s Wood’ in Ashingdon and who may have been residing at Hadstock, perished in the fighting.9

To Roman road References 1. M. Ashdown, (ed), English and Norse Documents relating to the Reign of Æthelred the Unready, (Cambridge, 1930), Approximate site of the battle p.139. 2. G. N. Garmonsway, ed, Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, (London, 1972), p.151-152. 3. W. Camden (R. Gough, ed), Britannia, (London, 1789). 4. J. Down, 'The Location of Assandun', Essex Journal, 22, II (1987), p.7; C. Hart, The Danelaw, (London, 1992), p.553; W. Rodwell, 1993, in J .Cooper, (ed), The Battle Claydons Wood of Maldon, (Hambledon, 1993), p.127. 5. P.H. Reaney, Place-names of Essex, (Cambridge, 1935), p.177. 6. Ashdown, pp.138-139. Danes 7. Essex Record Office, Q/RDc 7a, Hadstock Enclosure Croft Award, 1805 & D/DQy 28, Hadstock Enclosure map Wood N c.1805. Sour 8. J. Field, English Field Names, (Gloucester, 1989), p.220. Stockings 9. E.O. Blake , 'Liber Eliensis', Royal Hist. Soc., Camden 3rd series, 92 (1962). Map of Hadstock with additions. (Reproduced by courtesy of the Essex Record Office, 2nd Ed 6 Inch OS, Sheet 3NW, 1896.) EssexJOURNAL 4 Spring 2014 EJ Text_Spring Text 2011 12/07/2014 13:53 Page 5

Great Totham Church in 1821 (or thereabouts) by James Bettley

wo paintings in St Peter’s Church, Great it is hoped, will also recite his own poem in the Totham, are to be conserved and redisplayed style of Clark written specially for the occasion), Tin the church, thanks to grants from Heritage demonstrations by amateur printer and Charles Lottery Fund, the Essex Heritage Trust, and the Clark aficionado Alan Brignull, and a contribution Church Buildings Council, as well as private by Dr Carrie Griffin of the University of Bristol donations. who, with Dr Mary O’Connell, has been studying Both the oil paintings have been in St Peter’s Clark’s papers in the Essex Record Office. They since at least 1831. This was the year of publication uncovered this reference to Miss Hayter’s painting of G.W. Johnson’s History of the Parish of Great Totham, in a letter that Clark wrote to London bookseller and one of the paintings – ‘Great Totham Church’ John Russell Smith on 16th November 1842: by Miss Hayter – was engraved for the frontispiece. The original has not been seen properly for a long ‘While you were packing up for me on time; until last year it was hidden behind a cupboard Monday evening I was most comfortably dining in the vestry, where it had suffered badly from damp & tossing down my wine at our worthy Vicar’s and dirt. It shows the church as it was before changes tithe-dinner, according to annual custom, in the to the building later in the 19th century, and so is very room from which Miss Hayter took her an important historical record as well as a charming sketch of our Church that was engraved from work of art. The identity of ‘Miss Hayter’ has not for our History, & it was suspended against the been confirmed, but there is strong circumstantial wall just behind me. About a dozen of us spent evidence to suggest that she was Ann Hayter (1795- a very pleasant 6 or 7 hours of it, I assure you. 1854), daughter of the painter Charles Hayter and Most of us, I fear – not excepting even our herself an accomplished artist who exhibited at the spiritual pastor! – felt a little the worse for it Royal Academy. Charles Hayter lived in Witham for yesterday, with headaches, &c. &c. Gower gave a few months in 1821 and knew the Revd Thomas us some capital old port. We dined at about 4 Foote Gower, the curate (and later vicar) of Great & broke up at a little after 10, a very sober Totham who at one time owned the painting. hour certainly!’ (ERO, D/DU 668/6.) The other painting is the ‘Adoration of the Magi’, which was originally given to the church to use as For further information about the symposium, a reredos but in recent years has been hanging by please consult totham1821.wordpress.com, or email the font. According to Johnson it was given to the [email protected]. It is very likely that port will church by Mrs Frances Lee of Maldon and came be drunk at some stage of the proceedings, although from a chapel attached to Messing House. It is hoped not in such quantity as to induce headaches. that further investigation will identify Mrs Lee and Messing House, and also the original of which the church’s painting is presumed to be a copy. Some versions of the engraving of ‘Great Totham Church’ (of which there are various examples in the Essex Record Office) state that Miss Hayter’s painting was in the possession of Charles Clark, the doggerel poet and amateur printer who lived in Great Totham Hall (and printed Johnson’s History). Clark, Gower, and the brothers G.W. and C.W. Johnson were the centre of a social and cultural circle that flourished in Great Totham from the 1820s to the 1840s, and to mark the anticipated return of the paintings a symposium is being held in the church on Saturday 1st November 2014, entitled ‘Miss Hayter, Mr Gower, and Mr Clark: Great Totham in 1821 (or thereabouts)’. This will take the form of an afternoon of short talks and related events, including an introduction to Great Totham in the 1820s by Clive Potter, readings of Charles Clark’s poems by poet and art historian Adam Crick (who,

EssexJOURNAL 5 Spring 2014 EJ Text_Spring Text 2011 12/07/2014 13:53 Page 6

Manorial Documents Register for Essex by Alison Cassidy

he Manorial Documents Register (MDR) holdings. Other repositories visited after initial is the official register of manorial documents checks of their online catalogues established that Tfor England and Wales and it is maintained more detailed examination of the records or, indeed, by The National Archives (TNA) on behalf of of paper catalogues, were needed were TNA, the the Master of the Rolls. The Register contains British Library, London Metropolitan Archives information about the nature and location of (LMA), Waltham Forest Archives and Hertfordshire surviving manorial documents. Archives and Local Studies. Manorial documents have statutory protection The verification of the details in the MDR under the Manorial Documents Rules. They are binders for Essex has been completed, with the defined in the Rules as court rolls, surveys, maps, exception of the following outstanding records: terriers, documents and books of every description records in other repositories where responses to relating to the boundaries, franchises, wastes, customs letters are still awaited, records in private hands or courts of a manor. Only these types of document which are to be referred to TNA, to follow-up, are noted in the MDR. Title deeds and other records purported be at ERO which I have not evidences of title are not defined as manorial been able to locate in SEAX or in the course of documents and are therefore not included. It is checking through documents there. not a register of title and information about the ownership of manors is not collected. Record Locations The MDR is partially computerised – Wales Of the records input to the database, some 70% of and the following English counties, Bedfordshire, entries relate to records at ERO, although since many Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cumberland, Dorset, of these entries represent runs of records rather than Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Isle of single items, the overall proportion of known Essex Wight, Lancashire, Middlesex, Norfolk, manorial records held at ERO is undoubtedly rather Nottinghamshire, Shropshire, Surrey, Warwickshire, higher than this. Significant quantities of manorial Westmorland, and the three Ridings of Yorkshire, are records survive in a number of estate archives available online. Essex has just been completed. deposited at ERO, notably in the archives of Lord The project to update and computerise the Petre of Ingatestone Hall and Thorndon Hall, Lord original MDR paper records relating to the county of Braybrook of Audley End, the Mildmay family of Essex has been made possible through a collaborative Moulsham Hall, Chelmsford, the Rich family of project led by Royal Holloway, University of London Wanstead House and Rochford Hall, and the Tower in association with Essex Record Office (ERO), family of Weald Hall, as well as in various solicitors’ supported by the Marc Fitch Fund and TNA. It collections (which obviously also ultimately emanate commenced in April 2009 under my predecessor as from their clients’ estates). Since a proportion of the Project Officer, Dr Christopher Starr. I started work ancient county of Essex was in 1965 transferred to be part-time as Project Officer for Essex in October re-designated as various London Boroughs, there are 2011 with a projected completion target date of also holdings of Essex manorial records in several September 2013, subsequently extended to December London Borough repositories, notably in Newham 2013. At the time of my appointment the details Archives and Local Studies (manors in the areas of from the Essex MDR ring-binders had already been East and West Ham) and in Waltham Forest Archives transferred to an Excel spreadsheet, and provisional (manors in the areas of Leyton and Walthamstow). Essex parish and manor lists compiled and significant The other most significant holdings of Essex work on identifying manors had been undertaken. manorial records in terms of number of entries made To bring the project to completion, therefore, my to the Essex MDR database unsurprisingly proved tasks have been to verify the parish and manor lists, to be at TNA (about 15%) and the LMA (about 4%, then to work through the MDR entries and check mainly as the place of deposit of the archives of the them against available catalogues, online where possi- Diocese of London and the Dean and Chapter of ble, to verify details of the records, to visit relevant St Pauls Cathedral). The remaining archives input repositories to check records where the catalogue to the database are held in the usual variety of other details were insufficient for the requirements of the repositories – county archives, university archives, MDR, and to contact remaining repositories which country house estate archives, etc. – numbering over were too distant to visit or where holdings were 50 in total, including small numbers of records at small to request details from them. four overseas repositories. During the project I had considerable recourse There have also been a number of records input to SEAX, the online database including details of the to the database from microfilms at ERO of privately holdings of ERO, and also made repeated visits to held manorial records, the current whereabouts of ERO to check for further details of their manorial which records will need be confirmed or established.

EssexJOURNAL 6 Spring 2014 EJ Text_Spring Text 2011 12/07/2014 13:53 Page 7

of manors, the tenants of which manors owed suit to an honour court in addition to, or in place of, the normal manor court.They are as follows:

1-3.The honours of Castle Hedingham, Rayleigh and Stansted Mountfitchet, which each had their caput at the Essex locations bearing those names. 4. Mandeville honour, which was extensive but, although holding courts additionally in London and Hertford, had its caput at Pleshey in Essex. References are sometimes made in printed sources (e.g. Morant) to Pleshey honour, but presumably this is actually Mandeville honour, since I find no actual records of it otherwise and doubt that they would have co-existed. 5. Lisle honour, which comprised the Essex and Kent portions of the extensive honour formerly held by Eudo Dapifer, and held its courts at An extract from the 1592 manorial survey of Castle Arkesden in Essex and Walbrook in the City Hedingham by Israel Amyce. (ERO, D/DMh M1.) of London. Manors 6. Clare honour, which is strictly, as its name Establishing a list of manors for each county involved suggests, a Suffolk honour, but which operated identifying those which not only were called a manor a court leet known as Sandpit Leet in Braintree but which with reasonable certainty maintained a in Essex, relating to which there are many records manor court. This is crucial because only records at TNA. produced under the administration of a manor court 7-8. Also Stambourne Honour and Gloucester are eligible for inclusion in the MD Register. Honour, for which records survive of Using the authority sources of Morant’s History administrative activity at Stambourne in Essex, and Antiquities of Essex (1768), the volumes so far specifically under those honorial titles, but which, printed of the Victoria County History of Essex (VCH), particularly with the first named, I suspect might and, of course, the records themselves, the total really relate to the honour of Clare: certainly number of properties called a manor identified for Morant in his History and Antiquities of Essex Essex is currently 1273. Of these, five manors are makes no mention of a Stambourne Honour at found in the Essex VCH, but not in Morant, so it Stambourne, although he does mention a court might be anticipated that, since the Essex VCH so far leet held at Stambourne for the honour of Clare. covers only about 15% of Essex, further manors may be identified as further VCH volumes are researched By the time this issue of Essex Journal has gone to (applying a multiplier would suggest approaching 30 press a launch event for the Essex MDR will have further manors might be uncovered). Some eight been held at ERO on Saturday 12th July. Essex manors have been proved from actual records, Through the Ages: Tracing the Past Using Manorial however, which do not appear in Morant, but for Documents will incorporate sessions on the history which there is no coverage as yet in the VCH. and purpose of manors generally, the Manorial Of the 1273 Essex manors identified, 647 have Documents Register, and manorial records in Essex. sufficient quantities and appropriate types of records Following on from this Essex entries will be able to to be considered proven manors (ie with reasonable be searched on the MDR pages of the TNA Website: certainty maintained a manor court) 626 further manors are considered unproven, of which there are http://apps.nationalarchives.gov.uk/mdr/default.htm records for 191 or c.30% of those ‘manors’, but not of a type to prove manorial administrative activity or I would like to thank specifically all the other status, and no records for the remaining 435 or c.70% MDR Project Officers who have assisted me by of those ‘manors’. checking Essex manorial records in the repositories If all 1273 manors were of an equal size (which, of for their counties, notably the Project Officers for course, they are not), with the county of Essex being Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire, about 1,420 square miles in area, the average area and Suffolk, who, working on the projects for covered by each manor would be 1.1 square miles. nearby counties to Essex, inevitably bore the brunt of my enquiries. I would also like to express my Honours considerable indebtedness to the collaboration of Additionally I have entered to the database Katharine Schofield at ERO, whose assistance has eight honours for which there exist some records been both extensive and good humoured, and also representing administration carried out in Essex. An to Liz Hart at TNA for helpful responses to a variety honour was an administrative unit based on a number of queries which arose in the course of the project.

EssexJOURNAL 7 Spring 2014 EJ Text_Spring Text 2011 12/07/2014 13:53 Page 8

The Saving of Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome by Stuart Warburton and Ivor Dallinger

n the 17th December 2013 a new chapter advice report based on a survey carried out in opened in the story of Stow Maries September 2011, (English Heritage Advice Report, OAerodrome near Maldon, a story that had Case Name: Stow Maries WWI Airfield, Case its beginning during the Great War and the first Number: 468822, 02/04/2012). London Blitz and battle for Britain. Although the site was statutorily protected it The aerodrome is of national and international was put at risk in August 2012 when Stow Maries importance. There are other World War One period Aerodrome Ltd decided to sell the site for £2 aerodromes (for example Duxford in Cambridgeshire, million. Mr Savory was unable to purchase the site Upavon and Netheravon in Wiltshire) but these were from his partner and therefore approached Essex extended, rebuilt and modified during World War Two County Council and Maldon District Council for or simply demolished; Stow Maries was not and is assistance in raising the money to safeguard the the last unadulterated and complete World War One purchase and put the site into public ownership. aerodrome in Britain and Europe. The Leaders of Essex County Council and Maldon Its historic, architectural and military importance District Council, Councillors Peter Martin and Bob was for many years forgotten and the site buildings Boyce, led a project team to raise the funds required survive only because it became agricultural accom- for its purchase. Under the guidance of Councillors modation for farm labourers working at the nearby Jeremy Lucas (ECC) and Adrian Fluker (MDC), Flambirds Farm. The historic importance was realised Stuart Warburton (Heritage Development Manager in 1997 when local historians brought the site to the with ECC) started the process of raising the necessary attention of the Royal Commission for Historic grants through producing a business plan, identifying Monuments (England) who, from their Cambridge legal and financial representation and applying for office, carried out the first site survey producing a grants. The cost had dropped to £1.85 million but report in March 1997, Stow Maries Airfield. In 2006 this was still a large asking price. A meeting with the the 79 acre site was purchased in a very dilapidated Heritage Lottery Fund in Cambridge, however, and derelict state by Stow Maries Aerodrome Ltd. opened the door to the National Heritage Memorial The owner’s tenant and partner Russell Savory was to Fund, who are the ‘fund of last resort’ and in April begin renovation of the site buildings starting with 2013 approved a grant of £1,505,000 to assist with his own workshop for his high performance sports the site purchase. The remaining £350,000 was car business. Over a four year period Mr Savory raised through English Heritage (£50,000) and Essex and Stow Maries Aerodrome Ltd restored six County Council and Maldon District Council who buildings including the Other Ranks Mess Hall, provided loans of £200,000 and £100,000 respec- the Royal Flying Corp Workshop and Dope Shop, tively, to be paid back within 10 years. During April the Blacksmith’s Workshop, the Ambulance Garage 2013 the Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome Ltd and Mortuary and the Squadron Office, which charitable company was enacted to be the recipient became a museum devoted to the history of the of the grants and purchase the site from Stow Maries site. Stow Maries Aerodrome Ltd under Mr Savory’s Aerodrome Ltd. After prolonged legal and financial guidance saw the importance of the site and opened due diligence the site was finally purchased and it to the public from 2010. In that year Maldon secured for the nation by the Stow Maries Great War District Council recommended the site should be Aerodrome Ltd. on the 17th December 2013. designated a conservation area and in 2012 all Why not join the Friends of Stow Maries twenty-four remaining buildings were listed as Grade Aerodrome and help to support the important work II* on the advice of Maldon District Council and being undertaken to bring it back to life. For more English Heritage, who also produced a detailed details see: http://www.fosma.co.uk

An artist’s impression of how it is hoped the aerodrome will look once completed. EssexJOURNAL 8 (SMGWA Ltd.) Spring 2014 EJ Text_Spring Text 2011 12/07/2014 13:53 Page 9

A plan of Stow Maries aerodrome based on the RCHM survey, NBR: 96158. (C. D’Alton.)

EssexJOURNAL 9 Spring 2014 EJ Text_Spring Text 2011 12/07/2014 13:53 Page 10

News from the Essex Record Office

n the year which marks the centenary of the We have had a few staff changes since last writing; outbreak of the First World War, we have been Archivist Sarah Dickie retired in March after 20 years Iinvestigating our collections to see what they with ERO, and she has been replaced by Lawrence can tell us about the effects of the war in our county. Barker, who has been with us as in various capacities Even we have been surprised at the amount of since 2007. We wish Sarah a long and happy retire- material that we have unearthed; we have found ment and Lawrence the best of luck in his new role. everything from local preparations in case of a We have also welcomed two new staff members; German invasion to a soldier’s sketches made in the Andy Morgan has joined us in a temporary role as a trenches. We will be posting First World War high- Digitiser, digitising material for Essex Ancestors and lights from our collections on our blog over the for customer orders, and Sarah-Joy Maddeaux has coming months and years (www.essexrecordoffice joined us as You Are Hear Project Officer. In the last blog.co.uk) and we are also running special events Journal we mentioned that we had been fortunate to to mark the centenary. Our next Discover: First secure a grant of £53,700 from the Heritage Lottery World War records at ERO workshop, which will Fund for our project You Are Hear: Sound and a Sense introduce you to some of the sources that we have of Place. The project ultimately aims to digitise and here and also take a look at how to trace names on catalogue historically valuable recordings held in the local war memorials, takes place on 6 August, and on Essex Sound and Video Archive, focussing on oral Sunday 14 September, we will be heading to Hylands history interviews. This wealth of digitised recordings House to take part in Essex at War, part of a weekend will then be shared with Essex residents in a variety of special centenary events in Chelmsford for of ways. Heritage Open Days. You can find out more at Meanwhile, our schools service has recently www.essexrecordofficeblog.co.uk/wwi launched a brand new session for primary school One of our other major points of focus recently pupils based on the impact of the First World War on has been manorial documents. The ERO has been Essex. We are also working on a First World War taking part in a major update of the Manorial resource pack for secondary school pupils which Documents Register (MDR) which is kept by the should be available soon. As the current school year National Archives, to make these records easier for draws to a close over 1,000 school pupils, both researchers to find. Manorial documents can be useful primary and secondary, have accessed our education for all sorts of different kinds of research, whether it is service, whether through a visit to ERO or through tracing your ancestors or the history of your house or one of our sessions at their school. If you know a local village, or social and economic history. Manorial teacher who would like to book a session with us, documents can date back to the 1200s up to 1922, put them in touch with: and before parish registers began to be kept in 1538 [email protected] they might be the only documents in which relatively As ever, there is plenty going on in our events ordinary people might appear. programme, and with workshops, lectures and family To mark the conclusion of our contribution to activities we have something for everyone. You can the MDR update, we have been publishing useful find details of them at www.essex.gov.uk/EROevents guides on our blog to help researchers find their way or write to us to request an events guide. through these documents. These guides cover what You can keep up with the ERO by joining a manor was and what sort of records have survived the e-bulletin to receive monthly updates. To from them, and what sort of information you might be added to the mailing list, e-mail me, expect to find in them. This might include anything [email protected], from who held land to outbreaks of violence, such as with ‘e-bulletin’ as the subject. an attack which took place in Earls Colne in 1472, when a mob armed with ‘pycheforkes’ beat up other We hope to see you at the ERO soon! local tenants. You can read more about manorial records in Alison Cassidy’s piece on pages 6 and 7. Hannah Salisbury, Access and Participation Officer Soldiers at Great Waltham. (ERO, I/MB 383/1/12.)

EssexJOURNAL 10 Spring 2014 EJ Text_Spring Text 2011 12/07/2014 13:53 Page 11

Secrets of the mound: rare frankincense found in Mersea’s Roman barrow by Sue Howlett

n January 2013, a consignment provided the stimulus for a they also raised an urgent and of ancient cremated bone was major exhibition in Mersea Island unexpected question: what was Idelivered to the laboratories Museum and a campaign of fund- the mysterious, sticky substance of Wessex Archaeology, for analysis raising to pay for analysis of the coating the bones, which emitted by Senior Osteoarchaeologist cremated bone. a choking, resinous aroma and Jacqueline McKinley. While this Local residents and visitors fine dust when disturbed?2 assignment appeared at first ‘all in were quick to donate and, helped a day’s work’ to the experienced by generous grants from the The 1912 Excavation professional, who had investigated Association for Roman The cremated bone in its fine and reported on more than 5000 Archaeology and the Mersea glass urn had been discovered in cremation burials and appeared Island Society, the target was 1912 beneath the Mersea Barrow regularly on Channel 4’s Time reached in the autumn of 2012. (also known as Mersea Mount), Team,1 to the people of Mersea A few months later, permission a conspicuous tumulus, or burial Island these bones were the was granted and arrangements mound, beside East Mersea Road subject of intense interest. made by Colchester Museum in West Mersea (Figs. 1 & 2). Identified following their discov- Service for the bone fragments Nearly two millennia after its ery as the remains of an adult, to be carefully packaged and construction, the barrow still in the 1970s they were labelled despatched to Salisbury for measured 22 feet 6 inches (6.85 and described in a Colchester scientific analysis. In due course, metres) high, with a circumference Museum publication as those routine tests confirmed details of about 110 feet (33.5 metres). It of a child. After further decades of the age, sex and physical was excavated for the first time by of uncertainty and curiosity, the condition of the individual the acclaimed geologist, Samuel centenary of their excavation buried beneath the barrow, but Hazzledine Warren, on behalf of

1. The Mersea Barrow, East Mersea Road, West Mersea. (This and subsequent illustrations reproduced courtesy of Mersea Island Museum Trust.)

EssexJOURNAL 11 Spring 2014 EJ Text_Spring Text 2011 12/07/2014 13:53 Page 12

at last struck something solid. ‘red stratum’, consisting of Rushing to West Mersea Post crushed red tile, yellow ochre Office he despatched an excited and mortar. It was necessary to telegram to Arthur Wright, dismantle the eastern side of the curator of Colchester Museum structure in order to reveal its with whom he had been in contents, a task which Warren regular postal contact throughout approached with meticulous care. the excavation. The message read As he recorded in a pencilled simply: letter, hastily written from the excavation site to Arthur Wright, ‘Found small built structure unfortunately absent because of a wait opening tomorrow’.3 family bereavement:

The momentous discovery was ‘I am anxious not to rush revealed on 22nd May 1912, the thing but to get round in front of a crowd of local it carefully. I have worked a 2. The Mersea Barrow cremation dignitaries, curious visitors and candle into the chink we urn, displayed in Mersea Island islanders, and the chairman of the have made in one side, & Museum during the summer Morant Club, Dr Henry Laver. find that there is a cinerary of 2012. At the heart of the barrow, the urn inside, which appears the short-lived Morant Club, a excavators had uncovered a solid, to be perfect. It seems to ‘spade club’ formed to investigate layered, domed structure built of be contained in a square such ancient earthworks in Essex. flanged Roman roofing tiles on a receptacle which looks like On a preliminary visit to the foundation of stone and flint. This lead, & is covered with two barrow, Warren met the club’s impenetrable tomb was further pieces of wood.’4 two secretaries, Miller Christy sealed by layers of a mysterious and Francis Reader, who agreed 3. Flashlight photograph taken by Warren in May 1912, showing that a six-foot wide trench should the opened structure containing a lead box. The removal of two be cut from the eastern side of planks had revealed the rim of a glass urn. the mound towards its centre, to meet a shaft, 12 feet square, which would be sunk down from the central summit. The position of this shaft was dictated by several large trees growing on the mound, and this, combined with changes in the mound’s profile over many centuries meant that when the burial was eventually located it proved to be around 13 feet to the north-west of the apparent centre of the mound. On Monday 15th April 1912, Warren arrived from his home in Loughton, Essex, to take up temporary residence in a boarding house in Seaview Avenue, West Mersea. Work began at the site the following day, and by the end of the week four workmen, on loan from Colchester Corporation, had arrived to assist in the heavy digging. By Tuesday 7th May, Warren had taken only one day’s break, until a family emergency forced him to return home and suspend operations on the cusp of a major discovery. He returned to Mersea on Monday 20th May, and within a day the workmen’s tools

EssexJOURNAL 12 Spring 2014 EJ Text_Spring Text 2011 12/07/2014 13:53 Page 13

As the process was completed, child, which had been discovered Yet he was also convinced Warren took several flashlight near the site of a known Roman that Romans did not build photographs to record the burial, villa at West Mersea. barrows, which must have been exposed for the first and only constructed by ‘more barbarous’, time since the tomb was sealed Analysis of the cremated bone presumably British inhabitants: and buried beneath tons of earth For the century following their by the construction of the great discovery, the items found in the ‘It seems to me in the barrow above (Fig. 3.). Although Mersea Barrow remained on highest degree improbable Warren hoped that the tomb display in Colchester Museum that an important personage structure could be dismantled, until its closure in 2012 for a of a more highly cultured removed and reassembled in major redevelopment project. By race would be buried Colchester Museum, this proved fortunate coincidence, this was according to the custom of impractical. After remaining in the year in which Mersea Island a more barbarous people place for at least a year, complete Museum planned to celebrate whom they had conquered... with replicas of the casket and the centenary of the barrow’s Thus, although we have cremation urn, the remains of excavation, and a formal request unfortunately no clue to the tomb, consisting mainly of was made for the temporary the name, I think that we Roman roof tiles (tegulae), disap- loan of the lead casket and may reasonably suppose peared sometime after the out- glass cremation urn, to form the Mersea Mount to be the break of the Great War. However, centrepiece of Mersea Museum’s tomb of some important as Warren proudly recorded in his summer exhibition. To widespread personage or petty ruler of report of the excavation: ‘It was a delight this request was granted. British race, but living under great day for the inhabitants of The cremated bones in their Roman influence.’8 Mersea Island, to see the secrets beautiful container returned to of their barrow, which had for so the island where they had first However tantalizing this question, many generations exercised their been buried beneath the great it was most unlikely that osteo- wonder and speculation, at last tumulus nearly two thousand logical analysis could provide any revealed.’5 years before. Between May and evidence of the individual’s ethnic Warren’s immediate concern September 2012, hundreds of or geographic origins. It is quite was removal of the lead box local people and visitors from possible, though unlikely ever to containing the urn and cremated further afield visited Mersea be proved, that the individual or bone for transport to the museum Museum to admire the items his family had originated in in Colchester Castle, and arrange- from the barrow and other another province of the Roman ments were made for a horse and ‘Buried Secrets’ which the Empire such as Belgic Gaul, cart to be provided. Perhaps for- exhibition celebrated. Many where barrows of the Roman tunately, this proved unnecessary, also ventured inside the Mersea period have been identified.9 as Henry Laver’s son, Dr Philip Barrow, especially on the Heritage However, even without such Laver, arrived on the scene in Open Days of 2012 and 2013, information, any indication of time to convey the fragile items which saw a combined total of the sex, age group and physical in his new motor car (described over 500 adults and children condition of the Mersea Barrow by Warren as a ‘dreadful anachro- exploring the burial chamber at individual would add considerably nism!’)6 After its safe delivery the heart of the great mound. to the discoveries made by to Colchester Castle, the glass There was great public interest in Warren a century before. Thus, cremation urn was for the first the barrow, and especially in the when sufficient funds had been time removed from its lead casket, identity of (or at least, some raised and permission granted by to be studied and photographed information about) the individual Colchester Museum Service, the by Arthur Wright. Struck by its whose bones were contained in cremated bone was sent to ‘superior technique and propor- the beautiful glass urn. Who had Salisbury for analysis. tions’ compared with others of been important enough for such a During the four months the same type, he estimated that huge and conspicuous monument which passed while the bones the bowl dated from the Flavian to be constructed over his (or were being analysed and reports period, between AD 60 and 96.7 her) remains? written, intriguing hints arrived On the advice of the Morant Even the original excavator, in a series of emails. On first Club, the Mersea Barrow funerary Samuel Hazzledine Warren, had opening the package on 24th assemblage was formally presented found this a difficult question January 2013, Jacqueline to Colchester Museum by to answer. The burial containers McKinley’s immediate response landowner Charles Brown. The were clearly Roman, but Warren was enthusiastic: ‘Material has items went on public display, to knew that barrows had not been arrived safely & it’s a biggie - be joined more than 20 years later built in Britain since the Bronze c. 1800g! Good big bits’.10 In by a second, smaller cremation Age, only reappearing with fact the weight of bone buried urn containing the remains of a the advent of Roman influence. beneath the Mersea Barrow was

EssexJOURNAL 13 Spring 2014 EJ Text_Spring Text 2011 12/07/2014 13:53 Page 14

4. Three upper thoracic vertebrae showing smooth new bone over right sides of bodies. Note white resinous precipitate coating bone. (J. McKinley.) described in the final report as which appeared to be some buried deep within the Mersea ‘amongst the highest from any kind of resin. A specialist team, Barrow? cremation burial, of any period, led by Professor Carl Heron of In the first week of June 2013, in the British Isles’.11 It quickly the University of Bradford, was two reports on the analysis of became clear from the remains found to be researching just such the cremated bone were received that the individual, probably male, organic matter in archaeological by Mersea Island Museum Trust. had suffered from a serious joint contexts. Even more fortunately, According to McKinley’s osteo- disease known by the initials a research student was working logical report, the surviving bone DISH (Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal on a PhD thesis exploring ‘the fragments identified the individual Hyperostosis). Although identified identification of resinous materials as a male aged between 35 and in numerous inhumation burials, in Roman mortuary contexts in 45.16 (This was around the average McKinley reported that she Britain and evaluation of their life expectancy in ancient Rome, knew of no other cases of DISH significance’.14 although the figure is skewed by recorded in cremated remains.12 Samples of the Mersea materi- the high level of infant mortality.) The condition caused excessive al, including amorphous lumps Despite the joint disease which bone formation, still apparent on which floated when immersed in must have caused stiffness and many of the Mersea Barrow water, were sent immediately to discomfort, he had been ‘regularly remains, including at least nine Bradford for molecular analysis. engaged in strenuous walking/ thoracic vertebrae (Fig. 4). The amazing results which began running’ (which might imply However, before the analysis to emerge were first conveyed military service). Most of his could be completed, an unexpect- in an excited email on13th May remains appeared ‘relatively large ed problem arose. Most of the 2013. The mysterious substance and robust, with some marked bones were found to be coated had proved to be a combination muscle attachments, particularly with a strange, sticky substance of a pine resin and ‘of mega in the lower limb’; while signs of which could not easily be rinsed importance, frankincense’.15 soft tissue injury suggest he may off. To make matters worse, Instantly, the mention of frankin- have suffered a tear in one of the when attempts were made to cense conjured up images of the major thigh muscles.17 Despite the scrape it away, it emitted a three Magi presenting priceless likelihood of pain and reduced choking smell and unpleasant gifts to the infant Jesus, around a mobility caused by the condition dust which resulted in McKinley century before this individual was DISH, there was no evidence to having to work in mask and buried. Why should such a rare, indicate the immediate cause of gloves for the first time ever.13 expensive and exotic substance be death. There was an urgent need to brought across the known world, After death, the body was identify the ancient material, to be added to cremated bones cremated on a funeral pyre

EssexJOURNAL 14 Spring 2014 EJ Text_Spring Text 2011 12/07/2014 13:53 Page 15

(normal practice in the first Roman mortuary beliefs’. and far reaching, from east Africa, two centuries or so of Roman However, the more important southern Arabia and north-west Britain),18 perhaps close to where identification was described as India, to Persia, Gaza and the massive burial mound would follows: ‘Of even greater signifi- particularly Alexandria, from soon be erected over an elaborate cance, the more abundant resin where it was redistributed around tomb. The bones experienced present in the Mersea samples is the Mediterranean.25 There are varying degrees of oxidation after a Burseraceae exudate which most many references in classical texts the soft tissue had been burnt closely resembles frankincense’.20 to the use of resins in the form of away. This resulted in some of the This precious incense, which had perfumes, ointments or incense at surviving bones appearing black been traded from the Arabian various stages of Roman funerary (charred), grey, or light brown Peninsula and North Africa for rites, but little evidence of their (largely unburnt), while the three thousand years before application to the cooled, cremat- majority appeared white in colour Christ, was used in many cultures ed remains. Rhea Brettell’s report and fully oxidized. After the fire for religious and medical purposes. opens with an epigram of the had gone out and the remains Was its use in the funeral rites Roman poet, Martial, urging: were cool, the bone fragments at the Mersea Barrow a unique ‘Shameless Zoilus, empty your were placed into the large glass occurrence, or, more likely, was dirty pockets of the unguents... funerary urn, probably imported it simply the first time that and myrrh...and the half-cremated for this purpose. Although the archaeological evidence of such frankincense you took from the urn was only partly filled, some a practice had been scientifically pyre’.26 skeletal elements were missing confirmed? Because they had survived which could not have been totally so well in the Mersea cremation consumed by the fire. Smaller The significance of the results urn, it was clear that the resinous bones from the hands and feet The identification made in the materials including frankincense may have been left behind laboratories of the University of had not undergone heating: among the pyre debris, but the Bradford is of major archaeologi- they had not been used either to urn also contained far fewer cal significance, not solely of anoint the body before cremation fragments from the arms and British interest. Before the analysis (with the added advantage of ribs than from the legs. It is not of the Mersea remains, ‘resinous concealing the odour of decay) or clear what happened to the exudates’ had been identified in to accelerate or quench the fire. remains left out of the urn. The only a small number of Roman In such instances, they would original excavator, Samuel period inhumations in Europe either have been consumed by Hazzledine Warren, searched and Britain, ‘sprinkled over the the intense heat, or traces of unsuccessfully for the site of wrapped body or pasted onto ash would have adhered to any the funeral pyre, and it is indeed the textile wrappings’.21 Although surviving resin. It is possible that possible that other human remains Brettell and the team at Bradford the resins might have formed left at the pyre site are still con- have identified coniferous resins a seal to close the wide, open cealed beneath the unexcavated, in a number of high status inhu- mouth of the glass urn, but it is western half of the Mersea mation burials from Roman more likely that they were added Barrow. It is even possible, Britain, no such substances have to the cooled, cremated remains speculates McKinley, that some yet been discovered from crema- shortly before their burial. During bones such as those of the tion burials. As the report on the the nineteenth century, excavators hands may have been distributed material from the Mersea Barrow of Roman cremation burials at as mementoes for the deceased’s confirms, ‘It provides the first the Bartlow Hills, formerly in relatives or friends.19 chemical confirmation for the use Essex, and Weston Turville, A greater mystery than the of resins in a Roman cremation Buckinghamshire, observed missing bone was the nature burial’.22 substances which they described and significance of the aromatic Of even greater significance is as resembling frankincense. substance coating the bones, the confirmation of frankincense, Unfortunately, however, this analysed by Rhea Brettell at the ‘historically...one of the most material, which might cast signifi- University of Bradford in a series valuable substances in the cant light on the frankincense of highly complex processes. world’,23 with the cremated found in the Mersea Barrow, Her report confirmed that it bone from the Mersea Barrow. no longer survives for scientific comprised a mixture of two Before this discovery, frankincense confirmation.27 different resinous substances. had been identified in varying At present, the Mersea discov- The first, in lower abundance, contexts at only four other ery is the only confirmed physical was a coniferous resin from the archaeological sites: in Egypt, evidence of frankincense in a widespread sub-family Pinaceae Nubia and Yemen.24 This is Roman funerary context, here which includes cedars, larches surprising, since frankincense used with other resins as part of and pines with the latter ‘believed trade routes in the Roman elaborate funerary rites attending to have special significance in period were well established a Roman cremation burial. The

EssexJOURNAL 15 Spring 2014 EJ Text_Spring Text 2011 12/07/2014 13:53 Page 16

pine resin identified from the destruction by residential monument for an important Mersea Barrow remains could development.29 Considered in family, presumably living at the have been obtained from within conjunction with the Mersea villa known to have stood less Britain or north-western Europe, Barrow, they suggest that than 200 metres away. It would but the frankincense certainly during the second century AD, have been a visible landmark to could not. The four main resin- Mersea Island was home to at ships navigating the River producing Boswellia species grew least one wealthy family who Blackwater or approaching in southern Arabia, north-western commemorated their dead in Mersea from the third century India, northern Somalia and conspicuous tombs. Roman fort of Othona, on the eastern Africa. Although it is The most impressive of opposite shore at Bradwell. In not yet possible to definitively Mersea’s lost Roman tombs was contrast, the Mersea Barrow, distinguish between different identified by its first excavators in which today still stands nearly species, the frankincense found in 1896 as the foundation structure seven metres high, was built near the Mersea Barrow may well have of a Roman pharos, or lighthouse. the opposite, northern shore of come from east Africa.28 It could However it is now regarded as a the island, visible to travellers have been transported across the circular mausoleum, or wheel approaching Mersea via the Roman Empire by an elaborate tomb - its small central chamber, landward route from Colchester. trade route, or possibly brought with radiating walls meeting a It is not known whether both into Britain by a migrant or circular, buttressed wall 65 feet important monuments, the returning Briton who had (19.8 metres) in diameter, giving Mersea Barrow and the West travelled or served overseas, the appearance of a spoked wheel Mersea wheel tomb, were built perhaps in the Roman army. (Fig. 5). The roofed masonry for different members of the same No inscription or written structure and enclosing wall family living at the West Mersea record bears witness to the were probably surmounted by villa, or whether two families individual buried beneath the an earthen tumulus, following living on opposite sides of the Mersea Barrow or even to the the example of the mausoleum island built monumental tombs island, less than ten miles from of Augustus in Rome.30 This to rival or emulate each other. the first capital of Roman Britain fashion for conspicuous burial If the latter is the case, this at Colchester. One extensive mounds, often close to roads or suggests that there may have Roman villa was certainly built boundaries, may have reached been a second villa closer to near the island’s southern shore eastern England from the Roman the site of the barrow. Despite at West Mersea: several sections province of Belgic Gaul, where a small amount of circumstantial of patterned mosaic floor were tumuli were constructed in the evidence, no clear trace of a villa discovered in the eighteenth tribal territories of the Treveri in this location has yet been and nineteenth centuries around and Tungri from the late first found.32 the present West Mersea church century AD.31 When Samuel Hazzledine and West Mersea Hall. Close to Although no evidence of Warren excavated the Mersea this villa, two significant Roman burials or grave goods was found Barrow in 1912, he was puzzled tombs were uncovered and at the West Mersea wheel tomb, it by the identification of yellow excavated before their subsequent must have provided an imposing ochre mixed with crushed red tile which he considered ‘may have 5. The exposed foundations of the West Mersea ‘Wheel Tomb’ close been connected with some to the south shore of Mersea Island. custom which was observed at the ceremony of interment’.33 (Traces of a similar red material had also been observed around the now lost ‘brick tomb’ con- taining a child’s cremated remains, close to West Mersea Church). If Warren was correct, the red layer sealing the tomb beneath the Mersea Barrow was just one feature of the elaborate ritual which accompanied the departure of the deceased from this world into the next. His cremated bones had already received a libation which included the highly valued, sacred and exotic gum-resin, frankincense. Jacqueline McKinley concludes that the unexpected

EssexJOURNAL 16 Spring 2014 EJ Text_Spring Text 2011 12/07/2014 13:53 Page 17

and currently unique discovery Ref MOR/MF06). Freetext_search_results.asp? of this substance ‘has enriched our 6. Ibid., p.130 content_page_id=86&content_ comprehension of the wealth and 7. Ibid., p.133. parents=61,80&freetext_content magnificence of this individual’s 8. Ibid., p.138. =Mersea%20Roman funeral rites and his reflected 9. L.J.A.M. Van den Hurk, The 09/05/2013) Tumuli from the Roman Period of 33. Warren, p.128. social status and connections’.34 Esch, Province of North Brabant 34. McKinley, Bone Report, p.8. The analysis of bones found (Nijmegen, 1986), p.28. a century ago beneath Mersea’s 10. McKinley, email to author, Acknowledgements ancient burial mound has provid- 24/01/2013. I would like to thank Ernest Black ed important new evidence 11. McKinley, Bone Report, p.5. for providing me with an early and contributed significantly to 12. McKinley, email to author, draft of his paper, ‘The West Mersea academic research into burial 24/01/2013. Barrow (Mersea Mount)’, and for rites and practices across the 13. McKinley, email to author. help in understanding the archaeolo- ancient Roman world. This 28/02/13. gy of the Mersea Barrow. He and his resident of Roman Mersea, 14. McKinley, email to author, co-author, Stephen Benfield, kindly whose remains lay concealed for 01/03/13. See also: allowed me to make use of their nearly two millennia, has been http://www.bradford.ac.uk/life- 2013 paper of the same title. I am sciences/academic-divisions/arch- also grateful to Jacqueline McKinley brought into the daylight, and sci/research-students/ of Wessex Archaeology and Rhea secrets of his medical condition rhea-brettell.php (09/05/2014). Brettell of the Universtiy of Bradford and elaborate, costly funeral have 15. McKinley email to author, for their expert analysis of the been revealed. Whatever his name 13/05/13. cremated bone and organic resins and background, he obviously 16. McKinley, Bone Report, p.2. from the cremation burial, and for held a major social and probably 17. Ibid., p.2. their detailed reports and helpful administrative position in this 18. P. Crummy, City of Victory communications from which I have corner of Roman Britain. His (Colchester, 1997), p.108. quoted freely. Papers relating to the monument is marked to this day, 19. McKinley, Bone Report, p.6. Mersea Barrow by the four named and into the foreseeable future, by 20. R. Brettell, University of above will be published in a forth- the conspicuous earthwork of the Bradford, Analysis of organic coming volume of Transactions of matter from a cremation urn, the Essex Society for Archaeology Mersea Barrow. Mersea Island, (2013), p.11. and History. Analysis of the cremated (Copy in Mersea Island Museum, bone was funded by a grant from the References Ref WSX_005) Association for Roman Archaeology 1. Wessex Archaeology, 21. Ibid., p.14. and donations from many interested http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/ 22. Ibid., p.17. members of the public I would like blogs/news/2012/10/18/ 23. Natural History Museum, to thank staff of Colchester Museum time-team-wessex-archaeology http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nature- Service, particularly Ciara Canning (01/02/2014); online/species-of-the-day/ and Paul Sealey, for providing access http://www.youtube.com/ scientific-advances/industry/ to papers, and helpful discussions watch?v=DAlZbKAy00k boswellia-sacra/index.html regarding the significance of the (01/02/2014). (04/08/2013). Mersea Barrow. The bones which are 2. J. McKinley, Mersea Island 24. Brettell, p.17. the main topic of this article will be Barrow, Essex (1912.2728.1), 25. Ibid., pp.15, 21. on display in Mersea Island Museum Cremated Bone Publication 26. Ibid., p.1. later in 2014, on temporary loan Report, (May 2013), p.1. 27. Brettell, email to author, from Colchester Museum Service. (Copy in Mersea Island 02/10/2013. Further information is available Museum, Ref WSX_003). 28. Brettell, Analysis, pp.15, 21. on the Mersea Museum website, 3. Colchester Museum Service, 29. G.M.B. ‘Roman Burial Group http://www.merseamuseum.org.uk/ correspondence between discovered at West Mersea’, mmbarrow.php. S. Hazzledine Warren and Transactions of the Essex A.G. Wright, (April-May 1912), Archaeological Society, n.s., XVII, The Author telegram from Warren, Part II (1924), pp.128-130; Sue Howlett is a retired teacher 21/05/1912. (Colchester M.R. Hull, ‘Roman Essex’ in with degrees in English and History, Museum Resource Centre, E.R. Powell, (ed) Victoria County who while secretary of the Rutland Ref COLEM:1913.2728). History of Essex, III, (London, Local History and Record Society 4. Ibid., letter from Warren, 1963), p. 159. wrote several articles for the journal, 22/05/1912. 30 Ibid., p.130. Rutland Record, and contributed 5. S. Hazzledine Warren, ‘The 31. Van den Hurk, pp.27-28; to a major society publication, Opening of the Romano-British J.M.C. Toynbee, Death and Burial The Heritage of Rutland Water (2007). Barrow on Mersea Island, Essex’, in the Roman World (London, Since returning to Essex she has reprinted by the Morant Club 1971), pp179-185. produced booklets on the early from the Transactions of the Essex 32. Essex County Council, SEAX history of Mersea, most recently Archaeological Society, n.s., XIII, website ‘Unlocking Essex’s Past’ Secrets of the Mound: Mersea Barrow (1913), p.124. (Copy in http://unlockingessex.essexcc. 1912-2012. Mersea Island Museum, gov.uk/uep/custom_pages/

EssexJOURNAL 17 Spring 2014 EJ Text_Spring Text 2011 12/07/2014 13:53 Page 18

The Bishops of Danbury Park and their changing styles of diocesan leadership1 by Noel Beer

“The most significant change in church life in the second half of Victoria’s reign was a new type of diocesan bishop, more pastorally active and accessible.”2

rom 1846 to 1890 the The first of the bishops to bishops. These developments are house at Danbury Park, in arrive at Danbury was George illustrated in the major differences FEssex, was the palace of the Murray, who was in residence in the ways in which the three Bishops of Rochester (1846–77) from 1846 to 1860 (Fig. 3). He Danbury bishops performed and of St. Albans (1877–90) (Figs. was followed by Bishop Joseph their diocesan roles and the 1, 2 & 5). The house had been Cotton Wigram from 1860 to comparison that follows aims to built in 1832 for John Round, 1867, and finally by Thomas Legh demonstrate these differences. who was MP for Maldon for ten Claughton (Fig. 4), who was In part, these changes were years and a prominent figure in Bishop of Rochester from 1867 stimulated by the social effects the county. It was designed by to 1877 and of a re-structured which resulted from the rapid Thomas Hopper, the county sur- Diocese of St. Albans from 1877 growth of urban population in veyor, with some input from John to 1890. During these years, when the country. In Essex this was Round’s wife, Susan Constantia. particularly the case in the It replaced the former Danbury south west of the county, in Place, which stood a hundred what became known as yards to the west of the ‘London over the Border’. new building. This had In addition, the 1830s previously been the and 1840s had been home of the Darcy, years of agitation Mildmay, Ffytche for reform in the and Hillary political, social families, but and economic after three cen- dimensions of turies and much British society alteration it had and much of this become dilapidat- demand resulted ed. At the time in new legislation. of John Round’s The Established purchase of the park Church came in for it had been rented out criticism at this time, and was being used as a especially the bishops farm, which let in the rain and who, to a large degree, were was beyond repair.3 At first the seen as idle, rich and privileged. Round family lived happily in 1. Front elevation of Danbury This perception was not helped the new house, but by the early Palace. (This and subsequent by events surrounding the 1840s John Round found himself illustrations, unless stated, Reform Act of 1832, when under pressure from both work reproduced by courtesy of the in October 1831 the bill was and family matters and his health Essex Record Office, rejected by the House of Lords, suffered, so the decision was taken I/MB 114/1/5.) having already passed its second to sell Danbury Place and move Danbury Place had become reading in the Commons under to their house in Brighton. This Danbury Palace, the Church of Earl Grey’s Whig government. was done in 1845, but not before England experienced major Archbishop Howley and twenty Susan Round had tragically died changes, including significant bishops voted against the bill, in a fire in London.4 developments in the role of the whilst six bishops abstained. Had

EssexJOURNAL 18 Spring 2014 EJ Text_Spring Text 2011 12/07/2014 13:53 Page 19

they voted the other way, in what apparent from the fact that he was a tight result, the bill would was ‘the last of the old-fashioned have been passed.5 wigged bishops’, not only Within the bishops’ ranks there wearing his episcopal wig in were some differing opinions church, but also outside it.8 about reform, yet whilst some His move to Danbury Park thought that a reform bill was resulted from a re-structuring of necessary, they did not believe dioceses, following the report of that this time of riots and disorder the Ecclesiastical Commission was an appropriate one in which of 1835. One of its significant to pass the bill. Bishop George members was the energetic Murray’s position on the matter Charles James Blomfield, Bishop was clear enough: ‘descended of London, who was seeking a of an ancient line of aristocrats, more compact Diocese of and with an uncomplicated London, which did not include dignity, [he] wanted to follow his the distant territories of Essex 3. Bishop George Murray ancestors in making Britain safe and Hertfordshire, but which (1784-1860) for aristocrats’, says Chadwick6 did include some of the London (Author’s collection.) so he voted against the bill. sections of the Diocese of and which came into operation The extremeness of his aristo- Rochester as well as the bishop’s on January 1, 1846, declared that cratic, Tory stance was demon- palace at Bromley. What remained the new bounds for the see of strated again in 1832 over the of the diocese was merged with Rochester embraced the whole issue of whether degrees from most of Essex and Hertfordshire of Essex, with the exception of the new ‘Durham College’ would to create what was described the nine parishes of Barking, be acceptable for qualification as ‘an absurd diocese, absurdly East Ham, West Ham, Little for holy orders. The Bishop of shaped and absurdly provided’.9 Ilford, Low Leyton, Walthamstow, Durham wrote to the other Cox10 describes the final Wanstead, St. Mary Woodford, bishops seeking their approval arrangement thus: ‘In the year and Chingford, which were to and only two refused. One of 1845, in accordance with the remain in the diocese of London’. these was Bishop Murray, ‘staunch developed plans of the South of the Thames the aristocrat who disapproved of Ecclesiastical Commissioners, the diocese included only the city encouraging the lower classes to county of Essex, together with a of Rochester with its deanery, aspire for stations for which there part of Hertfordshire, were taken so it made sense for the bishop were already too many candidates from the Diocese of London and to move nearer the centre of the from the classes immediately united to that of Rochester. The new diocese and the purchase of above them’.7 Bishop Murray’s change that was made by Order Danbury Park from John Round adherence to tradition was also in Council on August 8, 1845, was agreed in May 1845.11 The 2. Reduced sized map extract showing the extensive gardens and just some of the grounds of Danbury Palace. (ERO, 1st Ed. 25” OS Sheet 53-10, 1875.)

EssexJOURNAL 19 Spring 2014 EJ Text_Spring Text 2011 12/07/2014 13:53 Page 20

So Bishop Murray had been successful in negotiating an income and lifestyle which made the transfer to Danbury a com- fortable one. He seems to have been fond of money. Arnold19 describes him as being ‘avaricious’ and Van Loo’s20 description of events prior to his moving to Essex explains how he came to receive £4,500, which in Claughton’s letter to Tait, he managed to get increased to £,5000. Van Loo says that:

‘When he was made Bishop of Rochester in 1827 the 4. Bishop Thomas Claughton (1808-1892), seated with walking stick. salary was £1,500, less than (ERO, I/Sp 17/98.) he had received as Bishop house and its estate provided an about alleged expenditure on of Sodor and Man, and so he appropriate location for a bishop’s episcopal palaces, including manoeuvred for himself the palace. The 1845 sale catalogue12 his own,14 and defended the post of Dean of Worcester. offered ‘a noble and elegant purchase of Danbury Palace on Despite the scandal that he mansion’, which is subsequently the grounds that it cost less than created…he refused to give described as ‘one of the most the sum received from the sales up Worcester. Eventually, in perfect residences in the county’. of the old palaces at Rochester 1836, the Ecclesiastical Despite these advantages, its pur- and Bromley. However, the Commission had to intervene; chase price did not go unnoticed critics of the purchase still felt Murray made a bargain with in some quarters, and its location, that the ‘sum of twenty four them; if they would pay him, some miles from the nearest thousand seven hundred pounds’15 at Rochester, the yearly railway station, made it difficult was too high for the new £4,500 which his eventual for clergy to visit the bishop, residence. successor would enjoy under and for him to travel around Bishop Murray also had some the Established Church Act his diocese. building done to bring the park of 1836, then he would However, the manner of his up to the standard required of a give up Worcester…The arrival at Danbury Park seemed bishop’s palace. He had a chapel Commissioners agreed. But to meet with the approval of the added to the rear of the house, Murray kept Worcester until Essex Herald13 which reported named ‘The chapel of All Saints 1845 when, in a gracious that ‘his domestic establishment at Danbury Palace’, (Figs. 5 & 6) gesture to the Prime Minister, and part of his family arrived at which was consecrated in 185016 Peel, he offered to resign so the palace and were welcomed and he had four additional lodges that Peel’s brother could by a merry peal of the village built in the grounds between become Dean! Peel gratefully bells’ and that ‘his Lordship 1851 and 1861.17 It also seems accepted’.21 has already evinced that liberal that he had secured for himself spirit and kind consideration for a financial arrangement which Bishop Murray’s position on those around him which are so bettered that of his successors at some of the contentious religious calculated to win the good will Danbury, Bishops Wigram and issues of the time appears to be and affection of all those amongst Claughton. The latter, in a letter a low profile one. He made the whom his future residence is to Archbishop Tait,18 on 6th appropriate utterances on matters fixed’. October 1876, on the subject calling for an obvious response, Meanwhile, the critics of the of the foundation of the new as, for example, that of Popish bishops’ expensive lifestyle, and bishopric of St. Albans and the aggression, when the Dean and the sums spent on the purchase cost of Danbury Park and its Chapter of Rochester sent him of their episcopal palaces by the lodges (which were proving an address on 28th November Ecclesiastical Commissioners, expensive to repair) indicated 1850.22 ‘We the Dean and included Danbury Palace in their that Bishop Murray’s income Chapter of Rochester in chapter criticism. Some comments in the had been higher than that of assembled…in common with Church and State Gazette, in himself and Bishop Wigram and the Church of England generally February 1849, prompted a reply he sought to be released from we have seen with a just indigna- from the Bishop of Worcester, in paying the Park’s rent of £300 tion…the recent attempt of the which he contradicted statements a year. Bishop of Rome and his clergy

EssexJOURNAL 20 Spring 2014 EJ Text_Spring Text 2011 12/07/2014 13:53 Page 21

to intrude a New Hierarchy, of the public mind, as little as In making these changes Provincial and Diocesan, within possible from the usages to which Palmerston challenged the the limits of our ancient and the congregation has been political authority which the Apostolic branch of the Catholic accustomed’.27 bishops had been able to employ church…etc’. In reply, on 7th This was Bishop Murray’s in the House of Lords. December23 Bishop Murray says conventional position – being Bishop Murray had become that ‘I fully concur in the senti- middle of the road, uncontrover- a bishop (of Sodor and Man) ments of just Indignation which sial and pragmatic, seeing church at the age of 30, assisted by you entertain towards the Roman and government as being inte- his family connections, whereas Pontiff…etc’. However, on other grated, and seeking to maintain Bishop Wigram served a lengthy matters his stance could be less the status quo. In his time he was apprenticeship in the field, start- specific; for example, in discussing probably the prime example of ing as a deacon when aged 24 his position on the Tractarians,24 the right wing, change-resisting and becoming a bishop after he Pearman25 says ‘The Bishop of bishop – just the sort of person had turned 60. As a Palmerston Rochester was not a controver- whom Prime Minister Palmerston evangelical he was industrious sialist. In principal he belonged to wanted to replace with what and energetic and ‘threw himself what is called the ‘high and dry’ became known as the Palmerston with great earnestness into the school. Under the circumstances Bishops. work of the diocese, and went of the time it was impossible to When Bishop Murray died, far to realise what in the popular remain silent, and he expressed in 1860, he was succeeded by phrase of the time was described himself as one who, admiring the a new type of bishop in Joseph as a ‘gig-bishop’, by visiting the Tractarians in many respects, and Cotton Wigram. Palmerston remotest villages of Essex in agreeing with them, was forced was seeking to replace scholarly, the most informal manner’.29 The to protest against some of their political, detached divines with term gig-bishop was used con- utterances and not a few of their individuals who would move temptuously by the opponents practices’. Again, he seems to be around their dioceses and of Palmerston’s evangelicals, but sitting on the fence on the subject communicate with their clergy. it appropriately described those of Ritualism;26 in ‘referring to the During his time in office he bishops who left their palaces use of the surplice in the pulpit, appointed to nineteen English and travelled extensively, but he wonders how it could have sees. They came to be known as unostentatiously, in their caused so much excitement. It the Palmerston evangelicals, men diocesan work. had always been worn in the whose ‘chief duties consist in In his charge delivered at his cathedrals…etc. With regard to watching over the clergy of their primary visitation in November ceremonies in general, his advice diocese, seeing that they perform 186030 Bishop Wigram entitled his is to depart, in the present state properly their parochial duties’.28 subject ‘Fellowship with the flock 5. View looking across the ‘Lawn and Garden Front’. This shows, on the left, the Chapel. (ERO, I/MB 114/1/17.)

EssexJOURNAL 21 Spring 2014 EJ Text_Spring Text 2011 12/07/2014 13:53 Page 22

is essential to the true pastoral whom ‘games and diversions his funeral was meant to be a system’. He talked about ‘the prove his temptation and his private one ‘a large body of the evangelising of the whole body snare’. Members of cricket, neighbouring clergy attended, of the people’ as opposed to archery and rifle clubs are includ- unasked, to show respect to the an undesirable system where ed in this category, particularly Bishop’s memory’.32 the clergyman of a parish seemed if they enjoy the praise and He was succeeded by Thomas to stand in isolation. So he applause that results from Legh Claughton as head of an encouraged the clergy to help successful competition. The enhanced Rochester diocese. lay people to spread the Gospel, situation is seen as even worse The nine parishes of the Barking taking a wide view of who for those young clergymen deanery, which had remained lay people were, because he who enjoy the card table, the with the London diocese in believed the consequence of ballroom, the theatre or opera, the 1845 re-structuring, were the clergy’s failure to co-operate hunting, shooting and other returned to Essex and became with the laity was the loss of field sports. part of the Rochester diocese. supporters to Rome, or to The third category includes, Bishop Claughton’s appoint- other sects. amongst others, those with ‘a ment would have been unlikely He went on to identify taste for dress, for the refinements under Palmerston, who only certain categories of the clergy of the drawing room’ and a recommended Low Churchmen whom he felt that he could modern style of conversation, to the Queen, but it was Lord not ‘but regard with pain and as well as those who smoke, Derby who recommended his misgiving, knowing…that they or who cultivate ‘an inordinate friend Claughton, a High are not the men who can do our profusion of hair about the face’. Churchman, in 1867. A powerful master’s work in the manner it Fourthly, there are those who intellectual, with a fine record of has been set forth’. From his ‘are little more than men of academic achievement at Oxford, descriptions there are five types, routine, lacking the Spirit he was there for much of the who might be labelled ‘The which alone can give life to time that Tracts for the Times were Conservative’, ‘The Sportsman’, a ministry’. being published and his High ‘The Follower of Fashion’, ‘The Finally he challenged those Church principles came from Bureaucrat’ and ‘The Ritualist’. ‘whose energies are devoted to this association. ‘He was, however, The first is change-resisting setting out religion with those never an extreme man: his genial and is ‘quite content with the extra adornments which consti- and sympathetic disposition led religious conditions of his parish tute her least noble part’, who him into contact with men of and with things as they have ever tend to revert to ancient rites and all schools of thought, and the been’. The second is a younger, vestments and minister in a way experiences of a town parish has vigorous, athletic person for that hazarded ‘the revival of a tendency to merge ideals in practices which belong to the practical work’.33 The town 6. A heraldic mitre and corrupt Roman system out of referred to was Kidderminster, pallium in relief over the which our nation was mercifully where he was vicar from 1841 entrance to the Chapel. brought at the Reformation’. to 1867, and where he revived a (Author’s collection, c.1982.) He finished with a plea for neglected church and stimulated instant action, as ‘we have much those around him by his energy lost ground to recover’. Some and organising ability. ‘A restored of his clergy would have felt parish church, a district church, uncomfortable with the contents new schools, and the whole of his charge and perhaps organisation of a well-managed recognised themselves within parish attested to his successful his five categories, but four work; and the remarkable way years later, at his second General in which young men of promise, Visitation31 he was able to report entering the ministry, offered on progress in taking the Gospel themselves to him as curates, was to the people. an indication of the reputation Because of his concern for the which he soon won as a parish welfare of his clergy, and in order priest’.34 to help the poorer members, he So ‘Claughton of founded the Rochester Diocesan Kidderminster’, as he was well- Endowment Fund in 1865. This known in England, became a was a success and was continued bishop whose experience enabled under the new Diocese of St. him to relate to the needs of his Albans. clergy and serve as a role model Bishop Wigram died suddenly for them. Like other bishops and unexpectedly and although of his time, he needed to be

EssexJOURNAL 22 Spring 2014 EJ Text_Spring Text 2011 12/07/2014 13:53 Page 23

industrious as bishops in the Occasionally there were major of St. Albans. The 1882 Diocese 1860s, according to Christopher problems that demanded a lot of St. Albans Report of the Diocesan Wordsworth, were ‘all over- of his time. An example of this Institutions,45 the first such collec- worked’.35 In this regard was a ritualism matter, the tive report, says that ‘the present Claughton himself had a good Hatcham case, involving Rev. estimated population of these role model in his friend Samuel Arthur Tooth of St. James church, districts is about 250,000, being Wilberforce, Bishop of Oxford, Hatcham, which started in 1871, an increase of 136,000 since and later of Winchester, a man with a letter from a visiting the census of 1871. Viewing of restless and relentless energy member of the congregation the district as a whole, there is who seemed to draw workaholics to the Archbishop, complaining probably no place in England to him. Lord Beaconsfield said about ritualism, and continued where the inhabitants are chang- of him in 1868, ‘There is one until 1877 when Tooth was ing so rapidly from the class thing in the Bishop of Oxford inhibited. Tooth was imprisoned who can provide their own which strikes me even more than at one stage and the case appeared spiritual machinery for them- his eloquence: it is the wonderful in the national press. The Tait selves, to that class for whom it faculty he possesses of gathering papers, containing an extensive has to be provided’. The report round him so many like-minded correspondence on the case, goes on to identify just how with himself for work’.36 He also demonstrate the time given to many clergymen, churches and seemed to be able to draw work such matters.42 sites are needed and refers to from other people on a scale they The bishop’s own kindness ‘Great and urgent present needs’. would not have thought possible. of heart involved him in work In the same year, 1882, Bishop Claughton wrote to Wilberforce, that other bishops might have Claughton was able to reduce his ‘You have introduced such a avoided. ‘Even amid the manifold work load by the appointment of system into the episcopate that distractions of a bishop’s life, a suffragan bishop; this was Alfred one has time for nothing’.37 there was much of the parish Blomfield, Archdeacon of Essex Yet Claughton, too, was an priest clinging to him; in his and son of C.J. Blomfield, who industrious and diligent bishop, own parish church at Danbury, became Bishop of Colchester and despite his protestation, which at Chelmsford Church, and in in which position he displayed would have been made with the country churches about, he much of his father’s endeavour the kindness and affection would often volunteer to preach; and drive. which was characteristic of and sometimes if he heard of In 1877 work had begun him. Wilberforce was fond of a hardworking clergyman who to restore, repair and refit the Claughton and was glad of his had a difficulty in getting a Abbey Church of St. Albans as a support at difficult times. When holiday, he would himself take cathedral and this was successfully he was experiencing extreme the services for a Sunday or completed by October 1885 pain and sorrow at his only two. And whenever affliction when the opening service of daughter’s secession to Rome, had befallen a family within the Cathedral was held. The he found ‘Dear Claughton, all reach of the Palace, whatever remainder of the diocese was not kind love and sympathy’.38 their social position might be, neglected and Barrett46 states that Wilberforce was a highly the Bishop was sure to be found ‘As some further indication of the prolific letter writer. His diary there before long’.43 activity of the Church during entry for the last day of 1872 One of the major problems Bishop Claughton’s thirteen years includes ‘All day poured with that Bishop Claughton had to episcopate of the newly-formed rain. I wrote some fifty letters’.39 cope with was the acquisition see, it should be mentioned that Claughton, too, conducted an of the nine Barking Deanery sixteen new ecclesiastical districts extensive correspondence, and parishes, which were returned were formed, fourteen in Essex from time to time comments on to the diocese when he became and two in Herts, and thirty seven the letter-writing demands on bishop in 1867, and the rapid new churches and chapels were bishops in his own letters.40 Apart growth in population in that consecrated. He also introduced from the correspondence with part of the county: ‘the adding the order of Lay Readers, and set his own clergy, and private to his diocese every four years apart ten for the work. In the last individuals in the diocese, he of a town the size of Halifax eleven years of his rule there were had a large correspondence or Huddersfield’.44 In an attempt 76,994 persons confirmed. The outside the diocese with people to ease this problem he started number of clergy also largely like the Eastern Counties bishops the Bishop of Rochester’ Fund increased’. and Archbishop Tait. Much of in 1869, which was re-named He was 69 when he became this was to do with his own the Bishop of St. Albans Fund Bishop of St. Albans and contin- clergy on matters of finance, job in 1877 when Essex and ued to labour to improve the changes, ritualism, requests for Hertfordshire became the Diocese diocese, until his failing health honorary degrees, inhibition of of St. Albans, with Bishop obliged him to retire in 1890. He clergy and suchlike.41 Claughton as the first Bishop remained at Danbury Palace,

EssexJOURNAL 23 Spring 2014 EJ Text_Spring Text 2011 12/07/2014 13:53 Page 24

being ‘not disposed to give it up Diocese of St. Albans’, in 32. ERO, T/P 83/5. Article from the during my lifetime’, as he had R. Runcie (ed.), Cathedral and Chelmsford Chronicle, 19/04/1867, written to Archbishop Tait 14 City: St. Albans Ancient and Modern reported in Noble, W.F.A., Survey years before, and he died there in (St. Albans, 1977), p.72. of the Rochford Hundred, Vol. 5 1892. His body lay in state in the 10. J.C. Cox, The Cathedral Church (1869). Danbury Palace chapel for four and See of Essex (London, 1908), 33. ‘In Memoriam. Bishop T. L. p.14. Claughton’, Essex Review (ER), I days and was then taken to the 11. O. Chadwick, The Victorian Church (1892), p. 203. 47 Cathedral Church for interment. 1860-1901 (London, 1970), p.342. 34. Ibid. The national picture of the 12. ERO, SALE/B2895, Sale 35. Chadwick, Victorian Church 1860- changing roles of the bishops in Catalogue Danbury Park, 1901, p.344. mid-Victorian England is made Danbury and Sandon, 258 acres; 36. R.G. Wilberforce, Life of The Right apparent in the microcosm of Lodge Farm, Woodham Walter, Reverend Samuel Wilberforce, D.D., Danbury Park, where three differ- 304 acres, 1845. Lord Bishop of Oxford and after- ent bishops were exemplars of 13. ERO, T/P 114/5, collection of wards of Winchester, Vol. III their national categories. Bishop notes, cuttings and prints for (London, 1882). p.305. Murray was a classic example of History of Essex by Alfred John 37. Ibid., p.375. the palace-bound, change-resist- Dunking. 38. Ibid., p.255. 14. Ibid. 39. Ibid., p.405. ing, wig-wearing aristocrat. 15. ERO, D/DU 302/1, Deeds, etc. 40. Bodleian Library. MS C15 ff103- Bishop Wigram was a model of of Danbury Park Estate, 1817- 105, for example. the Low Church, highly-mobile, 1932. 41. LPL. The Tait Papers contain motivating Palmerston evangeli- 16. Ibid. regular references to this. See, for cal, and Thomas Legh Claughton 17. The National Archives (TNA), example, Vol. 90 ff 250-53, was known nationally as an RG9/1082, census for Danbury, Vol. 244 ff 275-78 and industrious, caring High Church 1861. Vol. 245 ff 33-34. bishop, in the Samuel Wilberforce 18. Lambeth Palace Library (LPL), 42. Ibid. Vol. 232 ff 33 onwards and mould, who laboured to improve Tait Papers, Vol. 96. ff 224-5. Vol. 176 ff 331-7. the lot of both his clergy and the 19. R. Arnold, The Whiston Matter: 43. ER, p.205. population of his diocese. The the Reverend Robert Whiston versus 44. Chadwick, ‘The Victorian the Dean and Chapter of Rochester Diocese’, p.83. Danbury bishops provide a model (London, 1961). 45. Diocese of St. Albans, Report of the of the mainstream of the national 20. G. Van Loo, A Victorian Parson: the Diocesan Institutions (London, scene writ small. life and times of Thomas Prankard 1882). Copy in ERO Library, Phelps, Ridley, Kent, Rector 1840- 262.3. References 1893 (1989), pp.70-71. 46. D.W. Barrett, Sketches of Church 1. This article is based on an essay 21. British Library. Add. Manuscripts. Life, in the counties of Essex and written for Dr Jane Pearson when ff 190 & 192. Hertfordshire, forming the Diocese of the author was studying at the 22. Rochester Studies Centre (RSC), St. Albans (London, 1902), p.370. University of Essex for the DRC/AC 12, Chapter Book, 47. Ibid., p.371. Certificate in Local History. Nov.1839-Nov.1851. 2. G. Hewitt, A History of the Diocese 23. RSC, DRC/AZZ 2. Acknowledgements of Chelmsford (Chelmsford, 1984), 24. Tractarian: ‘ member of that To the late Nancy Edwards for p.32. school of High Churchmen conversations a decade ago on 3. M.E. Hopkirk, Danbury: historical which maintained the doctrines Thomas Hopper and his Essex notes and records of the village of and practices set forth in buildings and the gentle encourage- Danbury in the county of Essex ‘Tracts for the Times’, ment that she gave to the author (Chelmsford, 1945), pp.16-20. http://www.oed.com/view/ to publish this research relating 4. Essex Record Office (ERO), Entry/204242?redirectedFrom to Danbury Palace. Also to the D/DRh F25/11, 27, Diaries of =Tractarians#eid (13/03/2014) helpful staff of the following John Round of Danbury Park, 25. R.I.Pearman, Diocesan Histories: institutions for giving access to 1829 & 1846. Rochester (London, 1897), p.316. their records and responding to 5. K. Hylson-Smith, The churches 26. Ritualism: In the Church of the author’s many queries: The Essex in England from Elizabeth I to England: the advocacy or practice Record Office, The Bodleian Library, Elizabeth II, Vol. II, 1689-1833 of (esp. liturgical) ritual more The British Library, The Lambeth (London, 1997), p.207. typical of the Catholic Church, Palace Library and the former 6. O. Chadwick, The Victorian http://www.oed.com/view/ Rochester Studies Centre. Church, 1829-1859 (London, Entry/166371?redirectedFrom 1966), p. 29. =Ritualism#eid (13/03/2014). The Author 7. Ibid., p. 40. 27. Pearman, p.317. Noel Beer has written extensively 8. E.W. Stratford, This was a man: 28. Chadwick, Victorian Church, on the history of Rayleigh. He has The biography of the Honourable 1829-1859, pp.470-471. fond memories of working for 12 Edward Vesey Bligh, Diplomat- 29. Pearman, p.319. years at the Regional Management Parson-Squire (London, 1949), 30. LPL, H5034 77.10. Centre at Danbury Park where pp. 142-143. 31. LPL, ‘Charges and Sermons his office was located in the former 9. O. Chadwick, ‘The Victorian 1864’, H5034 46.3. servants’ quarters.

EssexJOURNAL 24 Spring 2014 EJ Text_Spring Text 2011 12/07/2014 13:53 Page 25

The Essex Police Museum at 21

by Maureen Scollan and Martyn Lockwood

ome knowledge of its own teleprinter training school, all displayed beside English bobbies' history has always been part the contents were disposed of headgear and truncheons; Sof British military culture, by officials who had little idea German police uniforms and but that is not so with the police of their potential historical value. redundant uniform items from service which currently comprises At that time Maureen was on the Essex Headquarters were rubbing 43 individual forces. Most, includ- staff of the Essex Record Office, shoulders on life-sized dummies ing Essex Police, have staff who but served as a special constable donated by local department are interested in the history of in her spare time. Hearing 'on stores. policing and perhaps collect the grapevine' about what was For some years in the 1970s books, photographs, truncheons, happening, she managed to rescue and 1980s the King's Head was or badges. When Parliament the original staff registers and a regarded as the unofficial Essex passed an Act in 1839 allowing few other documents, and get police museum, and many any county to set up a full-time, them deposited in the ERO; unwanted items from Police paid police force Essex was one she was later given the job of Headquarters found a temporary of the earliest to do so. Captain cataloguing them for the benefit home there. Several years on John Bunch Bonnemaison of police historians which some many of the Essex items moved McHardy was appointed as the years later included herself.1 again when Mr and Mrs Clark first Chief Constable on 11 It is known that many items went their separate ways and the February 1840, with authority in the original 'museum' were collection was broken up. By the to recruit 100 constables and 15 shredded without consultation. late-1980s there was space at superintendents. Over time those While some surviving artefacts nearby Castle Hedingham police 115 officers have increased to were given to Chelmsford station after its adjacent magis- around 3000 men and women; Museum, others were handed trates' court was closed. Official the county boundaries have also over to the licensees of the Kings permission was given to store the altered. Head public house in Gosfield Essex artefacts in the court room, near Halstead. Mr David and Mrs and a few visits were made by In the beginning - 'the Georgie Roy-Clark had started children from one or two schools museum' their police collection after under the supervision of local The oldest buildings at the driving an old London bus across officers and Maureen, who by present Police Headquarters at America and finding that they that time was inspector in charge Springfield were built in (Fig. 1) were unable to answer many of of policing in the Halstead area. 1903, and by the 1950s and 1960s the questions they were asked there was a small room which about British bobbies and their Official interest in Force housed a miscellaneous collection history. The resulting collection of history of official photographs, manu- miscellaneous cuttings and police In 1990 Essex Police celebrated scripts and personnel records artefacts displayed in their public its 150th anniversary with official from the 1840s; that room was house attracted much media support and the enthusiastic usually referred to as 'the interest but had no systematic involvement of police officers and museum.' When space was collection policy. Multi-coloured civilian staff of all levels. Many needed in the 1960s for a new American police patches were events took place in and around

1. The front of Police Headquarters at Springfield, known as New Court, was built in 1903. The first HQ was called Old Court in Arbour Lane Springfield. Some of those buildings remain but are now part of a housing development. (All images Essex Police Museum.)

EssexJOURNAL 25 Spring 2014 EJ Text_Spring Text 2011 12/07/2014 13:53 Page 26

A room at Headquarters for involved in all aspects of the the proposed museum was found Museum's work for the next in an unused section of the cloth- 15 years. ing store. Before being painted As well as sub-committees and carpeted a colony of spiders to formulate rules and collection had first to be rehomed; then a policies serious consideration corner was partitioned off for the had to be given to funding, even embryo museum's temporary though the designated museum workers. Fred Feather, a retired area at that stage was owned and police sergeant from Southend, operated by the Police Authority. joined the Publicity Department With a basic administrative where he was contracted to work structure in place, the chairman two days a week in the Museum. pointed out that the Museum would be a shop window for 2. Peter Simpson, Deputy A new museum is born! the Force's archival material as Chief Constable, one of the It was not until 29th July 1991 well as three dimensional exhibits. principal supporters of the that the inaugural meeting of the Police stations across Essex were police museum from its Essex Police Museum committee asked not to destroy anything earliest days until his death was chaired by Peter Simpson, of potential historical interest in 2008. and included a sprinkling of until a member of the Museum local police stations; there was also serving and retired officers of committee had examined it. a magnificent police and military all ranks as well as civilian staff Unfortunately people had historical pageant at Colchester members; two of those present different views of what was and a commemorative service in were serving inspectors who worth keeping, and one of the Chelmsford Cathedral, where the are the authors of this article. most frequent early deposits Essex Police choir made one of Simpson considered the occasion were volumes of Force Orders its first public appearances. to be 'a most momentous and from the early 20th century; Keen to build on the new important meeting to assist in on one occasion 15 copies of official appreciation of Force achieving a goal sought by the same volume arrived in the history was Peter Simpson (Fig. 2) many'.3 He thought the first internal post, the only difference who joined Essex Police as an objective was to form a properly being the name of the police Assistant Chief Constable in May constituted committee with station on the spine! 1981; he became the Deputy officers who would ensure 'we In December 1991 the Chief Constable five years later. do the right things to get the monthly meeting of the Museum Simpson had grown up in Essex museum properly established committee was held for the first where his father was a serving from the outset so that it will time actually in the Museum, officer, but after military service be a permanency'.4 It was also where security doors and a blue had joined Hertfordshire intended from the first to steer light had been fitted; these were Constabulary and worked his way the embryo Museum towards later joined by a cell door from up through the ranks. When he some element of financial inde- one of the first purpose-built found that Maureen was already pendence from the owners of the police stations in the county writing a book on the history of building, the Police Authority. at Dunmow. The renovation Essex Police in her spare time he Planning a museum committee of Southminster magistrates' gained official approval to second began with appointing a president. court and police station released her for some months to the The Chief Constable, John a Victorian charge desk and Publicity Department. Whenever Burrow, recorded his delight at cabinets which formed the basis her services there were not accepting the invitation, and it of a police office display. needed she was required to finish was agreed by the committee Until the Police Authority had her book and bring its coverage that in future years the president been officially informed of the up to the 150th anniversary year. would be an ex officio role for the Museum's existence publicity Her other role was to produce serving chief constable. Peter had been limited, but once this a detailed report on the practicali- Simpson - in his typical self- had taken place there was a good ties of setting up a Force museum effacing way - commented that deal of press interest. Members to include systematic procedures he was quite happy to be the of the public and retired officers and a clear educational role. As first chairman, but didn't wish began to donate potential exhibits, part of her research for the committee members to feel it had although it later transpired that report she visited several other been imposed on them! It had several were delivered anony- police museums where Duncan not; he was formally proposed by mously because officers who had Broady, the professional curator one of the authors of this article, refused an order to destroy items at Greater Manchester Police, was enthusiastically and unanimously had sometimes taken them home particularly helpful.2 appointed, and was to be closely to ensure future preservation!

EssexJOURNAL 26 Spring 2014 EJ Text_Spring Text 2011 12/07/2014 13:53 Page 27

BBC Essex interviewed the Museum's curator and archivist (Fred Feather and Maureen Scollan), and so many listeners phoned in after the initial broad- cast in 1992 that for several months afterwards the two had a regular slot on the afternoon radio show hosted by Steve Scruton. Useful offers of loans and deposits resulted, including the diary of Acting Sergeant French of the Colchester Borough Police river patrol between 1899-1919.5 A subse- quent mention on the radio about the crash of a German Zeppelin at Great Wigborough in 1916 brought an offer to lend the Museum an inscribed pocket watch and other memorabilia from the family of Special Constable Edgar Nicolas (Fig. 3) who had been the first officer on the scene. Museum events and displays were in preparation well before an official opening could be carried out, and that finally took place on 16th October 1992. County Councillor Geoffrey Waterer, then Chairman of the Police Authority, performed the official ceremony and accepted a miniature replica of the plaque 3. Special Constable Edgar Nicolas was the first officer on the scene of which hangs by the Museum's the crash of a German Zeppelin at Great Wigborough in 1916. entrance. are still one of the Museum's Simpson retired in October 1993 One unusual deposit was made most popular exhibits. A he relinquished his role as chair- in 1993 with the arrival from Chelmsford dramatic society man but remained as a trustee Saffron Walden of a stuffed dog has even presented a play on and museum volunteer until his in a glass case. Special Constable the Moat Farm case in its small untimely death in 2008; Tony Tina Robbins was researching theatre and also in the Museum. Peel died suddenly in the same local police history and had seen Several months after the year. Members of the museum the dog in the offices of a local Museum's official opening a management committee, mean- solicitor where it was recognised new Charities Act was passed, while, continue to be appointed as Jack (or sometimes Jacko), and it became necessary to annually at the AGM. the much loved pet of a murder rethink the relationship between victim in 1899. Jack's mistress trustees and the management Publicity and Publications was a wealthy lady named Miss committee. The Act required five Public relations is an important Camille Holland who had lived trustees to be appointed, who part of police work, and from the with Samuel Herbert Dougal in were supposed to take an active very beginning of the Museum Moat Farm at Clavering where part in museum activities. Each that role was partly funded from he was found to have murdered of the five contributed some the public relations budget. Over her and concealed her body. A relevant experience: there was the years this has included creat- photograph already existed in the a retired chief superintendent; a ing special exhibitions within Museum of officers searching for senior member of the police staff; the Force for something specific, Miss Holland's body, and Jack had the chief legal executive of Essex or by giving talks and displays been photographed with them, so County Council; and County at some high profile events both his identity could be confirmed Councillor Tony Peel, son of a inside and outside Essex. One of (Fig. 4). Exhibits and information former chief constable Sir the earliest Museum publications boards on the Moat Farm murder Jonathan Peel. When Peter series is still a popular aspect of its

EssexJOURNAL 27 Spring 2014 EJ Text_Spring Text 2011 12/07/2014 13:53 Page 28

needed a more detailed forward plan and better provision for educational work with children. As the number of deposits was also causing a problem a former police house near the Museum was taken over as a store, despite difficulties with security. Eventually the surplus police houses near Headquarters were sold, and the Museum now has a purpose-adapted store with climate controls nearby. While the administration of the Museum had been run by mainly volunteers the situation changed slightly in 1997-98 after Fred Feather retired as a public relations officer and part-time curator. In November 1998 Elizabeth Farnhill became the Museum's first professional curator when she was appointed to the Publicity Department but worked for two days a week in the Museum. That innovation was followed by a formal tenancy agreement with the Essex Police Authority for leasing the Museum building for ten years at a pepper- corn rent. This has been subse- quently renewed. A legally binding managing agreement between trustees and the Police Authority followed in June 2000. The agreement made the trustees responsible for the day-to-date running of the Museum, with the assistance of a management 4. The police officers investigating the death of Miss Camillle Holland committee comprising the at Moat Farm in Clavering. It is her dog Jack in the front row. curator and other members work. The History Notebook series A new professionalism under the chairmanship of the was seen as a way for a volunteer One of the original objectives for Deputy Chief Constable; the researcher to write a short paper the Museum was to work towards curator had no voting rights. based on some aspect of Force achieving charitable status thus Included in the agreement were history which could be made giving it a measure of independ- all aspects of museum manage- freely available to interested ence from the Police Authority; ment including accreditation, members of the public. The very that in turn would make the displays, finance, education, first Notebook was written by Museum eligible to apply for public opening and care of the Martyn Lockwood and dealt with Heritage Lottery funding (HLF) artefacts to museum standards. the murder of Acting Sergeant for specific projects. Trustees Such an agreement recognised Adam Eves in 1893. Initially and committee members were that the collection was the printed by a local company anxious to take every safeguard property of the Police Authority and paid for from the publicity to ensure that the Museum would and that items for the collection budget, the Notebooks are still pre- be protected against arbitrary would be accepted on behalf pared, although funding problems disbandment, as had happened of the Authority and must have meant that they are now in the 1960s. meet conditions laid down in available on-line and can be By the time of the fourth the Acquisition and Disposal downloaded freely by anyone. The AGM in 1995 members heard Policy. most recent Notebook is number that the Museum had gained pro- Full registration with the 58, on Essex Chief Constables. visional charitable status, but still Museums and Galleries

EssexJOURNAL 28 Spring 2014 EJ Text_Spring Text 2011 12/07/2014 13:53 Page 29

Commission was eventually Beyond the 21st birthday a small shop and a free car park gained in 2002, by which time Celebrations adjacent. The Museum is open at the Museum had already had The Museum celebrated its 21st other times by arrangement for two professional curators. In birthday in September 2013. In lectures and craft programmes. 2005 curator Sarah Ward oversaw November 2012 the government For full details of activities a successful application to the had introduced a new system to and programmes see: HLF for £43,000 to completely replace each county police www.essex.police.uk/museum. refurbish the displays, which took authority with one elected six months to complete. Police and Crime Commissioner References When the Museum re-opened (PCC) in each police district; 1. Maureen Scollan was a special the HLF required regular public that individual is responsible constable while working for over access, which initially took place for setting priorities for the seven years in the Essex Record every Wednesday afternoon. In crime and policing budget and Office. She joined the regular Force in 1971. the year following around 5000 can also appoint and dismiss 2. The book Sworn to Serve: members of the public visited the chief constable. While the Police in Essex 1840-1990, was the Museum, which in September full implications of the new published by Phillimore in 1993 2005 appointed Becky Latchford arrangements in all force areas with all royalties being given to (now Wash) (Fig. 5) as the profes- and government departments the Museum. sional curator; she worked in the are still being explored, they 3. Original minutes of meeting. Museum for two days a week have included various financial 4. Ibid. and in the PR department for reviews and projects to consoli- 5. While the original remains with the remaining three. When the date services and reduce budgets; the French family a copy can be curator's post became full-time this is resulting in a reduction in seen in the Museum. Colchester in 2007, HLF funding allowed staff in some areas. Anticipating was an independent police force until 1947. the employment of an education the government's new system, consultant to create a programme Essex Police had decided in 2011 The authors aimed initially at primary school to make some posts, including Maureen Scollan worked in the children for covering Key Stage that of curator, redundant. Essex Record Office for more than 1 and 2 history and citizenship. However, subsequent meetings seven years and was also a special Over time the regulations have with the Trustees resulted in the constable before joining Essex Police changed, and the Museum is Force offering to part-fund the in 1971, where she eventually retired now developing programmes Museum for three years, as it was as an inspector having worked in to embrace the new regulations. accepted that it had a valuable many different policing roles. She part to play in continuing to pre- holds an MA in Victorian Studies 5. A view of the Moat Farm serve the history of Essex Police, from Birkbeck College, London, and museum display (including a a PhD from the Open University; she stuffed Jack!), with curator and in educating members of the is also the author of Sworn to Serve: Becky Wash standing in public, especially young people, in Police in Essex 1840-1990 and various the witness box. the importance of policing and its published articles. She is currently place in society. The Museum's chairman of the Friends of Historic considerable collections now Essex. include a specialist reference library and original material of Martyn Lockwood joined Essex value for family historians, such Police in 1966 and worked in various as the records of service of officers areas of Essex. He is the author of who served in Essex and some of The Essex Police Force – A History, the forces which were formerly published in 1999, and Murder and Crime in Essex, published in 2011; independent of the county force he has published other articles in a e.g. Colchester and Southend. The variety of publications. He holds an education sessions for children MA in Policing from the University and loans boxes are also very of Exeter and retired as an inspector popular. in 1996. He took over from Maureen as secretary of the Police Museum in Visiting the Museum, 1994 and currently continues in that registered charity 1042055 role. He is also a committee member The Museum is based at Police of the Friends of Historic Essex and Headquarters in Springfield and is chairman of the High Country open to the public every Saturday History Group. from 10am to 4pm; there is no charge although donations are very welcome! Facilities include disabled access and toilet facilities,

EssexJOURNAL 29 Spring 2014 EJ Text_Spring Text 2011 12/07/2014 13:53 Page 30

Obituary

Brian Burton (1926-2013)

rian Burton, President of the Essex long-standing and active supporter of the Archaeological and Historical Congress South Ockendon Community Forum (a networking B(‘Essex Congress’) from 2007 to 2010 and group of residents). As a committed Christian in later a stalwart supporter of Essex heritage and culture, life he played an active role in his local church of died suddenly on 27th December 2013 at the All Saints Belhus Park. age of 87. It was his love of history and Essex, in particular, Born at North Woolwich on 9th October 1926, for which Brian is so affectionately known to us. Brian was the elder of two sons and grew up in He became a prominent member of the Thurrock this area of London. He often swam in the docks Local History Society and especially championed with his brother until he was evacuated to South the cause of the Coalhouse Fort Project (a voluntary Wales at the outset of World War II. After leaving group established in 1983 to save an important school at the age of 15 he moved to Mold, near coastal defence at East Tilbury following its purchase Chester, where his mother had settled following by Thurrock Council in 1962). His other county the destruction of the family café during the Blitz. activities included serving on the committee of He worked in an administrative capacity at the The Friends of Historic Essex and having a local police station and in an aircraft factory significant involvement with the Essex Branch manufacturing Wellington bombers prior to call-up of the Historical Association. However, it in 1944 under the National Service (Armed Forces) was his association with Essex Congress that Act 1939. Joining the Royal Navy he trained as a brought him to the fore. It was especially gratifying coder and, having missed the conflict in Europe, when Brian agreed to serve as Vice-Chairman from completed his service at H.M.S. Highflyer, 2001-4 at a time when Dorothy Lockwood and I a shore establishment at Trincomalee, Ceylon served as Chairman and President respectively. (now Sri Lanka) and the home port of the I remember with considerable fondness that ‘strategy Eastern Fleet of the Royal Navy following the meetings’ were held at Dorothy’s then home of fall of Singapore in 1942. Following demobilisation 10 Alloa Road in Goodmayes. Brian demonstrated he joined the Palestine Police and served in the his care and dedication, combined with his generous Force until the independent state of Israel was disposition, by frequently travelling to and from established upon the termination of the British these evening meetings having left home from Mandate of Palestine in 1948. South Ockendon and travelling via Witham and Returning to Britain he secured a job as a Writtle to collect the Secretary and Assistant lab technician at Imperial College London where Secretary respectively. This necessitated covering he studied and gained his H.N.C. qualifications in a distance of some 136 miles and all at his own the Electronic and Communications field. It was expense. He went on to serve as Chairman from here that he met Margaret Coatsworth whom he 2004-7 and President from 2007-10. Brian will married in 1950. David, their elder child, was born also be remembered for editing the Newsletter a year later prompting a move to a new house at and arranging the highly successful Archaeological South Ockendon. Shortly afterwards, Brian joined Symposium well beyond his period in office. the Transmission Development Department at Brian was a man of intellect, boundless energy the B.B.C. developing equipment to enable the and deep commitment with an insatiable love of life. Corporation to broadcast throughout the It was a pleasure to have known him and he will be United Kingdom. In 1963, he was appointed greatly missed. as a lecturer in Electronics and Communications at Thurrock Technical College. His daughter, Joy Martin Stuchfield was also born at this time. Brian spent the remainder of his career developing telecommunication courses primarily for apprentices from Marconi and Standard Telephones and Cables. He gained an outstanding reputation for the College and became Head of Electrical Engineering prior to early retirement. Brian’s interests were many and varied. He took enormous satisfaction from engaging with young and old alike. His activities included becoming an officer in the local Sea Cadets based at Tilbury Docks where he helped youngsters develop an interest in communications and the Navy. He was a

EssexJOURNAL 30 Spring 2014 EJ Text_Spring Text 2011 12/07/2014 13:53 Page 31

Obituary Major William Alfred Hewitt, T.D., A.C.I.B. (1923-2013)

illiam (Bill) Hewitt, Vice-President I counted myself as very privileged to be invited of the Essex Society for Archaeology as Bill’s guest to attend the annual City of London Wand History (‘ESAH’), died on Regiments Royal Artillery dinner for several 19th December 2013 at the age of 90 having successive years until these ceased due to declining been confined to home for the last two years numbers resulting from the age profile of the of his life following a hip operation. membership. These most enjoyable gatherings took Bill was Essex born and bred and attracted place in the wonderful Georgian surroundings of considerable respect and admiration from all who the Royal Artillery Barracks at Woolwich. It was knew and worked with him. He represented the on these occasions that it was possible to witness third generation of his family to be born in Romford Bill’s training, encompassing his thoroughness for when he entered the world on 21st October 1923. detail, at first hand. Having been shown to the He was educated at Brentwood School and officers’ quarters on arrival he would immediately in December 1939 took up a position with undertake a reconnaissance mission in order to Midland Bank whilst also undertaking service ascertain if any pertinent changes had taken place in the Home Guard. since the last visit – even to the point of establishing He was called up in 1942 and in August 1943 evacuation points in the event of an emergency received a commission in the Royal Regiment and confirming the location of essential facilities. of Artillery as a second Lieutenant. As a young This meticulous approach frequently paid dividends gunnery officer he took part in the allied invasion when guests, especially ladies, requested information of Italy by the 8th Army and witnessed the concerning the location of the ‘powder room’! aftermath of the battle to capture Monte Cassino Bill was uniquely placed to be able to answer whilst liberating fast swathes of the country un-hesitatingly. Lessons that I was pleased to learn before reaching the north-eastern city of Padua in and continue to use to very great advantage when April 1945. Following Victory in Europe he served in organising events or functions. This was, of course, Greece prior to transferring to the Territorial Army in addition to Bill being a most convivial host. in 1947. In the Army Reserve he was promoted to He greatly cherished his association with the the rank of Captain in 1950, awarded the Territorial Royal Artillery that engendered a fierce loyalty Decoration in 1955 and further promoted to Major and a sense of belonging. Bill was never happier in 1957; he retired in 1959. After the War he resumed when recounting his wartime exploits to a very his career with Midland Bank becoming manager willing and admiring listener. of the branch in Albert Road, Woolwich and His funeral took place on 7th January 2014 at ultimately assuming responsibility for the Gidea Park St. Edward’s Church in the market place at Romford branch. where in 1949 he married his devoted Jean whom Following retirement, Bill embarked upon a new he had known from childhood and where their career supporting Essex historical charitable causes. two daughters were also baptised. Many from the He valued the Essex Record Office and became field of Essex archaeology and history attended a stalwart member of The Friends of Historic Essex the service in thanksgiving for the long life of a who acknowledged his contribution with a comrade who was well liked, totally dependable, Vice-Presidency. However, it was to ESAH that and an example to us all. he made his most tangible contribution utilising his significant skills to very great effect. He joined the Martin Stuchfield Society in 1984 and, having been elected to the Council in 1990, was invited by the late Ray Powell to establish a Publications Development Fund (subsequently renamed as the Publication and Research Fund “PRF”) to support the research and publication of historical and archaeological papers. The PRF was duly launched in March 1993 to coincide with the 140th anniversary of the Society. The Fund exceeded all expectations during Bill’s tenure as Secretary increasing more than tenfold to over£50,000 during a thirteen-year period. When the Society faced a crisis with the sudden resignation of the Hon. Treasurer in 1995 he stepped ‘into the breach’ and was called upon on subsequent occasions.

EssexJOURNAL 31 Spring 2014 EJ Text_Spring Text 2011 12/07/2014 13:53 Page 32

Obituary Deborah Peers (1970-2014)

first met Debbie In March 2006 when I was her to take early retirement. We all hoped that with interviewed at ERO for the post of Heritage her partner Mark she would be able to realize her IDevelopment Manager with Essex County wish to move to the West Country, and even perhaps Council, and Debbie showed me around. My to complete her PhD on James Joyce. Sadly this was immediate first impression was that she must be not to be, and she died in February of this year in a most capable Publications and Audience her early 40s, much to the sorrow of everyone who Development Officer. After I was appointed and knew her. started working with Debbie as her line manager Although Debbie is no longer with us her work that first impression was constantly reinforced, and and spirit is embedded in everything she did and contributed to my enjoyment of working with her everyone she worked with. So let us remember her at ERO. when we pick up an ERO publication, attend a Debbie’s abilities combined qualities that made workshop or exhibition or log onto an Essex her so successful in her two demanding and varied Community Archive. Thank you Debbie. roles. Bringing to the position of Publications Officer her enthusiasm for history and archives together Stuart Warburton with her love of literature, she skilfully managed the production of major works including The Medieval Debbie – a salute Mercenary and The Impact of Catastrophe. At the same Monday 10th February was one of those days that time she embraced new ways of working in a digital you just dread. For those of us who were on duty age, and in 2007 masterminded the first ERO digital that morning we knew that very shortly we would publication, a booklet commemorating the 400th have to dash away from work to say goodbye to a anniversary of Jamestown, Virginia. It was her idea very good friend and colleague – Debbie Peers. It to publish it virtually to sell to customers as a digital was also one of those funny days when the weather version, a format novel at the time but which has couldn’t make up its mind and we seemed to have since become widespread. Let us also remember her several seasons over the course of an hour – wipers commitment to the Friends of Historic Essex and on, wipers off. As we drove towards the West Suffolk her lively editorship of their Newsletter. Crematorium at Bury St Edmunds I mentally These skills were complemented in Debbie’s counted off the towns we had to travel through – second role as Audience Development Officer, Braintree, Halstead, Sudbury… When we arrived, where she demonstrated her ability to work with the assembled company were fortunate to be bathed many people, whether professional, amateur or in sunshine, just in time for the service. volunteers, and to impart her enthusiasm to them. I worked with Debbie at ERO for the duration She threw herself into producing a varied and of her employment and in that time she proved to interesting annual programme of ERO events and be a very able, intelligent and witty colleague but outreach exhibitions and workshops. She was liked more importantly a good friend. At work Debbie and respected by all who had dealings with her, was a great enthusiast for arranging outreach events, who found her always professional, friendly and getting out and about in the county. I had a lovely helpful. afternoon with her promoting the ERO at Halstead One of Debbie’s projects that has been particularly Library – a bitter/sweet memory when we drove successful and may be regarded as her legacy is the past it on the day of her funeral. development of the Essex Community Archive Debbie also loved life. Many were the times Network. Working with Sue Hampson and other that we snuck out for a slightly boozy lunch, library colleagues, together they planned, raised when things got just too much – lunches which the grants, delivered and mentored the South I remember as full of laughter and (just a little) Essex Community Archive. Debbie’s friendly and scandalous conversation! Many of us also used to knowledgeable personality inspired confidence in go out to the pub, and various beer festivals, and the many volunteers in the project to carry it during these Debbie, and her mate Ash, used to forward at a local level. drink some horrible looking, thick, black, dark Debbie had many more innovative and beers (too much for me!) – indeed they seemed community focused plans which I was keen to to thrive on the stuff although it didn’t seem develop with her. Although these can sadly not to improve the pool playing! There we were, now be realized under her guidance, I am sure she all friends together, all fun, all laughs. would wish the same dynamic approach to her So the ERO and Records Management Crowds work to continue in other hands. will no longer go a roving with Debbie but I know Debbie became ill in the summer of 2011 and we all raise a glass to her memory – our friend. when she realized that she would not be able to return to work the County Council arranged for Neil Wiffen

EssexJOURNAL 32 Spring 2014 EJ Text_Spring Text 2011 12/07/2014 13:53 Page 33

Book Reviews

J.R. Smith, inhabitants The Borough of Maldon 1688-1800: petitioned the Admiralty for Firth’s a Golden Age, removal, claiming pp.xviii & 532. ISBN 978-1-85858-513-0, that if he remained Brewin Books, 2013, £35.00. in the town any Available from Crackbone Books, in Ansell & Sons, 5 High Street, longer, trade in Maldon, CM9 5PB. coal and corn would completely .R. Smith is a former Essex Record Office dry up. Jarchivist, perhaps best known as the author of The Though the Speckled Monster, a historical account of smallpox, and quays were only the attempts to control it in Essex. His new book has accessible at high had a long gestation, dating back to the 1970s when tide, coastal shipping he was approached by the late Bill Petchey to work was of great impor- on a sequel to that historian’s Prospect of Maldon tance to the town’s which was published in 1991 and covered the town’s economy. Cargoes history up to 1689. In his introduction Smith notes were mostly agri- that his sequel is intended for two groups of readers – cultural produce Maldonians with a particular interest in their own and timber, and town, and a wider audience interested in English coal, which became urban history. an increasingly Only a brief glimpse at the formidable list of important fuel in references at the end of each chapter is required Essex during the period covered by this book. Smith to show the thoroughness with which Smith has details the town’s opposition to the construction of researched this history. After an introduction to the the Chelmer navigation which it correctly feared geographical and economic background of the town, would take away much of the town’s maritime trade each chapter examines a particular theme, ranging by providing direct access to Chelmsford by water. from aspects of the town’s government to particular In the period studied, the trade in timber was both trades and professions, and its social and educational significant and varied. Large quantities of Essex oak organisations. Wherever possible, Smith has identified went through Maldon to the shipyards in Whitby the buildings occupied by the individuals he and vast amounts of wood were provided for the describes, often illustrated by an old image or a construction and repair of Essex’s sea walls - over 17 modern photograph. This will be very informative years, some 96,000 timber piles were sent to Foulness for residents interested in the history of their own island, for example. The import of various types of properties, though there is no house by house softwood from Scandinavia grew steadily from the gazetteer (such as that provided by Hilda Grieve turn of the eighteenth century. for Chelmsford) to make it easier to glean this Shortage of housing was a problem for the information from the text. There is a good index growing town, as it was surrounded by agricultural (including a separate one for personal names) though land, too rich to sacrifice, or marsh prone to flood, the less important buildings do not appear in the leaving very little space for new development. This main index. Nevertheless much information about resulted in the frequent adaptation of existing build- the town’s individual buildings and their occupants ings by subdividing houses, or adding extensions. during the ‘long eighteenth century’ can be gleaned Smith describes a number of examples and suggests from careful reading. that the ready availability of imported softwood may For the general reader (into which category this have delayed the introduction of brick into house reviewer falls) the development of the town, its trades construction. and its professional services is of considerable interest. Several chapters are devoted to the town’s gover- One example is the trend to move away from stalls nance, and to the political background, which led (subject to market tolls and restricted trading hours) to the dissolution of the town corporation in 1769. into permanent shops, thereby avoiding the market By that date, it had become very corrupt, its largest restrictions. Another is the way in which inns became item of expenditure being feasts for its privileged central to a wide range of business activities and members. Its passing was probably regretted by few dealings. Smith also describes the fluctuations of the and appears to have had no significant effect on economic fortunes of the town which sometimes the economy of the town. For the next half-century, came from an unexpected quarter. In 1778 Lt John all the functions of the old corporation were Forth was sent to Maldon to carry out the very devolved to the vestries of the three parishes of unpopular practice of pressing men for service in the Maldon, or to the Quarter Sessions in Chelmsford. navy. This resulted in a marked downturn in trade as However no new freemen could be nominated and, men - and shipping - avoided the town for fear of by 1807, their number had fallen to 80, with only 11 being conscripted After three months a group of resident in the town. There was a real prospect that

EssexJOURNAL 33 Spring 2014 EJ Text_Spring Text 2011 12/07/2014 13:53 Page 34

EJ Book ReviewsBook Reviews

within a few years there would be no-one left to period. A lighter touch is provided by extracts elect the town’s two MPs and, following a petition to from Maldon’s own diarist, John Crozier junior, the Privy Council, the charter for a new corporation which illuminate and enliven the descriptions of was granted in 1810. town life. The book has certainly met the two objec- This is a thoroughly detailed and referenced book, tives that Smith set for himself in his introduction - derived from a large number of sources, and will be as well as providing a model for other town studies - an invaluable model for those tackling the histories and is a worthy sequel to Bill Petchey’s Prospect of of similar market towns, particularly those lucky Maldon. enough to retain detailed borough or corporation records. For Maldonians it will provide an invaluable Michael Leach insight into the history of the town during this Brian Buxton, The household of At The House of Thomas Poyntz, Thomas Poyntz in Antwerp must have Published by the author, 2013 been busy as the author ISBN 9780992673604 suggests; with Poyntz, his pp.91. wife and four children, Copies available at £10.00 + £2.75 p & p from Swan Books, 27 along with Tyndale, Corbets Tey Road, Upminster, RM14 2AR, 01708222930 or online his supporters, and the from www.swanbooks.co.uk. general comings and goings of merchants his self-published volume is about the Essex man and guests. The author TThomas Poyntz and how he got caught up in makes extensive use of the betrayal of William Tyndale and the effects that it other texts that have had on him and his family. been written on the William Tyndale was a translator of the New final years of Tyndale’s Testament in the early sixteenth century. He succeed- life and the period at ed in translating it into English and it was published the house of Poyntz using the printing press. The spread of the printing in Antwerp. However, press through Europe at the end of the fifteenth Buxton has been very century was the catalyst for the spread of the book careful when quoting his and enabled the success of the translation. Tyndale’s sources by mentioning translation was published around 1525, a few years where certain events are after the publication of Martin Luther’s The Ninety- conjecture, which is very refreshing and professional Five Theses in 1517. The Tyndale translation and those of the author. based on it were used extensively in the compilation Whilst lodging with Poyntz, William Tyndale was of the King James Bible in 1611. captured and imprisoned. A good part of the book is Both William Tyndale and Martin Luther were devoted to the betrayal of William Tyndale by Henry key figures in the reformation movement in Europe. Phillips. Phillips seems to have organised the capture They were both striving for change within the of Tyndale by luring him from the house of Thomas Catholic Church. Tyndale wanted people to be able Poyntz in 1535. However, Phillips was not present to have their own relationship with God and they for the execution (by strangulation) of Tyndale as a obviously couldn’t do this without access to the bible heretic in the low countries during 1536. Buxton (which was in Latin with access strictly controlled by covers the events leading up to and around Tyndale’s the clergy). Luther on the other hand, objected to the death very well and covers all of the available Church’s use of Indulgences, which allowed wealthy evidence. people to buy their way into heaven. As well as focussing on Tyndale’s time with Brian Buxton’s book is a labour of love and an Poyntz, the author gives a well-researched account authoritative text on the life of Thomas Poyntz. He of the Poyntz family and the impact that Tynadale’s was born in the 1490s in Essex and was a merchant association had on Poyntz. The family’s connections in the early sixteenth century, conducting his business with Essex are well researched and explained clearly. from London and Antwerp. Thomas married a The author provides a good history of the Poyntz girl from Antwerp and set up a home there where family from the available information. From he may have rented out rooms to other English my perspective, I found it interesting to see the merchants. Certainly, William Tyndale seems to have beginnings of the reformation and translation of lodged with him and it is this period that the book the bible, from the position of Thomas Poyntz; focusses on. Tyndale lodged with Poyntz after he had a man not directly involved in either action. already translated the New Testament into English and would have been working on a much-asked-for Jason Townsend revised and corrected version of the translation.

EssexJOURNAL 34 Spring 2014 EJ Text_Spring Text 2011 12/07/2014 13:53 Page 35

EJ Book ReviewsBook Reviews

Arthur Stanley Newens, (which later In Quest of a Fairer Society: earned a reputation for militancy), My Life and Politics, accepted this pp.395. ISBN 978-1-84104-564-1, unquestioningly, The Memoir Club, 2013, £20 hardback + but the author £3-25 p&p, £12 paperback + £3-00 p&p. strove hard to encourage them Available from the publisher, and from the author at 18 Park Hill, to stand up for Harlow, CM17 0AE their rights and was active in n this book, the author begins with his earliest taking up their Imemories of family life in the East End of London grievances with in the 1930s and proceeds though his education, the management. his move to North Weald in World War Two, and the At the end of formative influences which led to his growing his mining stint he awareness of politics and the wider world outside returned to teach- his family circle. He was strongly imbued with the ing but remained work ethic in his upbringing. Though his father was politically very very supportive of his aspiration to proceed to the active. Reading sixth form and university, he was expected to assist the account of his in the garden at weekends, and to earn modest wages obvious dedication as a casual farm labourer in the holidays. From an as a teacher, his early age he had a very strong moral sense, refusing, avid reading and for example, to eat some black market pork that his his involvement in father had obtained. Initially a Liberal supporter, he a range of political developed firmly held socialist views which were activities, one can only envy his drive. He was a driven by his strong social conscience. When he firm believer in the now neglected art of canvassing became active in the local Labour party this caused the electorate and 'knocking up' supporters on problems with his family – who strongly disapproved polling day, and reckoned to have visited every house of socialism – and with some North Weald residents. in the Epping constituency (the second largest in the It is difficult now to understand the intensely hostile country) before winning back the seat for Labour in attitude towards the Labour party which resulted, for 1964. He found the arcane traditions of Parliament example, in the villagers burning an effigy of the surprising, as well as the cynicism of some older Labour MP for Epping after her defeat in the 1950 members, one of whom told him ‘you don't want election. In 1952 his family paid for a notice in the to think you can get anything done in here.’ West Essex Gazette dissociating themselves from his Apart from a four year gap, he remained a Labour socialist views. MP (later representing Harlow after boundary It is clear that he found university very stimulat- reorganisation) until 1983. When he lost his seat he ing, both the teaching and the vigorous discussions stood for, and was elected, MEP for Central London with his fellow students. He already possessed an which he represented until his retirement in 1999. enormous affinity for reading a very wide range Always to the left of the Labour party, he was of material. After a degree in history and a stint on involved in most of the key political events of a building site (where he learnt Polish from his the latter part of the twentieth century, such as fellow workers) he trained as a teacher and then the Suez invasion, the Aldermaston marches, abolition taught history and English in an inner London of capital punishment, the Vietnam war, the Falklands school. Though commuting from North Weald, he invasion, and many more to which this review continued his political activities in his spare time, cannot possibly do justice. As an MEP he travelled in spite of local hostility and occasional verbal abuse widely, and stood out against injustices in many on the streets. Though not a conscientious objector, of the countries that he visited. He was never he was strongly opposed to the British involvement intimidated into suppressing his views, and was in Korea and in 1952 he opted to work for four prepared to disobey the party whip on matters of years as a coal miner in lieu of the obligatory two conviction or conscience, as a result of which he years military service. was never offered a ministerial post. All the while, Conditions in the Nottingham coal mines were he worked assiduously and loyally for the benefit harsh, dirty and dangerous. Miners were expected of the electorate that he represented. In addition, to provide their own tools, and the system of piece it is difficult not to note his political prescience in work payment meant that their wages were cut if predicting the unintended consequences of a number there was an unexpected roof fall, or delays for any of ill-considered government initiatives. other reason outside their control. Most workers, After the recent adverse publicity over the as well as the National Union of Mineworkers corruption of a number of our representatives and

EssexJOURNAL 35 Spring 2014 EJ Text_Spring Text 2011 12/07/2014 13:53 Page 36

EJ Book ReviewsBook Reviews

their misuse of their parliamentary expenses, it is far author's unstinting dedication to the people he served. too easy to be cynical about politicians. This book The book is well illustrated with photographs is strongly recommended for anyone holding such chronicling his career; it has a personal name index views, as the author's integrity, his interest in a wide though the addition of subject titles would have range of issues, and his readiness to confront wrongful been helpful, and there are a few editorial lapses. decisions, and a willingness to negotiate for compro- But neither of these minor quibbles detracts from mise without betraying his own principles, is apparent an inspiring account of a life devoted, as the title throughout his career. It is excellent, too, in providing implies, to the quest for a fairer society. insights into the important events of the last half century. But most of all it is inspiring to read of the Michael Leach

Paul Wreyford, Inventors and The A-Z of curious Essex: innovators also feature: Chelmsford can claim a strange stories of mysteries, close association with crimes and eccentrics, Guglielmo Marconi of pp.160. ISBN 978-0-7524-8986-5, course, but there were The History Press, 2013, £12.99. earlier pioneers. Thomas Tusser in the sixteenth century came from n his introduction Mr Wreyford describes this as Rivenhall. His rhyming ‘a book for curious people about all things curious I poem 500 points of in Essex’,and he has certainly collected a fine range of Good Husbandry had a facts, legends and perhaps fiction to inform and entertain considerable influence the reader. on farming methods, The contents are arranged as a gazetteer, not quite though its success from A-Z, but from Abberton to Writtle, with one or came too late for the more curious accounts for each. Thus you may start unfortunate author who from your home area and see if you know the local died in a debtors’ prison. strange story, or dip into the book at random. William Harvey, first to Subjects covered include those related to people, discover the circulation places, events or legends. Journal readers may already of the blood, came from be familiar with some of the curiosities, e.g. with John Hempstead, and Henry Winstanley, who built the first Bright, the fat man of Maldon, John Salter, doctor and Eddystone lighthouse, from Saffron Walden. diarist of Tolleshunt d’Arcy, the Colchester earthquake Essex also has its fair share of crafty villains; read on of 1884, and the nuclear bunker at Kelvedon Hatch. to find the connection between John Palmer and Dick But while no doubt you know that Cressing Temple Turpin the highwayman, originally from Hempstead. was founded by the Knights Templar, did you also know And how did the notorious smuggler, William ‘Hard that the manor of Little Maplestead was once owned Apple’ Blyth of Paglesham, manage to avoid detection by the Order of the Knights Hospitaller who there built for so long? Read this entry too for details of the last a round church modelled on the rotunda church of days of a famous ship. the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem? And you may well No book about Essex would be complete without have visited Langleys at Great Waltham, but did you stories of witches (see Canewdon, Coggeshall and know of the mysterious death there of Miss Lee in the Colchester) and the supernatural (hauntings at St Anne’s seventeenth century? Castle, Great Leighs, Layer Marney and Hadleigh Castle), Famous people whose association with Essex may and the Devil himself at Runwell. And after his death not be generally known include John Locke at High Laver, the late churchwarden had a surprise for the congregation John Evelyn at Warley Place, Nell Gywn at Newport, of Stondon Massey... and the explorer David Livingstone at Ongar. King Louis I could continue, but will leave you to make your own XVIII of France, while in exile, lived at Gosfield Hall for discoveries, impress your friends, or perhaps even devise an two years. Richard Cromwell, son of Oliver and briefly Essex quiz! Lord Protector in succession to him, attended Felsted School: the entry explains his connection with the Jenepher Hawkins nursery rhyme ‘Hickory, Dickory Dock.’

Your Book Reviewers are: Jenepher Hawkins, the EJ Membership Sectretary; Michael Leach, a retired GP and local historian; Jason Townsend, a local history enthusiast who is currently helping with the production of the Essex Journal.

EssexJOURNAL 36 EJ 20 Questions? Hannah Salisbury

Hannah Salisbury was born in Harold Wood in 1986, and grew up in Kelvedon Hatch. She went to school in South Weald and Shenfield

before studying for a BA in History at Downing (Photograph,H. Salisbury) College, Cambridge, 2006-9, and then an MA in Cultural Heritage Studies at UCL in 2010-11. Hannah first came to the Essex Record Office on school work experience in 2003 and from 2006 worked on a casual basis. She has been doing outreach and engagement work for ERO since 2012. This means that Hannah is always looking for new people to introduce to ERO, and for new ways of helping people to use and 11. Which four people from the past would you enjoy our collections, whether they are 5 or 95. invite to dinner? Vera Brittain, Thomas Cromwell, and a servant named Ann White who worked at Audley End in the 1700s; at ERO we have a bastardy 1. What is your favourite historical period? bond that records Ann having a child with an Italian I used to think I’d like to live in the past, but realised painter, Biagio Rebecca. I wonder how things panned I’m much happier living with modern medicine, out for her as a single mother then? Also one of the dentistry, and plumbing. For study, I’ve always been early European settlers in America. interested in the Great War - it’s so extreme and vast. 12. What is your favourite food? The EJ’s editor 2. Tell us what Essex means to you? Home. makes an amazing bruschetta with chopped tomatoes, Access to London and to beautiful countryside and olive oil, salt and basil, and garlic rubbed onto toasted historic towns. And a challenge – to persuade people slices of baguette. I’d have to say that. that it’s not all TOWIE. 13. The history book I am currently reading 3. What historical mystery would you most like is... Diana Souhami’s recent biography of Edith to know? It would be interesting to know what the Cavell. I knew about her tragic death, but nothing Queen thinks of some of the people she has known. about her life. Finding out what led to her occupied How does she think Blair measures up to Churchill? Belgium where she helped Allied soldiers to escape is 4. My favourite history book is... If I can only really interesting. have one, Robert Harris’s Enigma, a novel set in 14. What is your favourite quote from history? Bletchley Park, is something I’ve read over and over ‘Somewhat shall I encomber you with my babling’, in again. a letter from Stephen Gardiner to Lord Protector 5. What is your favourite place in Essex? Somerset. The place I visit most often for enjoyment is South 15. Favourite historical film? How about a TV Weald park. It’s close to my home and has woodland, two-parter? Longitude, the story of John Harrison’s open space, a lake, ducks, and deer. I also enjoy the clocks and the longitude prize, based on Dava Sobel’s historic towns like Saffron Walden and Thaxted, and book, which I also enjoyed. Then I went to university the variety of our county. We have everything from and realised all of the things wrong with it! stately homes to huge container ports. 16. What is your favourite building in Essex? 6. How do you relax? I got into photography a Audley End. I did some research for English Heritage few years ago, and now have far more pictures of on the lives of the servants who worked there, so it ducks, swans, leaves and odd architectural features has more significance for me as a result. than I will ever need. 17. What past event would you like to have 7. What are you researching at the moment? seen? Not an event as such, but I would have loved At work, a wide variety of things but currently Essex to have seen London 100 years ago, before all the during the First World War. One of my jobs is to high rises, and when the Thames was full of ships. keep our blog updated, and that includes highlighting interesting items from our collection. 18. How would you like to be remembered? Hopefully as someone kind and helpful. 8. My earliest memory is... Being at playgroup in our local village hall. 19. Who inspires you to read or write or research history? I was really lucky to have a 9. What is your favourite song/piece of music great dissertation supervisor as an undergraduate, Dr and why? I love Ralph Vaughan Williams’s The Lark Alexander Watson. Since leaving university it’s been Ascending. I loved it the first time I heard it. good being at the ERO, surrounded by other people 10. If you could travel back in time which event with a variety of historical interests and specialisms. would you change? My grandmother’s father dying 20. Most memorable historical date? when she was just 18 months old, as a result of which 4th August 1914 – when Britain joined the First she grew up in a Victorian-style orphanage. World War.

EssexJOURNAL 37