Church Goods Sold by 1548

An extract from ….

EMBEZZLED CHURCH GOODS OF ESSEX.

BY EDWARD PERCIVAL DICKIN, M.D.

{Transcribed for the internet from the Transactions of the Essex Archaeological Society (now the Essex Society for Archaeology and History), ‘New Series’ Volume 13 Part 3 (1913). The text as originally published shows the original script with variable spelling.  In this item we have added in curly brackets (thus {}) the modern spelling of the words, which researchers may more easily find from search engines.  We welcome your feedback.}

THE church goods of Essex have received considerable attention in the Society's Transactions. The late Mr. H. W. King's transcripts of inventories of confiscated church goods were printed in vols. iv. and v. (o.s.) and in vols. i., ii., and iii. (n.s.). Mr. R. C. Fowler and Mr. W. C. Waller printed some further inventories in vols. x. and xi. respectively. These all referred to goods taken into the king's hands in 1552, and in some cases the goods previously sold are also named.

The following transcript (the Essex part only of S.P.D. Edw. VI., vol. v., no. 59) refers to the goods which the churchwardens and parishioners had sold by 1548. The Essex parishes number one hundred and fifteen, and are distributed fairly equally over the county. The MS. is apparently a copy of the original certificates. The goods named in some parishes are mentioned in the later inventories already named, but in most the information is additional. The chief interest lies in the uses to which the money received was put. Some was of course used for church repairs, and for removing the signs of the old religion, but it will be seen that much was used for a great variety of secular purposes. Contractions in the MS. have been extended and a little punctuation added to make the sense clearer.

 [P. 33.]  THE DEANERY OF BARSTABLE

HUTTON. John Smith, Barnard Roos, Churchwardens doo say that he the same Barnard Roos and John hatter being Churchwardens there dyd sell of the church plate there one [sic] Croose and one chalyce for the somme of vjli. And they say That parte of the same Somme was bestowed in repayring the churche parte in amending the highwayes parte in setting forth of Souldyers and parte thereof yet still remayneth unbestowed which was soulde as they say abowte Easter last past.

{HUTTON.  John Smith, Bernard Roos, Churchwardens do say that he the same Bernard Roos and John Hatter being churchwardens there did sell off the church plate there one Cross and one chalice for the sum of £6. And they say that part of the same sum was bestowed in repairing the church part in amending the highway part in setting forth soldiers and part thereof yet still remains unspent which was sold as they say about Easter last past.}

BURSTEDDE MAGNA. William Harryes, John Bowyour, Churchwardens Doo presente and say That Thomas Wattis and Thomas Wolnur by the consent of parryshe dyd sell of the church plate there a senser, a shippe, ij. Sylver paxes, and a chalyce for the Somme of xijli. xiijs iiijd., whereof they say they haue layed owte and bestowed ixli. xiijs. iiijd. partelie emongest poore fookes, partelie for the reparcions of the churche, and partelie for the Churche debte, which was soulde as they say in the moneth of ffebruary anno 1545.

{GREAT BURSTEAD.  William Harris, John Bowyer, Churchwardens do present and say that Thomas Wattis and Thomas Woolnor by the consent of the parish did sell off the church plate there a senser, a shippe[1], 2 silver paxes, and a chalice for the sum of £12.8s.4d. whereof they say they have laid out and bestowed £9.8s.4d. partly among the poor folks, partly for the reparations of the church and partly for the church debt, which was sold as they say in the month of February 1545.}

LYTLE BURSTEDDE. John Dyer, Thomas Fenner, Churchwardens, doo say That he the same Thomas Fenner and John Stewarde with the consent of the parryshe hathe sold one chalyce of the churches for the Somme of iijli. ixs. ixd. whereof remayneth in thandis of certayne men of the same parryshe lvjs. viijd. And the resydue of the same money was gyven emongest poore people which was sould as they say at mydsommer was twelf moneth.

{LITTLE BURSTEAD. John Dyer, John Fenner, Churchwardens do say that he the same Thomas Fenner and John Stewarde with the consent of the parish have sold one chalice of the church for the sum of £3.9s.9d. whereof remains in the hands of certain men of the same parish 55s.8.d And the residue of the same money was given among poor people which was sold as they say at midsummer was twelve month.}

 [p. 37.] THE DEANERYES OF ONGO[R], CHAFFORDE, CHELMESFORDE, AND DENGEY.

{THE DEANERIES OF ONGAR, CHAFFORD, CHELMSFORD, AND DENGIE}

CHYGWELL. Roberte Woode, Laurence Mundis, Churchewardens Doo saye That they haue sold certayne candlestyckes of latten belonging to the said churche for whiche they have receaued the Somme of xviijs. whiche Somme they say ys employed upon the reparacions of the same churche.

{CHIGWELL. Robert Wood, Laurence Munds, Churchwardens do say that they have sold certain candlesticks of brass belonging to the said church for which they have received the sum of 18s. which sum they say is employed upon the reparations of the same church.}

WARELEY MAGNA. Robert Marrowe, parson, Rychard Nelson, Churchwarden and Rychard brighte Doo say that they with the advyse of the parryshe there hath sold so manny latten Candelstyckis of the saide churche as came to the Somme of xxixs. ijd. which Somme remayneth holle in the saide churchewardens handes as they say.

{GREAT WARLEY.  Robert Marrowe, parson, Richard Nelson, Churchwarden and Richard Bright do say that they with the advice of the parish there have sold do many brass candlesticks of the said church as came to the sum of 29s.2d. which sum remains wholly in the said churchwardens hands as they say.}

BADOWE MAGNA. Rychard hyckes, Lawrence Spylman, Churchwardens there doo saye That Roberte Kinge, James Drylande, John Postill, and Robert Sturgeon, parryshenours there did sell their parcells of plate folowinge; a Chalyce all gylte wayeng xix. vunces dimidium at iiijs. vjd. the unce … Summa iiijli. vijs. ixd.

Item, A shyppe of sylver parcell gylte and a lytle spoone wayenge vj. vunces dimidium at iiijs. ijd. the vunce, two silver sawcers parcell gylte wayenge vj vnces dimidium at iiijs. ijd. the vnce, ij. Cruettis parcell gylte wayenge x. vnces at iiijs. ijd. the vnce … … Summa xvijli. xvjs. vid.[? xiijli. vjs. 4d.]

All whiche money they saye ys bestowed vpon the reparacions of the churche allso sold fyfite pounds of latten ijd. the libra. Summa viiijs. iiijd. with as moche latten as came to vs. iiijd.

{GREAT BADDOW.  Richard Hyckes, Lawrence Spylman Churchwardens there do say that Robert King, James Drylande, John Postill, and Robert Sturgeon, parishioners there did sell their parcels of plate following: a chalice all gilded weighing 19½ ounces at 4s.6d. per ounce … Sum £4.7s.9d.

Item, A shippe of silver partly gilded and a little spoon weighing 6½ ounces at 4s.2d. the ounce, two silver saucers partly gilded weighing 6½ ounces at 4s.2d. the ounce, 2 cruetts partly gilded weighing 10 ounces at 4s.2d. an ounce … Sum £17.16s.6d [? £17.6.4d.}

All which money they say is bestowed upon the reparations of rhe church also sold fifty pounds of brass 2d the pound. Sum 9s.4d with as much brass as come to 5s.4d.}

LEES MAGNA. John England, George Osborne, Churchwardens Doo presente That James Spylman and John Danyell dyd sell vj. torches for iiijs. vjd. whiche was employed to the poore mens boxe.

{GREAT LEIGHS.  John England, George Osborne, churchwardens do present that James Spylman and John Daniell dis sell 6 torches for 4s.6d. which was employed to the poor mens box.}

CHELMESFORDE. Geffrey Skotte, William Nooke, Churchwardens Do presente That they and Roger Platte, paryshenour, solde as much mettall as they receaued xlviijs. vjd. with as many olde towels as came to viijd. whiche money they haue with more spente in wasshing the churche with lyme and wryting of scripture abowte the churche with taking downe of ymagis.

{CHELMSFORD. Geoffrey Skotte, William Nooke, Churchwardens do present that they and Roger Platt, parishioner, sold as much metal as they received 48s.6d. with as many old towels as came to 8d. which money they have with more money spent in washing the church with lime and writing of scripture about the church with taking down the images.}

WODEHAM FFERRYES. Robert Styleman, Rychard Newton, Churchwardens, doo presente That abowte three yeres agoo John Sandis, gentleman, and William pirrs beinge Churchwardens dyd sell a broken bell for the somme of xvli. Also a Chalyce of sylver with a paxe of sylver for the Somme of vli. whiche money the say was employed vpon the makinge of a newe fframe in the steple for the bells and for shingling ot the churche.

{WOODHAM FERRERS.  Robert Styleman, Richard Newton, Churchwardens, do present that about three years ago John Sands, gentleman, and William Pirrs being Churchwardens did sell a broken bell for the sum of £15. Also a chalice of silver with a paxe of silver for the sum £5 which money they say was employed upon the making of a new Frame in the steeple for the bells and for shingling out the church.}

NORTON. John Whytinge Churchwarden there doo say That he solde as myche allablaster as came to xxd. which money ys yet in his kepinge.

{NORTON MANDEVILLE. John Whiting Churchwarden do say that he sold as much alabaster as came to 20d which money is yet in his keeping.}

MARGARETYNGE. Robert Taber, William Dawson, Churchwardens doo say That they sold to repayre the church one unce of brooken sylver for iiijs.

{MARGARETTING. Robert Taber, William Dawson, Churchwardens do saythat they sold to repair the church one ounce of broken silver for 4s.}

 [P. 74]  THE DEANERY OF DUNMOWE.

{THE DEANERY OF DUMNOW}

SEELO BOWELLS. Rychard Sampforde hath solde of the said churches plate one Clalyce of sylver and gylte for the Somme of xxxvijs. iiijd. whiche money the same Rychard bestowed in repayring the same churche.

{SHELLOW BOWELLS. Richard Sampford has sold of the said church plate one chalice of silver and gilded for the sum of 37s.4d. which money the same Richard bestowed in repairing the same church.}

---

[1] Shippe = perhaps suffix for –ship as in worship

Blackmore: Bombs Over Blackmore

Memorials are a common feature in church stained glass windows. At the Priory Church of St Laurence, Blackmore, many of the windows date from the first two decades of the twentieth century.

An unusual record is on one, in what is now the kitchen: “This window is erected as a thank-offering to Almighty God for the protection in the Great Air Raid of March 31st 1916”.

Curious to find out more, I looked at local newspapers for the time and visited the Essex Record Office.

During the First World War, civilians were subjected to indiscriminate bombing from Zeppelins from large airships which flew at high altitudes and later from attack by aeroplane. In all there were 53 separate Zeppelin raids on England, twenty in Essex, which then had army and naval garrisons at Harwich, Colchester and Southend, and docks along the River Thames.

This action was deliberately designed by the enemy to strike fear and to destroy morale. The country was unprepared for air attack and redoubled efforts to defend and counter-attack. Bombing civilians was an entirely new form of warfare and received outrage from the British people.

The night of 31st March 1916 was to be one of the greatest in terms of civilian casualties. In Lincolnshire, East Suffolk, Ipswich and Essex, 223 bombs were dropped killing 48 and injuring 64 people. The L14 and L15 flew over Essex, dropping bombs in Colchester, Braintree, Stanford-le-Hope, Thameshaven and Blackmore [ERO T/Z 473/1]. Four civilians were killed in Martin’s Yard, Braintree by bombs dropped from the L14. Revd. Andrew Clark, Rector of Great Leighs, wrote in his Diary that the raiders had heard the town church clock strike eleven, “realised that they were over a town of some sort, and threw out three bombs by chance” [Munson, p121].

Reporting restrictions at the time prevented newspapers giving precise locations. The Essex Weekly News referred to “Friday’s Attack On The Eastern Counties”. No one was killed or injured in Blackmore, but there could have been a few near misses.

Revd Edward Reeve, Rector of the neighbouring village of Stondon Massey, wrote of the events in his ‘notes for a parish history’: “With the moonless nights and the still weather which has succeeded the wintry storms a succession of air-craft raids began. On March 31 five “Zeppelin” airships visited the Eastern Counties. One of them was heard over Stondon in the direction of Woolwich at 10.20pm, but we were destined to have a closer acquaintance with another of the group at a later hour. At 11.45 a Zeppelin dropped a series of bombs at the point where is the junction of Stondon with the parishes of Blackmore and Kelvedon Hatch: within easy distance of Soap House Farm. A machine-gun had been lately established at Kelvedon Hatch to watch for the raiders, and Capt. Hulton in charge claims to have hit the air-ship, causing it to drop the bombs hurriedly.”

Revd. Andrew Clark in Great Leighs, some fourteen miles north east of Blackmore, wrote, “11.50pm. several explosions in the south, followed by lights (probably searchlights)” [Munson p120].

Reeve continued, “Large numbers of persons from Brentwood and the surrounding district visited the spot next day, and the large craters caused by the bombs, some 15 feet in diameter and varying from 3 to 9 feet in depth, were the astonishment of all. The whole saucer-like cavities were left entirely clean by the explosion, and one local builder Mr J T Gann remarked there was no trace anywhere of the large body of earth which had been scooped out by the force of the bomb. Clods torn from the craters were sprinkled to a distance of 60 yards. Nine of the thirteen holes were quickly found: and fortunately no life was lost or building injured. All had fallen in open fields. Our windows at Stondon Rectory were violently shaken and considerable alarm was naturally caused. We in the close neighbourhood have much for which to be deeply grateful to an over-ruling Providence.”

Five days later (6th April 1916) Reeve added, “Further enquiry shows that the bombs dropped on March 31st fell between the Soap House and the corner of Blackmore between the Church and Miss Barrett’s house. Two were dropped in the lane near the site of the old Blackmore Mill. The remaining holes were to be found in a straight-line across the fields to Miss Barrett’s at very short intervals. Many panes of glass were broken in the house by the concussion” [ERO T/P 188/3].

In terms of location, the bombs were dropped over Hook End near Blackmore House, Mill Lane then fields not more than half a mile to the east of Blackmore village itself.

The night marked a turning point for the allies because L15 was the first Zeppelin to be shot down during the War. The Anti-Aircraft gunners of the 3rd Company, Essex and Suffolk Royal Garrison Artillery based at Purfleet were credited with the success. This was a major breakthrough, and the Lord Mayor of London gave gold watches to the members of the gun crew. (He had originally put up a reward of £500). An eyewitness recorded, “It was about 12.15am on April 1st 1916 that she came across Essex from north east at a height of about 14000 feet … shrapnel shells [were fired] at the raider” [ERO D/DS 200/7]. An aeroplane failed to hit the target. The Zeppelin “dropped into the sea [near Margate] and sunk while being towed to land. Seventeen members of the crew were rescued and are prisoners of war at Chatham Barracks” [Essex Weekly News: 7 April 1916]. The news must have travelled fast because Robert Taylor Bull, of Burnham, recorded in his diary the following day, “A Zeppelin was brought down at Thameshaven”. On 1st April he wrote: “A Zepp went over last night about 9 … with usual noise” [ERO T/S 245].

During September 1916, two Zeppelins were intercepted by members of the Royal Flying Corps at Billericay and Wigborough, marking the beginning of the end of the raids. Inside the church at Great Wigborough there is a small part of what remains of L33.


Bibliography

Clark, Revd Andrew (edited James Munson). Echoes of the Great War (Oxford, 1985)
Morris, Captain Joseph. The German Air Raids on Great Britain 1914 – 1918 (Nonsuch, 2007). First published 1925.