High Country History Group Launches New Blog

The High Country History Group, covering the small Essex parishes of Greensted, Stanford Rivers, Stapleford Tawney and Theydon Mount, has its own dedicated blog. 

Blackmore Area Local History will be handing over coverage to this dedicated website.  Andrew Smith is the new Secretary and author of the site.

Visit: www.highcountryhistorygroup.blogspot.co.uk

Greensted: St Edmund

Essex Review

Extract from No 186  Volume XLVII (April 1938)

The Picture of St Edmund at Greensted Church

By Sir Gurney Benham, F.S.A.

In the Essex Review of 1913 there appeared an article on Greensted Church, by Aug. V. Phillips.  Many other notices of the church have appeared in our past volumes from time to time.  But no allusion has hitherto been made in the Essex Review, or in the Transactions of the Essex Archaeological Society, to a remarkable painting of St Edmund, preserved in the church, nor has any reproduction of that picture appeared.  We are now able to show it for the first time.  it is a small picture painted in oil on a round-headed wooden panel.

The story is that in the year 870 King Edmund, the last nominal King of East Anglia – that is of Norfolk and Suffolk – was defeated by the Danes at a battle near Thetford and was captured.  Refusing to renounce Christianity he was tied to a tree and shot by Danish archers.  They also decapitated him.  His body was removed 33 years later to the town afterwards known as Bury St Edmunds.  A great Abbey was built there and the relics of King Edmund became famous for working miracles.  A century later, in 1010, the Danes were again on the warpath, devastating Suffolk.  They pillaged Bury St Edmunds and its Abbey.  One faithful monk remained in the Abbey and succeeded in taking away St Edmund’s body to London, finding refuge for it in St Gregory’s church near St Paul’s.  Three years later, when panic had subsided, the sacred remains were solemnly taken back to Bury St Edmunds.  The procession passed through Stratford Langthorne to Chigwell, Lambourne and Stapleford Abbotts, and thence by Stanford Rivers to Greensted near Ongar.  There it rested for the night in a chapel near the Manor House.  The present parish church of Greensted is believed to be that privileged sanctuary.

The structure is unique, the nave being built of split oak trees.  …. As evidence of the antiquity of their workmanship it was pointed out by the late Dr Henry Laver, F.S.A., that the trunks were not sawn, but cleft by axes.

As to the painting there is no record of how and when it was given to the church.  It is considered by experts to date from the year 1500.  The manor and living of Greensted belonged to the Bourchiers, Earls of Essex, from 1367 onward till the family became extinct in the male line. In 1491 the presentation was in the hands of ‘Thos. Bourchier and other feoffees of the manor’.  Sir Wm. Parr married the sole heiress of the Bourchiers and became the Earl of Essex and Lord of the manor.  The picture might have been given by some member of the Bourchier family or by one of the Parr family.

It will be seen that the picture shows the King bound to a tree, wearing a crown, but otherwise nude, except for a loin cloth.  Three arrows are shown piercing him.  Two archers are portrayed in the background, one in Roman armour.  At the foot is shown the Saint’s severed head.  This duplication of the head in the painting is to emphasise the fact that he was decapitated – according to some accounts before he was dead.  A painted panel in the rood-screen of Stambourne Church (near Yeldham) represents St Edmund carrying his head, another method of indicating martyrdom by decapitation.  This latter method gives rise to legends, in the case of St Denys of France and St Osyth of Essex, that the martyred saints actually carried their heads after decapitation.

We may suppose that the painting was at one time shown in the church, and that it was removed to the tower either to save it from the iconoclasts or because it was regarded as superstitious and unsuitable for display in a Protestant place of worship.

Saint Edmund, King and Martyr, has two days in the Calendar, namely 20 November, the reputed anniversary of his martyrdom, at Hoxne, in Norfolk, and 9 June, ‘Translation of Edmund, K. and M.’ meaning the date of the restoration of the remains from London to Bury St Edmunds Abbey in 1013.  Only the former (20 November) is retained it the Church of England Calendar.  There is some reason for supposing the correct day for the Feast of the Translation of St Edmund, should be 29 April, the 9 June being really the Feast of Translation of St Edmund, an Englishman by birth, Archbishop of Canterbury, who died a natural death in France, at Soissy, on 16 November, 1242, his remains being translated to Pontigny, where (says Baring Gould) his relicts attract numerous pilgrims. 

Area: "High Country History Group" Journal No. 41

The Quarterly Journal of the High Country History Group was issued to members in September 2011.  It contains a number of items including:

-          High Country.  An extract from ‘The People’s History of Essex’ on Greensted (see http://blackmorehistory.blogspot.com/2011/11/greensted-peoples-history-of-essex-1861.html)

-          The Bells of St Christopher’s Church, Willingale (see http://blackmorehistory.blogspot.com/2011/07/willingale-bells-of-st-christopher.html)

-          After Dinner Anecdotes, written by Edward Henry Lisle Reeve

o   Revd. Thomas Smith (see http://blackmorehistory.blogspot.com/2011/10/stondon-massey-revd-thomas-smith.html)

o   Revd. John Oldham (see http://blackmorehistory.blogspot.com/2011/10/stondon-massey-revd-john-oldham.html)

o   Revd. Thomas Hubbard (see http://blackmorehistory.blogspot.com/2011/10/stondon-massey-revd-thomas-hubbard.html)

o   Captain Reeve (see http://blackmorehistory.blogspot.com/2011/10/stondon-massey-captain-edward-reeve.html)

o   Revd. Edward James Reeve (see http://blackmorehistory.blogspot.com/2011/10/stondon-massey-revd-edward-james-reeve.html)

-          The Greensted Road

-          Kellys Directory of Essex 1933 – Greensted

-          Richard Thomas Dutton Budworth (part 1)

-          The Essex Earthquake of 1884

For membership and further information go to http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/hchg.html

Greensted: The Peoples' History of Essex (1861)

An extract from ‘The People’s History of Essex’ written by D.W. Coller, published in 1861.

The Ongar Hundred is exceedingly pleasant, being finely undulated, and touching at several points upon the forest.  Of the part towards Epping, it was written, a hundred years ago, “It may with propriety be called the garden of Essex, from the pleasing variety of the hills and vales, the fertility of the soil, the goodness of the roads, the neatness of the buildings, and the many additional ornaments it receives from the number of noblemen’s and gentlemen’s seats with which it abounds; insomuch that the traveller cannot pass without being struck by the peculiarity of its beauty, and the variety of noble and pleasing prospects, which in different parts present themselves in this view.

Greensted Hall, the seat of Captain Budworth – To the west of Chipping Ongar, reached by a walk of about a mile through pleasant meadows, and nestling among clumps of trees, as if it still stood in a forest land, is the curious little antique church of Greensted – St Edmund’s shrine.  There is little doubt that this is the identical resting-place of the saint, as the register of the Abbey of St. Edmund says:   “his body was likewise entertained at Aungre, where a wooden chapel erected to his memory remains to the present day.”  Close by is the Hall, commanding prospects over a rich forestal district.  The parish, belonged with Ongar, to Sir Richard Lucy; and subsequently the noble families of Stafford, Bourchier, and others.  The manor, with the remainder of the parish and other property in the neighbourhood, was purchased in the reign of Charles II by Alexander Cleeve, of London, merchant.  Subsequently these estates were subdivided between three of the grand-daughters, one of whom marrying the Rev. Richard Budworth during the last [eighteenth] century, carried a proportion of this parish to her husband; the manor and Hall, however, passing successively through the hands of the Rebotier, Redman, and Ord families.  In 1837 the trustees of the estate of the Rev. Philip Budworth (son of the above Richard Budworth) re-purchased Greensted Hall with the manor, and with one or two small exceptions, the remainder of the parish.  Greensted Hall is now [1861] the seat of Captain Philip John Budworth, son of the last mentioned, who has lately restored the mansion – a large pile of buildings dating from the reign of Elizabeth, but, owing to successive repairs and alterations, possessing no architectural remains of that epoch.  The entrance hall, however, is a noble and spacious one, and contains a fine Scarsellino, brought by Captain Budworth from the Sciana Gallery at Rome, as well as a collection of arms and armour, which was partly made by him in the East.  From the Hall, eastwards, a fine avenue of elm s, of at least a mile in length, runs through the grounds and adjoining fields into the town of Ongar.

The charities for the poor are two rent-charges of 5s. out of the land at Stanford Rivers, left by Robert Petit; and 2s. out of Lee-fields, left by Richard Bourne, in 1660.

Filling the space between that parish [Navestock] and Greensted, a fertile and picturesque district, lies Stanford Rivers, with its straggling village.  There was anciently an extensive park here; and Belhouse was long the seat of a branch of the Petre family.  Sir C. C. Smith and Capel Cure, Esq. are the chief owners of this parish.  The poor have 5s. a year, left by Thomas Petit; an annuity of £2, left by William Green in 1554, has been lost.

Area: "High Country History Group" Journal No. 40

Journal No 40, quite a milestone for a rural historical society, was issued in June 2011.  Topics covered included:

-          Thomas Luther and Stapleford Tawney School

-          Kellys Directory of Essex 1933 – Stapleford Tawney

-          William Byrd, and the Authorised Version of the Bible (see http://williambyrdfestival.blogspot.com/2011/03/av-william-byrd-stondon-massey-and.html or http://blackmorehistory.blogspot.com/2011/04/stondon-massey-william-byrd-and.html )

-          Successful Stondon Byrd Festival Gains International Reputation (see http://williambyrdfestival.blogspot.com/2011/05/william-byrd-festival-gains.html)

-          The Rat and Sparrow Club

-          Snippets from the Press (Greensted)

-          West Essex Association for the Preservation of Game

-          A table of Customary Dues and Fees

-          William Frith Horner

-          Ongar Union

-          Memories of the Forties and Fifties Around Ongar.

-          Chipping Ongar

Area: "High Country History Group" Journal No. 39

The quarterly magazine of the 'High Country History Group' (March 2011) contains the following items:

- Reopening of Greenstead Church. 1849.

- A Fund Raising Opportunity. Greensted Parish Church 1013 - 1931

- Greensted Burials

- Gaynes Park

- A Victorian Antiquarian's Scrapbook

- Kelly's Directory of Essex 1933. Stanford Rivers

- Stanford Rivers Cottage Garden Society

- William Byrd Festival at Stondon Massey 7-15 May 2011 (see www.williambyrdfestival.blogspot.com)

- The Archidiaconal Records in 1911 (featured on this blog)

- Book Review. 'The Love of Brother' by Martin Cearns

- A Macabre Heritage in our Language

Stondon Massey: High Country Strays in Stondon Massey Parish Register

I am currently writing a biography of Revd. Edward Henry Lisle Reeve (1858 – 1936), who was Rector of Stondon Massey for 42 years and a local historian. In the Essex Record Office are many of his manuscripts but in the Church Safe is a certified copy of the Parish Registers for 1708 – 1791 in his hand. This article has been produced with thanks to the present Rector and churchwardens.

A stray, I understand, is someone who turns up in the records of other parishes. Stondon Massey has many of them. Rev. Reeve wrote:

“Out of 121 marriages between 1708 and 1754 entered in the book only 17 show one of the parties to have belonged to Stondon. In every other case both bride and bridegroom belonged to outside parishes. And this is the more strange seeing that in the succeeding 37 years after 1754 no fewer than 68 marriages are entered showing either a Stondon bride or bridegroom. Sometimes, again, a wedding is entered when a ceremony took place elsewhere. Mr Thomas Smith united the Curacy of Blackmore in 1756 to his other cures, but it is embarrassing to find the following in the Stondon books in 1744:

July 18^th. “Married at Blackmore John Baker Batchelor and Martha Belcher Spinster, Both of the Parish of Danbury in this County”.

“One wonders whether other Rectors were as much in request for tying the nuptial knot as Mr Smith, and whether, in cases where the entries were merely records of their work done in other parishes, the parishes interested were favoured with a copy for their own books. Otherwise the work of hunting up materials for a pedigree must be felt to be a harder one than has been realized hitherto.

“It is, I fear, extremely probable that our Rector was known to be a man who would ask no awkward questions. Previous to 1754 any marriage performed by a priest was accounted valid, though it might not be legal; and, although the officiating clergyman was liable to heavy penalties in such a case, the law was not often put in force, if the parson could be found ready to run the risk. The increase in so-called “Stondon” marriages after 1754 points some way, and tends to show that somehow Mr Smith still contrived to remain a popular clergyman”[1].

Reverting to the ‘certified copy’, the following entries exist relating to people living in the High Country parishes.

Married Jan 17 1709/10. John Glascock of Bovingworth [Bobbingworth or Bovinger] and Sarah Rust widow of Stanford Rivers parish.

Married Apr 20 1730. John Bridges and Sarah Thorougood both of the Parish of Stanford Rivers.

Married Feb 20 1730/1. James Crosingham of the Parish of High Ongar And Susannah Young of the Parish of Stanford Rivers.

Married May 6 1734. Richard Warne & Elizabeth King both of the Parish of Stanford Rivers by Licence.

Married June 22 1734. Benjamin Archer of ye Parish of Knavestock [Navestock] singleman and Rebecca Robjant of yr Parish of Stanford Rivers singlewoman.

Married Apr 16 1741. John Smith of Stanford Rivers Batchelor and Dinah Cox of ye same Parish Spinster.

Married Dec 17 1742. Ebeanezer Nichols of the Parish of Horn-Church [Hornchurch] singleman and Elizabeth Whybrew of the Parish of Stanford Rivers singlewoman.

Married Apr 17 1743. John Stanes, singleman of the Parish of Chipping-Ongar and Sarah Boulter of the Parish of Stanford Rivers singlewoman.

Married Nov 24 1749. Married Mr Matthew Webb singleman and Mary Eaton singlewoman both of the Parish of Stanford Rivers.

Married Dec 25 1749. Edward Brocas singleman and Elisabeth Barker singlewoman, the man of the Parish of Grinstead [Greensted], and the woman of the Parish of High Ongar, both of this county.

Married 17 Dec 1749. Robert Halls singleman and Margaret Kelly singlewoman, the man of the Parish of Matching; the woman of the Parish of Stanford Rivers – by license.

---

[1] Reeve. A History of Stondon Massey in Essex (1900) p103.

Blackmore: New Insights into Tree-Ring Dating

Tree ring dating (or dendrochronology) has been with us for a number of years. The science has helped historians understand and sometimes reinterpret the history of an individual building, and its context within a community. This was the case at Blackmore a few years ago when Dr Martin Bridge was commissioned by the Parochial Church Council (with 100% grant support) to attempt to date the bell tower of the Priory Church of St Laurence.

The result, a construction date of 1400 or, at most, two years’ afterwards, was much earlier than anyone had previously thought and caused the understanding of the building’s history to change. Historians learned that the bell tower was almost contemporary with the construction of the roof over the nave and chancel (1381 – 97: being the date range of the 16 painted shields on the ceiling) and the likely piercing of a north door for parishioners’ use when the great west door was stopped up.

Almost seven years after the dating work was completed, Dr Martin Bridge gave a talk to the High Country History Group on his specialist topic. With every new and successful commission a greater understanding of timber use can be gleaned. Recent research has indicated the possibility that the timbers to build the ‘Mary Rose’ could have been sourced from many locations, from across southern England to the Welsh Marches. This makes stronger the discussion set forth in Dr Bridge’s 2004 report on Blackmore’s bell tower that its oak may have not necessarily been sourced locally.

“The very poor timber matching between the individual samples is remarkable, and again underlines the idea that timber may have been gathered from several woodlands, although the matching characteristics of the site chronology suggest the sources would have been relatively local. It is also of note that many of the sites with which the tree-ring series match best have monastic / ecclesiastical connections, matching is less good with close secular sites (for example Little Braxted, Dunmow, Good Easter and Fyfield, all within a 25km range).”

Martin Bridge also talked about the work his colleague did on St Andrew’s Church at Greensted. The results confirmed the date of construction to be much later than had been thought, destroying the age-old legend that it had been used as a resting place for St Edmund’s body in 1013. That said it remains one of the most ancient buildings in the county.

As the body of evidence grows on this subject, further insights may still be realised.

Area: History House website

History House, subtitled ‘a dip into Essex history’ is the brainchild of Keldon, whose work on our local heritage is similar to the aims of ‘Blackmore Area Local History’. History House covers the whole of the county and is an enormous undertaking.

“History House seeks to provide free information on the history of Essex and to help you research your family history. The entire White's Directory of Essex 1848 has been transcribed and I am currently working on the Post Office Directory 1874. It is hoped that other directories will follow. History House is researched and written by Phil George (Keldon)”.

The following covers the ‘High Country History Group’ area.

Greensted: http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/placeG/essexg36.html

Stanford Rivers: http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/placeG/essexg36.html

Stapleford Tawney: http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/placeS/essexs26.html

Theydon Mount: http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/placeT/essext09.html

History House’s featured village is nearby Kelvedon Hatch: http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/kelvedonhatch/index.html

Area: Victoria County History - Ongar Hundred (2)

British History Online (http://www.british-history.ac.uk/) has published Volume IV of the ‘Victoria County History’ (VCH) of Essex which concentrates on the Hundred of Ongar. It was edited by W R [Ray] Powell (1920 – 2008). Volume IV was first published in 1956.

The Ongar Hundred comprises 26 parishes, which include those in the High Country History Group area near Chipping Ongar.

For an overview of the volume go to: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/source.aspx?pubid=53

A description of Ongar Hundred: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15527

Then for the High Country parishes:

Greensted (spelt Greenstead)
Introduction: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15553
Manor: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15554
Church: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15555
Schools: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15556
Poor Relief: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15554
Charities: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15558

Stanford Rivers
Introduction: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15664
Manors: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15665
Church: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15666
Roman Catholicism: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15667
Protestant nonconformity: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15668
Parish Government and Poor Relief: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15669
Schools: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15670
Charities: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15671

Stapleford Tawney
Introduction: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15680
Manors: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15681
Church: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15682
Parish Government and Poor Relief: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15683
Schools: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15684
Charities: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15685

Theydon Mount
Introduction: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15709
Manors: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15710
Churches: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15711
Parish Government and Poor Relief: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15712
Schools: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15713
Charities: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15714

BLACKMORE HISTORY NEWS - April 2010

Welcome to this month’s round-up of local history and heritage in and around Blackmore, Essex.


Aerial Photograph of Blackmore

This was a wonderful opportunity to take an aerial photograph of the village. See picture this month.


War Memorial Research Project Group

Work continues to identify and tell the stories of those from Blackmore who died and of those who survived the First World War. Some interesting contacts have been received from descendents.


Walk and Talks

The Essex Society for Archaeology and History visited Blackmore on 27 March to hear a presentation by me on the village’s history and its church. The occasion took the form of a walk around the historic green, highlighting points of interest, and a guided tour of the church and bell tower. Photographs, booklets and other items of interest were placed on a ‘show and tell’ table. A fellow local historian, Bruno Giordan, also made a large contribution to the afternoon’s proceedings. Members’ tea followed.

Two days’ previously I gave a 20-minute presentation at the AGM of the High Country History Group entitled ‘1911 and all that’ which covered family, local and social history derived from the recent census release. Other topics covered by speakers included the 1841 census in Greensted and the redundant church at Berners Roding. Cheese and wine concluded the evening. Spot the connection between the two events!


On the Wireless

At the beginning of the month Tim Wander was the speaker at the annual lecture given by the Chelmsford Museums. The audience – many of who were ex-employees of the great electronics firms which operated in the county town, and amateur radio fanatics – heard this Marconi man speak about the development of radio and of ‘Two Emma Tock’ Writtle. The month of March also saw the death of Dennis Rookard, a local and hospital radio presenter, whose specialist field was folk music. He produced a number of documentaries including one I came across on the web devoted to Capt. Eckersley’s pioneering antics in 1922. Go to: http://www.travelingsounds.com/Title.aspx?titleId=392


Grim Story: Death leap from aeroplane 75 years ago

The story of how two young women jumped to their deaths from a Hillman Airways ‘plane which took off from Stapleford Tawney aerodrome is recalled here: http://www.romfordrecorder.co.uk/content/havering/recorder/news/story.aspx?brand=RECOnline&category=newsRomford&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=newsromford&itemid=WeED26%20Feb%202010%2009%3A56%3A59%3A430


Greensted Church

An article from the Guardian series of newspapers: http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/5045265.ONGAR__Spotlight_on_Greensted_Church/


Oliver Cromwell

‘Oliver Cromwell’ is the only surving steam engine of the Britannia class of locomotives which operated in the days of British Rail along the main railway line through Ingatestone. The following item gives news of it being back in steam again in Norfolk. Go to: http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/content/eveningnews24/norwich-news/story.aspx?brand=ENOnline&category=News&tBrand=ENOnline&tCategory=xNews&itemid=NOED12%20Mar%202010%2007%3A46%3A26%3A453


New Flicker Pictures

Puddingstone by ancient church at Buttsbury, taken on 1 March 2010 by Peter Herring: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hornbeam/4397863540/
Man of Straw at Stapleford Tawney, taken on 17 February 2010 by Barry Slemmings: http://www.flickr.com/photos/barryslemmings/4373479245/
Writtle Village Sign, taken on 18 February 2010 by “terryjoyce2155”: http://www.flickr.com/photos/boxster986/4368507287/


Links

For an extensive list of links to other sites go to: http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/externallinks.html

Area: "High Country History Group" Journal No 33

The Quarterly Journal of the High Country History Group has recently been issued to members. It contains a number of items about and beyond the local area including:

- The Rectors and Patrons of Stapleford Tawney & Theydon Mount
- The East End Maternity Hospital at Theydon Mount – Part 1
- The Suckling Papers – Greensted (previously published on this blog)
- Life as an Essex Agricultural Labourer: 1840 – 1920. Part 2 (the whole work is available in booklet form from the Priory Church of St Laurence, Blackmore, price £1.50)
- Greensted – The Truth (previously published on this blog)
- A Centurian
- Book Review: Essex and its Race For The Skies
- A Forced Marriage
- Daring Burglary and Attempt to Murder
- White’s Directory of Navestock
- The Essex Way

For membership and further information go to http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/hchg.html

BLACKMORE HISTORY NEWS - July 2009

Welcome to this month’s round-up of local history and heritage in and around Blackmore, Essex.

High Country History Group

Blackmore Area Local History is pleased to promote the High Country History Group by launching a mini site devoted to the four small parishes of Greensted, Stanford Rivers, Stapleford Tawney and Theydon Mount to the west of Ongar, Essex. As with the main site, which launched pages covering ten neighbouring parishes to Blackmore in March this year, the site is set up to enable it to grow as more information and pictures are added. The Group, which publishes a Journal every quarter meets five times a year at Toot Hill Village Hall. The Winter Programme for 2009/10 will be announced soon. To see the new mini site go to: http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/hchg.html

Church Website Makeover

The Priory Church of St Laurence, Blackmore with St Peter & St Paul, Stondon Massey, has had a website for a few years but it is now undergoing a major update ahead of the formal search for a new Vicar / Rector for the parishes. The site includes a Gallery of pictures which may be of interest to our readers. A picture of the interior of Stondon Massey Church is shown above. Take a look: http://www.stlaurenceblackmore.co.uk/

Bariff’s Farm Mystery

Last month I mentioned Heather Tomkins’ enquiry about the location of Bariff's Farm, supposedly in Mountnessing. From further information received from Heather, stating that the farm was near Gooseberry Green and Mountnessing Grange, I suggested that the farm was, in fact in Billericay. Further conversations have established that Mountnessing parish stretched as far as Gooseberry Green, covering Little Cowbridge Farm, and Great Cowbridge Farm, the other side of the Shenfield to Southend railway line, certainly as late as 1912. Does anyone out there have any further information?

Essex Radio

Sorry to be nostalgic, but ‘Essex FM’ passed into radio history on 22 June. Its previous station name, ‘Essex Radio’ began broadcasting in 1981. Apart from local programmes at breakfast time and ‘drivetime’, all the output from the new sounding radio station, Heart, is being broadcast from London.

‘Longpier’ refers to the demise of Essex FM: “Of course the decision to rebrand is an effort to save money, and boost advertising revenue using a well known brand [Heart]. It'll probably work, but for those who really like their radio to be local, well I'm afraid you've just attended the funeral and buried the dead. RIP Essex FM.” See http://www.longpier.com/

For more on Essex Radio and Essex FM visit: http://www.petesipple.co.uk/essexradio.html and, for sound extracts, http://www.radioandtelly.co.uk/essexradioaudio.html

Charles Potiphar centenary

Ralph Vaughan Williams’ visit to Ingrave in 1903 is remembered this year with the death of Charles Potiphar, the labourer from Ingrave, who sang to the composer folk songs. On the internet I found a potted family tree for this man but wonder whether the descendents know of his fame and contribution to English music of the twentieth century. When I visited the site on 21 June, the date of his death (21.6.1909) was missing. http://www.piers-potiphar.co.uk/page140.html

The Essex Record Office has reference to Charles Potipher (or Potiphar) under the following reference: http://seax.essexcc.gov.uk//ViewCatalogue.asp?ID=182599

The Ralph Vaughan Williams Society has reference to a book specifically on the composer’s time in Essex: http://www.rvwsociety.com/albionbooks.html

Revd. Nathaniel Ward of Stondon Massey

‘A memoir of the Rev. Nathaniel Ward, A.M.’ by John Ward Dean has appeared on Google Books. For more, follow this link: http://books.google.com/books?id=0DEFAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA29&lpg=PA29&dq=stondon+massey&source=bl&ots=XTW00eDHrh&sig=OgfPHkOHDoPIiyQ7My_KWfheS0Q&hl=en

Classic Ingatestone Publication on Google Books

‘Ingatestone and the Great Essex Road with Fryerning’ by E E Wilde, dated 1913, is available to view on the Internet: http://books.google.com/books?id=NufA8a0ubeMC&pg=PA26&lpg=PA26&dq=fryerning&source=bl&ots=fvvjw804-N&sig=1rq8qzwyF0DOFT_32CcPN_xaU_s&hl=en

High Ongar War Memorial

‘Harlowirish’ has posted the following entry on ‘Flicker’. Go to: http://www.flickr.com/photos/harlowirish/2650362307/

RAF 46 Squadron

Those interested in the heroic deeds of airmen of Essex during the First World War and Second World War may be interested to read the potted history of No 46 Squadron RAF: http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/No._46_Squadron_RAF

Shellow Bowells

On the list: http://spyfoo.com/Term.aspx?t=1385491

Flicker Pictures

St John’s Green, Writtle: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stuart166axe/3587421166/ and http://www.flickr.com/photos/stuart166axe/3587425982/

Links

For an extensive list of links to other sites go to: www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/externallinks.html

Greensted: Church Records at Hertford

Between 1877 and 1914, Essex parishes formed part of the (then new) Diocese of St Albans. It was created in response to the great increase in population in areas adjoining London. The counties of Essex and Hertfordshire were taken from the Diocese of Rochester (to which See Essex was transferred from London in 1846). Thomas Legh Claughton, the first Bishop, transferred from being Bishop of Rochester. His place of residence was Danbury Palace, now a management training centre and public park. John Wogan Festing succeeded him in 1890, then Edgar Jacob in 1903.

Bound Diocesan records for this period are held at the ‘Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies’ at the County Council offices in Hertford. Whilst searching for information on Blackmore, I came across the following information relating to the High Country parishes.


Greensted

Greensted-juxta-Ongar. Co Essex. [1880] Sequestration on death of Rector. Thomas Legh by Divine Permission Lord Bishop of St Albans. To our beloved in Christ Philip John Budworth Churchwarden of the parish of Greensted-juxta-Ongar in the County of Essex and within the Diocese and jurisdiction Greeting. Whereas the Parish Church of Greensted-juxta-Ongar aforesaid is become vacant by the Death of the Reverend Philip William Ray the late Incumbent thereof and at present is destitute of an Incumbent. We therefore lest the fruits tithes rents profits and other rights and emoluments ecclesiastical now due to the said Church or arising or becoming due during the vacancy thereof should be embezzled wasted or applied to improper uses have devised the same to be sequestered and Do sequester the same according and we do by these presents ordain and appoint you Sequestrator and Special Collector of the said Church during the vacancy thereof as aforesaid and do enjoin you forthwith to publish or cause to be published this our Sequestration at the Church – aforesaid and such there public and proper places as you shall most expedient and also during the said vacancy to demand recover and receive into your hands and keep under safe sequestration All and singular the fruits tithes rents profits and other rights and emoluments ecclesiastical belonging to the said church in whose hands soever being or remaining or which hereafter be or remain. And with the same collected received or sequestered to cause the cure of souls in the said Parish to be served and all other charges belonging to the said church to be sustained and discharged. And to render unto us our Vicar General and Official Principal or other competent Judge in this behalf when you shall be – thereunto lawfully required a true and faithful account of the residue for the use of the next Incumbent or such other person or persons as shall do or cause to be done in the premises you shall duly certify to us our Vicar General and Official Principal aforesaid or other competent Judge in this behalf the seventh day of February in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty. Geo H Knight. Registrar [HALS DSA 1/15/2 Muniment Book f73].

Greenstead by Ongar. [1902] Faculty to reserve part of the churchyard and erect a Mural Tablet. John Wogan by Divine permission Lord Bishop of St Albans. To all whom it may concern and more especially Howel John James Price of Greenstead Hall Greenstead by Ongar in the County of Essex Esquire Greetings. Whereas it hath been represented unto the Worshipful Alfred Bray Kempe Master of Arts Vicar General and Official Principal of our Consistorial and Episcopal Court of St Albans … a petition under the name of the said Howel John James Prince … is the Widower of Mary Catherine Prince late of Greenstead Hall aforesaid … resided in and owned the above property for upwards of 50 years past … is desirous of reserving to himself and his family an additional space next to the above grave and of enclosing the whole of the said space with a marble or stone kerb … 10 feet in length and 10 feet in breadth … is also desirous of placing on the East Wall of the Nave … a plain copper and iron mural Tablet … with the following inscription namely “In memory of Mary Catherine Price died March 20th 1902 aged 43. This Tablet is erected in memory of one who lived a happy life in this parish beloved by all who knew her and died trusting in Christ her Saviour”. That a meeting of the Vestry of the said parish was duly summoned on the 27th day of June 1902 … the Rector alone was present no parishioners being present … That the Reverend Arthur George Breeks Atkinson the present Rector ... consents to such application. [Granted. 31 August 1902] [HALS DSA 1/15/9. Muniment Book 1899 – 1904. f448].

Greensted: Magic Lantern Slide

One hundred years' ago they were all the rage: Magic Lantern Shows. Now the 'High Country History Group' is thinking of hosting one. But do you know anyone who can bring all the equipment and give a presentation? Let me know. Pictured here is a copy of a glass magic lantern slide depicting Greensted Church.

Area: "High Country History Group" Journal No 29

The Quarterly Journal of the High Country History Group has just been issued to members. It contains a number of items about and beyond the local area. In this issue:
- The Bowyer Smyth Pedigree of Hill Hall, Stapleford Tawney
- Church Records for Greensted, Stanford Rivers, Stapleford Tawney and Theydon Mount held at Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies (to follow on this blog)
- The Ongar Tree Strategy (as reported on this blog)
- The diary of an ejected minister. Revd. Francis Chandler of Theydon Mount
- A Hammock from Piggot Bros. & Co., Stanford Rivers, 1885.
- A Raphael painting once at St Margaret’s Church, Stanford Rivers?

For a copy of the High Country History Group Journal you need to be a member. This costs £6 per year (£9 for family). In addition a series of talks are held at Toot Hill Village Hall during the winter season and a summer walk and visit organised.

For membership contact this blog.

Blackmore: Will of Sir Peter Siggiswyk

Produced for the Transactions of the Essex Archaeology Society (Vol. XXI, Part 2) in 1937 by Revd. G Montagu Benton, M.A., F.S.A.

SIGGISWYK, SIR PETER - 14 August, 1503. Of good will and mind. I bequeath my soul to Almighty God, and my body to be buried in the chapel of our Lady in the priory of St. Laurence of Blakmore [Blackmore, Essex]. To the resting of my body there, 10s. To a bell, 6s.8d. To every brother serving God within the church of Blakmore, 6s. 8d.. To the church of Norton [Norton Mandeville], 20s. To the church of Bernese [Berners Roding], 20s. To the church of High Oungre [High Ongar], 13s. 4d., to have my obit kept in the same church 2 years. To a priest singing there, 8d. To “every church w’in the deynery of Oungre hundredth [within the deanery of the Ongar Hundred], every church severally by himself, vjs. viijd. [6s. 8d.], for to kepe my obit at my moneth’s day.” To every godchild within the shire of Essex 6s. 8d. To Shellowe “brigge,” 6s. 8d. To the bridge of Cheppyng Oungre, 10s. To Grasse bridge, betwixt Bernards Rodyng [Berners Roding] and Becheme [Beauchamp Roding], 3s. 4d. To Peter Siggiswike, my kinsman. v marks [5 marks = £3. 6s. 8d.] of money and my honest bed; also the best pot save one, a pan, a pewter dish, a platter and a saucer. To John Gibbis, 6s. 8d. I will that my house in Becham Rodyng [Beauchamp Roding] remain to the church of Beeham Rodyng by the space of 40 years, yearly keeping my obit, paying yearly to the curate, 8d., by the sight of the churchwardens, with remainder to my next of kin. To Richard Here and Marget, his wife, all my household and all my “catalls” (? chattels) and my corn in my barns and in my garners, paying at Michaelmas next coming to the prioress of Stretford bowe [Stratford Bow], 40s.
Overseers: Richard Mapull; Richard Here; Sir John Stoley. Witnesses Sir Rauffe, parson of Shelley ; Sir William Wilson, parson of Greensted.

Proved 3 October, 1503, before Mr. Roger Church. (F. 218b; also P.C.C., Blanyr 24.)

Greensted: First Day Covers

I have ten First Day Covers showing Greensted Church (illustrated) to give away for the price of a stamped addressed envelope and an optional donation to St Andrew’s Church, Greensted (which I will drop in when I pass by). E mail me (go to ‘Complete Profile’ for link) if you would like one.

Greensted: The Truth

Open almost any historical book on Essex published before 1960 and you will see extensive coverage regarding St Andrew’s Church, Greensted, the oldest wooden church in Europe, attributed to be the resting place of the body of St Edmund in 1013. The building is a national treasure, its nave hewn from ancient timber, depicted on a First Class stamp (3p) in a set of Village Churches. P.H. Reaney described the church as “primitive and homely, typical of Saxon England ... upright tree-trunks, untrimmed but for the stripping off of the bark” (Reaney. p49). He includes “Greenstead Church. As it was in 1748” (illustrated here).

In the middle of the twentieth century it was thought that the church was built in 845. However, in 1995 the timber was tree-ring dated. Called dendrochronology, a sample was taken and its tree-rings compared to an existing dated sequence. A date of construction of 1060 – 1063 was established, destroying the previous story.

Simon Jenkins writes, “My prize for the best amateur guide goes to Navenby (Lincs), and for honesty to Greensted (Essex), for an insert confessing that recent tree-ring scholarship has lopped two centuries off its date” (Jenkins. p.xxxv).

“Even so it remains the oldest wooden church, indeed the oldest standing wooden building, in the country”. (Bettley / Pevsner. p436)


Bibliography

Greensted Church Guidebook
Bettley, James & Pevsner. The Buildings of England. Essex. (Yale University Press, 2007)
Jenkins, Simon. England’s Thousand Best Churches (Penguin, 2000)
Reaney, P.H.. Essex (Borzoi County Histories, 1928)

Greensted: Durrant's Handbook For Essex (1887)

The following is taken from ‘Durrant’s Handbook For Essex’ (Durrant & Co., Chelmsford, 1887).

Green’stead-juxta-Ongar. A. 681; p. 88; Rectory, value £280; 1 m. W. from Ongar.

This parish is remarkable for its unique Church (St Andrew), said to be one of the most ancient in the world. The walls of the nave are of well-preserved timber, being composed of the trunks of large oak or chestnut trees, split in two, roughly hewn, and set upright beside one another, their bottoms being let into a sill, and theit ops into a wall-plate. The whole edifice, which consists merely of nave, chancel, and wooden tower with shingled spire and two bells, one of them dated 1618, measures about 30 ft. in length by 14 ft. Although it has been several times restored, it is believed to be the original structure erected as a temporary resting-place for the body of St. Edmund, on its way from London to Bury St. Edmunds in 1013. It is lit by several modern dormer windows, in one which is a fragment of ancient stained glass representing what is supposed to be the crowned head of St. Edmund. The chancel is small, and of brick, with Tudor windows. The S. porch is new. There is a curious stone pillar-piscina. In the church is preserved a 15th cent. panel, probably from a rood screen, showing the martyrdom of the king, and very well executed. There are monuments to the Smyth, Cleeve, and Ord families. The Registers date from 1561. The Hall, adjoining the church, is a large mansion, with tasteful pleasure grounds and an extensive view.