Essex References in Joseph Strutt's 'Manners': (6) Braintree

Complete View of the Manners, Customs, Arms, Habits & Co of the Inhabitants of England, 1774, by Joseph Strutt.

Essex references

6.   Braintree

Page 35

Braintree Abbey Chapel

“It was with great pleasure that I surveyed the small remaining part of an old chapel (dedicated to St John the Baptist) at Braintree, which from antient record should seem to be of earlier date than the conquest. The principal part of this ruin (now standing) is the east wall, 18 feet high; the chapel was very small, its breadth not exceeding 15 feet, and its length measuring in the inside about 30.  The materials of the foundation (which are very strong) were of rough hewn stones, and it was near four feet thick, on which was raised the main walls, composed of rubble stone and cement, about two feet and a half thick, (the stones mixed with cement seem mostly of small pebbles, and not the rag flint as was used by the Normans;) at unequal distances there were intermixed with the rubble and the cement large square stones, the uncouth appearance of which led me to conclude that they had been since added, till on a strict examination I found, that they in common with the rubble stone had been covered over with strong plaistering, about 1½ inch thick, nor had they the least appearance of ever having been disturbed till lately; besides, their situation was such, that the whole structure must have been manifestly greatly endangered in placing them there at any other time that at the first building of the chapel.  The corners of the walls were ornamented with freestone cut square, as well as the windows, which were very long and narrow.  An old man who lived near the spot informed me, that he remembered all the south wall standing, quite perfect, and that both it and the east wall were ornamented at the top with hewn flint stones, set in between the square stones, in diamond fashion; but these ornaments had been long since taken away, and about ten years ago all the rest fell down, (as it is said) leaving only what has been described standing.  But it is mostly believed that the owner pulled it down, for the sake of a few shillings that he got for the materials; and all the rest had doubtless shared the same fate, but it constitutes the support to some part of the wall of an adjoining cottage.  Thus within these few years fell this valuable remnant of antiquity, that had so many ages braved the repeated shocks of time.  I have rescued all that remained of it, (in the year 1772) left envelloped in ruin and desolation, the memory of it should be entirely lost, (see the east front of it, pl. 2, fig. 2.).”