50th Anniversary of Essex Archaeological Society: Transactions n.s. Volume 9 Part 2

Colchester, in the early years of the
twentieth century

This week we celebrate the 160th Anniversary of the Essex Society for Archaeology and History.  The follwing extract comes from 1903, illustrating how times have changed.  Members are no longer elected, but may join. 

An extract from Transactions n.s. Volume 9 Part 2, taken from http://www.archive.org/stream/transactionsess01socigoog/transactionsess01socigoog_djvu.txt

MEETING HELD AT COLCHESTER, ON THURSDAY, 25th JUNE, 1903, TO CELEBRATE THE JUBILEE OF THE ESSEX ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

A special general meeting of the Society was held at Colchester on Thursday, 25th June, 1903, to celebrate the Jubilee of the Society's inauguration. According to strict chronology the meeting should have been held in 1902, the Society having been founded in the year 1852 ; circumstances, however, led to the unavoidable postponement of the celebration until the present year.

The day's proceedings began with a meeting at the Moot Hall over which the President, Henry Laver, Esq., F.S.A., presided.

After the Mayor of the Borough (H. H. Elwes, Esq.) had welcomed the Society in a few cordial and well-chosen words, the President delivered an address, in which, after speaking with regret of the illness of the late President, G. A. Lowndes, Esq., who for 25 years had held that position, he proceeded to give the history in outline of the Society and to urge very strongly the value and interest of the study of archaeology. In alluding to the foundation and growth of the Colchester Museum Dr. Laver acknowledged in grateful terms the help given by the late Charles Gray Round, Esq., and other members of his family, in providing the Society with rooms at the Castle in which the archaeological treasures of the town and district might be stored, and went on to say that the joint arrangement made with the Corporation, had resulted in their being able to preserve in Colchester one of the richest collections of Romano-British relics in the kingdom. Special mention was made of the acquisition of the Jarmin and Joslin collections, and of the fine collection of coins preserved in the Museum. The address concluded with an earnest appeal for an increased membership of the Society, in order that its sphere of usefulness and activity might be enlarged.

Mr. Hercules Read, I'.S.A., of the British Museum, (Secretary of the Society of Antiquaries), proposed a resolution advocating support of the Essex and kindred Archaeological Societies. The resolution was seconded by the Rev. Dr. Cox. The Rev. Canon Raven and Mr. Romilly Allen also spoke, and the motion was then put and carried unanimously.

Mr. G. F. Beaumont, F.S.A., late Secretary of the Society, proposed the election of Mr. G. A. Lowndes as a Vice-President; carried unanimously.

The following were then elected as members of the Society:-

ON THE NOMINATION OF

Lang, Sir R. Hamilton, The Grove, Dedham. The Hon. Secretary.

Young, Col. H. Howlett, 101, Inglis Road, Colchester, i .p. President

Barritt, E. H., 26, Beaconsfield Avenue, Colchester. /

Baskett, H. F., 21, Wellesley Road, Colchester. Mr. Winch.

Coley, H. C, Glengair Lodge, Bishops Stortford. Mr. G. E. Pritchett

A short paper on the history and progress of the Society was read by Mr. F. Chancellor, F.R.I.B.A.

Mr. I. C. Gould addressed the meeting with reference to the contemplated transference of the Union of Saffron Walden from Essex to Cambridgeshire, and proposed a resolution appealing to the Essex County Council to prevent the cession of any more Essex parishes to Cambridgeshire, and protesting against this wanton destruction of ancient landmarks. The resolution was seconded by Mr. Chancellor and unanimously adopted.

The meeting closed with votes of thanks to the Mayor for kindly allowing the Society the use of the Moot Hall, and to the President for his conduct in the chair.

After luncheon at the Cups Hotel, a visit was paid to some of the principal objects of antiquarian interest in the town, under the guidance of the President.

At Holy Trinity Church a paper was read by Professor Sylvanus Thompson on the genealogy of Dr. William Gilberd, who was born at Colchester in 1544 and buried in this church.

Before leaving Colchester the members and their friends were hospitably entertained to tea by the Mayor at the Town Hall.

Transactions Transcriptions: 'New Series' Volume 8

St Thomas Church, Navestock

Transactions transcriptions – Part 6

To increase our online presence, one of the goals of the Essex Society for Archaeology and History is to provide more information on the many thousands of pages of articles which have been produced over its 160 year history.  Online contents lists and indexes do not exist at the present time but other external sites have downloaded text.  The following is available.

Transactions. n.s. (Series 2) Volume 8

Text only version

http://archive.org/stream/transactionsess02socigoog/transactionsess02socigoog_djvu.txt

online version

http://archive.org/stream/transactionsess02socigoog#page/n7/mode/2up

Contents 
Volume VIII, Part I
 
I. Two Essex Incised Slabs [Middleton. Effigy of Sire James Samson, Rector of the Parish, date 1349; Bradwell-juxta-Coggeshall: Effigy of a priest, date 1349].   By Miller Christy and E. Bertram Smith  … 1 
II. Ship-Money in Essex, 1634- 1649.   By William Chapman Waller, M.A., F.S.A.  … 8 
III. Some Interesting Essex Brasses.  By Miller Christy and W. W. Porteous  … 15 
IV. The Milbournes of Great Dunmow, Co. Essex, By Thomas Milbourn ... 55 
V. Essex Field Names. Part VI. The Hundred of Hinckford. Collected and arranged by William Chapman Waller, M.A., F.S.A. ... 76 
 
Archaeological Notes ... 104 
Fyfield Church.  By J H Round
The Chapel at Havering-atte-Bower.  W.C.W.
Warr-lands – Customary Junior-right.  By G F Beaumont
 
General Meeting at Colchester on Thursday April 19th 1900 ... 107 (view online: http://cat.essex.ac.uk/reports/EAS-report-0054.pdf )
Report for 1899 ...  112 
Donations to the Society ...  114 
Balance Sheet ...  116 
 
 
Volume VIII, Part II

Copy available from our Online Bookshop
 
VI . Mediaeval Colchester - Town Castle and Abbey - from MSS, in the British Museum. By the Rev. H. J. Dukinfield Astley, M.A.  … 117
VII. Wallbury Camp, Great Hallingbury, By I. Chalkley Gould … 139 (view online: http://www.esah160.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/wallbury-camp-great-hallingbury.html )
VIII. The Castle of Stansted Montfitchet, By Henry Laver … 141
IX. An Extinct County Family: Wroth of Loughton Hall, I.  By William Chapman Waller, M.A., F.S.A. ... 145 
X. The Order of the Hospital in Essex [Little Maplestead].  By J. H. Round, M.A. 182 
XI. Helion of Helion's Bumpstead, By J. H. Round, M.A. ... 187 
XII. The Manor of Colne Engaine. By J. H. Round, M.A. ... 192 
XIII. Essex Field Names. Part VI. (ii).  - The Hundred of Hinckford.   Collected and arranged by William Chapman Waller, M.A., F.S.A. ... 199 
XIV. Colchester Bays, Says and Perpetuanas. By Eliot Howard … 223 (view online: http://cat.essex.ac.uk/reports/EAS-report-0030.pdf )
 
Archaeological Notes … 226
Essex Deeds.  By J H Round
Creffeild family [Colchester].  By J H Round
An early Essex Will (AD998) [Leofwine son of Wulfstan in favour of Westminster Abbey. Kelvedon Hatch reference].  By J H Round
The Churches of High Ongar, Stanford Rivers, Langenhoe, and Little Laver.  By J H Round
Rayleigh Mount.  By J H Round
The Wardstaff.  By J H Round
Worked Flint found at Loughton Hall.  By William Chapman Waller
Discovery of Roman Coins at Little Waltham.  By Miller Christy
Roydon Whipping-Posts and Stocks.  By W B Gerish
 
Quarterly Meeting and Excursion, Saturday, 9th June, 1900 [Nevenden, South Benfleet, and Thundersley]... 231 
Quarterly Meeting and Excursion, Wednesday, 22nd August, 1900 [Harlow, Great Hallingbury, Stansted Mountfitchet, and Bishops Stortford] … 239 
Quarterly Meeting and Excursion, Tuesday, 25th September, 1900 [Sturmer, Steeple Bumpstead, Birdbrook, Stambourne, and Great Yeldham] ... 242 
Annual General Meeting, of the Essex Archaeological Society held at Colchester Castle on Thursday 18th April, 1901 … 243 
Report for 1900 ... 244 
Donations to the Society ... 246 
Balance Sheet ... 240 
 
 
Volume VIII, Part III
 
XV. Some Interesting Essex Brasses. By Miller Christy and W. W. Porteous ... 249 
XVI. Lawford Church. By the Rev. E. K. Green, M.A. ... 286 
XVII. The Churches of Great and Little Bromley. By the Rev. H. H. Minchin, M.A.  … 292 
XVIII. Essex Field Names. Part VII. - The Hundreds of Uttlesford and Clavering. Collected and arranged by William Chapman Waller, M.A., F.S.A. ... 295 
XIX. Great Easton Mount. By I. Chalkley Gould … 324 
XX. Stukeley’s “Temple" at Navestock. By I. Chalkley Gould … 327 
 
Archaeological Notes ... 329
A Charter of Alice of Essex.  By J H Round
Tregoz of Tolleshunt Tregoz [now Tolleshunt D’Arcy].  By J H Round
Wethersfield, Pleshey and ‘Plesingho’.  By J H Round
Tiptree Priory and the Coronation.  By R. F. 
South Weald.  By W.C.W.
Woodham Ferrers and Archbishop Sandys.  By W.C.W.
 
Quarterly Meeting and Excursion, Thursday, 23rd May, 1901 [Dedham, Lawford, and Great and Little Bromley]... 336 
Quarterly Meeting and Excursion, Tuesday, 30th July, 1901 [Dunmow, Great Easton, Tilty, Broxted and Chickney]... 337 
Quarterly Meeting and Excursion, Saturday, 5th October, 1901 [Brentwood, Navestock and South Weald]... 338 
 
 
Volume VIII, Part IV

Copy available from our Online Bookshop
 
XXI. An Extinct Essex Family: Wroth of Loughton Hall. II. By William Chapman Waller, M.A., F.S.A. ... 345 
XXII. Records of Tiltey [Tilty] Abbey: An Account of some preserved at Easton Lodge. Part I. By William Chapman Waller, M.A., F.S.A. … 353
XXIII. Some Essex Brasses Recently Refixed. By Miller Christy and W. W. Porteous … 363
XXIV. Oliver’s Thicks Rampart: An Earthwork near Colchester.  By Henry Laver, F.S.A., F.L.S. … 369
 
Archaeological Notes … 373
The Descent of Thorrington.  By J H Round
The Church and Glebe at Willingale Doe.  By J H Round
Beeleigh Abbey.  By R.F.
The Siege of Colchester.  By I C Gould
Nether Hall in Roydon: Notes from the Inquisitions.  By W.C.W.
Barking.  By W.C.W.
 
General Meeting of the Essex Archaeological Society held at Colchester Castle on Thursday, 17th April, 1902 … 380
Quarterly Meeting and Excursion, Saturday, 31st May, 1902  [Ryehouse, Roydon, and Waltham Abbey] … 382
Report for 1901 … 384
Donations to the Society … 387
Balance Sheet …. 389

For more information visit our Online Bookshop

ESAH Grant of Arms (2)

Grant of Arms.  Continued from http://esah160.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/esah-grant-of-arms-1.html

A marvellous evening was held at Ingatestone Hall in May 2010 when a ‘Grant of Arms’ was given to the Essex Society for Archaeology and History.  (For the news story see http://www.thisistotalessex.co.uk/Essex-s-oldest-society-granted-coat-arms/story-12650499-detail/story.html ).

Thomas Woodcock, Norray and Ulster, wrote for the ‘Essex Archaeology & History’ (aka ‘Transactions’) Series 3, Volume 40:

“The arms are based on those of the County of Essex namely Gules three Seaxes fessewise in pale Argent hilts and pommels Or points to the sinister and cutting edges upwards.  These arms were granted to Essex County Council by the Letters Patent of Garter, Clarenceux and Norray Kings of Arms dated 15 July 1932 …. .  The arms to the Essex Society for Archaeology and History have been varied by those of county as the seaxes enfile [the term of blazon meaning to thread or pass through] Saxon Crowns as a reference to the East Saxons from which the county takes its name and are shown vertically rather than horizontally.

“The crest shows a demi-Griffin grasping a Seaxe and resting the sinister foreclaws on a Roman helmet …. .

“Mottoes do not technically form part of the grant of arms … might be translated as ‘A Love of Essex Leads Me’ is most appropriate.”

ESAH Sunday Series: Dinner Party Stories

From a 'Commonplace Book' received by one of our members who runs a local history blog. It was written by Edward Henry Lisle Reeve in 1881, who went on to succeed his father as Rector of Stondon Massey.

Tall Story

There was a gentleman at some dinner party or other who kept the table in the most feverish state of excitement while he told the story of a man who had come safely across the Atlantic in a tub with no companion but his dog in an incredibly short time.  They heard him to the end, when one of the audience addressed him: “I thank you”, he said, “for your story, and I am much obliged to you for telling it; up to this time I have never been able to find anybody who would believe it – I am that man”.

A Store of Stories

Mr Thos. Reeve had, or pretended to have, a numbered collection of these old stories, and when Capt. Reeve was telling them to a delighted audience, he would say, with a twinkle in his eye, “No. 156” or whatever it might be.

Exaggeration

There was a favourite story of Capt. Reeve’s of a gentleman who, having been a great traveller, came back at last to see his friends in England.  His strange adventures rendered him a delightful and amusing guest, and he was often going out to luncheon or dinner parties.  On one occasion he was invited out to dine, and he took his servant with him – a common custom in those days – to stand behind his chair.  “Now John” he said to his servant, “they tell me I am fond of exaggerating, and I want you this evening, if you hear me going too far, just to give me a sly pull at the coat-tail”.  They went to dinner, and our hero told the assembled guests many strange and exciting stories.  At last he was led to give them a peep at the monkeys in Africa, and their curious and winning ways.  “One of them” he said, “had a tail 30 yards long”.  Here there was a violent pull from John at his coat-tail.  When the merriment and amusement of the guests had a little subsided he said, “Well perhaps I have exaggerated it a little, I want to be strictly true, perhaps I should not give the tail more than 20 yards”.  Here there was another lusty pull from John.  “Well” said the gentleman, “perhaps I should say 15 yards, but I can’t give him any less”.  Here there was another pull.  “Why good gracious John,” he said turning round to his servant, “you will be trying to persuade me soon that the monkey had no tail at all”.

Book for Review: Basildon Then and Now

'Basildon Then and Now. In Colour' by Jim Reeve.

The Essex Society for Archaeology has received a complimentary copy of this book from the publishers - History Press - for review and onward accession to its Library at the Albert Sloman Library, University of Essex.  The following was received: 

"From its humble beginnings as the tiny village of ‘Behoter’ to the bustling commuter town of the modern day, Basildon  has developed very rapidly over the past century. This charming new title clearly shows how the town developed from the old areas of Laindon, Vange and Pitsea and celebrates the strong community spirit of its residents.

"From the Plotlands to Pitsea, Basildon Then & Now captures the essence of Basildon and its people, detailing the evolution of the town over the years in a comprehensive and unique manner.  With detailed and informative captions accompanying each pair of photographs, this evocative new volume will awaken nostalgic memories for all who know and love this ‘new town’.

·         Featuring streets and buildings, shops and businesses, and people at work, all aspects of town life are covered

·         Including 45 rare archive photographs, some of which have never before been published.

"A prominent local historian in Essex, his home county, Jim Reeve has won several writers’ awards, including the Jack Kendal Trophy (three times) and ‘Writer of the Year’. He is the author of two other books on Essex for The History Press: Wickford Memories and Basildon Memories."

ESAH Forum: 'Tallis, Byrd & The Tudors' on TV again

'Tallis, Byrd and The Tudors' in the BBC TV series 'Sacred Music' is a programme I would never tire of seeing.  It is on BBC FOUR at 7.30pm this evening and, of course, available on the BBC I Player for a week afterwards.  Thomas Tallis (1505 - 1585) and William Byrd (c1540 - 1623) were both Essex composers.

I wrote this immediately after the programme's first showing on 4 April 2008:

"Programme three in the series 'Sacred Music' has just had its first broadcast on BBC FOUR. Entitled 'Tallis, Byrd and The Tudors', we learned about these two Elizabethan Catholic composers who lived and worked in Essex.

"Tallis worked for the Anglican Church following the dissolution of Waltham Abbey where he was organist between 1538 and 1540. He composed such pieces as 'If Ye Love Me', simply because as a musician this was the art professionally required of him at the time. The Church was the only place for his creativity.

"Byrd, the younger of the two men, was quite a different character. He was a closet Catholic writing subversive liturgy for families such as the Petres at Ingatestone Hall. The present Lord Petre was interviewed at his home and viewers were shown paintings of William Petre, the first Baron and canny Tudor Secretary to the monarchs, then John, William's son and patron of Byrd. The Petre family were keen musicians and invited Byrd to Ingatestone Hall at Christmas 1585 for merrymaking and the odd secret Catholic mass. Byrd's settings of the Mass for Three, Four and Five Voices (part of the Mass for Four Voices sung by The Sixteen at Ingatestone Hall) are deliberately written for an intimate, domestic area. This is dangerous music.

"The choice of Byrd's home at Stondon Massey, after the London Plague of 1592, seems to have been a deliberate hideaway from prying villagers and a walk across country to what was a hotbed of recusancy in the nearby village of Kelvedon Hatch.

"Byrd is portrayed as a 'protest singer' in the composition of 'Why do I with paper, ink and pen' - a reaction to Edmund Campion's execution / martyrdom at Tyburn - and in the writing of 'How can we sing the Lord's song in a strange land' (in Latin) to that Psalm 'By the Rivers of Babylon' (no don't mention Boney M please!).

"These were indeed turbulent times! Repeated fines for recusancy and maybe anonymous burial at nightfall in the churchyard at Stondon Massey.

"A really great film. Will watch the repeat!"

Originally published on Blackmore Area Local History blog

Transactions Transcriptions: 'New Series' Volume 7

Whipping Post,
Stondon Massey

Transactions transcriptions – Part 5

To increase our online presence, one of the goals of the Essex Society for Archaeology and History is to provide more information on the many thousands of pages of articles which have been produced over its 160 year history.  Online contents lists and indexes do not exist at the present time but other external sites have downloaded text.  Although digitisation is not prefect it is better than no thing!.  So to plagiarise back our own work – now out of copyright – the following is available.

Transactions. n.s. (Series 2) Volume 7.

Text only version

http://archive.org/stream/transactionsess00socigoog/transactionsess00socigoog_djvu.txt

online version

http://archive.org/stream/transactionsess00socigoog#page/n13/mode/2up

CONTENTS

VOL. VII. 

NEW SERIES. 

Contents 

Volume VII, Part I

I.               On Some Interesting Essex Brasses. By Miller Christy and W. W. Porteous … 1

II.             Ancient Wills [Richard Corall, Chelmsford, 1498; Henry Love, Moulsham, 1503; John Stokwell, Moulsham, 1503; John Tomson, Chelmsford, 1504; Adrian Lypping, Chelmsford, 1506; Roger Alford, Chelmsford, 1518]. By H. C. Malden, M.A … 32

III.           The Parish Cage and Whipping -Post. By Henry Layer, F.S.A. … 37

IV.           Some Additions to Newcourts Repertorium. Vol. II. Being Notes made by J. C. Challenor Smith ... 40

V.            Essex Field Names. Part IV. - The Hundreds of Winstree and Tendring. Collected and arranged by William Chapman Waller, M.A., F.S.A. … 65 

Archaeological Notes ... 93

Font Cover, Takeley Church. By F W G 

Latton Church.  By J H Round

Hadleigh and Rayleigh Park.  By J H Round

The St Lawrence Family [Colchester].  By J H Round

Bradwell-juxta-Mare.  By R H Hills

Durolitum [South Street, Romford].  By Thos. Bird

General Meeting held at Colchester, on 14th April, 1898 [Little Horkesley Church and its monuments; Pitchbury Ramparts, West Bergholt]. ... 97

Report for 1897 … 111

Donations to the Society … 113

Balance Sheet

Volume VII, Part II

VI. Colchester in the Twelfth and Thirteenth Centuries, By George Rickword … 115 (view online:  http://cat.essex.ac.uk/reports/EAS-report-0029.pdf )

VII. The Castle of Ongar. By I. C. Gould … 136

VIII. The Honour of Ongar. By J. H. Round, M.A. … 142

IX. Some Additions to Newcourts Repertorium. Vol. II. Being Notes made by J. C. Challenor Smith … 153

Archaeological Note: Essex Church Plate ... 177

General Meeting and Excursion to Roxwell, the Willingales, Fyfield, and Ongar, on 11th June, 1898 … 178

General Meeting and Excursion to Brightlingsea, St. Osyth, and Great Clacton, on 28th July, 1898 … 190

General Meeting and Excursion to Wenden [Wendons Ambo, Wendon Lofts], Elmdon, Chrishall, and Strethall], on 8th September, 1898 … 194

Joint Meeting of the Essex Archaeological Society and the Essex Field Club held at Grays Thurrock, on 8th October 1898 … 206 

Volume VII, Part III

X. On Some Interesting Essex Brasses. By Miller Christy and W. W. Porteous … 207 

XI. Essex Vineyards in Domesday, By J. H. Round, M.A. … 249 

XII. On the Origin of Deneholes. By A. R. Goddard, B.A. … 252 

XIII. Cressing Church, By F. Chancellor, F.R.I. B.A. ... 256 

XIV. White Notley Church. By the Rev. A. F. Curtis, M.A. … 259 

XV. Faulkborne [Faulkbourne] Church. By F. Chancellor, F.R.I.B.A. ... 264 

XVI. Faulkborne [Faulkbourne] Hall. By F. Chancellor, F.R.I.B.A. ... 267 

XVII. Some Additions to Newcourts Repertorium. - Vol. II. Being Notes made by J. C. Challenor Smith ... 272 

XVIII. Essex Field Names. Part V. - The Hundreds of Lexden and Freshwell. Collected and arranged by William Chapman Waller, M.A., F.S.A.  ... 285

Archaeological Notes ... 328

Hatfield Regis [Hatfield Broad Oak] Priory.  By F W Galpin

The Fitz Walter Pedigree [East Hanningfield].  By J H Round

Walthamstow Church.  By J H Round

Colchester in the 12th and 13th Centuries.  By George Rickword

General Meeting at Colchester, on April 20th, 1899 … 332 

Report for 1898 … 333 

Donations to the Society … 335 

Balance Sheet ... 338 

General Meeting and Excursion to Cressing, White Notley, Fairstead, Terling, and Faulkbourne, on May 27th, 1899 ... 339 

Volume VII, Part IV

Copy available from our Online Bookshop

XIX. The Bartlow Hills. By A. R. Goddard, B.A. ... 349 

XX. Some Additions to Newcourt's Repertorium. Vol. II. Being Notes made by J. C. Challenor Smith ... 356 

XXI. Some Essex Coffin-Slabs [at Great Bardfield, Stapleford Tawney, Great Horkesley, Willingale Spain, Little Horkesley, Faulkboune, Toppesfield etc]. By Miller Christy … 369 

XXII. Woodham Ferrers. By F. Chancellor, F.R.I.B.A. ... 396 

Archaeological Notes … 399

Essex Field Names.  By William Chapman Waller

Stondon Massey [William Shelley, William Byrd, 1599/1600].  By William Chapman Waller

The Origin of Deneholes.  By J H Round M.A.

A Roman Coffin found at Braintree.  By G F Beaumont

General Meeting and Excursion to Ashdon, Hadstock, and Bartlow, on 18th July, 1899 … 403 

General Meeting and Excursion to Woodham Ferrers, Stow Maries, Purleigh, and Beeleigh, on 26th September, 1899 ... 406 

For more information visit our Online Bookshop

Book for Review: Supermarine Spitfire

The Society has received 'Supermarine Spitfire' for review.  The publishers (Ian Allen) have sent the accompanying information. 

"It was in London during 2012 that Britain dazzling the world with Olympic and Paralympic achievements.

"But it was in the skies above London that within living memory Britain stood alone and saved that same world from a future in which tyranny and unsurpassed brutality would reign supreme. This fact is recounted in two books by Dr Alfred Price which reflect Britain’s proudest moment, the Battle of Britain, and the Spitfire, the plane that stood between an island nation and the might of the Luftwaffe, and won the day.

"Dr Price, a recognised and respected authority on the Battle of Britain, who lives in Uppingham, Rutland,  He served as an aircrew officer in the Royal Air Force where he flew with the V-Force and specialised in electronic warfare and air fighting tactics. In a military flying career spanning 15 years, he logged over 4,000 flying hours. Since 1974, he has been a full-time aviation author and has written more than 46 books. He holds a PhD in history from Loughborough University and is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.

"The Spitfire was one of the most - perhaps the most - successful fighter designs of all time and its service career linked the biplane era with the jet age. Yet the Spitfire is much more than just a superb flying machine.

"During World War 2, it occupied a unique place in the psyche of the British people and many believed it played a major part in saving the nation from defeat during the grim days of 1940. The wing design gave it a distinctive silhouette which led to its almost legendary status during the Battle of Britain, and its inimitable drone was imme­diately recognisable to those on the ground. Even now, those who lived through the Battle of Britain can instantly recognise the sound of a Spitfire in the sky.

"The Spitfire was produced in greater numbers than any other British aircraft and was the only Allied fighter in production through­out the war.

"Supermarine Spitfire, also written by Dr Price, (Ian Allan, 128pp, £19.99), looks in detail at the development of the Spitfire from its heroics in the Battle of Britain right through action in the European, Pacific Theatre and South-East Asian theatres when it was the backbone of RAF Fighter Command.

"Much loved by its pilots, the Spitfire saw service in several roles including interceptor, photo-reconnaissance, fighter-bomber, carrier-based fighter and trainer. It was built in many different variants with two different types of engine and several wing configurations.

"This striking landscape-format book is a fitting tribute to one of the greatest symbols of British wartime success and victory, and provides everything any aviation enthusiast or historian could wish to know about this irreplaceable British icon."

Transactions Transcriptions: 'New Series' Volume 6

Royal Coat of Arms, Theydon Bois

Transactions transcriptions – Part 4

To increase our online presence, one of the goals of the Essex Society for Archaeology and History is to provide more information on the many thousands of pages of articles which have been produced over its 160 year history.  Online contents lists and indexes do not exist at the present time but other external sites have downloaded text.  Although digitisation is not prefect it is better than no thing!.  So to plagiarise back our own work – now out of copyright – the following is available.

Transactions. n.s. (Series 2) Volume 6.

Text version

http://archive.org/stream/transactionsess04socigoog/transactionsess04socigoog_djvu.txt

digitised copy

http://archive.org/stream/transactionsess04socigoog#page/n7/mode/2up

CONTENTS. 

VOL- VI., 

NEW SERIES. 

Volume VI, Part I

I. Hornchurch Priory. By J. Horace Round, M.A. … 1 

II. Roman Pottery Kiln, Shoeburyness, By H. Laver, F.S.A. … 13 

III. Gryme’s Dyke, or the Outward Trench of Wyldenhey. By Henry Laver, F.S.A. … 17 

IV. On the Custom of Setting up Royal Arms in Churches. By C. F. D. Sperling, M.A. … 22 

V. Fitz Lewes, of West Horndon, and the Brasses at Ingrave. By the Rev. H. L. Elliot, M.A. …  28 

VI. Essex Field Names. Part II. - The Hundreds of Beacontree, Chafford, and Barstable with the Liberty of Havering.  Collected and arranged by William Chapman Waller, M.A., F.S.A. … 60 

Archaeological Notes … 85 

A Colchester Chantry.  By J H Round

Wills Proved at Waltham.  By William Chapman Waller

Early Essex Clergy.  By William Chapman Waller

Parish Registers: A Proposal.  By William Chapman Waller

Harlow [supposed earthwork near the Railway Station].  By G.F.B.

Gryme’s Dyke.  By H Laver

General Meeting at Colchester y 19th March, 1896 … 88 

Report for 1895 … 90 

Donations to the Society … 92 

Volume VI, Part II

VII. Roman Clasp Knives. By Henry Laver, F.S.A … 95 

VIII. Shoebury Camp. By Henry Laver. F.S.A. … 97 

IX. Some Essex Manuscripts: Being an account of those belonging to W. S. Chisenhale-Marsh Esq., of Gaynes Park. Part II. By William Chapman Waller, M.A. … 101

X. Ancient Wills. No. 2 [Ralph Busby, Vicar of Great Baddow, proved 1492; Sir John Newys, Vicar of Tillingham, 1490; William Woode, Rector of Bocking, 1472; John Parkyne, Vicar of Althorne, proved 1505]. By H. C. Maldon, M.A. … 122 

XI Some Additions to Newcourts Repertorium. Vol. IL Being Notes made by J. C. Challenor Smith  … 126 

XII. On Some Interesting Essex Brasses. By Miller Christy and W. W. Porteous … 146

Archaeological Notes … 171

Essex Court Rolls.  By J H Round

Flemish Refugees in Essex.  By J H Round

Roman Burials in Colchester.  By Henry Laver, F.S.A.

Founder’s Hoard at Hatfield Broad Oak.  By Henry Laver

Founder’s Hoard at Southchurch. By Henry Laver

Remains of Roman Buildings at West Mersea.  By Henry Laver

Hawkwood Family [Toppesfield].  By C F D Sperling

General Meeting at Finchingfield and Excursion in the Neighbourhood on May 25th, 1896 [The churches of Shalford, Wethersfield, Finchingfield, Great and Little Bardfield, and Spain’s Hall, Finchingfield] … 176 

General Meeting at Southchurch, the Skoeburys, the Wakerings, and Barling held on 23rd July, 1896 … 195 

General Meeting at Hornchurch Upminster, and the Ockendons, on 12th September, 1896  … 199 

Volume VI, Part III

XIII. Some Essex Family Correspondence in the Seventeenth Century [Luckyn, Birch Hall]. By J. H. Round, M.A. … 207 

XIV. Discovery of Late-Celtic Pottery at Shoebury. By Henry Laver, F.S.A … 222 

XV. Great Canfield Mount. By the Rev. E. A. Downman … 225 

XVI. Some Additions to Newcourts Repertorium. Vol, II, Being Notes made by J. C, Challenor Smith … 228 

XVII. Essex Field Names. Part III - The Hundreds of Rochford, Dengie, and Thurstable. Collected and arranged by William Chapman Waller, M.A., F.S.A. … 258 

Archaeological Note: Inventories of Church Goods, Essex.  By C F D Sperling … 278 

General Meeting of the Essex Archaelogical Society held at Colchester Castle, on Tuesday, the 23rd March, 1897 … 279 

Special Meeting at Mersea, 13th May, 1897 [Roman building at West Mersea Hall] … 284 

Report for 1896 … 286

Donations to the Society … 287 

Volume VI, Part IV

XVIII. Othona and the Count of the Saxon Shore, By the Rev. Canon Raven, D.D., F.S.A … 291 

XIX. Some Additions to Newcourt’s Repertorium, Vol, II, Being Notes made by J. C. Challenor Smith … 298 

XX. The History of the Church of Hatfield Regis or Broad Oak, with some Account of the Priory Buildings, By the Rev. F. W. Galpin, M.A., F.L.S., Vicar … 327 

Archaeological Notes … 346 

Early Essex Clergy.  By J H Round

Churchyard Fence, Wickham Bishops.  By Henry C. Malden

The Bell at Colchester Castle.  By J. J. Raven, D.D., F.S.A.

Gestingthorpe.  By William Chapman Waller

The Portreeve of Colchester.  By J H Round

General Meeting held at Asheldham and Bradwell-on-Sea, on 8th July, 1897 [Asheldham Camp, Bradwell-on Sea Church and Chapel] … 350 

General Meeting held at Elsenham, Horham Hall, Thaxted, and Newport on 7th September, 1897 … 355

General Meeting held at Takeley, Great Canfield, and Hatfield Broad Oak, on 12th October, 1897 … 360

For more information visit our Online Bookshop

Research Help: British Newspaper Archive

This resource will be of interest to all local and family historians:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Online newspaper archive celebrates its first birthday

·         Later today the British Newspaper Archive will reach the 6 million page mark on its first birthday

The British Newspaper Archive celebrates its first birthday today, as it nears the 6 million page milestone. With a target of 40 million fully-searchable pages by 2021, this 10-year project is the biggest digitisation of newspapers to take place in the UK.

The online archive holds stories of all human life, ranging from a heart-rending story of a child transported to Australia for seven years for the theft of seven cups and five saucers, to the coronation, marriage and attempted assassinations of Queen Victoria.

           

Debra Chatfield, Marketing Manager for The British Newspaper Archive, comments: “We are thrilled to be hitting the 6 million page mark on our first birthday.  The online archive is an Aladdin’s Cave full of fascinating local and national stories that are waiting to be uncovered, all of which can be done, within seconds, from the comfort of your own home.”

Facts about the British Newspaper Archive

·         10,000 pages are added every day, 7 days a week to the website

·         150,000 new stories a day, 4,500,000 new stories a month (approx)

·          Over 200 newspaper titles from the UK and Ireland

·         Newspapers cover the period 1710 to 1950

·         It is the biggest programme of newspaper digitisation to take place in the UK and aims to have 40 million, fully-searchable pages on the website by 2021.

To celebrate the birthday, Archive stories will be posted on the British Newspaper Archive blog for events and birthdays that happened on 29 November.

The website is free to search, with a range of credit and subscription packages available to suit the different needs of researchers who wish to view the paid-for content. Access to the resource is free to users of the British Library’s Reading Rooms.

ENDS

Notes to editors

About The British Newspaper Archive

1.      The British Newspaper Archive is a partnership project between the British Library and brightsolid. From November 2011 to 2021, up to 40 million pages from historical newspapers across the UK and Ireland (spanning the period, 1700 to 1950) will be uploaded to the website. www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk.

2.      The British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom. It provides world class information services to the academic, business, research and scientific communities and offers unparalleled access to the world's largest and most comprehensive research collection.

3.      brightsolid began life in 1995 as Scotland-Online and is a leading UK independent provider of IT business services to large public and private sector organisations. The online publishing division of brightsolid has significant expertise in the digitisation and management of archival records, and works in partnership with the British Library, the National Archives and the National Records of Scotland. Headquartered in Dundee, the company is owned by the publishers D.C. Thomson and has offices in Edinburgh and London. www.brightsolid.com

For further information contact:

Natasha White

Press Officer

The British Newspaper Archive

Email: nwhite@brightsolid.com

Phone: 0207 994 0149

ESAH Sunday Series: Dinner Parties

Continuing our series ... Extracts from Edward Henry Lisle Reeve's 'Commonplace Book', written in 1881.  

Dinner Parties

Drinking Post Dinner

In the days – known sometimes as the good old days – a great deal more wine was consumed after dinner than it is the custom now, and a man was hardly worthy the name who could not put away his two bottles at least.  Then, we must recollect, dinner was about four o’clock in the afternoon, and the after hours were kept up as late as now, so that a good deal might be reasonably expected in the time.  After a dinner party the ladies would go home alone, it being very little use to wait for their escorts.  Sometimes the gentlemen would stagger back to the drawing room, but they were anything but agreeable companions after dinner.

The dining room chairs used all to be made to run on castors, and the valets would come and wheel out their several masters.

It is altogether a disgraceful account to give of the society of the day.  Capt. Reeve at his house would not produce more wine when he saw everybody was well sated, he could not help it, he said, he did not want to be stingy, but thought it well to draw the line somewhere.  He used to tell the story of some young host who was called all sorts of hard names for not producing more wine at such a time.  He took out a dozen or more of his best wine on to the lawn and broke the bottles saying that he did not want the wine, but they had all had quite enough. 

When out at a party, Capt. Reeve with his common sense, would take great notice before dinner began of the exact position of the door in case of accidents. He has often seen unsteady forms trying in hopeless corners of the room to find their way out.

Dinner Etiquette

We have already hinted at the rather loose conduct of the gentleman over their wine at the dinner parties of the olden time.  There was, however, a great deal of formality interspersed with the joviality of the period.  It was customary, for example, for every gentleman to bow across the table to the lady of the house, and ask for the pleasure of a glass of wine with her.  Neglect of this piece of etiquette would have been deemed an unpardonable omission.  It was rather a formidable task for the youth of that day to withstand the gaze of the assembled party while he waited to catch the hostess’ eye.

And the task was yet more formidable when the hostess’ eye was an ever wandering though beaming star.  Miss Thomson of Dedham unfortunately squinted, and the gentlemen never knew when they had caught her eye, and when they had not.  On one occasion, at her house, the gentlemen had all nervously refrained from attempting the usual formula.  This was not to be passed unnoticed by that lady.  “There are less than seven gentlemen present”, she said, “and not one of them has had the grace to ask me to take wine with him”.

Ancient Wills No 2 (John Smyth, Blackmore): Transactions o.s. Volume 3: Ancient Wills No 2

Thomas Smyth (d. 1592)
A plan of the tomb which is situated in the south east
corner of the Priory Church of St Laurence, Blackmore

Ancient Wills No 2.  (Taken from the Old Series of Transactions, Volume 3) by J W King.

The Will of John Smyth of Blackmore, dated 1543, has been transcribed.  To read it, and explore the Smyth family, follow this link.