Programme

Our 2023 programme: 23 Feb: '1926' - our speaker is our Chairman, Martyn Lockwood. 23 Mar: Annual General Meeting. 27 Apr: 'John Ray' - Jennifer Rowland. 25 May: Napoleonic Invasion Plans - Neil Wiffen. 22 Jun: 'Jersey under the Jackboot: the occupation of Jersey during WW2' - Patrick Griggs. 27 Jul: 'The Life and Times of William Byrd (c1540-1623): A Local History' - Andrew Smith. 26 Oct: 'The Prison at Hill Hall' - Anne Padfield. 23 Nov: Pre-Christmas meeting. Talk to be confirmed. Admission: Members £1, Non-members £5 Annual Membership: £15 (Family: £30)

Wednesday 10 July 2013

Timely Talk on the Mary Rose

The High Country History Group's next meeting could not be more timely with the recent opening of the Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth, as reported in the July 2013 issue of the BBC History Magazine.  The speaker will be Maurice Wakeham of the Mary Rose Trust to which members and non members alike are welcome. The doors of the Toot Hill Village Hall will open around 7.30 for the meeting which begins at 8.00pm. (Members £1, Visitors £3 - including post talk tea and coffee). The date for your diaries: Thursday 25 July 2013.

The Mary Rose sank just off of the Isle of Wight on 19 July 1545, having taken a sharp turn and dramatically taking on board water. All but 25 of the 600 crew suddenly drowned. Archaeologists have been able to recover a huge amount of the vessel's contents: from guns to nit combs, gaming boards to unknown musical instruments. 

The talk will be fascinating and will be one of the highlights of our 2013 programme. 

Tuesday 9 July 2013

ESAH160: Transactions Contents: 'Series 3' Volume 26

ESAH160: Transactions Contents: 'Series 3' Volume 26: Essex Archaeology and History: Volume 26 (1995) Transactions of the Essex Society for Archaeology and History Contents: A Late Bronze...

ESAH160: Transactions Contents: 'New Series' Volume 20

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ESAH160: Willingale: Bells Ring Out For Christmas

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ESAH160: Greensted Church: Transactions n.s. Volume 10 Part...

ESAH160: Greensted Church: Transactions n.s. Volume 10 Part...: Pages from 'Transactions', published in 1907. Greensted Church by Henry Laver. Have y...

ESAH160: Greenstead and the Course of Edmund's Translation:...

ESAH160: Greenstead and the Course of Edmund's Translation:...: St Edmund's Day is commemorated on 20 November.  The saint is synonymous with the town in Suffolk - Bury St Edmunds - in the Diocese of...

Monday 8 July 2013

A Parish Register for Stapleford Tawney

Registers of Stapleford Tawney. Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1558 to 1752. Fifty copies printed, numbered and signed; subscription price, ten shillings and sixpence. 
 
These Registers were printed with the permission of the Rev. Lewis Newcomen Prance MA, The following names amongst others occur: Artherope, Baker, Becke, Benton, Bone, Bowes, Bowles, Burton, Cakebread, Casse, Cave, Chevings, Grave, Maulter, Quarke, Gray, Mott, Collop, Green, Nicholson, Comerford, Haddon, Orghar, Con, Hardwicke, Perry, Crabb, Cracknell, Harris, Hutchin, Ramsey, Randall, Dowset, King, Reed, Franks, Resley, Freshwater, Lord, Richardson, Fuller, Luther, Robinson, Rumball, Searle, Shadbolt, Smith, Threader, Turke, Turner, Waylett, White, Wood, Wright. 
 
All copies sold. 

Sunday 7 July 2013

A Parish Register for Greensted

Registers of Greensted, near Ongar. Baptisms, 1562 to 1805; Marriages, 1576 to 1812; Burials, 1561 to 1812. The Banns of Marriage are also given, dating from 1755 to 1812. Fifty copies printed, numbered and signed; subscription price, ten shillings and sixpence. 
 
These Registers were printed by permission of the Rev, Frederic Rose, M.A. and contain many entries to the following names: 
 
Alefounder, Asser, Ayley, Baker, Boreham, Bourne, Bowles, Bradley, Broca, Butterfield, Carter, Collin, Conn, Cracknell, Cross, Day, Dellar, Ennyver, Fell, Finch, Glascock, Gray, Green, Gridley, Harris, Hill, Holt, Humphrey, Ingoll, Jackson, Knight, Lacy, Lawrence, Matthews, Mead, Moore, Mott, Penson, Perry, Picket, Pigot, Porter, Sammes, Savil, Smith, Stapler, Stokes, Traps, Tween, Warren, Wells, West, White. Wood, Wright.  
 
All copies sold. 

Saturday 6 July 2013

Theydon Mount: Durrant's Handbook for Essex (1887)

Theydon Mount in 1887

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

Theydon mount. A.1500;P. 148; Vicarage, value (with Stapleford Tawney) £750, 3 m,. E from Theydon Bois, and S.E. from Epping.

Hill Hall, the property, but not now the residence, of the Smijth family, baronets, is a noble quadrangular building, of large size, very massively built, and in the classic style of architecture, though part of it dates from 1548.the entrance-hall, dining and drawing-rooms, library, &c., are large and lofty apartments, hung with an extensive series of old family portraits. That of Sir Thomas Smijth is ascribed to Titian, and another of Henry VIII. to Holbein. The view from the S. front is a fine and very extensive one, stretching over the well-wooded park to the hills on the opposite side of the Roding valley. The mansion was begun by Sir Thomas Smijth, who was born at Saffron Walden in 1514. He was one of the most eminent statesmen and accomplished scholars of his day, and held many important offices, including that of the secretary of state under Edward VI. and Elizabeth. His “De Republica Angloum” is a well known work. The Church (St. Michael) was destroyed by lightning and rebuilt in 1600. It is a small building, occupying an eminence in the corner of the park, and consisting of nave, chancel, and embattled tower, all of red brick. The windows are chiefly square 2-light ones, but that of the E. end has three lights and interlacing tracery. Within are some sumptuous monuments to the memory of the former owners of Hill Hall., including a fine canopied one to the Sir Thomas Smijth already mentioned (1577) and his wife; another with effigies to Sir William (1626), and several others. In the churchyard is a curious epitaph to Philip Gloyns, who died in 1806. The Register dates from 1564.

Friday 5 July 2013

Stapleford Tawney: Durrant's Handbook for Essex (1887)

Stapleford Tawney in 1887.

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

Staple’ford Tawney. A.1633; P. 222; Rectory, value(with Theydon Mount) £750; 4m. S.E. from Epping.

This parish takes its distinctive name from the family of Tany, who held it, with many other estates in Essex, in the 13th cent. The church (St. Mary) is small, picturesque, and of ancient origin, though most of its interesting features have been restored away. It is chiefly of flint, and consists of nave, S. aisle, and chancel, with timber tower and spire containing two bells, dated 1611 and 1630 respectively  It is evidently of 13th cent. (E. Eng.) origin, as there are in the chancel three tall lancet windows on the E., and one on the S., also a S. door of the same age, but later windows have been inserted. There are two ancient square niches or aumbries. On the floor is a tombstone  which once had a double, inscribed fillet, a cross, and a hand holding a scroll, all in brass, date about 1491(?). Suttons (Sir C. C. Smith, Bart.) is a modern house of stone, overlooking a picturesque and well-wooded park, through which flows the Roding.

Thursday 4 July 2013

Stanford Rivers: Durrant's Handbook for Essex (1887)

Stanford Rivers in 1887

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

Stan’ford Rivers.  A. 4386; P.975; Rectory, value £1077; 2m. S.W. form Ongar.

A scattered parish, named probably form the once stony ford through the Roding, and from its owners in the 13th cent. The church (St. Mary) is chiefly of stone, and consists of nave and chancel, with a tower and small spire of timber running up through the W. end of the former. It has no Aisles, and is therefore remarkable for its great length compared with its breadth. The nave and probably the chancel also, is Norman, though the latter inserted doors and windows, chiefly of the 14th cent. (Decor.). The former has one on each side two Norman windows and a 3-light nondescript one. The two doors, from which the Norman work has been removed, now lead to the rooms which were formerly the porches. The entrance, therefore, is now from the W. The chancel has on the S. two 14th cent. (Decor.) windows, and one on the N., with three small square windows above and on each side. The E. window is a fine one in the 14th cent., new or much restored. The font is octagonal, of late Norman or E. Eng. Date. Its sides are  carved with pointed arches. There are brasses to Thos. Grenville  (a child, curious, 1942) Robt. Barrow, Esq. (1503), a man in armour, and wife (about 1540), and Ann Napper and her six sons, all kneeling (1584), also inscriptions on the stone to several of the Petres. The Register dates from (1558). Bellhouse, ½m. S.W., was formerly a seat of a branch of the Petre family. Here for some years dwelt the Rev. Isaac Taylor and his sister, Jane Taylor, both celebrated writers.

Wednesday 3 July 2013

Greensted: Durrant's Handbook for Essex (1887)

Greensted in 1887

The following is taken from ‘Durrant’s Handbook For Essex’ written by Miller Christy (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.

Tuesday 2 July 2013

Book Review: The 1953 Flood Disaster - The People's Story

The 1953 Essex Flood Disaster – The People’s Story.  Patricia Rennoldson Smith. (The History Press, 2012)

As a timely commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the 1953 flood, Smith’s book offers an extensive collection of memories from survivors and victims, providing a graphic account of the impact of the flood along the Essex coast.  The chapter order follows the route of the storm surge, covering each town and village affected, starting with Harwich, Jaywick and Canvey Island and Benfleet, receiving greater attention, and the details of the night are presented chronologically.  The day or hours before the fateful night are sometimes mentioned, although most frequently Smith moves straight onto the moment the flood struck, and how the people reacted to it, providing a good balance of stories of heroic efforts, tragedies, and light hearted moments, all of which bring home the impact of the event on people’s lives.  Whilst the accounts are mainly limited to the initial rescue and recovery, this helps emphasise the scale of the disaster and enormous efforts carried out by the emergency services, such as the police and fire brigades, voluntary organisations, such as the British Red Cross and Women’s Royal Voluntary Service, and members of the public, often after being rescued themselves.

Smith uses many previously unpublished photographs and recorded memories to tell these stories effectively.  These normally include extended captions or quotations from the survivors in the body of the text, which help provide a strong picture of the impact of the flood on the individual residents.  When these accounts are collected, they truly present the people’s story, and show that whilst the impacts an rescue and recovery efforts varied between areas, the flood will never be forgotten in the towns affected. 

The use of photographs, cartoons and maps are also well placed, with captions which link them to specific incidents or memories mentioned in the text.  These help visualise the extent and scale of the disaster.  Also included, at the end, is a very powerful list of those who perished during the flood, listing their ages and the roads in which they died.  This helps demonstrate that all ages were vulnerable, although the young and elderly were particularly at risk. 

A well recorded bibliography is included for those who wish to pursue the subject further, and the captions for the photographs, cartoons and maps are accurately referenced.

To conclude, Smith’s well-constructed book is intended for those with a general interest, but it is also a brilliant stepping on point for those wishing to explore the 1953 flood further.


This review originally appeared in the Spring 2013 edition of the Newsletter of the Essex Society for Archaeology and History, and was written by a history student at the University of Essex.

Monday 1 July 2013

The Great Tide 1953

Ann Brooks gave an interesting talk to over 30 members and visitors last Thursday on the subject of the Essex floods on the night of 31 January 1953.  The freak weather event was caused by low pressure and wind which had caused the sinking of a ferry off the west coast of Scotland the previous day. The low pressure centre was thought to have been tracking eastwards, but instead turned south funneling the surge along the east coast. Weather forecasters did not anticipate the scale of the problem, and people went to bed unaware.  Many communities suffered death and destruction, notably Canvey Island in Essex. Since then sea defences have been improved but whether they would be sufficient to prevent another disaster  is questionable. What has improved since 1953 is the communications and better early warning.