OLD LOUGHTON HALL. 



15 



taking" to provide all the costs and expenses of the cellarer, steward, 

 and receiver of the Abbey, together with their servants, for two days 

 and two nights, when they resorted to Loughton to hold the courts 

 and leets there. This condition would naturally be fulfilled, in 

 times when hostelries were rare and payments in kind common, by 

 the reception and entertainment of the cavalcade at the house of the 

 firmarius, who was doubtless the most important resident in the 

 parish, and probably the only one whose resources were at all equal 

 to such extensive hospitality. 



Old Loughton Hai.i, I'.efore the Fire. 

 From a Water-colour Dra-anng at Goldings Hill. 



It is not, however, until much later times that we come on any 

 direct mention of Loughton Hall. Writing (in February, i6o|) to 

 his " very good freind Saint Michaell," Sir Robert \\'roth, in the 

 course of a long letter,* refers to a report that certain Duchy of 

 Lancaster lands are to be sold, and that the Manor of " Lucton 

 Hawle " (Sir Robert always writes "Lucton"), in which he dwells, 

 is classed among them. He goes on to give particulars as to the 

 leases granted " by the Abbot to ould Mr. Stonard," and to his own 

 faiher-in-law, Mr. Stonard's namesake and grandson. These leases, 



3 Conventual Leases (Essex) ; B. 238 ; fo. 7^. 



4 Lansdowne MSS. 83, fo. 59. "To Michaell Hickes, E.s ;uir;." In a subsequent letter '.r^ i> 

 addressed as " no lon^^er Saint, but Sir Michaell." 



