13^ I'HE ESSEX FIELD CT.UB. 



side of the river, being some 20 feet above it, that no " wall " is 

 needed ; but the high tides are only prevented from flooding the 

 west bank by a river wall or "innings" about 15 feet in height, 

 thrown up to prevent the " drowning " of the Manor Farm 

 meadows.' 



From its general form and position, and by comparison with 

 other early works, we may well conjecture that this Camp is of pre- 

 historic origin, and was in all probability a British settlement, sub- 

 sequently occupied by the Romans, who commonly adopted such 

 sites for their own camps. The opinion has also been expressed 

 that it owes its origin to the Norman Conqueror, who made the 

 adjacent Abbey of Barking his residence until the conquered had 

 quieted down, or the Tower of London had been built (or rebuilt) ; 

 but this is, in the writer's opinion, extremely improbable, although 

 he may have pitched the camp of his army during that period upon 

 this ground. 



Ill conclusion, I may be allowed to say a few words as an expres- 

 sion of the pleasure it gives me at all times to revisit this neighbour- 

 hood, having in past years spent so many happy days in the Manor 

 House of Little Ilford across the river, and here also, after my 

 friend's removal to the farmhouse within this Camp. 



//tec oltni meminisse juvahit. — ViRGIL. 



THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB. 



Joint Visit of the Club and "The Sette of Chelmsford Odde 

 Volumes" to Castle Hedingham. 



Wednesday, August 2nd, 1893. 



An exceedingly agreeable joint excursion was made on the above date to this 

 interesting locality. The programme, or "index of proceedings" as it was 

 termed, was divided into chapters, gastronomical, ecclesiastical, axtislic, topo- 

 graphical, antiquarian, and botanical, and under these lieadings a. fancifully 

 worded description was given. The conductors or directors were, Messrs. Fred 

 Chancellor, J. P., E. A. Fitch, F.L.S., J. F., Walter Ciouch, F.Z.S., A. C. Freeman, 

 W. Cole, F.E.S., and Mr. E. Durrant. 



Leaving London by train at II.7, and Chelmsford at 12. 5, the company, which 

 numbered between sixty and seventy, arrived at their destination shortly before 

 two o'clock. They at once proceeded from Castle Hedingham railway station to 

 the " Bell Hotel " in the village, for luncheon. Included in the bill of fare was 



5 References to these " innings " may be seen in my p.iper on "Dagenham Kreach," Essex 

 Nat., vol. vi., pp. 157-8. 



