THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB. J 43 



doubt, for he had fourteen bestowed on him, including this at Hedingham, which 

 he chose for his residence, and his descendants lived here for 558 years. 



Some contributions were made also by other speakers, including Mr. Crouch, 

 who gave som-e notes, by way of comparison, of the Keep here with the famous 

 Keep of Bishop Gundulph at Rochester, which it closely resembles in style and 

 size. He showed a large view of this, and remarked that Rochester Keep, being 

 of Caen stone, is more weathered, and lying low on the Medway banks, is not so 

 imposing in position as Hedingham. The interior of Rochester Keep was 

 entirely dismantled 200 years ago, but here at Hedingham the floors are still 

 remaining, and the windows glazed. 



Among the exhibits, Mr. Crouch claimed to show the oldest "Volume " and 

 " MSS." present. The former, a small quaint black-letter book, printed in Paris for 

 the Carthusians in 1499, a fine specimen of very early printing, of the time of our 

 Wynkyn de Worde, who was an assistant of Caxton and continued his printing ; 

 at the end of which is seven pages of small contemporary MSS. The other was 

 a most interesting deed written in old Court hand, dated Xth July (1534) the 26th 

 of Henry VHI., and signed by the last prioress "Mary Banbroke, by the 

 sufferinge of God prioress of the howse and Churche of our blessed Lady and the 

 Holy Crosse of Hedynghm at Castell in the Counte of Essex, and the Convent of 

 the same place." It is curious to note that her signature she writes as Prioress of 

 Henygame, one of the common spellings of this place in the olden days. The 

 seal, which is not quite perfect, is vesica-shaped and bears a double cross fleury 

 voided, with delicate tree branches ; of the inscription round the device, the only 

 part remaining is ' Ijcbljngljvim iib Cits.' ' The indenture relates to a lease of land 

 in Stambourne called Takeleys, at ;^4 per annum, to Rob* Furmage, of Erlys 

 Colne, Gentylman. 



This Benedictine convent was built and endowed by the 1st Earl of Oxford 

 and his Countess, and in all probability stood near the present Nunnery Street, 

 N.W. of the town, leading to Crouch Green. 



At the concl.ision, votes of thanks were passed to all who had contributed to 

 the day's pleasure or information. 



Towards the close of the day the visitors walked over to Sible Hedingham 

 Church, and afterwards, making for the station, left Hedingham station for home 

 by special train at 8.30, well satisfied with their visit to this ancient spot. 



Visit to the Deneholes in Hangman's Wood, near Grays Thurrock, 

 IN Conjunction with the Geologists' Association, 



Friday and Saturday, August nth and 12th, 1893. 



Several meetings of the Club have been held to examine the Deneholes, the 

 last being on October 8th, 1887, at the close of the explorations carried on by the 

 Club. A visit in conjunction with the Geologists' Association was held on May 9th, 

 1885, reports of which appeared in the " Proceedings of the Geologists' Associa- 

 tion," vol. ix., p. 179, and Journal Proceedings, Essex Field Club, vol. iv. p. cl. 

 Many new members of both Societies and others having expressed a desire to 

 inspect the pits, the present meeting was arranged by Mr. T. V. Holmes, F.G.S., 

 and Mr. W. Cole, //on. Secretary, and carried out under their superintendence, 



I In the enlarged Edition of Dugdale's " Monasticon " it is mentioned that no name of any 

 Prioress is known since 1405 ; and that no seal had yet been met with. 



