THE ESSEX P^IELD CLUB. 179 



tradition, Mistress Nell Gvvynne once dwelt. It affords a good example of 

 ornamental raised plaster work, but the date of the building (close to the end of 

 the 17th century) hardly accords with that of the frail beauty of the " Merry 

 Monarch's " court. It was formerly an inn, with the sign of the " Horns," and it 

 is said that Charles II., the Duke of York, and Nell Gwj-nne used to stop there 

 on their wa}' to Newmarket.' 



There are some fine carved chimneys in the village, also the house known as 

 " Monks Barn " in the main street, a timber framed edifice said to have been used 

 in the latter part of the 14th century by Dominicans who received rents and tithes 

 there. It has a very noteworthy bay-window in the upper story, facing w-est, 

 underneath which, and forming part of it, is a bold carving out of solid oak, 

 depicting the Coronation of the Blessed Virgin, but this may have been inserted 

 at a later date than that of the house itself. The building, with its "'herring- 

 bone " brick nogging and studs, well deserves a careful inspection. The " Coach 

 and Horses," an old hostelry, from which, according to tradition, the Duke of 

 Buckingham and the Earl of Rochester used to post ; and many very picturesque 

 cottages and other buildings. In a farm yard are still to be seen vestiges of St. 

 Leonard's Hospital for lepers, dating from " Good King John's '' time. 



A walk was taken through the village to the grounds of " Shortgroves," a man- 

 sion of Queen Anne's days ; in the park are some unusually fine timber trees, and 

 Cedars of Lebanon, one of which covers with its branches an area of about eighty 

 yards in diameter. On the roadside towards " Shortgroves " is a very large block 

 of sandstone. 



The Vicar, the Rev. G. F. Tamplin, M.A., and Mr. G. E. Pritchett, F.S.A., 

 acted as guides to the church of St. Mary the Virgin, Perpendicular and Decorated, 

 which w.as carefully restored in 1857 by Mr. Pritchett, but the tower was re-built, 

 because of its dangerous condition. The church is a noble structure, consisting 

 of nave, aisles, transepts, tower porch and chancel. The mouldings and details 

 are good, and at a spot near the pulpit the spectator may see first, second and 

 third pointed work. In the parvise over the S. porch is a remarkably fine oaken 

 chest of unusual size. On the interior of its lid are early painted panels ; it is 

 carved and moulded elaborately, and it has many old locks. How the chest was 

 got into the parvise is a mystery, as the staircase is narrow, and the window too 

 small to aJmit the great box without considerable disturbance of the masonry. 



The lectern is of oak and of early type ; the pedestal is hollow ; the revolving 

 portion for holding the chained Bible can be let up and down to the required 

 height and is secured by a spring let into the woodwork. There is an inscription 

 on brass let into this lectern which reads as follows : " In the year l535 the first 

 complete translation of the Bible was published, and in 1535 came out the king's 

 command, that a copy thereof should be set up in every church. Then the people 

 long thirsty for the Word rushed to the waters of life and drank freel}'. Shall we 

 have known more and felt greater mercy and shall we love less." The west tower 

 is very lofty and has four octagonal turrets on its summit. In consequence of its 

 having been shattered by lightning and having a faulty foundation, it became 

 unsafe. It was rebuilt in 1855, re-using the original material and the Barnack free- 



I Mr. Probert says (in Trans. Essex Arch. Soc, v. (ist ser.) p. 77) that he has seen a play 

 in which the scene was laid at the " Horns" at Newport, the King, Nell tiwynne, &c., figuring 

 as characters in it. He adds, " Tradition s.iys that they used to come with pack-horses by the 

 Great North Road, via Rickling, and the lane near Wicken Honhunt, still called ' London Lane ; ' 

 ihen along the ancient roid at the foot of Uury Field in Newport ; then along the back of the 

 Bury water House and so emerging opposite the Crown House." 



