Journal of Proceedin(/s. xlvii 



the neighbourhood of which the Chib might from time to time hold either 

 Field or Ordinary Meetings. 



On reaching Chelmsford a move was quickly made to the " Saracen's 

 Head Hotel," in the High Street, the appointed head-quarters for the day. 

 After a short stay there, and not a few pleasant introductions and hand- 

 shakings, the company — now considerably augmented by fresh local 

 arrivals — proceeded across the road to St. Mary's Church, Mr. F. Chan- 

 cellor (Architect to the Diocese), — who, thanks to a long and loving study 

 of its architectural and antiquarian details, is perhaps better qualified for 

 the task than any other man in Essex, — having kindly undertaken to act 

 as their "guide, philosopher, and friend," in connection with the 

 inspection of that ancient and stately edifice. Taking his stand under 

 one of the noble arches of the tower, Mr. Chancellor read an elaborate 

 paper upon the Church, giving its history from 1424 up to the present 

 time, and lucidly explaining its architectural features and its points of 

 historical and antiquarian interest. We much regret that the limits of 

 these rej)orts, and the scheme of the Club as mainly a Natural History 

 Society, precludes the insertion of this valuable paper in its entirety. 

 Mr. Chancellor began by referring to the very meagre records of the 

 ancient history of Chelmsford. There could be no doubt that a Church 

 existed there from very early times, and it might fairly be presumed that 

 the structure was one of some importance ; but, except what might have 

 been used in the shape of old materials in the building of the walls of the 

 present edifice, no remains of it are extant. Doubtless the old Church, 

 which partook probably of the Norman character, was utterly annihilated 

 by the townsfolk when they determined upon re-building of their parish 

 Church in 1424. That John De Vere, twelfth Earl of Oxford, whose 

 family was possessed of the "Old Black Boy," and who probably made 

 Chelmsford a halting-place and an occasional residence in his journeys 

 to and from Hedingham Castle to London, aided in the work of rebuilding 

 the Church, was proved by the fact of his shield, charged with the mullet, 

 being carved in the spandril of the west door of the tower, and by his 

 crest, the boar, being introduced in the apex of the arch of the same door. 

 This latter corresponded with the carved boar which formed part of the 

 ceiling of an apartment in the "Old Black Boy." The Bouchiers, the 

 Mountneys of Mountnessing, the Beauchamps, the Nevilles, the Mow- 

 brays, and the Warners of Great Waltham, all undoubtedly contributed 

 to the re-edification of the building, for their arms decorated the roof, 

 and were emblazoned in the east window. Although all that remained of 

 the old structure was the tower, the south porch, and a few other frag- 

 ments in the aisles and chancel, they were sufiicient to prove the care 

 taken in its building. The tower was one of the strongest and most 

 enduring pieces of workmanship in the district. It had withstood the 

 storms of four centuries with scarcely an impression made upon its 

 massive walls, and, unless damaged accidentally or wantonly, it would 

 last for as many centuries more. In 1424 the Perpendicular style had 



