MORFE FOREST. 27 



eremetical cave, of Saxon origin, under the patronage 

 of the crown, was occupied by successive hermits, 

 each being ushered to the cell with royal seal and 

 patent, in the same way as a dean, constable, or 

 sheriff was introduced to his office ; as in the case of 

 John Oxindon (Edward III, 1328), Andrew Cor- 

 brigg (Edward III., 1333), Edmund de la Marc 

 (Edward III., 1335), and Eoger Boughton (Ed- 

 ward III., 1346). From the frequency of the pre- 

 sentations, it would appear either that these hermits 

 must have been near the termination of their 

 pilgrimage when they were inducted, or that con- 

 finement to a damp cell did not agree with them : 

 indeed, no one looking at the place itself would 

 consider it was a desirable one to live in. 



Other names not less significant of the former 

 features of the country occur, as Stoneydale, Copy 

 Foot, Sandy Burrow, Quatford Wyches, and Hill 

 House Flat,— where the remains of an old forest oak 

 may still be seen. In addition to these we find 

 Briery Hurst, Eushmoor Hill, Spring Yalley, Stan- 

 more Grove, and Essex Fall, the latter being at the 

 head of a ravine, half concealed by wood, where 

 tradition alleges the Earl of Essex, grandson of the 

 Earl who founded St. James's, a refuge, a Kttle 



