THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
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the vallum seems to be of about twenty-two acres. Just without it, on the north
side, is a fine spring, which improved the situation. We see three sides of a
square or oblong, the rest being built upon and defaced. This has a fair pretence
to be Roman, but as Edward the Elder encamped here, it is not certain whether
he fortified it or found it ready done to his hands. It is by no means unworthy
Roman choice, and answers the distance of the Itinerary from Haverhill." The
spring referred to by Salmon is the Cromwell Well, which still supplies the town
with water. Mr. Fitch was able to add little to the above ; the earthworks are
now very indistinct, and it is much to be desired that some systematic examination
of them should be made before they quite disappear. Two small sepia sketches
of the Camp were exhibited, of unknown origin, but they were unfortunately too
indefinite to merit reproduction in this report.
Beeleigh Abbey. From a drawing by H. A. Cole, September, 1883.
Passing along the pathway on the western rampart of the Camp, down Constitu-
tion Hill, and by a pleasant walk through the fields, the remains of Beeleigh
Abbey were reached, and the visitors could not but note (to use the words of the
Rev. Frederick Spurrell) the care and skill with which the founder of the Abbey
had selected his site. At the bottom of a long slope from the very high ground of
Maldon, and on the banks of the river Chelmer, it was not only sheltered from
the sea breezes and bitter east winds, but had water in abundance, for use and as
a means of carriage or escape from enemies. The Abbey was in mediaeval times
of considerable importance. It was of the Premonstratensian order or "White
Canons,"5 dedicated to St. Nicholas, and founded, according to Leland, by Robert
de Mantell in 1180 by a migration from a monastry at Perundun, now the Manor
of Canons, Great Parndon (in this county), thirty miles distant. The place is now
used as a farmhouse, in the occupation of Mrs. Chapman, who received the party
5 These were a religious Order of Regular Canons or Monks, originally of Premontre, instituted
in 1120. They were called "White Canons" from their distinctive dress.