THE ANCIENT LABYRINTH OR MAZE AT SAFFRON WALDEN. 245
The other kind of maze, from which these modern ones have probably been
derived, is represented at Saffron Walden by the one cut in the turf upon "The
Common." This latter maze is of great antiquity, and both its origin and original
use is very obscure. Tradition has therefore stepped in, and tells us that in former
times "a larger maze existed further east, and that the present one is a small copy
of it, cut by a soldier," &c. This tradition has no reliable evidence to support it.
If it were true we might expect to find on the common traces of this former larger
maze, but nothing of the kind can be discovered.
The present maze has an unbroken path running throughout its convolutions,
which is said to be nearly a mile in length. The maze is surrounded by a ditch
and bank, enclosing an area of somewhat over 100 feet from east to west, and
138 feet from north to south, its dimensions being extended on the north by a pro-
jecting curve; it measures across the middle 91 feet, and cornerwise, extending
over the outworks, it is 138 feet. The middle portion is somewhat elevated, and
the interior parts of the four bastions are slightly raised. Within a hundred
yards upon its south side, and towards which the ground slopes, runs a rivulet or
brook, dry in summer, and with steep banks, called "The Slade," formerly the
"King's Ditch," which in ancient times was the northern boundary of the
"Roman," or more probably early British, encampment.
The earliest trustworthy notice of this maze is in the Corporation Books of
Saffron Walden under the year 1699, when it appears to have been recut, but there
is no doubt that long before that period it had been an adjunct to the town.
In the year 1814, at the time of the enclosures, the land was very nearly being
lost by allotment to the Lord of the Manor, but through the strenuous exertions
of Mr. Francis Gibson and Mr. Atkinson, "The Common," with the Maze upon
it, was secured to the inhabitants of the town as a recreation ground for ever.
Since that period the Maze has been from time to time rescued from oblivion by
the timely aid of private individuals to whom the town and people of Saffron
Walden are much indebted ; among whom in the year 1828 was one Mr. John
Leverett (an ancestor of our present Mayor), and a zealous inhabitant of the town,
who interested himself in its restoration. Great care was taken of the Maze after
this for a time, but in 1841 its outlines again became obscure, and Mr. William
Leverett (son of the above) had it restored, under the superintendence of the late
Mr. William Chater, nurseryman, whose house and gardens faced it. In the year
1887, on the occasion of the Jubilee of our Queen, part of the proceeds raised for
celebrating that event was used for recutting this ancient relic, which had again
become nearly obliterated, principally in consequence of the wearing away caused
by children being allowed to play upon its banks.
I have been told by an ancient inhabitant of this town that in former times a
large ash tree marked the centre of the Maze, but on the 5th of November, 1823,
it fell by the agency of fire caused through the zealous energy of the Saffron Walden
boys being over anxious to display their adherence to the cause of Royalty upon
that memorable occasion.2
Many examples of these Mazes cut upon the turf are to be found, or formerly
existed, in various parts of England, as at Winchester; upon the Common at Ripon ;
at Pimpern in Dorsetshire; at Alkborough, in Lincolnshire; and at Sneinton, in
Nottinghamshire. There is one very much like the Maze upon the Common at
Saffron Walden.3
2 In the rude figure of the Saffron Walden Maze given in Cough's edition of Camden's
"Britannia," (1806)vol. ii, pl. xiv, p. 400, a tree stands in the centre.—Ed.
3 Mr. Trollope, in the paper above referred to, gives the following list of Turf Mazes, and