THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
283
beyond into a charming landscape. Here the members were met by the Rector,
the Rev. Canon King, and by Mr. H. W. King (Hon. Sec. to the Essex Archaeo-
logical Society). The latter gave a minute account of the building (of Kentish
ragstone, chiefly in late Perpendicular style), and referred to the many noted men
who were either born or were buried in Leigh, or whose monuments are to be
found in the church or churchyard.
Leaving the railway station on the right hand, the party traversed the quaint
"high-street" of the ancient fishing town of Leigh, famous for its oysters, shrimps,
and periwinkles ; still, as in Camden's days, "well stock'd with lusty seamen,"
and so along the "Cockle-walk," where an explanation was given of the very
remarkable cockle industry which flourishes here. The cockles are dredged from
off "Cockle-shell Beach" on Canvey Island, the contained molluscan animals
being extracted and pickled for sale, while the shells are pounded for use in
making paths, and for casting on slippery asphalt roads in London and elsewhere.
Running over the heaps of shells, redolent in the hot sunshine, were noticed several
fine specimens of the Great Sea-Slater (Ligia oceanica); this is a very different
habitat to the one in which we have been familiar with this marine Oniscid, viz.,
in cracks in the algae-covered posts, below high water mark, which point out
the causeway on to Northey Island.
Then crossing the marshes, some of the party climbed up the steep hill to the
picturesque ruins of Hadleigh Castle, while others rode in carriages by way of
the lanes. Here the party was again met by Mr. H. W. King, who, in the kindest
way, gave them the benefit of his special knowledge of the history and construction
of this once important stronghold.
Hadleigh Castle stands in a commanding position, crowning the line of hills
extending from Leigh to Benfleet, and doubtless served to guard the mouth of the
Thames. The area within the walls of the Castle comprises more than an acre,
but little of the structure now remains to tell of its former grandeur. The entrance
was at the north-west angle. The two towers standing at the north-east and
south-east corners are the most conspicuous parts of the ruins; these were identical
in form and construction, and were probably about 60 feet high ; they are circular
externally and hexagonal internally. The walls ore 9 feet thick at the base, of
Kentish Ragstone cemented with mortar of great hardness containing an admix-
ture of shells (mostly the cockle) ; they are ornamented with bands of flintwork,
and are lined with well-worked square chalk blocks.
Hubert de Burgh, Earl of Kent and Justiciary of England (the humane custodian
of the unfortunate Prince Arthur, immortalized by Shakespeare in "King John")
and Margaret his fifth wife (daughter of William the Lion, King of Scotland) were
licensed by King Henry III, in 1230, to "construct a certain Castle at Hadlee.''
The Castle was restored and rebuilt in 1359, and probably became a favourite
resort of Edward III (see H. W. King in Trans : Essex Arch : Soc :, ii, 82-92,
with ground-plan; ibid iv, 70-82; ibid (n. s.) i, 86-9; and J. A. Sparvel-Bayly's
long and interesting excerpts from the Minister's Accounts of 38th-42nd years of
Edward III, and other records, Trans : Essex Arch : Soc : (n.s.) i, 89-108 ; 187-
191 ; Arch: Journ ; xxxviii, 201-6; "Antiquary" xix, 202-6). Upon the decease
of Queen Katherine (Parr) in 1548, Edward VI sold the Castle, Manor, and Park
of Hadleigh, with the advowson of the Church, to Richard, Lord Riche, for the
sum of £700. It is supposed that the Castle, probably then ruinous, was speedily
demolished by its purchaser.
It is easy to see how slight a difference in the present levels would again admit
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