178 THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
Two points are to be specially noted in the foregoing report.
First, the area (fifty-three acres, sixty-five poles) of the wood ; and,
secondly, the fact that it was sold, presumably before the dissolution
of the monastery, by the Abbot of Stratford. A search through
one or two Ministers' Accounts for proof that Monk Wood was
included among the possessions of the "late dissolved monastery of
Stratford Langthorne," proved vain: nor does it seems to be numbered,
with the manor of Loughton, among those of Waltham Holy Cross. But
woods were apparently entered on the rolls only when the proceeds
of their sale came into the accounts. Of a great felling which took
place in or about a.d. 1488, we have evidence in a Forest Roll (4
Hen. VII.), according to which a certain Christopher Stubbes, of
Loughton, was presented for having cut down 100 loads of timber
and wood in Monk Wood, called "le King's wast soile", and for the
bark of the same received viij. s. The explanation of this would
seem to be that the Abbot had sold the wood to Stubbes, without
first obtaining a licence to fell.
The evidence, however, seems sufficient to warrant the identifica-
tion of the Abbots' Wood in Luketon Snarringe with that now
known as Monk Wood, in Loughton.
THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
Field Meeting at Newport, Quendon, &c.
Monday, March 30th, 1891.
On the kind invitation of Lieut.-Col. A. M. Cranmer-Byng a meeting was held in
the Newport district, which, notwithstanding the cold and ungenial weather, was
a very pleasant gathering, largely attended by members from many parts of the
count)'.
Some members went down to Saffron Walden on the previous Saturday, for
the purpose of visiting the museum, and various places of interest in and about
the town. All assembled in Newport at half past ten, waiting there until about
one o'clock for the later arrivals, and spending the time in viewing this very
interesting village.
It was formally a market town (and known as "Newport Pond" from a piece
of water at the S. end, now drained), standing on the (Roman) road to Cam-
bridge. It was, in pie-railroad days, a place of considerable bustle and importance
The ancient houses are well worthy of examination, including the "Crown
House" (from the crown sculptured over the door), in which according to