104
THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
Gould pointed out the remains of an ancient road, probably a portion of the pre-
coach road to Newmarket which after running along the eastern side of the
Roding crossed that river at Abridge and passed by a course, still traceable
nearly to Theydon Garnon Church, whereabouts it divided. The western branch
led to Epping, while the main line of road led northwards past Garnish Hall,
Stewards Green and Coopersale Street to Harlow.
The course of this ancient road is described in Mr. Winstone's book, "Extracts
from the minutes of the Epping and Ongar Highway Trust," 1891.1 The road
is shown in the last Ordnance Survey Map (one inch scale), perhaps too plainly,
as it indicates an existing road where it is now somewhat difficult to find (in
places) more than a footpath. Near the rectory the party alighted and walked up
to the church through the fine avenue of limes and chestnuts. It was visited by
the Club in 1880, under the guidance of the then rector, Sir Cavendish Foster,
and is notified in the Proceedings (vol. i. pp. xli.-ii). The name of the manor
is derived from Sir Roger de Garnon who came over with the Conqueror and
resided at the moated farm, Garnish Hall, a little north of the church.
The village is some distance from the church and is generally called Cooper-
sale—tradition says from the fine ale which was served by a man named Cooper at
the "Merry Fiddlers" there. Mr. Crouch gave this anecdote for what it was worth !
The churchyard is exceedingly pretty, and the timber south porch, and fine
red-brick tower, at once attracted attention, as also did the picturesque priest's
house at the west end of the church, which is said to have been built as a lodging
for the priest serving the church from Waltham Abbey.
Mr. Crouch, Mr. Sworder, and Mr. G. E. Pritchett, gave many details of the
construction of the church, and of the contained monuments and brasses, some of
which are of considerable interest. From the north entrance of the churchyard a
fine view was obtained, in the foreground being the moated Garnon (or Garnish)
Hall, now a farm-house, while towards the west was pointed out the footpath, a
remnant, Mr. Gould thought, of the road by Coopersale Hall to Epping, and to
the right the track alluded to above to Coopersale Village and Common, and
through the forest to the main Harlow Road, was indicated.
At Hobbs Cross Farm, Mr. James Smith showed in his garden a large mass
of Conglomerate brought from a gravel-pit near Theydon Mount Church.
Amid the profusion of ordinary hedge row plants, Veronicas, Stellaria, Vetches,
Ground-ivy, etc., near the church, was noticed the pretty Adoxa moschatellina,
first found there twelve years ago.
Some members of the party then drove by the Brook-house and Skinner's
Farms to Theydon Mount Church, others preferred to take the carriage drive
across the fields. Here, and particularly near the vicarage house, now occupied
as cottages, were seen a considerable number of the Painted-Lady Butterflies
(Cynthia cardui), and one or two Vanessa atalanta. These were, of course,
hybernated specimens, females; but their appearance was a good harbinger of
plentiful broods of the handsome insect in the late summer, if only the weather
is favourable. Under the elm trees bordering the road was found a larva of the
White Hair-streak Butterfly, Thecla w-album, which the wind had blown down.
A considerable number of more common insects were noticed, also a Green
Woodpecker's nest, and in the park of Hill Hall some magnificent pollarded
trees—hornbeams and beeches. At the north entrance are some boulders of
considerable size.
1 Mr. Winstone kindly sent copies of the map from his book, for the information of the members