OLD LOUGHTON HALL.
15
taking" to provide all the costs and expenses of the cellarer, steward,
and receiver of the Abbey, together with their servants, for two days
and two nights, when they resorted to Loughton to hold the courts
and leets there. This condition would naturally be fulfilled, in
times when hostelries were rare and payments in kind common, by
the reception and entertainment of the cavalcade at the house of the
firmarius, who was doubtless the most important resident in the
parish, and probably the only one whose resources were at all equal
to such extensive hospitality.
Old Loughton Hall before the Fire.
From a Water-colour Drawing al Golding's Hill.
It is not, however, until much later times that we come on any
direct mention of Loughton Hall. Writing (in February, 1601/2) to
his "very good freind Saint Michaell," Sir Robert Wroth, in the
course of a long letter,4 refers to a report that certain Duchy of
Lancaster lands are to be sold, and that the Manor of "Lucton
Hawle" (Sir Robert always writes "Lucton"), in which he dwells,
is classed among them. He goes on to give particulars as to the
leases granted "by the Abbot to ould Mr. Stonard," and to his own
father-in-law, Mr. Stonard's namesake and grandson. These leases,
3 Conventual Leases (Essex) ; B. 238; fo. 74.
4 Lansdowne MSS. 88, fo. 59. "To Michaell Hickes, Esquire." In a subsequent letter he is
addressed as "no longer Saint, but Sir Michaell."