102 THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
notes and records made were very meagre. At Danbury are the remains of an
old (Danish ?) Camp, of which a plan was given, and the earthwork described, by
Mr. F. C. J. Spurrell, F.G.S., in The Essex Naturalist, vol. iv., p. 138. Mr.
Spurrell points out its strong likeness to "Withambury" (of which a plan was
given in the E. N., vol. i., p. 19), but he says that the works are difficult to under-
stand ; the Camp is not mentioned in any early work, and its history is unknown.
No attempt has yet been made, by exploring the ramparts, to ascertain its age,
and mere conjecture in these cases is useless.
The views from Danbury Hill are extremely fine and extensive. It has been
commonly reputed to be the highest spot in Essex, but this is an error (see
The Essex Naturalist, vol. v., p. 172). Itshighestpointis332feetabove O.D.
It is worthy of note that an old house about a mile to the S.E. named "Gay
Bowers" is the scene of a legendary romance, "Queenhoo Hall," written by
Joseph Strutt, completed by Sir Walter Scott, and published (after Strutt's death)
in 1808. He was an engraver, son of an Essex miller, and a connection of
Elizabeth Ogborne, and author of a "Biographical Dictionary of Engravers,''
"Regal and Ecclesiastical Antiquities of England," "Sports and Pastimes of the
People of England," etc., etc.
At Danbury some other members joined the party, and a brief visit was made
to the Church, where Mr. Chancellor drew attention to the most interesting
features in the Church (see "Essex Review" for January, 1893). The tower
was ascended, from which an excellent view was obtained of the general contour
of the Camp. The party then adjourned to the well-known hostelry called
"The Griffin," where a cold lunch was served.
In the afternoon, the northern side of Danbury Hill was traversed, over Ling-
wood Common to Old Riffhams, the residence of Mr. Charles Smoothy, by whom
the members were kindly received.
Mr. Smoothy then led the party through Holly Wood, where the White
Climbing Fumitory (Corydalis claviculata) was abundant and in fine bloom. As
is usual near Danbury in July, the Foxglove, perhaps the most beautiful of our
native plants, was in profusion, but owing to the great drought not so conspicuous
and showy as we have seen it, few of the flowering stems being taller than four
feet. A variety was found in this wood in which all the flowers on the raceme
were quite white, and yellow varieties had previously been found behind Old
Riffhams. After traversing Long Wood, the party passed along the path between
Pheasant House and Fir-Tree Woods, and it was here that several large Fritillary
Butterflies (probably Argynnis adippe) were seen, but not captured.
Tracks were then made through the thick oak-scrub of Woodham Walter
Common, and so across the downs of the Warren Farm to Woodham Walter
Church, which Mr. Chancellor described as having been built in 1563—64, by
Thomas, Earl of Sussex, who obtained a licence from Queen Elizabeth to pull
down the old church and build a new one on the present site, as being more
convenient for the inhabitants.
A short walk brought the party to the relics of Woodham Walter Hall, the
baronial residence of the Fitzwalters; a few fragments of rubble walling,
abutting upon the road, being all that remains of this historic mansion. The
"Wilderness" and "Queen Anne's Cellars" were also inspected, and here in
the open a stoat in summer fur was captured.
It is said that the local name, Queen Anne's Cellar, refers to some connection
with that noted Essex character, the unfortunate Anne Boleyn, born at Rochford