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THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
Huddle, M.A., Mrs. A. Johnson, Miss M. M. Johnson, Mr. D. J. Morgan, J.P.,
Mr. W. S. Parker, Miss Emily Read, Dr. Albert Wilson, and Miss Berta
Wilson.
In the absence of the author, the Secretary read the title and gave a
short account of a paper entitled "Essex as a Wine-Producing County," by
Mr. Miller Christy, F.L.S. This paper has already been printed in the
present volume of the Essex Naturalist (ante pp. 34-48).
Some time was spent in rambling about the very attractive grounds of the
house. The dungeons were visited and the "museum," the precise informa-
tion on the rarities therein contained given by the attendant causing much
amusement. The most interesting curiosity of the collection is the Great
Bed of Ware. It is thus mentioned in Cussan's History of Hertfordshire
(1870) :—
" The 'Great Bed,' mentioned by Shakespeare, and of which everyone
has heard, demands a passing notice. It was originally in the 'Crown Inn,'
and on the demolition of that building in June, 1765, it was transferred to the
'Bull,' whence it was afterwards removed to the 'Saracen's Head.' It is
said to be upwards of four hundred years old, but the style of carving
does not indicate a period earlier than that of Queen Elizabeth ; the date,
1463, painted at the head is comparatively modern. In form it is nearly
square, each side being about twelve feet in length; the massive posts are
plain at the bottom, and at about two feet from the ground are four pillars,
one at each angle of the posts. These pillars support four arches, above
which the posts, elaborately carved, continue for about four feet more ; the
total height being about eight feet. The canopy and the head of the Bed are
finely carved ; the latter', with human figures, fluted work, heraldic roses,
and gothic arches. Its beauty is much marred by initials and names cut
by idle sightseers, amongst whom Mr. William Harrison, of Saxelby,
Lincolnshire a Malitiaman, 1761,' is most conspicuous."
The relic was purchased at the sale at the "Saracen's Head" by Mr.
Teale, and added to the curiosities of Rye House. A description of the Bed,
with a picture of it, was given in the Literary World, of January, 1840.
The remarkable display of the fine yellow "Musk" plant on the banks of
the river, after leaving the Rye House again, attracted much attention. This
plant has been hitherto recorded in all our Floras and local lists as an alien
under the name of Mimulus luteus, L. It now appears probable that all the
records of it apply to M. langsdorfii, Dow (North American). The distinctions
between this and other species, previously grouped under the name M. luteus
from the true (South American) plant of Linné, were given by Prof. E. L.
Green in the Journal of Botany for 1895, pp. 4-8. The flower is specially
interesting, as Mr. Hepworth remarks in the Rochester Naturalist, in possessing
a curious bilabiate irritable stigma, which slowly closes when touched. It
appears to be rapidly establishing itself in many places in England.
To resume Mr. Bramley's narrative, "a bridge was erected some years
ago below the Rye House, in the place of one which had stood from the time
of Charles, the timber of the old bridge being black as ebony. This is just
above Field's Weir, which is so named from its being constructed by a
family named Fielde, the owners of Rye House. Here the river Stort (on