THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
265
MEETING IN THE BRAINTREE-FINCHINGFIELD DISTRICT
AND VISIT TO SPAINS HALL.
Saturday, July 28th, 1906.
This meeting had been arranged to traverse an interesting stretch of country
not previously visited by the Club, and to take advantage of the very hospitable
invitation of Mr. and Mrs. Archibald Ruggles-Brise to visit them at their fine
old mansion, Spains Hall, which is so interesting and attractive to all taking an
interest in Tudor domestic architecture.
The party assembled at Braintree Railway Station at a quarter to eleven,
where it was met by our member, the Rev. J. W. Kenworthy, Rector of
Braintree, under whose guidance several interesting features of the twin-
towns of Braintree and Bocking were inspected—particularly the many
picturesque Tudor and Jacobean houses in Bradford Street, with carved
beams and parge-wood fronts, and the extremely picturesque old mill
by the bridge over the River Pant, in Bocking. Thence the conveyances were
resumed to Bocking Church, where the more interesting features of the fine
building were demonstrated by the Very Rev. J. S. Brownrigg, Dean of Bocking,
and Colonel G. S. Saville, J.P., one of the Churchwardens. Time would not
permit of a prolonged stay, and the drive of ten miles to Spains Hall was
resumed, the route being by way of the villages of Panfield, Shalford and
Wethersfield. Much of the way was through charmingly picturesque country,
and with perfect weather, and flower-decked lanes and hedgerows, the drive was
much enjoyed by all taking part in it.
Finchingfield Church was reached at one o'clock, and here Mr. Ruggles-
Brise met the members. Mr. Ruggles-Brise being one of the Churchwardens
and thoroughly acquainted with the building, was enabled to give much informa-
tion, and Mr. Kenworthy ably seconded his expositions.
At the Hall, a mile or more distant, a most kindly and hospitable welcome
was given to the company by Mrs. Ruggles-Brise, who led the way to the
luncheon table, spread on one of the lawns in the shade of the mansion Here
were several ladies and gentlemen of the neighbourhood, including Sir Fortescue
Flannery, Bart., of Wethersfield Manor, Colonel Gordon, of Wethersfield Place,
and the ladies of the family.
After lunch, the members were invited to inspect the fine old Tudor mansion
and its extensive and beautiful grounds. In the latter are the seven fish-ponds—
now all dry, except one—dug by William Kemp, a former owner of the estate,
about the year 1620, one being made by him during each of the seven years of
silence which he imposed upon himself as a penalty for a hasty word to his wife.
Among much beautiful timber, one lime tree of exceptional size and three fine
cedars, growing close to the house, were greatly admired.
Leaving the gardens, the dairy - probably the largest and best equipped in
East Anglia—was visited. An extremely fine herd of no fewer than fifty pure-
bred Alderney cows is kept, and as much as 250 lbs. of butter have been
made in one week,
Miss Ruggles-Brise's stable of no fewer than fourteen pedigree donkeys was
next inspected, and her singularly skilful exhibition of driving a four-in-hand team
of well-bred donkeys formed one of the most original and charming features of
the day.
The mansion was also viewed, within and without, under the guidance of our
hosts. Though not large, it is an extremely good and pure example of a