THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
189
expressing her pleasure at seeing the party and hoping for a repeat-visit at some
future date.
Votes of thanks were also passed, on the Chairman's motion, seconded
by Mr. G. E. Pritchett, F.S.A., to Lord Braybrooke, Lord Howard de
Walden, Mr. J. E. Walker, Mr. G. Morris, and others, for their kindly help in
various ways in making the day's meeting a success.
The extensive and charming gardens, with the fernery and hot-houses, were
then explored, and a visit paid to the site of the ancient Saxon burial-ground,
excavated by the late Mr. Gibson in 1876, in an adjoining meadow. About 250
skeletons were then uncovered, mainly buried lying E. and W., but in a few cases
facing to the south. The cemetery appeared to date from the 9th and 10th
centuries.
Two sides of the Hill House grounds are bounded by an ancient earth-
work, known as the Battle Ditches, which was next visited. Originally
the works enclosed an area of about 30 acres, but the town has obliterated all
but the south-west angle. The earthwork appears to be at least as old as the
Roman period, as Roman coins are occasionally picked up and Roman pottery
found near by. It is hoped that the site will prove a good field for the opera-
tions of the Morant Club, the new society for the exploration of ancient Essex.
Passing through the town, the party next visited the delightful old-world
Bridge End gardens, the property of the Right. Hon. Lewis Fry, P.C, to which
the public have been allowed free access for many years. Several of the party
amused themselves by trying to lose their way in the maze of cut yew
hedges, which is a copy of the famous maze at Hampton Court.
Leaving the gardens for the church, the members were met by the Vicar, the
Rev. J. T. Steele, who kindly made a few remarks upon the history and
architecture of this well-known building, of which Saffron Walden and Essex are
justly proud. It is undoubtedly the largest and finest example of the work
of the Perpendicular Period in the county. Attention was drawn to a series of
memorial brasses of the 15th century, recently restored to the church after a long
absence. The tomb of Lord-Chancellor Audley also received attention.
The party next proceeded to the Museum, and were conducted round by the
Curator, Mr. G. Maynard. The collections, which have been growing gradually
since 1832, comprise large general Zoological and Geological series, and a collection
of Domestic Antiquities (including a fine series of wood carvings, fire-hearth
appliances, old English pottery, and glass). This section has been largely added to
in recent years and the exhibited series of pottery and glass alone numbers over
1,000 specimens. There is also a room devoted to general and local Archaeology
and one to general Ethnographical collections. The Museum is supported by
subscriptions and endowment and has never yet received any municipal or rate aid.
The ruins of the Norman keep, which adjoin the Museum, were next visited,
and the party then walked across the 'Common,' a large recreation ground, to the
ancient earthwork Maze situated on its eastern side. This curious labyrinth of
narrow paths cut in the turf was found to be in a most deplorable and practically
obliterated condition.1 It was stated that efforts were being made to raise funds
to have it recut, as was done several times in the last century, and a resolution
was unanimously passed by the members present that the Town Council of
Saffron Walden should be urged to take up the work without delay.
1 An extended account of the Maze, with plan, was given by the late G. N. Maynard, in
the Essex Naturalist, vol. iii., pp. 244-247.