314 THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
which had been thrown open for inspection by the kindness of the tenant,
Mr. W. Radbourne. This little gem of late Norman architecture, built
circa 1180, is believed to have served as a private chapel for the Abbots
of St. Edmundsbury on their progress to and from the Parliament at
Westminster ; some of the more venturesome members of the party
ascended by ladders to the upper stage, where the fine octagonal moulded
king posts of the roof, apparently of 15th century date, could be studied
at close quarters. Harlowbury, the most important manor in the
parish of Harlow, was given to the Abbey of St. Edmund, in Suffolk, in
Edward the Confessor's reign, and remained in its possession until the
Dissolution of the Monasteries.
From Harlowbury the visitors proceeded by field path to that portion
of the town known as Churchgate Street, noticing on the way the one-
storey brick almshouses erected in 1716, with their quaint inscription :
"These houses were builded / for ye habitation of fower / poore widdowes
with monies / left by ye will of / Mr. Francis Reeve / formerly of huberts hall."/
The founder died in 1639, but his bequest did not materialise until 77
years after his death : a brass to his memory is, or was, in the Church.
"Huberts Hall" or, as it is now called, "Hubbards Hall," lies about
five-eighths of a mile to the south of the Church.
Another almshouse, a picturesque half-timbered cottage adjoining
the lycii gate, is an earlier foundation, having been given by Julian, wife
of Alexander Stafford, Esq., "for the habitation of two poor widows of
this Parish" in 1630 : a large mural monument to the Staffords was
later seen in the south transept of the Church.
By kind permission of Major and Mrs. Watson, an inspection was
next made of The Chantry, a charming late 16th century building of
most pleasing exterior, with timber porch, and containing a fine staircase
balustrade of the spiral-turned balusters characteristic of the latter part
of the succeeding century and some good panelling of 18th century date.
At the parish church, dedicated to St. Mary and St. Hugh, the visitors
were received by the vicar, the Rev. H. L. Bothamley, who read some
interesting notes, prepared by a former vicar, Canon Andrewes, describing
the fabric and its monuments : the church was completely gutted by
fire in 1708, and at a restoration prior to 1880 it was almost entirely rebuilt,
consequently but little original work still remains, but as the vicar justly
claimed, its present-day appearance, although it is essentially a modern
structure, is harmonious and beautiful.
Taking leave of Mr. Bothamley the party made its way to the Green
Man Inn, where tea was taken; afterwards the visitors separated, some
remaining for a further stroll to points of interest, others returning to town
by train at 6.54 o'clock, and others by omnibus or private car.
FUNGUS FORAY IN EPPING FOREST (615TH MEETING).
SATURDAY, 16TH OCTOBER, 1926.
The Club's Annual Fungus Foray, held in conjunction with the British
Mycological Society, took place on the above date, when over one hundred
members and visitors attended.
As on previous occasions a Morning Party and an Afternoon Party