222 THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
beginning of the 16th century, where hot tea and coffee were welcome
adjuncts to our picnic lunch.
Leaving Benfleet, the party proceeded through the marshlands in the
direction of Leigh (the rain having by now ceased) and so, by a notably
muddy lane up the hillside to various hilltops whence glorious views
were obtained over the flat land of Canvey at our feet, across the Thames
estuary, to the Kentish shore, with the faint outlines of the North Downs
beyond. Progress over the route was leisurely, so as to afford the
naturalists ample opportunity for studying the flora and fauna of the
district—an opportunity of which full advantage was taken.
Arrived at Hadleigh, tea was taken in the cafe of the new Kingsway
Cinema, following which a visit was paid to the parish church, a small
but unspoilt example of a 12th century Norman church, with apsidal
chancel and large cinquefoiled hagioscopes flanking the chancel arch and
with some interesting remains of mediaeval wall-paintings. In the
absence of the incumbent, Mr. Salmon gave a brief description of the
building.
Continuing the ramble, Hadleigh Castle was next visited, by per-
mission of the Salvation Army authorities, the picturesque position of its
ruined towers, on a bluff overlooking the Thames estuary, being much
appreciated by the visitors. Mr. Salmon read some notes on the history
of the Castle, from which the following account is abstracted.
Hadleigh Castle was built some time before 1230 by Hubert de Burgh,
Chief Justiciar of England, whose disgrace in 1232 resulted in his new
erection being seized by the Crown. A century later, in 1365-6, consider-
able reconstruction of the Castle took place, perhaps amounting to entire
rebuilding, and the celebrated William of Wykeham, it is thought, may
have been responsible for this, as for so many other royal castles at that
time. The plan of the Castle was that of an elongated octagon, but the
whole length of the southern enclosing curtain wall with its towers have
been involved in a landslip and now lie many feet below their original
position. Two of the circular angle Towers remain in fairly perfect
condition, and traces still exist of the barbican and its flanking tower.
By the middle of the 16th century Hadleigh Castle was already a
ruin. It is now scheduled as an Ancient Monument under the appropriate
Acts.
A quick walk along an elevated ridge of land known as The Saddleback
brought the party in about 11/2 mile to Leigh station, where fast trains
ensured a speedy homeward journey, after a most enjoyable excursion.
The botanists succeeded in noting no fewer than 101 plants in flower
or fruit, a very good performance for so late a date ; some of the more
interesting plants seen were Erodium cicutarium, Ononis spinosa, Aster
tripolium and var. discoideus, Helmintia echioides, Lactuca saligna, Statice
Limonium, Verbena officinalis, Chenopodium rubrum, Atriplex patula vars.
hastata and angustifolia, A. littoralis var. marina, Polygonum aviculare
var. littorale and Lemna gibba.
A few of the visitors devoted themselves to noting the birds seen
during the walk ; these included Lesser Blackbacked Gull, many Black-
headed Gulls, Magpie, Goldfinch, Goldcrest, Jackdaw, Martin, etc.