THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
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century stone fireplace: the room above this has a fine open-timbered
roof, and the kitchen is attractively timbered also.
From here the visitors proceeded to Southchurch Hall, where they
were joined by a further contingent, including Mr. W. Pollitt, the borough
librarian.
Southchurch Hall, now used as a branch public library, is a typical
Essex manor house dating from the 14th century, and surrounded by a
moat. The building still retains much of its original character, having
been until within the last few years a farmhouse ; its features were ably
pointed out to the party by Mr. Pollitt.
Lunch was taken in a cafe in the High Street, at which Mr. J, H. Burrows,
J.P., F.S.A. (President of the Southend Antiquarian Society), Dr. Stovin
(President of the South Essex Natural History Society) and Mr. Pollitt
were present as guests of the Club. Mr. W. E. Glegg, a past President,
took the chair and welcomed the guests.
After lunch, Mr. Burrows gave a graphic account of the history and
present-day status as a County Borough with a population of 140,000 of
Southend. Mr. Burrows is a chief authority on local history and in his
speech he touched successively upon the defeat of the Danes at Benfleet,
the building of Rayleigh and Hadleigh Castles, the rise of Leigh as a fishing
port and its subsequent decline, and, coming to modern times, the praise-
worthy action of the Corporation in the preservation of open spaces and
nature-sanctuaries (in which, as he remarked, Dr. Stovin was a moving
spirit).
After the Chairman had thanked Mr. Burrows for his interesting
address, and Mr. Pollitt for his guidance at Southchurch Hall, the guests
departed and the Club party travelled by trolley bus to Prittlewell Priory,
where Mr. Ninnis acted as guide both to the building itself and to the
museum-objects which it contains, including the Hoy collection of Essex
birds. The Priory was a small foundation for a dozen Cluniac monks,
dating from circa noo. The north wall of the Frater (of late 12th century
date) and portions of 15th century additions still remain : the Prior's
Doorway from the refectory to the cloister is the architectural gem of the
building, being Transitional work of circa 1180.
From here the visitors walked to Prittlewell Church, dedicated to St.
Mary the Virgin, where, in the temporary absence of the vicar, Canon
Gowing, a curate welcomed the party and conducted a short service. The
verger then acted as conductor and pointed out with enthusiasm the
beauties of the edifice. The 13th century nave arcade was opened in the
original Norman S. wall, leaving the Norman clearstory windows undis-
turbed (as was also done in West Ham Church), the N. wall of nave is 14th
century, the S, aisle and the chancel being rebuilt in the early 16th century :
the magnificent stone Tower dates from the late 15th century. The
elaborately enriched door in the S. doorway is early 16th cent. work.
The remains of an arched doorway in the N. wall of the Chancel, turned in
Roman bricks, is dated variously from 7th to 12th century, but presents
no feature inconsistent with an ascription to Norman workmanship. A
quantity of 16th century glass, purchased in Rouen, has of recent times
been arranged to form a very fine E. window to the S. Chancel Aisle.