274
THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
fine view obtainable from the Tower roof, and were gratified to note the
Union Jack flying from the flagstaff in honour, we were told, of our visit.
A secret chamber exists, we were informed, in this Tower.
Leaving this hospitable mansion, after our President had expressed
the thanks of the party to Mrs. Parker for her kindly reception, a some-
what hurried visit was paid to the parish church (St. Germain's) on the
borders of the grounds. Built in the early 12th century, and with a re-
built E. end of late 13th century date, this little church exhibits a beautiful
three-light window of moulded brickwork in the S. wall, an insertion of
early Kith century date; and contains some good brasses and monuments
in the chancel.
From here a ramble by lane and field-path across the valley of the
little river Brain brought the party to Cressing Temple, now a farmhouse,
but once a preceptory of the Knights Templar. In the great "Wheat
Barn," our member, Mr. Alfred Hills, read an account of the history of the
premises, from which the following epitome is taken.
The site of Cressing Temple was given by Queen Maud in 1135 to the
Order, which flourished exceedingly for a couple of centuries, until its
accumulated wealth attracted the cupidity of the rulers of states and
brought about its suppression, the English properties of the Order being
handed over by the Crown to the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem (now
represented by our familiar St. John Ambulance Brigade); the Cressing
Preceptory was dissolved in 1540. The "Wheat Barn" dates from
about 1530, the somewhat smaller "Barley Barn" being some half-
century older. The present house was erected about 1600, and contains
some good 17th century panelling.
Mr. I. J. Cullen, the present owner, proved to be a most friendly host
and had provided a really sumptuous tea in the garden for his visitors;
on leaving the house he led the party personally over a delightful route
through his fields on its way to White Notley, our next place of call. A
good section of Chalky Boulder Clay was noted en route, and the ramble
was utilised by the botanists and ornithologists for further observations
on the wild life of the district.
Arrived at White Notley, the party was welcomed at the Hall by
Lieut.-Colonel C. A. Reid Scott, D.S.O., and Mrs. Scott, and invited to
inspect their picturesque dwelling, which contains, besides other interesting
features, a "priest's-hole" contrived in the thickness of a chimney stack,
scarcely wider than one of the other flues in the stack. Our host showed
us the site of a manorial watermill in his grounds, the mill pond, now
picturesquely stocked with water-plants and many fish, still remaining :
local opinion has it that this pond dates back to prehistoric times and
may have been the site of a lake dwelling.
Our President having voiced the thanks of the visitors to Colonel
and Mrs. Scott for their kindly welcome, leaves were taken and a move
made to the Church of White Notley, where the vicar welcomed the
party and briefly called attention to its salient features, an outstanding
one being the chancel arch, which is turned wholly in Roman bricks.
Another striking feature is a remarkable "pre-Conquest headstone with
a later window cut in it," which contains a precious piece of 13th
century glass, now inserted in the E. wall of the north aisle.