REPORTS OF MEETINGS 273
The party re-crossed the River Wid by a precarious-looking footbridge,
and by footpaths reached Ingatestone Hall. Within the space of a few
yards on this footpath, six village churches, "bosomed high in tufted trees",
could be seen—at Ingatestone, Margaretting, Galleywood, Buttsbury, Stock
and Mountnessing.
At Ingatestone Hall, the residence of Lord Petre, part of which has
been taken over by the Essex Record Office, a summer exhibition illustrating
the history of the Petre family, arranged by the staff of the Record Office,
was visited under the Senior Assistant County Archivist, Mr. Edwards.
There could be seen the documents affecting the lands which now form
the Petre estate, dating, almost without a break, from 1220. With such
a mass of material laid out, most members decided that a second visit would
be necessary, when the documents could be examined at leisure.
Both parties met at the Chase Hotel, Ingatestone, for tea, which was
enjoyed in very pleasant surroundings. At a short formal meeting after
tea, with Mr. Harley, Vice-President, in the chair, the following was
elected to membership of the Club: —
Mr. Reginald George Watson, of 57, Eagle Court, Snaresbrook,
London, E.11.
While the major interests of the day had been archaeological and
historical, many members remarked upon the very fine show of Hawthorn
blossom, especially between Stock Road and Margaretting Church. The
weather was cool, dull and stormy, but, fortunately, whenever a storm
occurred, the members were under shelter. The few butterflies seen in-
cluded the Large White, Orange-tip, Hedge Brown and Bed Admiral.
Visit to Tilty and Thaxted (974th Meeting)
SATURDAY, 26 JUNE, 1954
The party travelled by coach from Wanstead by way of Abridge and
Ongar to Fyfield; there some members botanised while others had morning
coffee. The coach then proceeded through the Roothings and Great
Dunmow to Bembridge Mill and thence on to Tilty. Unfortunately, the
Vicar of Tilty was in hospital and the Clerk of the Parish was not able
to be present. The party was, however, met by the Vicar's wife, who
led the way to the church, where Miss Enid Jones, who had arranged the
visit, gave a short account of the building and read a letter from the Vicar.
There are only forty parishioners of Tilty, and the name refers to the
tilling of the soil. In 1153 seven brethren of the Cistercian Order settled
in woods and marshy land beside the Chelmer between Dunmow and
Thaxted. For some years they lived in makeshift buildings and spent all
their energies on clearing and draining the land. Waterworks were laid
down for milling and fish preservation, and the first brick and tile works
since the Roman occupation came into being. In 1215, King John sacked
the Abbey during Christmas Mass. Tombstones of two who were probably
killed in this disturbance are preserved opposite the porch of the present
church.
The Order at that time extended its activities over many miles through
the Roothings, to Great Waltham, Bardfield and Bumpstead, with two
subsidiary hostels. During the 13th century, excavated rubble and stone
imported from Brittany were incorporated in the buildings. The Order
introduced sheep-farming into England, and Italian documents prove that
Tilty exported fine white wool.