362
THE ESSEX NATURALIST
the custom had possibly been instituted by the monks in some form of
revelry. Another most interesting feature was the facsimile copy of Magna
Charta. We were reminded that Robert Fitzwalter, who led the baronial
opposition to King John, had a manor and lands adjoining this Priory.
great Dunmow. The 14th century church, also dedicated to St. Mary,
was built between the manors of Bigods and Dunmow. The Rev. Callum
favoured us with an interesting history of Dunmow—the one-time flourishing
wool and cloth centre. The town was of sufficient importance to be created
a Borough by Philip and Mary; we saw the seals and charter in the church.
Much of the former glories of the pre-Reformation period still shines from
this church. The remaining fragments of the oldest stained glass windows
have been carefully preserved and mounted in pleasing mosaic fashion. A
fine timbered roof of local craftsmanship, ornate piscinae and sedilia, each
spoke of this flourishing period. A winding stair led to the family chapel
and shrine, also beautifully timbered. The church embroidery and carpets
are the work of the Women's Institute, pleasing evidence that the people
of Dunmow still ply their crafts to beautify the lovely church.
Thaxted. This village in medieval times was also a sizeable town,
deriving its prosperity from wool and cutlery trades. The 15th-century
church of St. John the Baptist, Our Lady and St. Lawrence is truly the
"Cathedral of Essex". Here we admired the perpendicular architecture
and the timbering. Edward IV was the founder, and we noticed his like-
ness and his escutcheons in one of the windows and in the north porch.
We also explored the Guildhall with its council chamber above, and below,
the market enclosure.
great Bardfield. After lunch, the party met the members of the Great
Bardfield Historical Association. The Rev. Masheder favoured us with
an interesting background of the history of his 14th-century Church of St.
Mary the Virgin. He then led our appreciation of the fine rood screen
and the magnificent stained glass windows. Under his guidance we dis-
covered interesting graffiti—believed to be an Elizabethan attempt at a
family register. Also the tomb of Sgt. Bendlowes and his wife demanded
our attention, there being a fine brass here. There are also funerary
visors.
Professor Sadler, of the Association, conducted us around the house and
garden of the artist, John Aldridge, which was once the seat of the Bed-
lowes family. This is a truly unchanged Tudor house and garden. The Art
Exhibition arranged by local artists provided an excellent opportunity not
only of seeing many fine pictures, but also of visiting other quaint houses
in the village.
At tea, Professor Sadler and Mr. Evans, the local headmaster, described
the formation of their Historical Association. Then Mr. Swift, the Chair-
man of the Parish Council, permitted us to visit the 15th-century Durham
House and garden with the old timbered workshop which is still in use.
Miss Smith, the owner, then showed us the 17th-century mills. The smock
mill is still in good order, and our members were soon clambering high
up into the cap to investigate its mysterious workings. Then, peering down
at the flood-gates of the water mill, we watched the powerful upward surge.
It was gratifying to learn that the Historical Association hopes to secure
the windmill as a small museum for their finds.