Journal of Proceedings.
xlvii
the neighbourhood of which the Club might from time to time hold either
Field or Ordinary Meetings.
On reaching Chelmsford a move was quickly made to the "Saracen's
Head Hotel," in the High Street, the appointed head-quarters for the day.
After a short stay there, and not a few pleasant introductions and hand-
shakings, the company—now considerably augmented by fresh local
arrivals—proceeded across the road to St. Mary's Church, Mr. F. Chan-
cellor (Architect to the Diocese),—who, thanks to a long and loving study
of its architectural and antiquarian details, is perhaps better qualified for
the task than any other man in Essex,—having kindly undertaken to act
as their "guide, philosopher, and friend," in connection with the
inspection of that ancient and stately edifice. Taking his stand under
one of the noble arches of the tower, Mr. Chancellor read an elaborate
paper upon the Church, giving its history from 1424 up to the present
time, and lucidly explaining its architectural features and its points of
historical and antiquarian interest. We much regret that the limits of
these reports, and the scheme of the Club as mainly a Natural History
Society, precludes the insertion of this valuable paper in its entirety.
Mr. Chancellor began by referring to the very meagre records of the
ancient history of Chelmsford. There could be no doubt that a Church
existed there from very early times, and it might fairly be presumed that
the structure was one of some importance ; but, except what might have
been used in the shape of old materials in the building of the walls of the
present edifice, no remains of it are extant. Doubtless the old Church,
which partook probably of the Norman character, was utterly annihilated
by the townsfolk when they determined upon re-building of their parish
Church in 1424. That John De Vere, twelfth Earl of Oxford, whose
family was possessed of the "Old Black Boy," and who probably made
Chelmsford a halting-place and an occasional residence in his journeys
to and from Hedingham Castle to London, aided in the work of rebuilding
the Church, was proved by the fact of his shield, charged with the mullet,
being carved in the spandril of the west door of the tower, and by his
crest, the boar, being introduced in the apex of the arch of the same door.
This latter corresponded with the carved boar which formed part of the
ceiling of an apartment in the "Old Black Boy." The Bouchiers, the
Mountneys of Mountnessing, the Beauchamps, the Nevilles, the Mow-
brays, and the Warners of Great Waltham, all undoubtedly contributed
to the re-edification of the building, for their arms decorated the roof,
and were emblazoned in the east window. Although all that remained of
the old structure was the tower, the south porch, and a few other frag-
ments in the aisles and chancel, they were sufficient to prove the care
taken in its building. The tower was one of the strongest and most
enduring pieces of workmanship in the district. It had withstood the
storms of four centuries with scarcely an impression made upon its
massive walls, and, unless damaged accidentally or wantonly, it would
last for as many centuries more. In 1424 the Perpendicular style had