Journal of Proceedings.
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have a circumference of more than 20 feet. In the fissures of the brick-
work of the Church, the pretty ivy-leaved toadflax (Linaria Cymbalaria)
grew freely. Springing from the tower above us was a tree (which the
villagers declare to be an elder), probably the result of the growth of a
seed conveyed thither by a bird.
The chief features of interest in the Church were pointed out by Mr.
Chancellor. It contains a remarkably perfect pulpit, dating from the
time of Henry the Eighth. In design and execution it is like a very fine
example of perpendicular work, and of it Mr. Chancellor remarked that
he did not know of another in Essex which was so perfect, so complete,
and in design so beautiful. The chancel arch came in for a great deal of
notice. It is evident that a narrower chancel arch at one time existed,—
probably Norman,—and it is well known that the Norman chancel arches
in Essex churches were often very narrow. The present arch has been
formed by cutting away the narrower arch and so enlarging it. Over the
centre, facing the altar, is a curious arched recess, the purpose of which
was not explained, though it looks as if it had been intended to hold an
image. A few words were also devoted to the small pieces of coloured
glass inserted in the east window, which Mr. Chancellor deemed to be
probably original, and attention was called to the centre shield, bearing
the device of the St. Clere family, monuments of whom are in Danbury
Church. Greater interest still was shown when the speaker directed
attention to what is known as a "leper window," or "low side window,"
as to the purpose of which archaeologists are divided. One theory is that
these windows were contrived to allow of the administration of the
Sacrament to the lepers, who were not allowed inside the church.
Another is that they were intended to permit the sacristan to hold the
bell outside and ring it at the consecration of the elements, to convey to
the village information of the performance of the rite. The point was
freely discussed at a late meeting of the Essex Archaeological Society, and
is yet far from settled. Mr. Chancellor described the tower of the church
as a very fine specimen of the many brick towers constructed in this
county in the time of Henry the Seventh and Henry the Eighth. And
he added, in words that would make the builders of to-day blush, if a
man with the power to blush could be a nineteenth-century builder, that
the brickwork was extremely good, "as all the brickwork of that time
was." Attention was also called to some curious mural brasses, one of
them with the date obliterated, bearing a quaint inscription to the
memory of "Patrick Hearn Clark, late parson of this parish of Sandon."
Leaving Sandon, the party followed the road which winds up the
Danbury heights, through charming country, the prospect of which
widened as the elevation increased, giving fine glimpses of sylvan
scenery. Mr. Gibbs pointed out a bank by the roadside, on the rising
ground quitting Sandon, as a station for Claytonia perfoliata, Don, a
North American plant, sometimes found in a semi-wild state. Mr. Gibbs
states, "It was in May, 1858, that my friend, the late Mr. Edward