Windows and flowere
to be mended
Iron hinges for the windows,
5 pairs, xs., mending the
broken windows and flowere
in diverse places xiijs., iiijd.
xxiijs
iiijd.
This document is not only important because it assists in
dating the building but because it constitutes precise evidence for
its function. In the preambular paragraphs of the report there
remains a description of the building the relevant passage reading
as follows 'The second (storey) ... for convenient standing to
viewe the game. The Th(ird) serveth likewise'. Before turning
from the question of the origins of the lodge reference must be
made to a very interesting manuscript discovered by a member
of the Bath and Cheltenham Archaeological Society at the beginning
of the century. This was described and reproduced by W. C.
Waller in the Essex Naturalist.6 In a 15th century volume, other-
wise disappointing, there appeared several documents relating to
the Forest of Essex including one concerning the construction of
a forest lodge. Whether or not this refers to Queen Elizabeth's
Lodge at Chingford cannot be determined but it is clearly germane
to our subject and worthy of attention because it throws light on
the process and means whereby the forest buildings were erected,
financed and maintained.
The document is in the form of a warrant issued under the
hand of Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, on 4th December, 1444
and charges the Steward of the Forest of Essex to arrange for the
construction of a lodge and pimfold (pound) for the convenience of
the King and Ministers. The Steward and his forest officials are
authorised to cut the necessary timber for its construction and to
sell materials from the forest to defray the costs. They are also
bidden to render the accounts of their management when called
upon to do so.
I am inclined to think that this document is too early to
refer to the lodge at Chingford although it could well relate to
a short-lived predecessor on the same site. Alternatively it must
refer to a similar structure elsewhere in the forest which has not
survived.
6The Essex Naturalist Vol. XII—1902.
7