OBJECTS OF INTEREST
51
was found embedded more than a foot in depth
in the solid timber, and that the annual rings of
growth showed that more than a thousand years
had elapsed since it struck there.
It is a very pretty walk or drive of five miles
from Greensted to Epping by Toot Hill and
Ongar Park Wood.
Old Chingford Church, which stands in a
dismantled condition about a mile to the south of
the present church on Chingford Green, is devoid
of antiquarian interest, but is remarkable for its
fine position, commanding a striking view over the
valley of the Lea into Hertfordshire and Middle-
sex, and for the extraordinary trees of ivy, of great
age and girth, which hide and protect the moulder-
ing walls and roof. The spires and chimneys of
Hackney and Walthamstow, seen dimly through a
curtain of London smoke, are not an unpicturesque
element in the view.
Queen Elizabeth's Lodge is a building of the
Tudor period, constructed of massive timbers filled
in with brickwork and plaster. It is popularly
believed to have been the hunting resort of the
Virgin Queen, and there is inherent probability in
the tradition, though it is not confirmed by con-
temporary historians. All true foresters believe
further that she was in the habit of riding up the
staircase and dismounting at the top. Nor would
this be a very difficult feat, as each step is a solid
oak beam, and they are laid in short flights and at
a moderate angle. On the first floor is another
room of similar dimensions. This for many years
was divided into bedrooms, but the partitions were
removed in 1900 by the Conservators, to whom
the Lodge belongs, and the room restored. These
two rooms are now used to house various collec-
tions having a local interest. We owe these to
the Essex Field Club, who take charge of them.
The Abbey of the Holy Cross of Waltham,
or rather the nave of it, is all that remains of the
departed glories of the abbey, whose inmates exer-
cised powerful sway over much of the adjoining
country. The Forest formerly extended around it