THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB. 143
doubt, for he had fourteen bestowed on him, including this at Hedingham, which
he chose for his residence, and his descendants lived here for 558 years.
Some contributions were made also by other speakers, including Mr. Crouch,
who gave some notes, by way of comparison, of the Keep here with the famous
Keep of Bishop Gundulph at Rochester, which it closely resembles in style and
size. He showed a large view of this, and remarked that Rochester Keep, being
of Caen stone, is more weathered, and lying low on the Medway banks, is not so
imposing in position as Hedingham. The interior of Rochester Keep was
entirely dismantled 200 years ago, but here at Hedingham the floors are still
remaining, and the windows glazed.
Among the exhibits, Mr. Crouch claimed to show the oldest "Volume" and
"MSS." present. The former, a small quaint black-letter book, printed in Paris for
the Carthusians in 1499, a fine specimen of very early printing, of the time of our
Wynkyn de Worde, who was an assistant of Caxton and continued his printing ;
at the end of which is seven pages of small contemporary MSS. The other was
a most interesting deed written in old Court hand, dated Xth July (1534) the 26th
of Henry VIII., and signed by the last prioress "Mary Banbroke, by the
sufferinge of God prioress of the howse and Churche of our blessed Lady and the
Holy Crosse of Hedynghm at Castell in the Counte of Essex, and the Convent of
the same place." It is curious to note that her signature she writes as Prioress of
Henygame, one of the common spellings of this place in the olden days. The
seal, which is not quite perfect, is vesica-shaped and bears a double cross fleury
voided, with delicate tree branches ; of the inscription round the device, the only
part remaining is 'heedyngham ad cas.' The indenture relates to a lease of land
in Stambourne called Takeleys, at £4 per annum, to Robt Furmage, of Erlys
Colne, Gentylman.
This Benedictine convent was built and endowed by the 1st Earl of Oxford
and his Countess, and in all probability stood near the present Nunnery Street,
N.W. of the town, leading to Crouch Green.
At the conclusion, votes of thanks were passed to all who had contributed to
the day's pleasure or information.
Towards the close of the day the visitors walked over to Sible Hedingham
Church, and afterwards, making for the station, left Hedingham station for home
by special train at 8.30, well satisfied with their visit to this ancient spot.
Visit to the Deneholes in Hangman's Wood, near Grays Thurrock,
in Conjunction with the Geologists' Association,
Friday and Saturday, August nth and 12th, 1893.
Several meetings of the Club have been held to examine the Deneholes, the
last being on October 8th, 1887, at the close of the explorations carried on by the
Club. A visit in conjunction with the Geologists' Association was held on May 9th,
1885, reports of which appeared in the "Proceedings of the Geologists' Associa-
tion,'' vol. ix., p. 179, and Journal Proceedings, Essex Field Club, vol. iv. p. cl.
Many new members of both Societies and others having expressed a desire to
inspect the pits, the present meeting was arrange! by Mr. T. V. Holmes, F.G.S.,
and Mr. W. Cole, Hon. Secretary, and carried out under their superintendence,
1 In the enlarged Edition of Dugdale's "Monasticon" it is mentioned that no name of any
Prioress is known since 1405 ; and that no seal had yet been met with.