" The situation of this parish is generally on low grounds, but in some parts rising to a considerable height. The soil varies from a deep clayey loam, similar to the neighbouring parishes of Toppesfield and Stambourne, to the light and gravelly pasture ground bordering the river Blackwater. * The circumference is computed to be thirty five miles.

" Stambourne and Toppesfield form its northern boundary, and it extends eastward to Weathersfield and Sible Hedingham; on the south it joins Gosfield and Shalford; and its western boundary is the river Pant, or Blackwater , on the borders of which some hops have been grown.

" The hill on which the village and the church are situated is of a gravelly soil, and the neighbourhood abounds with a fine white sand, in which many fossil shells are found, mixed with veins of white and blue clays, particularly in the high grounds called Justice Hill.

" The name in records is written Fincingfelda, Phincingfelda, and Phincingefelda. The dissenters of the Independent denomination have a chapel here. The village is distant from Braintree eight, and from London forty-five miles.

" This extensive lordship, in the time of the Saxons, belonged to Algar, the celebrated earl of Merciant who had also, in this county, Gestingthorp, Lammarsh, Weathersfield, Felsted, Southhall, in Dunmow, Great Baddow, and Shalford: it afterwards belonged to Queen Edith, or Edeva; and, at the time of the general survey, was in the divided possession of Alan, son of the earl of Bretagne, who held those parts which in the reign of Edward the Confessor belonged to three freemen, and were afterwards named Spains Hall, Jekells, Wood Hall, and Belcumber Hall: the share of Richard Fitz-Gilbert, holden in the Confessor's reign by two sochmen, and afterwards named Cornet Hall, Nortofts and Sculpins, Brent Hall, Justices, and Cockfields: the same Richard had also Boyton Hall, which, in the Confessor's reign, had belonged to a freeman named Colsege. There are also estates here named Woburns, or How Hall, and Ashwell Hall.

" The manor of Spains Hall, at the time of the general survey, was held, under Count Alan, by Hervey de Hispania, or Spain ; and has retained the name given to it on this account.

" Alan Fergent, one of the Conqueror's favourite chiefs, was rewarded for his services by several lordships, and particularly the earldom or honour of Richmond, in Yorkshire, * of which this lordship was holden.
His two brothers, Alan the black, and Stephen, earl of Penthievre, and Alan the savage, son of the latter, were successively possessors of this estate. The last of these died in 1166. But, previous to his decease, he gave this lordship to Alberic de Vere, and his heirs, t by the title of the service of William de Hispania, of three knights' fees, and the service of William, son of William of Giechrell, of one knight's fee, and the service of Richard Mascle. (footnote)

" The family of Spain were seated here , or in the neighbourhood, from the time of the Conquest, to the reign of King Edward the Second. Ralph de Hispania witnessed a grant of Adeliza de Vere to Colne priory: (footnote) Richard had land in this parish in 1263.

" Gilbert is mentioned as father of William, and grandfather of Sir Richard; whose two sons were Richard, and John, rector of Ging Ralph: to which last Sir Richard gave Old Hall, in 1312, by a deed witnessed by William de Wanton, William Ralph , and John de Nortofts , knights ; Robert Jekell , and William de Finchingfield, living here at that time. || By marriage, or otherwise, this estate was conveyed to the Kemp (footnote) family at an early period. ** John Kemp, of this place, in the reign of King Edward the First, by his wife, Alice Gunter, (footnote) had Nicholas, who married Margaret, daughter of Richard de Hispania. This lady was living in 1310 : John Kemp , their son , married a daughter of (unknown) Reymond, son of John de Lincoln, and had with her a considerable estate, in this parish, called Reymondys. John, their son, had also a son of the same name, who, by his wife, whose maiden name was Armesbury, had Richard, living in 1371. His first wife's name was Catharine, of whom no offspring is recorded: his second wife , Margaret, daughter of Robert Jekell , mercer , of London , brought him in marriage, in 1406 , the manors of Jekells and Justices.

" William Kemp, Esq. their son and heir, had, by his wife Alice Miles, a son named Robert, who, dying in 1524, was buried in Kemp’s chapel, in this church; having had, by his wife Anne Apulder field, of Kent , seven sons and three daughters , none of whose names occur in records, except that of William , the eldest son : he married Mary , daughter of John Colt , and sister to Jane , wife of the celebrated chancellor , Sir Thomas More . The offspring of this marriage was Robert , Arthur , Henry , John , George , seated at Cavendish , in Suffolk ; also Margery , married to George Cavendish , of Glemsford , in Suffolk ; Anne , wife of Thomas Wright , of Norwich ; and Margaret , married to Thomas Downes , after whose decease she was married to a second husband , named Rush borough . The second wife of William Kemp , the father , was Mary , daughter of John Maxey , Esq . and widow of - Yardely ; their marriage settlement bears the date of 1542. Robert Kemp , Esq . the eldest son , married Elizabeth , daughter of Clement Higham , of Barrow Hall , in Suffolk, chief baron of the exchequer , and had by her William and Robert; Bridget , wife of Clement Paman , of Chevington , in Suffolk ; and Dorothy , married to Ralph Lee , of Sussex. William , the eldest son , was rendered remarkable by the voluntary punishment of himself , for some impropriety of speech which he considered highly criminal , and for which alleged offence he imposed a vow of silence during the term of seven years, to which he strictly submitted , with most extraordinary and undeviating perseverance : he died in 1628, having , in 1558 , married Philippa , daughter and co-heiress of Francis Gunter, of Aldbury, in Hertfordshire, and had by her his only daughter , Joan , married to John Burgoyne , Esq . of Sutton, in Bedfordshire. His brother Robert , who was of Gessing , in Norfolk , married Frances Mingay , and had by her Robert , Edmund , Elizabeth , wife of - Outlaw ; Isabel , whose husband's name was Coulter , of Aylsham ; and Mary , married to Nicholas Osborne , of Heydon , in Norfolk . Robert, the eldest son, on his uncle William's decease, without male issue , came to the family inheritance of Spains Hall, and other estates . He received the honour of knighthood in 1641.

" By Elizabeth, his wife , daughter of Nicholas Miller, Esq . of Kent, he had Robert, William, and Joan, married to Sir Thomas Gardiner, son of Francis Gardiner, Esq. of Tollesbury . The second wife of Robert Kemp was Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Kemp, Esq. of Gessing ; by her he had his daughter Frances : his third wife was Elizabeth Steuart; by her no issue is recorded. After his decease , she was married to Captain King.

" Sir Robert, the eldest son , dying without issue , William Kemp , Esq . his brother , succeeded : he married Ruth , daughter of Sir Gilbert Gerrard , of Harrow - on - the Hill , and had by her Mary , his only daughter , who became the wife of Sir Francis Tibbalds . On the death of William Kemp, without issue male, Spains Hall descended

" The family removed from Lavenham, about 1680, to Bocking, where and when John Ruggles, gent. purchased Headwell Hall, and the family also possessed the manor of Goddinge , in that parish , as mentioned by Morant, so late as 1678: and, in 1760, Samuel Ruggles, Esq. of Bocking, purchased Spains Hall, from whom it descended to his nephew, Thomas Ruggles, Esq. in 1784, who, like his collateral ancestor, was distinguished for his literary acquirements and authorship; like him also he was educated at Lavenham school, where he formed a friendship with his school fellow, Arthur Young, Esq. the eminent agricultural writer, which terminated only with the death of Mr. Ruggles, in 1813. From Lavenham school he went to Sidney College, Cambridge, and, after taking his degree, was called to the bar by the society of the Inner Temple, of which he afterwards became a bencher and treasurer. "

" Mr. Ruggles was the author of “The Barrister, or , Strictures on the Education proper for the Bar," first published in the "World,” and afterwards in two vols. duo-decimo. The high - minded author presented the copyright of this able work to Mr. Deighton , of Cambridge , for assisting him in some benevolent subscription connected with literature, as Mr. Deighton told the writer of this sketch . As the work was much in demand by the profession , and a copy of it sold for thrice the publishing price , it was reprinted , in 1818 , by Clark , the law bookseller, ( to whom Deighton had transferred the copyright . ) There can be no better test of its merit . Mr. Ruggles was also the author of " The History of the Poor, " which has gone through three editions. "

" The right honourable George Rose having , from the time that the first edition of this able and beneficent work came out , had frequent communications with the author on the subject of it , requested him , by direction of Mr. Pitt , to meet that minister , who was about to bring the subject of the Poor Laws before parliament. Accordingly , after dinner , at Mr. Rose's , several members of parliament , and other men of ability being also present , Mr. Pitt produced a sketch of the heads of his bill , which were severally discussed till between one and two in the morning ; several subsequent consultations also took place ; and when the clauses of the bill were settled , Mr. Ruggles was requested by Mr. Pitt , to explain shortly , in a pamphlet to the public , the good effects to be ex- pected from the measure . Mr. Ruggles was , however , prevented by illness from using the desired dispatch , and , when he was able to complete it , he sent a copy of it to Mr. Rose , who approved of it , but said Mr. Pitt had been so indefatigable in preparing the bill , and had altered it so much , that the pamphlet did not now altogether apply to it . Mr. Pitt sent the printed bill to Mr. Ruggles , desiring his observations upon it , which were made ; but , suffice it to say , that the war with France , which soon after commenced , induced Mr. Pitt to defer , and , afterwards , unfortunately to abandon his mea- sure . Mr. Ruggles also published , in the Archæologia , * a well - written paper , throwing considerable light on the origin of the ducal family of Devonshire , besides many papers in the Annals of Agriculture , and other periodical publications of the day : he was an elegant scholar , and an excellent botanist , for which latter science he shewed his par- tiality by restoring , in conjunction with Sir Thomas Cullum , bart . at their joint expense , the monument of the naturalist Ray , in Notley church - yard. "

" In 1779 , he married Jane , daughter of John Freeland , Esq . of Cobham , Surrey , by whom he had a large family ; the eldest surviving son , John Ruggles Brise , Esq . is now in possession of this estate : the second son , Samuel Ruggles , was of Clare Hall , where he distinguished himself , being one of the wranglers of 1805 , which dis- tinction led to his being elected a fellow of that society in the following year . But a weakness of constitution , which greatly impeded his studies , brought him to an early grave , in 1807 . "

" The fine old gothic mansion of Spains Hall, standing in a varied and well-planted park, appears, from the style of the architecture, to have been built in the reign of Elizabeth; the entrance-hall is spacious, being about forty feet in length , with width and height in due proportion; and it is lighted by one handsome window , divided into bays , extending nearly its whole length . "

" The capital manorial estate of Dives and Peches has escaped the vigilant and prying research of Mr. Morant , and we think ourselves fortunate in being enabled , by the assistance of our respected friend , the Rev. C. Fisher , to present the following account from the deeds of the estate , compared with authentic documents , by a gentleman in the herald's office . "

" William Berners , Esq . lord of Peches , in the parish of Finchingfield , in Essex , a descendant of Hugo de Bernerys , a Norman , who came into this country with William the Conqueror , married Joanna , daughter and heiress of William Gilderiche , Esq . of Peches , ( by Alice his wife ) and by her had John Berners , Esq . of Finching- field , who married Elizabeth , daughter of Simon Wiseman , Esq . He also married Eleanor , eldest daughter of Sir Edward Palmer , of Ancering , in Suffolk , knight . The several children he had by this second wife are not recorded : by his first wife , Elizabeth , he had Arthur Berners , who died without issue ; Francis Berners , of Finchingfield , gent . who married Barbara , daughter of Cornell , of Stebbing , in Essex , and had by her Francis , who died at Cologne ; William , who died at Finching- field , having had , by his wife , daughter of Nash , and widow of Deresley , of Catlidge , in Cumberland , his son John Berners , living at Peches in 1611 ; Arthur , of Finchingfield , a captain in Portugal , where he died , having married Joan , daughter of ????? Pigot, of Chelmsford. "

" John , the fourth son of John and Elizabeth Berners , married Joan , daughter of Philip Causton , of Essex , and had by her John Berners , of Finchingfield , who married Mary , daughter of ( maiden name unknown . ) The offspring of John and Mary Berners was John Berners , of Finchingfield , owner of the manor of Peches in 1634 , who married Mary , daughter of — Wallys , of Little Bardfield , in Essex , by whom he had John , aged about sixteen , in 1634 , who died at Peches in 1692 , William , his second son , Mary , and Elizabeth . John , the eldest son , by his wife Anne , was the father of William , John , Anne , Mary , Elizabeth , of whom Anne , the youngest daughter , was married to John Durman , gent . by whom he had Mary , Sarah , married to Richard Myhill , of Finchingfield , yeoman ; and Anne , married to Martin Olley , of Finchingfield . "

" In 1729 and 1730 , Mary , Sarah , and Anne Durman , the three daughters and co-heiresses of Anne Durman (who inherited Dives and Peches from her brother Wil- liam ) conveyed this estate to John Barnerd , of Braintree , apothecary , who , dying in 1732 , left it to his son , John Barnerd , entailing it on his grandson , John Barners Barnerd , who sold it , in 1767 , to Mrs. Sarah Reeve ( formerly Ruggles ) who disposed of it , in 1772 , to John Ruggles , Esq . of Spains Hall , who dying in 1776 , it became the property of his first cousin , Thomas Ruggles , Esq . who , at his death in 1813 , bequeathed it to his four daughters , Maria , Jane , Frances Brise , and Sophia Lydia . CHAP . V. Jane having been married to John Walford , Esq . son of Luke William Walford , Esq . of Bardfield Hall , died in 1822 ; Frances Brise married the Rev. Charles Fisher , rector of Ovington ; and Sophia Lydia having married her first cousin , the Rev. Henry Freeland , rector of Hasketon , Suffolk , died in 1827 . "

" Jekells , corruptly written Juckells , Jykels , Jugils , Gigels , forming part of the possessions of Alan Fergent , was , with Spains Hall , given by his successor to Alberic de Vere , under whom , and his successors, it was holden , as of the honour of Castle Hedingham , by William Juckell , or Jeckell , by his son Robert , in 1254 and 1269 ; by Simon Jeckell in 1276 : by a second Robert , in part of the reigns of Edward the First and Second ; and by Roesia , the daughter of Robert , in 1339. It had come into the possession of Richard Clovill in 1360 to 1371 , who held it as one knight's fee . It soon afterwards came to the Kemp family , of Spains Hall . It afterwards became the property of Lady Mainwaring , who sold it to Mr. John Hammond , in 1770 , whose only child , by marriage , conveyed it to Mr. John Beddall , whose daugh- ter married Mr. James Bennet Foster , the present owner . Hall . The manor of Wood Hall passed from Alan Fergent , as Jekells did , to the Vere Wood family , and under them was holden as half a knight's fee : the lands lie in this parish , Hempsted , and Little Samford . In the reign of King Edward the Third , this estate was successively in the possession of William Crochman , and John and William , his sons ; and the latter left it to his only daughter , Mary , or Mariota ; who was married , first , to John Wyneslow , Esq . of Wyneslow Hall , also named Crochmans , in Hempsted ; her second husband was Thomas Holgyll : on her death , in 1410 , she was in possession of the mansion and estate of Woodhall , and was succeeded by her son , William Wyncelow , who , dying in 1419 , left his only daughter , Joan , his heiress ; succeeded , on her decease in 1431 , by her kinsman , Walter Huntington , son of John Huntington , son of Elizabeth , sister of William Crochman , the younger . Walter , on his decease in 1443 , was succeeded by Thomas , his son and heir , who married Margaret , daughter of William Tyrell , Esq . of Rawreth , by whom he had two daughters , co - heiresses : Margaret , married to John Paris , of Linton ; and Anne , the wife of William Mordaunt , Esq . chief prothonotary of the king's bench , who had with her this estate . Robert Mordaunt , who died in 1572 , was his son or grandson ; and his son Philip having died before him , he was succeeded by his grandson , John Mordaunt , on whose death , in 1574 , his brother James succeeded to this estate , but died in the year following , and was succeeded by Robert , his brother , who , at the time of his decease , in 1602, was in possession of this and other estates in Hempsted , Samford , and elsewhere . "

" Lestrange Mordaunt, Esq. the son of his brother Henry, of Massingham Hall , in Norfolk , was his heir , in whose family the estate continued , till sold by Sir Robert Mordaunt , bart . to Eliab Harvey , Esq . brother of the learned and celebrated physician , Dr. William Harvey. Belcumber Hall The mansion of Belcumber Hall is about two miles north-west from the church, and the estate is mentioned as belonging to the honour of Richmond, and held of the crown , in the twenty-sixth of Queen Elizabeth, by William Benlowes, of Brent Hall. It afterwards formed part of the possessions of Richard Chiswell , Esq . of Debden Hall , who sold it to Mr. Whitehead , the grandfather of the present proprietor , Mr. Thomas Whitehead. Cornet, or Cornish Hall. The manor of Cornet Hall has the mansion nearly a mile and a half north - west from the church . It was formerly called the manor of Finchingfield , and the manor of Norton . In the reign of Henry the Third , it was holden of Richard de Clare , earl of Gloucester and Hertford , by Richard de Cornherth ; and its present name is derived from this family ; Richard and Angot de Cornerth held lands here in the time of Edward the Second ; Sir Thomas de Cornerth was a descendant of Richard , and the father of George and John : he sold the reversion of this estate to John Vyne , citizen and draper , of London , whose heirs sold it to Sir Thomas Culpeper , one of whose descendants sold it to John Chaplyn , in 1576 , whose son and heir , Thomas , on his decease in 1627 , left it to his cousin , James Chaplyn , who married Joan , daughter of Thomas Digby , of Halstead , and had by her James , Edmund , * Elizabeth , married to Unwin , of Bumsted Steeple , and Jane , the wife of Thomas Wilson , of Jenkins , in Stysted . James , the eldest son , by his wife Elizabeth , daughter of William Begge , Esq . of Barwick Hall , in Toppesfield , by Susan , eldest daughter of Thomas Jernegan , Esq . son and heir of Sir John Jernegan , knt . of Somerley , in Lovingland , Suffolk , by whom he had Jernegan , Thomas , Joseph , Elizabeth , married to John Richardson , of East Barnet , and Jane , wife of Robert Stubbing , of Iveton , in Bumsted Helion . Jernegan marrying Jane , daughter of Nicholas Ashmundesham , of Thistleworth , had James ; Elizabeth , married to Thomas Goldsburgh , Esq . of Chipping Ongar ; Jane , the wife of John Cheveley , Esq . one of the clerks in chancery ; Margaret , the wife of Richard Wood ; Susan , married to John Montague , Esq . of Lincoln's Inn ; and Anne . The second wife of Jernegan Chaplyn was Elizabeth , widow of Thomas Kemp , Esq . in whose right he enjoyed Spains Hall . James , his son , died before him , leaving , by his wife, Elizabeth Avery, of Haverhill, Elizabeth, his only daughter and heiress, who conveyed the estate, by marriage, to George Gent, Esq. of Moyns, in whose family it has continued to the present time. "

" The manor-house of Nortofts is pleasantly situated , a mile south - east from the church. Of the ancient family from whom it has received, or to whom it has given its name , John de Nortoft was living in 1229 , and John , his descendant , held this estate in 1321 , which , in 1375 , Edmund de Nortoft and his wife Anne held of Sir John de Neville , as of his manor of Clavering. Emma and Florentia , the daughters of his son Edmund , * were his heiresses ; and one of them is supposed to have been married to Henry Helyoun, of Bumsted Helion , who , in 1391 , held this estate of Lord de Neville , by the service of one knight's fee . John , his son , succeeded to this and his other estates , and , dying in 1450 , left two daughters , co-heiresses : Philippa , married to Sir Thomas Montgomery , who died without offspring ; Isabel , who was the wife of Humphrey Tyrell , Esq . and whose only daughter , Anne , by marriage , conveyed a large inheritance to Sir Roger Wentworth, of Codham Hall , in Wethersfield : she died in 1534 , and Sir Roger died in 1539 , leaving John Wentworth , Esq . their only son , who , on his decease in 1567 , left Anne , his daughter and heiress , ( afterwards Lady Maltravers ) ; on whose decease , without issue , in 1580 , this and other estates descended to her cousin , John Wentworth , who , dying in 1588 , his son and successor , John Wentworth , sold Nortofts to George Mead , son of John Mead , Esq . Mead family . of Elmdon . The Mead family came from Somersetshire into this county, in the reign of Henry the Sixth, and first settled at Elmdon . George , the purchaser of this estate , kept his first court here in 1602 : John , his eldest son , was of Lincoln's Inn , and , by his wife Dorothy , daughter of Sir Thomas Wendy , knt . of Haslingfield , in Cambridgeshire , had John ; and Elizabeth , married to Sir Samuel Brown , one of the justices of the common pleas . George Mead, by will , dated 1629 , the year of his decease , left part of his estates to his wife Dorothy during her life , remainder to his son and his son's wife , and their respective heirs . John Mead , by his wife Elizabeth , daughter of William Mewes , Esq . of the Isle of Wight , by Dorothy , daughter of Sir Francis Barrington , knt . and bart . had John , who died without issue ; Joan , married to Roger Rant , of Swaffham , in Cambridgeshire ; and Dorothy , married to John Marshall , Esq . The family estate being divided by lot , Nortofts became the share of R. Rant , + and Sculpins , which had been united , was now separated , forming the portion or share of John Marshall , Esq . The present proprietor , Mr. Robert Smith , purchased this estate , about the year 1817 , of Mr. Lord , whose family ( of Bishop Stortford ) had been for several generations in possession of it . "

" The mansion - house of Sculpins is above a mile north - east from the church ; pre- . vious to its separation from Nortofts , it had been named , in records , Scanspoons , Skon-spulls , and Sculpins . The family who first held it as a separate estate derived themselves from the noble stock of the Marescalls , of whom John , nephew to William Marescall , earl of Pembroke , was sheriff of Lincolnshire in 1215 , and obtained a grant of the office of marshal of Ireland , * from King John . John Marshall , or Marescall , the son , married Margery , sister of Thomas Newburgh , earl of Warwick . The line of succession of this family continued in his descendants successively , in the names of William , William , John , Roger , William , William , and , of this last , the son lived at Somercotes , in Lincolnshire , and was returned as one of the gentry of that county , in 1433. His son John married Elizabeth , daughter of Sir Ralph Bingham , by whom he had Ralph , who married the daughter of Neville , Esq . of Rolleston , and had a son , named Thomas , whose wife Anne , daughter and heiress of William Musson , of Calais , was the mother of John , who , by Anne his wife , daughter and heiress of Henry Cave , Esq . had William , John , John , Henry , and Elizabeth . John , their surviving son , was the father of Thomas , William , John , Joseph , and two daughters . Thomas , by his wife Elizabeth , daughter of Roger Rant , Esq . of Swaffham , had John ; Eleanor , the wife of Edmund Tooke , Esq . of Dartford , in Kent ; Elizabeth , married to Sir Francis Theobald , knt . of Barking , in Suffolk , a person intimately acquainted with the oriental languages , and to whom Dr. Castel dedicated his Lexicon Heptaglotton ; and Mary . John , the only son , received the honour of knighthood in 1681 , on pre- senting an address from this county to King Charles the Second , and was in the com- mission of the peace nearly fifty years . He married , first , Dorothy , daughter and co- heiress of John Mead , Esq . by whom he had Elizabeth , married to Sir Maynard Jenour , bart . of Bigwood , in Dunmow . The second wife of John Marshall was Lucy , daughter and co - heiress of Sir John Wiseman , of Bradokes , in Wimbish , by whom he had William and John . William marrying Elizabeth , daughter of Sir William Blackett , bart . had William , who married a daughter of Samuel Gatward , counsellor - at - law , by whom he left two daughters , Anne and Lucy . This estate is now the property of Mr. Edmund Davy . Justices . Cock- fields . The manor of Justices formerly belonged to the honour of Clare ; and , with Haw- kishalls , in Toppesfield , was holden by the service of one knight's fee . They were both of them sold by John Inworth to Edmund Helyon , in 1379 , and successively became the property of Thomas Gifford , William Helyon , William Berners , and William Gilderich , who married the daughter of William Helyon , and she held these manors as his widow , in 1400 . The mansion of Justices is about a mile north - east from the church : this estate is now the property of Sir Francis Vincent , of Debden Hall . Of the manor of Cockfields no account is found till the time of Henry the Eighth , in whose reign William Clopton , Esq . held it of Queen Catharine , as half a knight's fee , of her Castle of Clare . On his decease , his wife Rose was married to Sir Giles CHAP . V. Greville , and held this estate till her death in 1525 , when it passed into the possession of William Clopton , her son by her first husband . It afterwards belonged successively to Thomas Throgmorton , Esq . , Margaret his wife , and to John Whorwood , who , in 1573 , sold it to William Benlowes , Esq . serjeant - at - law , and Thomas Chaplyn , whose son , William Chaplyn , bought a moiety of this estate of his father , and paid his relief in 1584 ; and , the following year , purchased a third part of the remaining moiety , of William Willow and Thomas Borles , for the use of himself and Alice his wife , and the longest liver ; * which part seems to be that afterwards bought of Dr. Gascoign , by Colonel Farwell . This , as well as the last - mentioned estate , is at pre- sent the property of Sir Francis Vincent , bart . of Debden Hall . Hall . Brent Hall is pleasantly situated , about half a mile from the church , on the road Brent leading to Samford , contiguous to Spains Hall , the residence and estate of John Rug- gles Brise , Esq . to whom it was sold , in 1828 , by Sir Francis Vincent , bart . the heir of the estates of the Chiswell family , formerly of Debden Hall , in the same county . It belonged to the Benlowes family so early as about the year 1550 , and , at the decease of Christopher Benlowes , descended to his son , William Benlowes , Esq . a Roman Catholic gentleman , equally distinguished by his piety and munificence to the poor , who was a member of Lincoln's Inn , and for a period during the reign of Philip and Mary , solely enjoyed the rank of serjeant - at - law in his profession . His charitable benefactions during his life , and under his will , were numerous and considerable to the poor of Halstead , Maplestead , Sible Hedingham , of Bocking and Thaxted , where he had a house for his occasional residence , of Finchingfield , and also of Bardfield , where he also resided , in a house called the Place , in which village , besides other charities , he endowed a school , for the education of poor children ; and , by his will , ordered to be erected , in the church thereof , a chantry , for the offering of prayers for the souls of King Philip and Queen Mary , of Christopher and Elizabeth Benlowes , his father and mother , and for the souls of the founder and his wife , with an endow- ment , out of the great tithes of Bardfield , of ten marks annually . He departed this life 19th November , 1584 , and , together with his second wife , Eleanor , daughter of Sir Edward Palmer , knt . of Angmering , Sussex , and widow of John Berners , Esq . of Peches , in Finchingfield , was interred in the chancel of the church at Great Bard- field , where a monument is erected to his memory , inscribed with a copy of Latin verses , not unworthy the attention of the curious traveller . He was succeeded in his estates at Finchingfield and elsewhere , together with the impropriated tithe and ad- vowson of the vicarage of Bardfield , by his son , William Benlowes , Esq . who , dying in 1613 , was succeeded by his grandson , Edward Benlowes , son of his eldest son Andrew , whom he survived . Edward Benlowes , Esq . of Brent Hall , in Finchingfield , who has styled himself upon some occasions , probably during the civil wars , " Turmæ equestris in com . Essex præfectis , " born in 1602 , was admitted a fellow - commoner of St. John's College , Cambridge , to which society he was afterwards a benefactor : after devoting some time to foreign travel , he distinguished himself by his proficiency in elegant literature and taste for sacred poetry , in which he was intimately associated with consentient contemporaries of literary eminence ; with Phineas and Giles Fletcher , the former the author of the Purple Island ; with Francis Quarles , author of the Emblems and other Poems , which share the approbation of the present day ; and Dorriant , Payne , and Fisher , are also named in the circle of his literary acquaintance . Mr. Benlowes appears to have fixed his residence for some time at Brent Hall , from which place he dates some complimentary verses to his friend Quarles , prefixed to the publication of his Emblems , in 1634 ; and in this retreat perhaps , besides other efforts of his taste and imagination , he may have written his sacred poem , entitled Theophila , or Love's Sacrifice , " a divine poem , published in 1652 , to which is prefixed a print of the author , * to whom , amongst various complimentary verses introduced at the beginning of the volume , will be found some lines signed " T. Benlowes . " 66 "

" There is likewise prefixed to the volume of the poems of the Fletchers , copies of verses , with the signatures of "W. Benlowes , " and " E. Benlowes . " Although T. Benlowes and W. Benlowes , who participated in the same taste for sacred poetry , may be presumed to have been kindred of Mr. Edward Benlowes , memorials have failed to render their degrees of consanguinity apparent . Negligence of his affairs , and perhaps imprudence , unfortunately after a time involved this gentleman in pecuniary difficulties ; so that , about the year 1654 , he was induced to suffer a recovery, in order to enable him to alienate his family estates; to which deed of recovery his niece, "

" Finchingfield Parish (in Hinckford Hundred).

The Tithe Award of Finchingfield (Essex Record Office D/CT 139a), dated 1840, shows a rent-charge £733-10-0 payable to the vicar (Rev James Westerman), £1406-5-0 to John Marriott, £1-5-0 to John Roberson (of Bardfield Saling) and John Smith (of Stisted), and 7/6d to James Turner: total £2141-7-6. Richard Marriott esq was impropriator of Great Tithes except those of the 2nd and 3rd schedules, and impropriator of glebe of the 1st schedule. William Hulbert Sheppard esq was impropriator of the Great Tithes of 1st and 2nd schedules.

First Schedule: The whole parish subject to tithes measured 8394 acres, of which 6463 acres were arable, 996 acres meadow and pasture, 520 acres wood, 32 acres hop grounds, 39 acres rectorial glebe, 2 acres vicarial glebe, 176 acres buildings, roads, waste etc. Ashwell Hall, 166 acres, was owned by the President and Governors of the Hospital.

Second Schedule: (a) William Hulbert Shepherd owned Daw Street Farm, 122 acres, and Robjohns Farm, 54 acres. (b) James Pettitt owned Garlands Farm - Further Town field, 8 acres 1 rood 29 perches, Hither Town field 7a 3r 2p, Homestead 3r 33p, Home field 5a 3r 22p, Six Acres (pt) 2acres. (c) Thomas Pollett owned Park Hall 44 acres. Third Schedule: Lands of the Great Tithes of the Vicar measured 1579a 1r 20p. An Addendum shows an additional tithe levy of 13/6d per acre was due for Hop Grounds. The Tithe Commissioners were William Blamire and J.W. Buller, the Assistant Commissioner John Maurice Herbert of Lincolns Inn, the Valuer Robert Franklin of Thaxted. "

" The Tithe Map (ERO: D/CT 139b), dated 1834, was surveyed by James Beadle of Witham at a scale of 13.3” to a mile and measures 79”x54”. It was countersigned by Roger Kynaston, Assistant Tithe Commissioner.

In Domesday Book, 1086, Picot held Phincinghefelda in the king’s hand with two mills which Algar, earl of Mercia, had held before 1066 as a manor for 2 hides less 15 acres. Guy held Phincingefelda from Count Eustace which Norman had held as a manor for half a hide and 10 acres. Guy also held from him Phincinghefelda with one mill which Wulfric, a free man, had held for 37 acres. Hervey held Phincingefelda(m) from Count Alan which three free men had held under Edeva (the Fair) for 2½ hides. This became the manor of Spain’s Hall. The Count held 38½ acres in lordship in Phincingefelda which 2 free men and one free man had held before 1066. This may have become Jekylls (Powell, 1964). Elinant held Phincinghefelda from Richard son of Count Gilbert which two free men had held for 48 acres. Arnold held under Richard 38 acres in Fincinghefelda which two free men held under Withgar. Two men-at-arms held 36 acres at Fincingefelda from Richard which 3 freemen had held under Withgar before 1066. In Phincinghefelda Richard had eleven free men with half a hide. Of Richard’s Annexations, Arnold held 80 acres in Phincinghefelda which Brictric, a free man, had held (Reaney, 1935; Morris, 1983). Watts (2004) translates this from Old English feld, ‘open country of the people called after Finc’. Smith (1956) gives Old English finca, ‘a finch’.

" Richard son of Count Gilbert held Boituna, Boyton Hall, which Colsege, a free man, had held for half a hide and 10 acres. Richard had acquired it and Bures by exchange. This is translated from boia tun, ‘servant’s or Boia’s settlement’ (Kemble, 2007). Germund held from Richard 32½ acres of Weninchou, perhaps Howe Hall alias Obourns, and of his Annexations Germund held 37½ acres of Weninghou which Colman, a free man had held before 1066 (VCH, 1903). The second element is probably Old English hoh, ‘promontory or spur’. Walter Cook held Assuella, Ashwell Hall, in 1086 which Felaga had held as a manor for half a hide. This is æsc wielle, ‘ash-spring’.

" There were these manors: A. Lands of Count Alan: 1. Spains Hall was held by Hervey de Ispania under Count Alan who was awarded the earldom of Richmond, Yorkshire. c.1166 Alan the Savage gave the lordship to Alberic de Vere. 2. Jekells was part of Alan’s estate given to Alberic of the Honour of Castle Hedingham by William Juekell. 3. Wood-hall, moated, 2 miles from Spains Hall. William Crocheman held it t.Edward III under the Earl of Oxford. 4. Belcumber Hall belonged to the owners of Brent-hall, William Bendloes a messuage with appurtinences called Belcombers and Ferrors of the Queen.

" B. Lands of Richard fitz-Gilbert: 1. Cornett Hall (alias Norton), 2 miles north of the church, was held t.Henry III of Richard of Clare, earl of Gloucestershire and Hertfordshire, by Richard de Cornherth. 2. Nortofts, 1 mile southeast of the church; William de Nortoft was here in 1229. Edmund de Northtoft (died 1375) held Hildershams and Shaldfords with other parcels. Sculpins was a messuage of Nortofts 1½ miles northeast of the church. 3. Justices was held of the Honour of Clare bought by Edmund Helyon in 1370. 4. Cockfields, t. Henry VIII, was held by William Clopton esq of Queen Catherine. 4. Brent-hall, northwest of the church, was held of Queen Catherine by William Ayliffe (died 1517).

" C. Land of Richard son of Count Gilbert: 1. Boyton was held by Julian de Boyton t.Edward I. 2. Woburnes alias How Hall t.Henry VIII belonged to Thomas Tillesdon (died 1562). Ashwell Hall, 1½ miles southeast of the church, was held by Henry le Somenur t.Edward I (Morant, 1768).

" Belcumber Hall and Spains Hall contain Norman or Anglo-Norman name-elements (Kemble, 2007). The church of St John Baptist has a square Norman tower. Cabbaches, east of the church (John Caboche, 1437, ECP), is a 15th century hall-house with cross-wings, as has the 15th century Old Parsonage. The Guildhall is c.1500. Bridge House is timber-framed and plastered, c.1600. Finchingfield House is mostly a 16th century hall-house. The post mill is weatherboarded, mid-18th century on a 19th century brick base surround (Pevsner, 2007).

Place-and field-names from the Map (ERO: D/DU 155/1), dated 1736, of land in the occupation of Thomas Brand for Mr John Daniel by Jer. Nicholls, and from other documents are shown against the Tithe Award names.