Early Medieval Belchamp
The over-simplification of Thomas Wright's account of the Early Medieval history of the region of Belchamp Walter is somewhat understandable. His emphasis related to the general area around the Hall at the time and he has far more to say about the Hall and its residents than he did about what went on in the period from Conquest to the sale of the estate to the family of the current owners:
The "ownership" of the estate is in my mind questionable as Aubrey de Vere was indeed a Demesne Lord but under the Feudal System all land was "owned" by the monachy and the Mesne lord was only the "caretaker". de Vere possibly "came over with" the Conqueror but as such he was probably more accuratly described as a "mercenary".
De Vere's daughter, Rohese, was married to Geofrey de Mendeville, who was more than likely one of Henry I's New Men (or a descendant thereof). Walter de Beauchamp was also one of Henry's New Men and there is some logic that one of his descendants, Payne de Beuchamp could be Rohse's second husband.
Payne and Rohese's son, Simon de Beauchamp, fell out of favour with King Stephen who took the reign of England when Henry I's heir was drowed in the White Ship disaster. The Empress Matilda, Henry I's daughter thought that she should be Queen of England, as this was before male-preference Primogeniture (I think), thus ensued much conflict between Matilda and Stephen and their supporters.
The fortunes of the Demesne Lord
Aubrey de Vere and Richard de Clare were both de Mesne lords.
Adeliza de Clare was the mother of Rohese, the daughter of Adeliza and Aubrey de Vere II.
Medieval Ecclesiology
The reason(s) that churches were built and adorned with religious and superstitions images.
The more and more that I research this period I have a few theories on how some of this came about. I am finding that the accounts of Thomas Wright are becoming more and more accademic. Accademic in that references to battles and accords such as Evesham and Keniworth assume that the reader knows to what he refers. As I saying at the top of this page Thomas has more to say about the residents of Belchamp Hall in 1831/36 and the years leading up to them. This is understandable as the history of the country was largely unfolding outside the specific region of North Essex and Suffolk.
The Black Death of (1346 to 1353) may have had a significant effect on ecclesiological thinking. The wall paintings in St.Mary's date from this time and the Nave was also extended or built in the 14th century. Sir John died 1364 and it is my theory that he had planned his memorial in the late 13th century as he had ties with the region from that time.
The similarity of the compositions of the wall paintings leads me to speculate on whether there was an influence brought about by the collections of Robert de Lisle (1288-1344). It would appear that the de Vere family had possibly contact with both de Lisle and the monks at Colne Priory. de Lisle's wish that he Psalter be passed to the Gilbertine priory of Chicksands (fol. 122v, dated 1339) on the death of his daughters.
de Vere and Great Canfield
The plaque in the chancel of St. Mary's Great Canfield is a list of the vicars and their patrons. At the time of the probable painting of the Madonnas that are very similar between Great Canfield and Belchamp Walter the patron is shown as Aubrec de Vere, 3rd Earl of Oxford.
The Wikipedia page says that the third Earl of Oxford was Robert de Vere and he did in fact get buried in Hatfild Broad Oak (not far from Canfield and conforming the information in the church) there is no mention that he was Lord of the manor and resided in Cranfield Castle.
Information on Canfield Castle is sketchy and the earthworks of Canfield, Hedingham, Plessey are decribed in Victoria History
Chicksands Priory and the de Veres
Chicksands Priory is/was situated South East of the settlement of Bedford and was founded Chicksands Priory, 1152, by Rohse de Vere.
Rohse de Vere's second husband, after Geoffrey de Mandeville, was Payne de Beauchamp of Bedford.