Thomas Wright's The History and Topology....... Essex 1831/36

Thomas Wright - The History and Topography of Essex

I have used Thomas Wright's account as a starting point for at least the Pre-Tudor History of Belchamp Walter. I have further extended my study of Thomas' work taking quotes from other sections of his book on Essex. The history and interconnection of families in the North Essex and Suffolk area are much explained in Thomas' work.

The manuscript was digitized by Google and is available for all to read on Google Play.

As I progress with my research I am finding that Thomas's text more and more difficult to interprete.

Thomas' text at first reading seems to over-simplify the situation. However, considering when it written and the resources that he had at the time, he did a pretty comprehensive job! He did use a variety of sources including Inquestions Post Mortem and Visitations from Hearalds.

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An example relating to the families of Sir Robert Swynborne, Sir William Fyderne and John Helion

The original text:

" She bore to Sir Robert five sons, who all died without issue, and two daughters, Alice and Margery; the latter married to Nicholas Berners, of Aberden Hall, in Debden, and Codham Hall, in Wethersfield, whose daughter Catharine was wife of Sir William Fynderne; but this estate was the inheritance of Alice, the eldest daughter, married to John Helion, Esq. of Bumsted Helion. "

I have yet to untangle the above. I had tried to re-write some of the text, but it still made little more sense.

Only when I have delved into other sources to confirm dates (where they exist) and names of parentage and offspring I have found that there are some discrepancies.

The date this was written

The book is dated 1831/36.

Queen Victoria started her reign in 1837 and the "Extensive renovations" to the church had not occured as this was 1859. These renovations were funded by John Mayne St.Clere R______ (d 1893).

It is my suspicion that the monument described by Thomas Wright was destroyed as a result of these renovations:

" This family have a vault under the church. There are also the remains of a very ancient monument, of elaborate workmanship, said to be erected to the memory of one of the earls of Essex, but the inscription has been entirely defaced.

In 1821, this parish contained six hundred and eight, and, in 1831, six hundred and seventy inhabitants. "

The BHO website listing, of an Inventory of Monuments in 1916 makes no mention of this monument. It does, however, make the comment that the chancel arch is "modern". This is kind ironic as in 2021 there is talk of removing the covering on this arch to reveal the Victorian wall paintings.

Interpretation of the text

Looking more closely it seems that I had not copied to footnotes from the original text. However, I am not sure if they actually provide much more information.

Below are a couple of examples. I will add them back to the relevant pages

Footnote on page 643/770 relating to the name de Beauchamp the demolition of Bedford castle and the Dictum of Kenelworth

1 There were several ancient families of this surname; of Bedford, Eaton, Elmsley, Warwick, Essex, and other places.
2 Mat. Paris, p. 254—322, and Mat. Westminst. ad ann. 1860. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_of_Westminster
3 See the old editions of the Statutes.
4 Dugdale's Baronetage, vol. i. p. .2*24.
5 Arms of Beauchamp : Quarterly or and gules, a bend dexter of the second

Footnote on page 644/770 relating to John de Steyngreve and the death of John Botetourt.

1 Anna of Steyngreve : Azure, a cross argent, between five billets.
2 At the time of his decease, he held this manor by the service of two knights' fees and a half ; of which John, earl of Oxford, had at that time the ninth part of this rent.— Inquis. 13 Edward the Third.
3 The demesne lands of this manor amounted to five hundred and ninety-three acres.
4 Philipot's Villare Cantianum, p. 375.

What I think Thomas did - with respect to Essex village histories

Thomas Wright seems to have taken the visitations of heralds and transcribed them into prose.

An example of this is Robert Swynborne, where he says Sir Roberts daughter, Margery, was married to Nicholas Berners of Aberden Hall, in Debden (the heralds tree says Nicholas Barneys de Fynchingfield).

That being said, Thomas still does a pretty good job at quoting his sources and I really need to make sure that I include all the footnotes. There are many other sources other than the Visitations of Heralds

The Thomas Wright Treatment is the disemination of the text from his History and Topography of Essex and adding links to relevant pages.

Apart from Belchamp Walter other villages and areas include:

Belchamp Otten
Radwinter
Borley
The Bumpsteds
Saffron Warden - curiously this is not detailed to the same degree

The Google Books rendition of Thomas Wright's book is not consistant across devices and is not easy to search.

BELCHAMP , or BEAUCHAMP

Thomas has an entry for the Belchamps (after the entry for Foxearth

The three parishes named Belchamp occupy a high land district , and though gene rally of the description of strong wet lands , yet in some parts , particularly in Bel champ Walter , there is a fine white sandy loam of considerable extent , in productive ness nearly equal to any in the county ; and the ancient Norman appellation of Belle Champ , that is , beautiful fields or meadows , is with strict propriety applicable to some of the grass lands of this district.

Thomas Wright - The History and Topography of Essex

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