The Church of St. Mary the Virgin, stands a mile away from the
village on a slight rise overlooking the beautiful Chelmer Valley.
The construction of the Norman church began about 30 years after
the Conquest and can be seen in the north wall of the nave and
incorporates Roman brick.
The tower added in the 14th century was built for two bells.
These two have survived since the 14th centrury and today there are
eight bells.
There is a large wall painting of St. Christopher c.1375
opposite the south door adjoining recently uncovered earlier works
of art.
In the south wall of the nave are two fine oak effigies of a man
with his wife beneath two beautifully canopied recesses. Their feet
are resting on dogs and they are dressed in the style of the
period. There has been much speculation on the identity of these
people.
There is an elaborate monument to Sir Henry Mildmay (d.1639) and
his two wives. Henry is represented as clad in armour, reclining
under the canopy with a sword by his side and a truncheon in his
right hand. At the foot of the monument are two female figures
kneeling, one lady is richly dressed the other is elderly with a
scarf and hood. These represent his first and second wives.
The cache is small but larger than the usual micro
container.
It is possible to combine this cache with some of the Chelmer
Navigation Series (lying to the north) or the Little Baddow Loop
(lying to the south).
The coordinates get you to St Marys Church car park. In the
right hand far corner of the graveyard you will find the clues
needed which will give you the coordinates for the final cache
which is a (large) camoflaged micro a short stroll away containing
log book and pencil and some small trades.
Scott Michael Slaughter: 19E6 - 200A
John Philip Brocklebank: 9.4.19C8 - 25.D.2009
Jack Sherriff: B August 1991 - 14th November 2008
The cache is at N:51. AA.BBC and E:000.DD.ACE
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If anybody would like to expand on this series please do so. Could
you please let sadexploration know first so he can keep track of
the Church numbers and names to avoid duplication.
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