LOUGHTON
Lochintone (xi cent.); Luhtona, Lutton, Lucton
(xiii cent.); Loutone, Loghtone (xiv cent.).
This parish covers 1,536 acres, of which 353 acres
are arable, 945 permanent grass and 9 woods and plantations. (fn. 1) The level of the
land is for the most part about
300 ft. above the ordnance
datum, and the soil is Oxford
Clay. Limestone is quarried.
The chief crops grown are
wheat, oats, barley and beans.
The London and North
Western railway crosses the
parish, and the scattered village, 2¾ miles from Bletchley
station, lies along a road running north-east from the
Watling Street to the railway.
The church of All Saints
stands at the north-east end
of the village, at the crossroads. A little south of the
church are the rectory, a
modern house built in 1868,
and the school, originally
erected in 1867 for forty
children, and since enlarged to accommodate seventy
children. About a quarter of a mile to the west, on
the Green, is Manor Farm, formerly Little Loughton
Manor House, and now occupied by Mr. Arthur
Fuller. It is a long stone building, with a gabled
porch on the south front rising to the full height of
the house. The house was originally built about
1500 of half-timber, but about 1580 it was encased
with stone by Valentine Pigott, whose initials with
those of Anne his wife appear on the porch. Many
of the older windows have been blocked, and those
which remain have been modernized. The house
was altered and enlarged in the 17th century, but
contains some curious 16th-century mural paintings.
There are several other old houses and cottages of the
17th and 18th centuries in the village, mostly of halftimber, a few of them being thatched. The Baptists
had a place of worship here before 1849; the present
chapel was enlarged in 1884, and stands in its burial
ground a short distance to the north of the Memorial
Cottages built to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee
of Queen Victoria. North-west of the cottages are the
Bell and Talbot Inns, and to the south-east are the
Plough (in Shenley parish) and Fountain.
Manor Farm, Loughton
The parish is watered by Whaddon Brook, which
runs north to the River Ouse, and which formerly
separated the two parishes of Great and Little Loughton
until their union in 1409, Great Loughton lying to
the right of the brook and Little Loughton to the left.
The ruins of Little Loughton Church, whose site
was near the manor-house, were said to be standing at
the beginning of the 19th century. Brook Farm lies
on this brook about half a mile south-east of Manor
Farm. Cell Farm, immediately south of Manor Farm,
was probably originally the property of Bradwell
Priory. It was bought for small holdings in 1914 by
the County Council. East of the railway is Rectory
Farm, with Old Farm about 700 yards south of it,
possibly the site of a Loughton manor-house.
The parish was inclosed by Act of Parliament in
1768, the award being dated 17 June 1769. (fn. 2)
Among place-names have been found Wholme End,
Eyle Field (fn. 3) (xvi cent.) and Curtisse House (fn. 4) (xvii cent.).
In the 17th century there is also mention of the
Church House and a croft abutting upon the church
and extending to Church Lane. (fn. 5)
Manors
At the date of the Domesday Survey
Walter Giffard was holding 4½ hides in
LOUGHTON, the manor having been
previously held by five thegns who could sell. (fn. 6) The
overlordship remained vested in the descendants of
Walter Giffard, and on the death of Anselm Marshal,
Earl of Pembroke, in 1245, (fn. 7) it appears to have been
at first obtained by his sister and co-heir Isabel, wife
of Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Gloucester, since the Earl
of Gloucester was overlord in 1284–6. (fn. 8) Afterwards
these rights were exercised by Aymer de Valence,
Earl of Pembroke, son of Joan daughter of Warine
de Monchesney by Joan, another sister and co-heir, (fn. 9)
but they appear to have lapsed during the conflict
of claims, as no further trace is found of them.
An intermediary lordship in this manor was vested
in the Braose family in 1284–6, (fn. 10) and continued to
be exercised by them as lords of Buckingham during
the 14th century. (fn. 11) In 1386 it was vested in John
Frome of Buckingham, of whom the manor was held
by scutage and suit of court of the Earl of Ormond, (fn. 12)
but a century later he had been replaced by the
Abbot of Peterborough, (fn. 13) who was also holding in
1525. (fn. 14) The Bishop of Peterborough held these
rights in 1573 in right of his see, (fn. 15) but in 1596 and
1622 the Crown was returned as overlord. (fn. 16)
Clare. Or three cheverons glues.
Valence.Burelly argent and azure with an orle of martlets glues.
Ivo, the Domesday tenant, (fn. 17) was probaly the ancestor of the family of Loughton who held Loughton for
many generation. Sir John de Loughton is mentioned in connexion with Loughton about 1219, (fn. 18) and
it was probably a son of the same name who was lord
of this fee in 1254–5. (fn. 19) In 1270 this John de
Loughton granted lands and rent in Loughton to
William his son, (fn. 20) and in the same year granted to
another son, John de Loughton, what was probably
GREAT LOUGHTON MANOR, (fn. 21) though it was
not so known until the early years of the next century.
This estate was to be held by the rent of a white
glove, and by finding a wax candle of 1 lb. before
the altar of the Virgin in the church at the feast of
the Assumption. (fn. 22) John de Loughton, the son, (fn. 23)
was holding great Loughton in 1284–6, (fn. 24) but was
probably dead by 1294, when his son William, rector
of Great Loughton, granted to another son Ivo and
Cecilia daughter of Robert of Stoke Hammond the
principal messuage and lands, &c., which he had of
Ivo's gift in Great Loughton. (fn. 25)
Ivo was holding in 1302–3, (fn. 26)
but the reversion of the manor
after the death of Ivo, who
held at a rose rent, was
obtained in 1313 by Henry
Spigurnel, (fn. 27) who in the following year acquired the
reversion of lands in Great
and Little Loughton from
Nicholas de Eure or Iver and
Margery his wife. (fn. 28) Henry
Spigurnel was returned as lord
in 1316, (fn. 29) and in 1317 obtained from Alexander of
Stoke Hammond a renunciation of any right he might have in the manor. (fn. 30) He
continued to hold Great Loughton (fn. 31) until his death
circa 1328. (fn. 32) He was succeeded by his son Thomas,
who is evidently identical with the Thomas de
Loughton holding in 1346 the half-fee in Great
Loughton formerly Ivo de Loughton's. (fn. 33)
Braose. Azurecrusilly and a lion or.
Peterborough abbey.Gules St. Peter's keys crossed saltirewise between four crosslets fitchy or.
Spigurnal. Gules fretty argent a chief or with a lion passant gules therein.
William Spigurnel died seised of the manor in
1366, (fn. 34) as also of Dagnall Manor in Edlesborough
(q.v.), with which Great Loughton henceforward
descends until about the middle of the 16th century. (fn. 35) The Lucys then retained Great Loughton
while alienating Dagnall, and after the death of
William Lucy in 1551 his son and heir Thomas
Lucy (fn. 36) conveyed it in 1557 to Thomas Hopper. (fn. 37)
Thomas Hopper died in 1573, (fn. 38) leaving his dwellinghouse to his wife Audrey for life, with reversion to
his son Thomas. (fn. 39) On the death of the latter in
1596 Loughton passed to his son, another Thomas, (fn. 40)
who was succeeded in 1618 by his brother John. (fn. 41) He
died in March 1621–2, leaving a son Thomas. (fn. 42) From
these owners the manor seems to have passed to the
family of Alston. In 1693 it was held by Edward
Alston, (fn. 43) who, with his son Joseph, was dealing with
it in 1695 (fn. 44) and 1696, (fn. 45) and with whom in 1697 he
conveyed it to Thomas Hanslapp. (fn. 46) Thomas Hanslapp
died seised of it in 1717. (fn. 47) It was held by his son
John Hanslapp in 1727, (fn. 48) and in 1735, at which
latter date he had 'new built Part of the Capital
House.' (fn. 49) John Hanslapp died in May 1746, (fn. 50)
after which date little is known of the manor. Before
1813 it had passed from the Hanslapps to Mr. Gee
of Newport, who was then holding it. (fn. 51)
Mr. Walter Cadman is now lord of the manor.
The moiety of the manor to which Alice Cavendish
and Margaret Quadring, probably the granddaughters
of John Brecknock, were heirs descended with their
moiety of Dagnall Manor until about the middle
of the 16th century, (fn. 52) after which date it was doubtless
acquired by the owners of the other moiety.
The Ivo de Loughton who acquired his brother
William's rights in Great Loughton in 1294 does
not appear to have succeeded to all the possessions of
his father John. An estate was retained by another
member of the family with which the sole presentation to Great Loughton Church, and afterwards the
alternate presentation to the combined churches of
Great and Little Loughton, descended, and it is from
deeds relating to the advowson that the history of the
holding can for the most part be traced. There is
mention of John son of John de Loughton in 1311. (fn. 53)
He seems to have been succeeded by the Ardres of
Turvey (co. Bedford), (fn. 54) from whom this estate became
known as ARDRES MANOR. John de Ardres was
alive in 1357, (fn. 55) but Iseult his wife held as a widow
after his death in 1361. (fn. 56) From 1371 to 1395 Alan
Rushley of Turvey appears to have acquired the rights
over this manor, (fn. 57) but Thomas, the son of the aforesaid John de Ardres, (fn. 58) was in possession in 1414. (fn. 59)
A Robert Fitz Herbert and Thomas Loughton were
apparently joint lords of Ardres about fifty-five years
later, (fn. 60) Thomas Loughton acquiring the whole interest before 1485. (fn. 61) He was involved in a quarrel
over the presentation to the church with the lord of
Little Loughton Manor in 1486. (fn. 62) Nothing further
is known of this holding, unless a presentation in
1625 by the heirs of Loughton, John B— William
Hitcham or Hicks, and John Tresham, (fn. 63) was made
in right of ownership of Ardres Manor.
In the time of Edward the Confessor 5 hides in
Loughton were held as one manor by Alvric, a thegn
of the king, who could sell. (fn. 64) This manor was given
after the Conquest to Manno the Breton, (fn. 65) and was
afterwards held of his descendants as of their barony
of Wolverton, (fn. 66) rights in Loughton being claimed as
late as 1625. (fn. 67)
In the Domesday Survey the manor was entered as
held of Manno by two knights. (fn. 68) It was next held
by a branch of the family known as Loughton, a
member of which, Bartholomew, was in possession in
1166. (fn. 69) Geoffrey de Loughton held in the first
quarter of the 13th century, (fn. 70) but by 1254–5 he had
been succeeded by William de Loughton, (fn. 71) probably
identical with the William holding here in 1284–6. (fn. 72)
He had been succeeded before 1302–3 by Thomas
de Loughton, (fn. 73) who acquired additional lands here
in 1309 (fn. 74) and 1314, (fn. 75) and was returned as lord in
1316. (fn. 76) Thomas de Loughton, probably the same,
in 1330 settled LITTLE LOUGHTON MANOR,
first so-called, on himself and his wife Elizabeth for
life, with remainder to his sons Thomas, William and
Robert and their heirs successively. (fn. 77) It was doubtless
the son, Thomas de Loughton, who was holding in
1346 Little Loughton, then described as a fee previously held by Ivo de Loughton, (fn. 78) but the entry
probably shows confusion with Great Loughton.
Thomas de Loughton was still alive in 1350 (fn. 79) and
1351, (fn. 80) but appears to have died about 1361, when
another Thomas de Loughton obtained livery of the
manor. (fn. 81) John de Loughton must have been holding
the manor at the end of the 14th and beginning of
the 15th century, as he presented to Little Loughton
Church from 1386 to 1407. (fn. 82) There appears to
have been a minority in 1418, with Elizabeth Lady
Clinton as guardian, (fn. 83) probably of John de Loughton,
son of the last-mentioned John, who was holding
twenty years later, (fn. 84) and who refers to his father
John and grandfather Thomas in a deed of 1440. (fn. 85)
This John is referred to with his wife Margaret in
1446, (fn. 86) and made a feoffment of the manor to the
use of George Loughton, who with Arnetrua his wife
conveyed it to trustees in 1461. (fn. 87) The trustees transferred their rights to John Edy of Stony Stratford,
who, as lord of the manor of Little Loughton, claimed
to present to the church in 1486. (fn. 88) By his will,
proved 12 June 1488, John Edy left Little Loughton
Manor to Edmund his second son, with reversion,
failing issue, to his eldest son Jakes. (fn. 89) Edmund seems
to have died shortly afterwards, and Jakes called upon
the trustees to make an estate of Loughton to him. (fn. 90)
They refused, probably at the instigation of Isabel
wife of John Pigott of Beachampton, and Margaret
wife of William Shirley, sisters of Jakes Edy, who
claimed an interest in the manor under the will of
their father John. (fn. 91) Jakes finally obtained possession
of Loughton, which he left at his death in 1493 to
his wife Philippa, with reversion to his right heirs,
his sisters. If, however, they molested Philippa in
any way, the manor was to be sold by his executors
and the money spent in good works. (fn. 92) Philippa
married Francis Catesby, but died before 1500, (fn. 93) and
John and Isabel Pigott obtained sole rights in the
manor, assigning Adstock, the
other family estate in Buckinghamshire, to Benedict Lee
and his wife Isabel, daughter
of Margaret, who was sister of
Isabel Pigott, by her husband— Clarell. (fn. 94) Robert son of
John and Isabel Pigott had
succeeded by 1514, (fn. 95) and had
trouble with Benedict and
Isabel Lee. (fn. 96) Robert Pigott
was dead in 1557. (fn. 97) His
son Thomas (fn. 98) made a settlement of the manor in 1570
on his eldest son Valentine, Anne his wife, and Mary
their daughter, for sixty years, if any one of them
should live so long. The reversion was to Valentine's
brothers, Arthur, George, Edmund, Robert, Matthew
and Francis, and their heirs male in succession. (fn. 99)
After the death of Anne, Valentine Pigott married
Eleanor daughter of John Fortescue, and a fresh
settlement was made in 1585, whereby Eleanor was
to hold for the life of Thomas Pigott, the father,
with remainder to Valentine and their heirs male. (fn. 100)
Valentine, as lord of the manor, brought an action
against certain freeholders as to rights of common two
years later, (fn. 101) and died in 1590, leaving three daughters
by his first wife: Ursula wife of Christopher Pigott
of Dodershall, a relative; Mary wife of Thomas
Waterhouse; and Judith wife of William Tresham. (fn. 102)
Valentine's brothers, George and Clement Pigott, tried
to set aside the will, but it was pronounced valid in the
same year. (fn. 103) The daughters and their husbands all
made settlements of their thirds in the following two
years, (fn. 104) but George Pigott, the brother of Valentine,
and his next heir in Loughton according to the
settlement in 1570, Arthur Pigott having died in
1585, (fn. 105) attempted to deprive them of their inheritance. (fn. 106) Ursula died in December 1592, leaving by
Christopher a daughter, Anne Pigott (fn. 107) ; her grandfather, Thomas Pigott, also died in the same month, (fn. 108)
leaving all his goods to his wife Alice, who had some
trouble in proving the will against her husband's sons,
Edmund, Robert, Matthew, Francis, and Clement
Pigott. (fn. 109) Eleanor, widow of Valentine, was then alive,
and as the wife of Edward Huberd brought an action
in November 1593 against the husbands of Valentine's daughters to recover the rent from the manorhouse, which she had leased to John Mattock. (fn. 110) George
Pigott, Valentine's brother, still continued to trouble
his nieces and their husbands, and with his brothers,
the reversionary legatees named in the settlement of
1570, was defendant in an action brought by them
in January 1594–5 to prevent him from presenting to
the church. (fn. 111) About this time, however, he obtained
a quitclaim of their interest from Christopher Pigott
and William Tresham and Judith, (fn. 112) and probably from
the Waterhouses also. His brothers renounced their
claim in 1596 for £300, (fn. 113) and in 1599 George Pigott
made a settlement of the manor thus acquired. (fn. 114) The
next year, however, he transferred his interest to his
brother Edmund, another brother Clement at the
same time relinquishing any title in the premises. (fn. 115)
Edmund, by his will, dated 14 August 1612 and
proved 12 May 1613, empowered his wife Elizabeth
to sell Loughton Manor to John Crane, with whom
an agreement had already been arrived at on the
30 July preceding, (fn. 116) but the transaction was completed by Edmund Pigott himself in the autumn of
1612. (fn. 117) John Crane married Mary daughter of
Sir Thomas Tresham of Newton, Northamptonshire,
by whom he had eleven sons and five daughters. (fn. 118) In
1635 he was chief clerk of His Majesty's kitchen, officer
of the Admiralty and marine affairs, and surveyorgeneral of all victuals for ships. (fn. 119) On 21 November
1646, when comptroller of His Majesty's house, he
begged to compound for delinquency on the Oxford
Articles, having been at Oxford at its surrender, and
the 'King's ancient servant during the late unhappy
troubles.' (fn. 120) He complained in 1647 that he had
only a life interest in Loughton, and that he had been
fined as if he held in fee. (fn. 121) In 1655, with William
Crane his son, (fn. 122) he conveyed the manor to Ralph
Holt. (fn. 123) Ralph Holt died in
1678, and was succeeded by
his son Charles, (fn. 124) who in
1722 made a settlement of
Loughton with Ralph his son
and heir. (fn. 125) Ralph succeeded
in 1731, (fn. 126) and at his death
in 1758 bequeathed the manor
to his nephew Thomas Holt
of Newport Pagnell, (fn. 127) upon
whom a settlement had already
been made. (fn. 128) He was in
possession in 1768, (fn. 129) but the
estate had passed to the Swans
by the beginning of the
19th century, perhaps by the
marriage of one of Ralph Holt's daughters. (fn. 130) It
was later held by Mr. Whitworth, who bequeathed
it at his death in 1832 to his two sons, Henry
Billington Whitworth and Robert Whitworth of
London. The latter's moiety was purchased from
him by his brother in 1851. (fn. 131)
Pigott. Sable three picks argent.
Crane of Loughton. Gules a fesse between three crosses formy fitchy or with three rings azure on the fesse.
George Loughton, after his sale of the manor to
John Edy, appears to have retained a messuage and
80 acres of land in Little Loughton, together with
three messuages and 160 acres of land in Great
Loughton, which descended to his son Thomas, and
from Thomas to his daughter Isabel married to— Knyveton. (fn. 132) Their son Humphrey Knyveton died
seised of this property about 1587, and was succeeded
by his son Matthew, (fn. 133) who in 1597 appears to have
made a presentation to the church which was set
aside. (fn. 134) He died in 1610, when his son John succeeded him. (fn. 135) John died in 1614, and was succeeded
by his brother Charles, (fn. 136) who was engaged in a suit
as to lands in Loughton in 1625. (fn. 137)
Half a hide in Loughton was held at the date of
the Domesday Survey by the Count of Mortain. (fn. 138) It
was afterwards attached to the little fee of Mortain (fn. 139)
or honour of Berkhampstead, (fn. 140) the last reference to
the connexion occurring in 1434. (fn. 141)
The under-tenant at Domesday was Walter, who
had succeeded Elmær, a man of Alvric, son of Goding,
who could sell. (fn. 142) In the earlier 13th century it was
held by Nicholas the Falconer, (fn. 143) who was followed by
his son John. (fn. 144) Alan the Falconer was in possession
in 1284–6, (fn. 145) and again in 1302–3, (fn. 146) but by 1346
Edith de Stoke was holding. (fn. 147) Its history then becomes
obscure, but it may be identical with the property
known as LOUGHTON MANOR held at the end of
the 15th century by William Saunderson, who died
without issue, and whose brother and heir John
brought actions against John Broughton and John
Edy, the feoffees. (fn. 148)
A messuage and 8 acres in Loughton were stated in
1360 to have been appropriated by the Prior of
Bradwell without licence, (fn. 149) but an inquiry revealed
that the appropriation took place before the Statute
of Mortmain. (fn. 150) This estate was included in the grant
of Bradwell Priory in 1524 to Cardinal Wolsey, (fn. 151) and
by him transferred immediately to his college at Oxford,
the dean and canons holding a court for Bradwell
with its members, including Loughton, in 1526. (fn. 152)
A further grant, probably in confirmation, was made
early in 1528 to Wolsey, (fn. 153) but after his fall these
appurtenances in Loughton were granted by the Crown
in 1531 to the priory of Sheen. (fn. 154) They were probably comprised in the rent of 9s. in Loughton, formerly of Sheen, which in 1543 was bestowed on
Arthur Longville of Wolverton. (fn. 155)
In 1535 Snelshall Priory held lands and tenements
worth 24s. in Loughton, and paid a rent of 7s. 5d.
to Robert Pigott for lands in Beachampton and
Loughton. (fn. 156)
There was a windmill in Little Loughton Manor
in 1361. (fn. 157)
There is mention of a mill on the holding of the
honour of Berkhampstead in 1497. (fn. 158)
A fishery in Loughton Brook was held with the
manor of Little Loughton in 1587. (fn. 159) James Farnell
held fisheries in Loughton with lands and messuages
at his death in January 1603–4. (fn. 160) This property
passed to his son John Farnell, who died seised on
28 September 1624, leaving three daughters as
heirs. (fn. 161)
Church
The church of ALL SAINTS consists
of a chancel measuring internally 20 ft.
by 13 ft., nave 40 ft. by 19 ft., continuous south chapel and aisle 36 ft. by 8 ft. 6 in.,
south porch, and west tower 11 ft. by 9 ft. It is
built of rubble with stone dressings and is coated
with cement. The chancel has a high-pitched roof
covered with tiles, which stands conspicuously above
the lead-covered roofs of the other parts of the
church.
The chancel and nave probably date from the first
years of the 13th century, though all the original
details have been removed during subsequent alterations. The east window of the chancel, the blocked
north doorway of the nave, and the lower part of
the window immediately to the west of the latter
are probably insertions of about 1250, altered later;
but these are the earliest details which now remain.
During the latter part of the 15th century the south
chapel and aisle, the porch and the tower were
added and the nave was reroofed. The fabric was
restored about 1700 and again in 1851, while in
1886 the seating was renewed.
The chancel is lighted only by its east window,
which is of two pointed lights with a round reararch and probably dates from the 13th century,
though its head was altered at a much later period.
Near the west end of the north wall is a low-side
window of one square-headed light, now blocked, and
on the south, opening to the chapel, is a pointed arch
supported by semi-octagonal responds with moulded
capitals and bases. This arch is pierced in the north
wall of the chapel, which, in order that it might
directly abut the nave arcade, was built against but
independently of the chancel wall, the western part
of the latter being then entirely removed.
At the north-east of the nave is a late 15th-century
three-light window with a four-centred head and
modern tracery, and further west are the doorway and
window mentioned above, the former being completely blocked. The window, which is a tall single
light, appears to have been considerably heightened
about 1700. Opposite to this on the south is another
tall single-light window which has been similarly
treated, but was originally of two lights and probably
dates from a century later. The south doorway has a
two-centred drop arch, and is of about 1400. Opening to the aisle at the south-east is a late 15th-century
arcade of two pointed arches with an octagonal
pillar and responds of the same details as the arch
on the south side of the chancel. The pointed
tower arch on the west, which is pierced through a
wall of considerable thickness, is of four moulded
orders supported by responds composed of three flat
segmental shafts divided by fillets, these shafts having
coarsely moulded capitals and plain bases. The
chancel has a segmental plastered ceiling, and the
nave a low-pitched open-timber roof of the late 15th
century.
The south chapel and aisle form one rectangular
building, which is lighted from the south by three
windows of the late 15th century, each of four cinquefoiled lights with tracery in a four-centred head, and
from the east by a three-light window of the same
character. Between the easternmost windows of the
south wall is a small plain doorway. On the east
wall are two brackets with carved heads. The
moulded lean-to roof is also of the late 15th century
and has carved bosses, one of which bears the arms
of Boteler. The porch is of slightly earlier date than
the aisle and originally had a gable over the entrance,
the outline of which is still visible. It is lighted
by a plain square-headed window in the west wall,
and has an entrance on the south with a depressed
arch in a square head. The walls of the chapel,
aisle and porch are crowned by a continuous embattled
parapet.
The tower is of three stages surmounted by an
embattled parapet. Although the walls are 5 ft. 5 in.
thick, and are supported by heavy diagonal buttresses,
the structure must have shown signs of weakness soon
after its erection, for a strong buttress was placed
against the middle of the west wall. This buttress
passes through the thickness of the wall, and rises to
support the head of the west window, partially blocking
it and completely blocking the doorway below. The
doorway has a four-centred arch in a square head
with traceried spandrels, and its outer mouldings are
continuous with those of the window above, so that
they form one composition. Two cinquefoiled lights
of the window, which originally had a traceried head,
are preserved, one on either side of the buttress. The
second stage is lighted from the south by a small
window with two quatrefoils arranged vertically, and
the bell-chamber has on each side a restored window
of two trefoiled lights under a pointed head.
The plain octagonal font probably dates from about
1700. On the chancel floor there is a half-length
brass of a priest in mass vestments, with the inscription, 'Hic jacet Hugo Parke quondam istius ecclie
Rector in artibus magister sacreque theologie bacularius.'Hugh Park died in 1514. On the north
wall of the chancel are monuments with arms to
Mary (Tresham) wife of John Crane of Loughton
(d. 1624), and to Felice [(Phyllis) Moorton], wife first
of William Mortoft of Itteringham, and secondly of
John Crane of London (d. 1622). On the south
wall is a monument to Robert Crane, D.C.L., Fellow
of Trinity College, Cambridge (d. 1672), and his
father John Crane of Loughton (d. 1660). On the
chancel floor are slabs to all of the above, that to
Felice Crane having a brass inscription.
In the tower is a large iron-bound poor-box dating
probably from the late 16th century, with two holes
for money, and in the south chapel are two grotesquely
carved wood panels, while some fragments of old
glass, mounted in a frame, are placed on the north
wall of the nave. At the east end of the chancel is
a painting by Gonzales of Christ and the two disciples
at the supper at Emmaus. This picture was given to
the church by the Rev. John Athawes on his induction
to the living in 1833.
The tower contains a ring of six bells: the treble
and second are modern; the third is by Robert Atton,
1631; the fourth, inscribed, 'Hec Nova Campana
Margareta Est Nominata,' and the fifth, 'Sit Nomen
Domini Benedictum,' are both by Henry Jordan, about
1460 (fn. 162) ; and the tenor is by Bartholomew Atton, 1590.
The communion plate consists of a paten of 1679,
given by Dr. Brettell, rector of the parish, two cups
of the same gift, but remade in 1865, two plated
patens and a plated flagon.
The registers before 1812 are as follows: (i) all
entries 1707 to 1755, baptisms and burials to 1778;
(ii) baptisms and burials 1797 to 1813; (iii) marriages 1755 to 1787; (iv) marriages 1788 to 1812.
Advowson
A church of Great Loughton was
recorded as early as 1219, (fn. 163) and the
advowson was held at first by the
lords of the manor of Great Loughton, and then by
the holders of Ardres Manor until 1409. (fn. 164) At that
date the church of Little Loughton, which was
also first recorded in 1219, (fn. 165) and the advowson of
which was attached to Little Loughton Manor, (fn. 166) was
united with Great Loughton, (fn. 167) and the presentation was made alternately by the lords of Little
Loughton Manor and of Ardres Manor. (fn. 168) The right
of presentation was a matter of dispute in 1486, (fn. 169) and
after that date seems to have been vested solely in the
lords of the manor of Little Loughton, (fn. 170) with the
exception of a presentation in 1625 by the heirs of
Loughton (of Ardres Manor apparently). (fn. 171) It became
the right of Clement, younger brother of Valentine
Pigott, who, by his will dated 12 December 1615,
left it to his wife Frances, (fn. 172) and joined with her a year
later in conveying it to John Crane, (fn. 173) already lord of
Little Loughton Manor. It does not appear to have
been sold with the manor in 1655, but to have
passed to Robert Crane, by whom it was bequeathed
to Trinity College, Cambridge. After his death in
Feb. 1672–3, it was confirmed to the college by his
brother Francis Crane by a deed of gift of 14 November 1678. (fn. 174) The advowson has since remained in
the possession of Trinity College. (fn. 175)
In 1291 the Prior of Longville received a pension
of £1 from the church of Loughton, (fn. 176) mentioned
again in 1327. (fn. 177) It was held by Sir Gilbert Talbot
at his death in February 1398–9. (fn. 178)
Tickford Priory held tithes in Loughton, (fn. 179) assessed
at 5s. at the Dissolution. (fn. 180) These were included in
the grants of Tickford Manor in Newport Pagnell (fn. 181)
(q.v.), with which they were held by Henry
Atkins, M.D., in 1623. (fn. 182) New College had a pension
of 6s. 8d. in Great Loughton Church. (fn. 183)
Lands and tenements in Loughton, valued at
52s. 4d. yearly in 1548–9, were given by Richard
Stoke, rector of Loughton, for the purpose of giving
in Lent to each householder thirty herrings. Five
shillings were to be spent in gifts of bread and drink,
and 2s. 1d. set aside for an obit. (fn. 184)
Charities
The charity of Hugh Park, settled
by deed dated 1 December 1609, is
endowed with two pieces of land containing together 8 a. 3 r. let at £22 a year, and with
£757 16s. 2d. consols, arising from sales of land from
time to time, producing £18 18s. 8d. yearly. By a
scheme of the Charity Commissioners of 3 February
1882 one moiety of the net income is made applicable
for the repair of the church and one moiety for the
poor, which is applied in the distribution of coal.
In 1721 William Binion, by his will, devised a
yearly rent-charge of £5 issuing out of Church
Farm for apprenticing a poor boy. The charity is
applied as required, a premium of £10 being usually
paid.
The Faggot Money.—By the Loughton Inclosure
Act, 1768, the allottees of the common lands were
required to deliver yearly a certain number of faggots,
or a money equivalent, for the poor in lieu of the
right of cutting furze on the waste. A sum of
£2 9s. 5d. is paid every two years in respect of this
charity.
In 1878 Mrs. Whitworth, by deed dated 31 October,
gave £104 5s. 11d. consols, the annual dividends,
amounting to £3, to be distributed in blankets and
flannel to poor widows.
Frederic Wills Bignell, by his will, proved 28 September 1905, bequeathed £95 2s. 3d. India 3½ per
cent. stocks, the annual dividends, amounting to
£3 6s. 8d., to be distributed on Christmas Eve among
the occupants of the four memorial cottages on the
London Road. The several sums of stock are held
by the official trustees.