held to repair the bridge between Branktree and Coggeshal. Ibid m. 38 vel 39."

"51 Ed. III; vide Calend. Inq. p. Mort. D'nus Rex. Stratford pons inter mercat' de Cogeshale et Branketre reparand."

The Blackwater bridge has been this year entirely rebuilt, by Mr. Gardner, of Coggeshall, under the superintendence of the county surveyor.

The "Short Bridge," between Great and Little Coggeshall crossed the ancient course of the river; but on this being diverted, soon after the building of the Abbey, the "Long Bridge" was built. It has been questioned whether it was quite so early as the time of Stephen and the bricks now observed in its construction are probably not earlier than the 13th century. It devolved upon the lord of the manor to keep it in repair. After the dissolution of the Abbey, it was repaired by Queen Elizabeth, as lady of the manor and Abbey. In the Bridge Books it is recorded:

"1618.-Long Bridge in Little Coggeshall, presented to be in decay, and to be made by the owners of the Grange and the Abbey."

"1646, Michas. session.-Presented to be in decay, and to be repaired by Mr. Thomas Osseby, in respect of his manor of Little Coggeshall."

"1649, Epiph. sess.-Pres. to be in decay, and to be repaired by Mr. Thomas Aylett."

"1653, Easter sess.-John Elliston, &c., complaining that £8. 6s. issues, escheated against the parish of Little Coggeshall, for not repairing Long Bridge there, is levied upon them, Ordered that the inhabitants of that parish do make a rate and reimburse them." [Order Book.]

There was formerly an inscription on freestone inlaid in the upper part of the bridge, on the west side:

"This Bridge was repaired in the year 1705, at the cost and charge of NEHEMIAH LYDE, Esq., lord of the manors of Great and Little Coggeshall, and of the several fee farmers and proprietors of the lands and tenements, late parcell of Coggeshall Abbey."

The bridge is now kept in repair by the county. The present iron railing has taken the place of the old brick wall on the upper part of the bridge. On the left side of the bridge, in the accompanying sketch, there is a house which is called in old deeds the Rood House. In the little space before it there probably once stood a rood or crucifix, such as was often placed at the entrance of the Abbey demesnes; before which in days long since many a gallant knight and thrifty clothier crossed themselves, in passing over the old bridge, and many a monk and pilgrim knelt and prayed. It was broken down by ruthless hands 330 years ago.

VI.

THE PARISH CHURCH.

Endowment of the Vicarage.

THERE was a priest in Coggeshall at the time of the Great Survey, as already mentioned; and in the recent restoration of the Church there were found a few fragments of capitals and columns of the TransitionNorman period, which may possibly have formed part of an older Church than the present. This is all that is now known of the earliest ecclesiastical history of this parish. When the manor was given to the Abbot and Convent, whatever tithes had been previously paid were appropriated to themselves; but their vicar or substitute was appointed for the Church and parish of Sunnedon. About a century afterwards, a dispute arose between Eustace de Falconberg, bishop of the diocese, and Benedict the Abbot, which was submitted to the Bishop of Ely, who determined that thenceforth the monks should possess all the tithes of corn (predial or great tithes), and the vicar a mansion, glebe, and all other tithes (small or vicarial), and that the collation of the latter should belong to the Bishop of London.

The following is the "Regulation or Agreement