Benedictine monks of St. Albans in the fourteenth century; the present
structure is Dec. and dates from 1853. The monuments are unimportant;
but the wrought-iron chancel screen, designed by Sir A. W. Blomfield, is
worthy of careful scrutiny, as is also the vestry screen of carved oak.
The five-light E. window was presented by the pupil of a former rector,
John Morris, D.D. (d. 1848), to whom it is a memorial. In the old
churchyard, closed some years ago, was buried the notorious robber and
reputed murderer William Weare, who was murdered by Thurtell on Gill's
Hill, 21/2 miles N.W., in 1823. Here, too, was buried Martha Reay, whose
life was a chronicle of crime; she was mistress to the Earl of Sandwich,
and was killed on leaving Covent Garden Theatre, in 1779. There is
excellent fishing to be had at Elstree Reservoir, a little W., in
Aldenham parish. Some archaeologists have thought that the Roman city
_Sulloniacae_ occupied (approximately) the site on which Elstree stands,
and Norden lent his authority to this hypothesis; but there is little
doubt that Brockley Hill near Edgware more closely corresponds in
position with the city mentioned in the _Itinerary_ of Antoninus.

_Epping Green_, a hamlet 1 mile S.E. from Little Berkhampstead, is at
the N. end of Punsborne Park. The nearest station is Cole Green
(G.N.R.), nearly 4 miles N.W.

ESSENDON is a pretty village on rising ground overlooking the Valley of
the Lea, 2 miles S. from Cole Green Station. The church, standing in the
park, was rebuilt in 1883; it was probably founded as early as the
twelfth century. It is now of flint, dressed with ancaster stone. Note
(1) alabaster monument to William Priestly (d. 1664); (2) brass and
effigy of William Tooke, auditor of the Court of Wards and Liveries (d.
1588); (3) shields from the tomb of Henry Courtenay, son of Henry,
Marquess of Exeter; (4) chalice bearing date 1570, given to the church
by Elizabeth Reynes; (5) Baskerville Bible presented by the First
Marquess of Salisbury. During restoration several slabs to the Tooke
family (1635-55) were discovered. _Essendon Place_ (David Citroen, Esq.)
is a fine house in a park of 100 acres; and _Bedwell Park_ (C. G.
Arbuthnot, Esq.) should be visited, by special permission, to view the
Belvedere Collection, including one of Murillo's many "Assumptions".

_Exnells_, near the river Ash, is a small hamlet 2 miles N.E. from
Hadham Station, G.E.R.

_Fanham Hall_ is 1 mile N.E. from Wa