Mystery Chest Recognised
Yes, I recognise this!
The chest pictured on page 13 of Newsletter 54 is in St Mary's church, Newington-next-the-Street. Your photograph shows the chest's best side, although less of it than can be seen on the top. On the other side there is considerable deterioration caused by infestation of death watch and common furniture beetle and conservation is currently being considered. The chest is 6 feet long, 21 inches high, 18 inches wide and is made of oak.
Without documentary evidence, it is not possible to be positive about its date. Its construction is of an early type, in effect a 'dug-out', a hollowed out tree trunk which provides both a squared off base and sides, and a rounded lid. Chests of this type are generally known as 'trunks', a word which is still with us. These 'trunks' mainly date from before the late thirteenth century when, as Howard and Crossley point out, there was a rise in the joiner's art and plank chests began to replace them.
The Newington chest is bound by eleven vertical and three horizontal bands, with a further three on the lid which is fitted with strap hinges and hasps. It can also be secured by two locks (you can see the keyholes in the photograph) which may date from the sixteenth century; Thomas Cromwell sealed an edict in 1538 that every parish should have a chest with two locks and keys. Perhaps the old parish chest was simply adapted to comply. There is a chest with similar iron banding at Layer Marney in Essex, which has been dated by the will of Lord John Marney who died in 1525 in which he gives instruction for its provision.
Leila Smith
1 Howard, E T & Crossley, F H English Church Woodwork. 1250-1500 (Batsford, London 1917) pp 342-3
2 Geddes, J Medieval Decorative Ironwork in England (Society of Antiquaries 1999)
The mystery house by the river featured in the Autumn Newsletter was recognised by many as being in Loose, near Maidstone. Local resident Mrs M Robertson writes 'When I was a girl before the war, it was 2 or 3 cottages, now it has been renovated into one lovely old house. Mr Tyler lived in one of them.' The photo is taken from the rear view, across the brook.