There were two manors in East Horndon, Heron on the north of the church and Abbotts on the south. By the 14th century the Tyrells of Herongate had being gaining influence, and became the patrons of the church. This family demolished most of the Norman church, rebuilding it in the present style. The chancel and south transept are late 15th century. There is a splendid limestone figure of Alice, wife of Sir John Tyrrell, flanked by her children all named. The south and north chapels were built for the interments of the family. Climb the stairs to enter the south gallery - a pleasant living room for the chantry priest in pre-Reformation times, even a Tudor fireplace. Outside this attractive building is a squat tower with distinctive corner turrets, and a stepped parapet.
Below, on the south of the church, East Horndon is reduced to the original old road to Herongate, winding up the hill. Crossing the road bridge to the other side of the A127 the old road runs off towards the Thames, and in its angle is East Horndon Hall, the old manor or Abbots. There is reputed to have been a tunnel from the Hall to the church across the present Southend Road.
Two legends persist about the church. One tells of Sir James Tyrrell who went to slay a dragon and died. It appears that he had been asked to kill a serpent-type animal which escaped from a ship in the Thames and roamed the woods round the manor of Herongate and the church, terrifying the people. After dazzling it with his shiny armour, He managed to slay it, chopping of its head, but he died from his exertions. His son, looking for him, trod on a bone of the animal and, gangrene setting in, he lost his leg. There is a glass window at Heron depicting a one-legged man. The legend has recently been reworked in comic book form in London Falling.
The second legend is that Queen Anne Boleyn's head or heart is buried there
The cache has a log book but no pen so please bring one with you.
PLEASE REPLACE THE LOGBOOK IN THE ZIPLOCK BAG AS THIS KEEPS IT DRY !!
If any body would like to expand to this series please do, could you please let sadexploration know first so he can keep track of the Church numbers and names to avoid duplication.