‘Epping in Olden Times’ – an article from The Epping Gazette 4 March 1905

Part of a lecture by Mr C. B. Sworder to the Epping Literary and Debating Society.

Copped Hall was built by Richard Fitz Aucher about 1189, he holding the estate of the Abbey of Waltham. Henry VIII took possession of it at the dissolution of the monastery, it having been purchased by Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex, in 1539 for the King. The Princess Mary, who was subsequently Queen of England, was living at Copt Hall, guarded by Sir. Ed. Waldegrave, Sir Robert Rochester, and Sir Francis Englefield, who were instructed by King Edward VI, and his Council to prohibit the celebration of the Mass, but having failed to do so, they were committed to the tower. In 1551 the Queen wrote to Edward from here. In 1573 Queen Elixabeth granted this manor to Sir Thomas Heneage, who built a mansion designed by Thorpe on the site of the old house.

In 1639 Farmer writes, “here happened an hurricane or wild wind, which, entering in at the great East window, blew that down, and carried some part thereof with the picture of Lord Coventry in the West window, which it threw to the ground.”

Samuel Fox son of John Fox, the author of John Fox, the author of ‘Book of Martyrs,’ was steward to Sir Thomas Heneage. He was appointed overseer to the poor in 1670. Edward Conyers bought the estate in 1720, and also the window (which now adorns St Margaret’s church, Westminster) for his chapel. Mr Conyers built the present mansion in 1753, and sold the window in 1758. His wife Lady Henrietta Conyers, gave a flagon, paten, and salver from the old chapel to Epping church. Sir Thomas Webster owned the estate in1700.

The following particulars from Farmer’s history about him had been supplied by Mr. I. Chalkley Gould: - Charles, Earl of Dorset, sold Copt Hall in year 1700 to Thomas Webster, son of Sir Geoffrey Webster, Kt., A descendant of the ancient family of his name in Yorkshire. Thomas Webster was created Bart. 21 May 1703. In 1705 he was returned to Parliament for the borough of Colchester; in 1717 elected Verderer of the ancient forest of Waltham, and is present owner of Copt Hall 1735.

Many other things the lecturer told us…