Theydon Mount Church Chest

"A.D. 1611. That they want a strong cheste or box for the Alms of the poore. They have no such cheste in their church as mentioned in the Articles.

George Mott warden. For deteyning a chest in his custody belonging to the church - alleged that the chest was broken open when the church was robde and that it was cast broken into the field."

Here we probably see the identical chest which was broken open and cast into a field, for which Churchwarden George Mott was reprimanded for retaining in his own possession. Possibly he thought it useless for its original purpose; but he evidently had to restore it to the church under the Archdeacon' orders.

It is a sturdy. plain oaken chest, surrounded by two thin iron bands. The hasps hinged to these bands are an evident renewal in 1611, or soon after, to again secure the contents from theft; the middle lock was not restored, and still retains the evidence of sacrilege.

The chest was also mended by the addition of two pieces of cleft oak, one at each end; and possibly it was at the same time the money-slot was pierced through the lid.

What became of the chest is unknown.