French Family Association
The Official Website of the Surname French
Chart #EB, Home of Thomas French
Photos of Arkesden, Essex
This chart updated by Mara French on 10/11/10. Send any corrections or additions to this chart to marafrench@mindspring.com. Revisions: 2009.
NOTE: Please make any corrections or additions to this chart that you can and send them to Mara. Refer to this chart by chart number and revision date so that your information will be understood. Refer to each family member by their number. Additions are greatly appreciated. This chart has been widely distributed and is constantly being updated. You will be notified of the next revision.
Contents
Ancestry of Thomas French, FFA Chart #EB
St. Mary the Virgin Parish Church of Arkesden. See also Essex Churches. See also Arkesden Village. All photos below of St. Mary Parish Church in Arkesden taken by Mara French in Jun 2010.
Arkesden Church. Every year this church organizes a fundraiser in which, for 1 Pound, you can climb the church stairs to the bell tower and learn how to ring the bells. There are 6 bells, which you ring by hanging on 6 ropes. It is almost impossible to teach 6 newcomers how to ring these bells consecutively, and I was one of those learners back in 1989. I revisited this church in Jun 2010 and never could I be able to climb that staircase again. The walls are only the width of one person; you cannot look down to see where you are walking; two people cannot go up and down at the same time; plus my claustrophobia of little air and no windows would drive me crazy today.
Parts of the church of St. Mary the Virgin date from the 14th century, but the church existed long before that time. Arkesden itself is mentioned in the Domesday Book and is situated 18 miles from Cambridge, 40 miles from London, and just 5 miles from Saffron Walden. The churchyard contains a number of 18th century tombstones. The tower is entirely Victorian, replacing a medieval one in 1855 when traces of a round tower were discovered. It houses six bells in excellent ringing order, which were fully restored in 1999. Four of the bells are the originals, cast in 1701. The others were cast in 1814 and 1931. In 1862 the population was 506, but today it is about 300. An occasional stream runs though the center of the village which is 457 feet above sea level, the highest point in Essex County.
Thomas French lived in Arkesden during the Reign of Henry VIII.
Here you can see the 4Õ high door up the circular staircase to the turret to the left where the bells were run. The main door to the church (see below) is around the left side, and is probably 8 feet tall. See below.
The Axe & Compasses Inn, Arkesden