Step into the Enchanting History of Chrishall in North West Essex
Welcome to Chrishall, a village steeped in history that stretches back to before the Domesday Book was penned. This website serves as your gateway to the rich tapestry of tales and traditions that define our community and its extraordinary inhabitants. Beyond the digital realm, we invite you to explore our delightful Archive, where we curate captivating displays that bring our history to life. Don’t miss out—subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on our events and ongoing research.
Discover What’s On
Join us at our Archive during the summer months, where we open our doors from 2 to 5 PM. Indulge in delicious refreshments as you immerse yourself in our current exhibition, which showcases the fascinating journey of the village hall and its roots as a Methodist Chapel. Do get in touch if you would like to arrange a private visit.
Easter Opening: Saturday 4th April, 2-5pm – we look forward to welcoming you back to the Archive with our usual lovely displays, refreshments and an Easter Egg trail!
AGM: Wednesday 15th April, 7.30pm – Our Archive Group AGM will be held in the pavilion. Everyone is welcome.
Village Walks to download
Discover the hidden gems of Chrishall with our curated walking routes. Each path tells a story of our rich history and stunning landscapes. Download our guides and embark on an adventure that connects you with the heart of our community.
Articles to read
Chris Cranwell’s Memories of Rabbit Shows
A small pink card with a picture of a rabbit is all we have in the collection now but there was a time when rabbit shows were a big thing…
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Plants and folklore in village life
I am a keen gardener and love plants and flowers. I am fascinated too by the names and histories of wildflowers, many of which were perceived very differently by our forebears. Common…
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Winter Walk links
For those who joined us on the winter walk on 28th December, the following are links to some of the stories we mentioned. (For those who didn’t join us, you…
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A Chrishall Christmas 1850
Mr Robert Brand lived at Martinholme on the green where he ran the village store. A keen writer he recorded many of his activities, which is how we know what…
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The Life and Legacy of Rev. John Horseman
The 10th October 1810 was a Wednesday and although perhaps not a remarkable date in history it was an occasion in Heydon and Little Chishill, for this is the day the…
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The 1379 Court Case of John Helion: A Historical Review
I would like to tell you a story around a court case. This is based on the report of an inquisition held at Saffron Walden in 1401 and was a…
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Parish Walk – 18 October 2025
We are joining the Parish Walk on 18th October this year to – endeavour! – to walk round all the parishes. Below are some images that I hope to talk…
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Chrishall Village Archive – a personal view
Chrishall Village Archive – a personal view from a newcomer’s perspective When we think of history we usually think of the history of kings and queens, church and state, wars…
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The inventive Wells family and the tales of Grandad Migs
This article has been written with information provided by Alan Knight in memory of his cousin Margaret Brooks who did extensive research on her family history. Hold onto your hats…
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Updated content
New information is coming in all the time. If we have updated content with new information then the details are below:
- Update to the details of Rev Leachman on the Vicars of Chrishall page
- Update to the Links page
- Additional material and photo of Mrs Guiver added to the page about Kemps
- Additional material about Nash’s Farmhouse
- Name research on the Hearth Tax details and addition of 1670 return