The curious Crowstone stands on the Westcliff/Chalkwell foreshore,it marked what was once the boundary of the authority of the Port of London over the River Thames.

The Historical Crowstone

A good deal of speculation is aroused among residents and visitors by the Crowstone. An obelisk of granite situated on the beach off Chalkwell Esplanade, and forming a notable mark along the shore.No satisfactory evidence has been forthcoming to account for the name Crowstone, but the purpose served is well known and fully authenticated.

In the year 1197, Richard I, being in want of funds to equip his expedition to the Holy Land, sold the rights of the Crown in the River Thames to the Lord Mayor and citizens of London. In 1285 a statute was passed concerning the preservation of fish in the river, and an Act of Richard II ordained that the Mayor of London for the time being should have the powers given under the earlier statute. This is a probable explanation of the reason why the date 1285 was prominently inscribed upon the stones which, placed at Crowstone, Yantlet Creek (Kent) and Staines (Middlesex) marked the limits of the jurisdiction of the Corporation of the City of London.

The stone was replaced in the 18th Century by a square pillar of granite little more than seven feet high, upon it was inscribed 1285 and the words, "God Preserve the City of London," whilst the names of Lord Mayors were added at various intervals. These inscriptions are accounted for by the custom that once in seven years or there-abouts the Lord Mayor, accompanied by the Recorder and other City dignitaries, used to inspect these mark stones, and their visits were the occasions of festivity. At Southend the Mayor and Aldermen were "bumped" with much ceremony, and for thus being made free of the water they had each to pay the watermen two guineas, whilst the children were entertained with scrambles in the waves for money.

Alderman Copeland's name was the last inscribed on the small stone, for by that time its surface could contain no more, and a much larger obelisk was erected to the north of the existing stone, fourteen feet high. In 1857 the Thames Conservancy Board was formed by Act of Parliament, which transferred to them the rights and privileges of the City of London. The Crowstone still formed the visible sign of the limit of the Conservancy's jurisdiction seaward, but by an Act of 1908 this authority was superseded by a Port of London Commission, whose powers were extended to embrace an area reaching to Havengore, at the eastern extremity of the Estuary.

(Southend on Sea Historical Notes / J H Burrows 1908)




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