Susan Yates continues her occasional series of articles about the borough's history - delving into the history of a great stonemason with Aveley connections

RECENTLY while doing research on a completely different topic, I came across an indenture of lease created 2nd June 1401 between John Warener, alderman of London, and Henry de Yevele, the late citizen and mason of London for tenements of the feoffments of said gentleman in Aveley.

Feoffments is a common legal term for the process of transferring ownership/possession of land.

What caught my eye was the fee which was 'an annual rent of one rose at Midsummer'. It sounded like something from an Ellis Peters Brother Cadfael book. My interest was aroused, so I had to find out who this Henry de Yevele was.

It is believed Henry was born circa 1320 possibly in Derbyshire. He was the son of Roger and Marion Yevele. There is some speculation that Roger was a mason and taught young Henry the basics. I have been unable to substantiate this.

It is known that in 1355/6 Henry appears on a list of a meeting which was presided over by the Mayor of London. The meeting was to sort out a disagreement between the hewers (architects/stonemasons) and the layers/setters.

Henry was chosen as one of six people to represent each group. As a result he rose in 1360 to become King Edward III's Master Mason being responsible for many important buildings, a position he held until his death.

Henry's personal life is not well known but it is believed he married twice. first to Margaret and secondly to Katherine.

Buildings believed to have a Yevele connection are:-

Rochester Bridge over the River Medway. This bridge remained in use until 1856 when a metal bridge was built alongside it and the old one blown up.

At the Palace of Westminster Yevele was responsible for refacing Westminster Hall.

Henry was also responsible for the Bloody Tower at the Tower of London in 1361.

The Nave and Cloister of Westminster Abbey and the Abbot's House and College Hall in 1362 are attributed to him.

Canterbury Cathedral Nave was built in the English Perpendicular style. The outer walls between 1377 and 1381. The remainder between 1391 and 1400. In the cloisters on one of the vault bosses can be seen the face of an old man with curly hair, closed eyes (denoting death). It is believed that this is the face of Henry de Yevele.

Parts of Old London Bridge. now destroyed

High Altar Screen of Durham Cathedral between 1372 and 1380. This was shipped in boxes from London to Newcastle. How it got to Durham I have yet to discover.

These are just a few of the works credited to Henry de Yevele. He was also responsible for a number of tombs of well-known people.

Henry died on 21st August 1400 aged about 80 years. He was buried in the Lady Chapel of St Magnus the Martyr by London Bridge. There was a monument there to him but it is believed it was destroyed in the Great Fire of London 1666.

On a separate note. work is now afoot at the Tilbury Riverside Station/Cruise Terminal which is Grade II* listed.

On Windrush Day 22nd June two more hard hat tours took place. They were both very well attended.

Mikaela Webb of the Trust kicked off the tour talking knowledgably about the history of the building and the planned improvements.

She was followed by Conor, the contractor Rooff's representative who explained in layman's terms what was currently happening on the site and what the future held. If you are interested in Thurrock's heritage watch out for future hard hat tours.