The photo below is the ‘Willingale Axe’ or more correctly a billhook that was used to Lop the branches in the Epping Forest. This photo was taken in 2002 at Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge in Chingford, where the axe was kept, although it was not on permanent display.
The Essex Field Club in their 1911 AGM state ’[…]Bill-hook which had been used for at least 100 years as a tool in asserting the lopping rights on the Forest at Loughton on the 11th day of November in each year. The hook was formerly owned by Robert Higgins, of Baldwin’s Hill, Loughton, uncle to Thomas Willingale; later it came into the possession of Thomas Willingale, and from him descended to Samuel Willingale, who had now presented it to the Club’.
Thomas Willingale Billhook
For some reason I did not take a photo of the other relic, a Loppers Axe, which was formerly owned by John Willingale, Thomas Senior’s son.
This billhook can also be see on the online e-hive collection management system.
