WALTHAM ABBEY, a village in Essex, on the east side of the river Lea, which here dividing, incloses some islands with fine meadows, and parts it from Waltham Cross. The abbey from whence it took its name, was built in honour of the holy cross, by Harold son to Earl Godwin, to whom Edward the Confessor gave the village; and this abbey Harold endowed with West Waltham, now called Waltham Cross, and sixteen other manors. Its abbots, who were mitred, and had the twentieth place in parliament, lived in a most splendid, but hospitable manner, and were frequently visited by Henry III. when he was reduced, and obliged to carry his family about for a dinner. The abbey was at its dissolution bestowed by King Henry VIII. on Sir Anthony Denny, his groom of the stole, whose grandson afterwards employing workmen to convert it into a seat for himself, they are said to have dug up the corpse of Harold, which after his being slain in battle against William the Conqueror, was at his mother’s request, by the Conqueror’s consent, interred in the abbey. This is now, or was lately, the seat of —— Jones, Esq; the gardens belonging to the house, were some years since much admired; but since the taste for inclosed gardens has been condemned, they have been little frequented unless by some curious persons, to see the fine tulip tree that grows in a grass plot near the house. WALTHAM CROSS, also called West Waltham, is a post and market town on the west side of the river Lea in Middlesex, in the road to Ware, twelve measured miles from London. It takes its distinguishing epithet from the cross built there by Edward I. in honour of his beloved Queen Eleanor, whose corps in its way from Lincolnshire to London rested here. That Princess’s effigies are placed round the pillar with the arms of her consort, and those of her own, _viz._ England, Castile, Leon, and Poictou, which are still in part remaining though greatly defaced. WALTHAMSTOW, a village in Essex, situated on the river Lea, contiguous to Low-Layton. Here are three manors, Walthamstow Tony or High-hall, Walthamstow Frances, or Low-hall, which was the manor of the late J. Conyers, Esq; and the manor of the rectory, which once belonged to Trinity abbey in London. In this parish are several ancient seats, and handsome houses, belonging to persons of distinction, the most remarkable of which was that of Higham-hall, pleasantly situated upon Higham-hills, a rising ground, about half a mile north from Clay street, just above the river Lea, overlooking the counties of Middlesex and Hertfordshire, and commanding a most delightful and extensive prospect. It has been a magnificent and spacious fabric, and in ancient times, when the Lords resided upon their royalties, no place could be more admirably situated than this mansion, erected at the top of the hill of Higham, and having within its view the whole extent of its jurisdiction: but there are now hardly any traces of its ancient grandeur remaining.