Secret Hornchurch : Amberley Publishing : 9781445695150 : 1445695154 : 15 Feb 2020 : The town of Hornchurch was historically in the county of Essex and its medieval church of St Andrew's was known as the 'horned church' ? hence the name. The area was mainly agricultural until the nineteenth century but then expanded rapidly due to its proximity to London. Today Hornchurch is a large commuter town on the edge of Greater London. In themed chapters, this book delves into the history of the town from traces of prehistoric ancestors in the area to the founding of the priory by Henry II and the story of RAF Hornchurch, which played a key role in two world wars and of which traces remain among the housing estate built on the airfield. The town's story includes alleged witchcraft; the local industries of tanning, milling, brewing and a foundry; historic pubs and manor houses; famous and notorious inhabitants; changing tastes in entertainment including an annual wrestling match, cockfighting an