Tollesbury Hall (EHER 39130)

A 13th century house, altered in the 16th century and extended in the 15th and 17th centuries. It is timber framed, plastered and roofed with concrete tiles. This house was built as a manor house of Barking Abbey. Structurally, the hall bears close similarities to the wheat barn at Cressing Temple (EHER 29997), though it may be of a slightly earlier date.

January 1953. Grade II* listed. A 13th century house, altered in the 16th century and extended in the 15th and 17th centuries. It is timber framed, plastered and roofed with concrete tiles. It comprises a hall, formerly aisled, of two large bays facing south and a 15th century two-bay crosswing at the right end, extending forwards. There is a 17th century two-bay extension at the left end and a lean-to extension at rear, on the site of former aisle, but wider than the aisle would have been. There is a 20th century stair tower, and a 20th century single-storey extension with hipped roof to the rear of the crosswing. The building is two storeys with attics. The crosswing has a late 16th century inserted floor. This house was built as a manor house of Barking Abbey. Structurally, the hall bears close similarities to the wheat barn at Cressing Temple (EHER 29997), which has been carbon-dated to 1255 + 60 years. Tollesbury Hall may be slightly earlier in date, since it lacks the jowled posts and tying joints which are first recorded at the wheat barn. <1> <2> See photos <3>. April 1960. Field survey. 'Tollesbury Hall' (name confirmed) once again a single private residence, is in fair condition and is as described above. See general photographs AO/60/147/2 from south-east: /3 from south-west. <4> The manor of Tollesbury Hall belonged to St Mary’s of Barking, and was also known as St Mary’s manor for that reason. The manor had belonged to St Mary’s abbey before the Conquest and remained in their hands until the Dissolution of the Monasteries. It was the most valuable of the two principal manors in the parish, having in addition to the arable land, large flocks of sheep grazing on the salt-marsh, a mill, two salt-pans and oyster layings, as well as extensive woodland on Tiptree Heath. In 1373 the abbey established a vicarage, granting ‘the site and manor of Tollesbury for (the vicar’s) habitation (CPR, Edward III, 264). The manor-house is located immediately to the south of the church (EHER 39129). It comprises a part of a 13th century aisled hall with an integral service bay and a two-bay parlour-solar crosswing, this latter portion was rebuilt in the 15th century. The construction is exceptional for the quality of the woodwork, including a moulded capital and the early constructional features. It is probable that it was built for the Abbess of Barking by a carpenter used to working on churches and other high-status buildings. Tollesbury Manor, along with the other possessions of Barking Abbey, came into the King’s hands in 1539 on the Dissolution of the Monastery. In 1607 the rectory and advowson of the church were granted to Sir Roger Aston and John Grimditch. The house was sold separate from the lands in 1627. It was sub-divided in the 19th century into three dwellings, but was recombined in the second half of the 20th century. <5> Tollesbury Hall [T.I.]. <6> Tollesbury Hall, now three tenements, south of the churchyard, was built probably in the 15th century with a central hall and cross-wings at the east and west ends. The west cross-wing has since been altered and the main roof extended over it. <7> Tollesbury Hall. 25/137. Grade II. Probably a 15th century hall house, considerably altered in the 17th century and later. Timber framed and plastered, some ground floor brick facing. <8> See also <9>. Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import.