Medieval manor of Bradwell, 'Bradwell Hall', Bradwell-on-Sea (EHER 45958)

The Domesday manor of 'Duna' developed into the modern manor of Bradwell Hall (see EHER 38627 for the manor house). The history of the ownership of the manor is well-documented.

The Domesday manor of 'Duna' was held by Ranulf Peveral with portions held by Ascelin and eight freemen from Ranulf. At some time after 1154, King Henry II had granted some land in ‘Duna’ to his brother, William. William enfeoffed Thomas Bardolf (to hold by the service of one knights fee) at Duna’ which by the 13th century become known as Bradwell Hall. Later, part of the manor was divided amongst Bardolf's daughters on their marriage. It appears that a sizable portion was leased out in 1260 to Matthew de la Mare. His family and heirs were granted free warren that was held on ploughland in Bradwell. Sir John de la Mare was Lord of the Manor from at least 1283 to 1313. He was in the service of the King. The manor was still being leased by the de la Mares at the end of the 14th century. The manor was taken back by the Crown in the reign of Edward III and it was granted to Alice Perrers. On Edward's death in 1377, the manor is recorded as containing a house, garden and dovecot, said to be ruinous and of no value. There were 360 acres of arable land, 8 of meadow, 60 of pasture and 4 of wood. A windmill was also in poor condition and of no value. The manors of Hokkele, Pilton and Danseye were said to be parcel of the manor and these contained a further 260 acres of arable, 4.5 acres of meadow and 260 acres of marsh. Around 1403 the manor was again taken back by the Crown due to the involvement of a member of the Bardolf family in a conspiracy against the King. It was passed from the Crown to Bartholomew de Badelesmere, which may be a form of the name de la Mare. In around 1470 the manor is recorded as belonging to the Duchy of Lancaster. It appears to have been bestowed upon Queen Elizabeth, widow of Edward IV in 1485. Later, it was bestowed upon the Queen of Henry VII who continued to lease it out. The court Rolls survive from the early 15th century when the manor is referred to as the manor of Bradwell with Pilton Fee. There is uncertainty as to which lands actually refer to Pilton Fee but this may have been Hockley, the other major portion of the later manor. Since the 13th century the manor house has been Bradwell Hall (EHER 38627), located off the Maldon Road. It may have been built on the site of an earlier medieval manor house. The house is two storeys, timber framed and rendered. Extensive 13th century remains of a probable aisled hall survive in the house that stands today. Early in the post-medieval period Bradwell Hall, along with the manor, seems to have been sold by the Crown. The manor was in the ownership of a Reverend Thomas White in 1609. By his will in 1623 the estate was given to the City of Bristol, his birthplace, for maintenance of the Temple almshouse and to Sion College, in London, which he founded. The manor continued to be held by these institutions with the rent of the properties going towards their maintenance. In 1826, the estate holdings were 342 acres and were still held by the trustees of the Bristol Charities. Between 1896 and around 1917, the estate seems to have been sold off. A sale catalogue of Bradwell Hall farm states the estate as consisting of 313 acres in 1937. The estate was sold due to the death of the owner, John Chillingworth. <1>