Site of medieval house, Rookwood Hall, Abbess Roding (EHER 4411)

A medieval moated house and fishpond located 1.2 miles to the west-south-west of the village of Abbess Roding. The house was demolished in 1970.

Later alterations and additions to the medieval house include a 17th century staircase and a 17th century barrelled ceiling. <1> An important mid-16th century manor house, altered in the 17th and 18th centuries. Last remnants destroyed in 1970. <2> Formerly listed. <3> On a moated site (see EHER 4410). Site scheduled July 1999. <4> NRHE data transfer: Formerly an important mid-16th century manor house, it was probably built by the Browne family. A S. wing may be of 15th century origin. Altered in the 17th and 18th centuries. Its decline began after 1770 and it ceased to be a farm house about 1886 (when a new one was built beyond the moated enclosure). The north-west wing was demolished in the late 19th century and all that remains now is an L-shaped building extending north and west in a ruinous state. The house stands on a big moated site covering 3 1/2 acres, which was formerly sub-divided. <5> September 1971. Field visit. The last remnants of Rookwood House were destroyed in 1970, and a new barn erected on the site. Published survey (25") revised. <6> May 1976. Field visit. No change. <7> Rookwood Hall (NR). <8> See: <9> <10>