Netherhall, Roydon

Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as; Nether Hall

In the civil parish of Roydon. In the historic county of Essex (Modern Authority of Essex, 1974 county of Essex).

Ruined gatehouse, to fortified house now mostly demolished. Mid C15 in red brick, with diapering in white brick and flared headers. 2 semi-octagonal towers with gateway between. 3 storeys. Trefoiled corbelled parapets. To the rear of the former right hand tower, is a further semi-octagonal projection rising to full height of the building, and behind this a staircase tower. Outer face of left hand tower has cruciform loops to ground floor, and windows with four centred heads and square labels. Right hand side has square headed windows, and is surmounted by 2 chimney shafts of spirally moulded brick with moulded caps and bases. Between the 2 towers is the original outer arch of the gateway, with moulded stone jambs and 4 centred arch in a square head. Above are the remains of a square headed window of stone. Part of the curtain wall to the right survives, bur on remaining sides is represented by foundations only. Lower part of north west angle tower survives, with cruciform loops in each face. Foundation mounds of domestic buildings are traceable within the walls. Internally, the left hand side of the gatehouse, 3 rooms survive at ground floor, 2 with barrel vaults. The original circular brick newel stair has sunk and moulded brick handrail. Rectangular moat with original brick revetments to outer bank.

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is TL39760829

Air Photo from Air Photo and general mapping	1st edition OS Map from Mid to late 19th century maps
Modern Map from Landscape form and features	Modern Map from General location and route planning
Geograph British Isles occasionally has photos of the site and will usually give an idea of the surrounding landscape.

Sources of information, references and further reading

This site's English Heritage (PastScape) Defra or Monument number is 367205
This site's County Historic Environment Record (formerly Sites and Monuments Record) number is 59 'grey' literature, such as watching brief reports, held by H.E.R.s is often poorly referenced and is unlikely to be recorded in this website.

• Books
  • Salter, Mike, 2001, The Castles of East Anglia (Malvern) p37
    Emery, Anthony, 2000, Greater Medieval Houses Vol2 (Cambridge) p128
    Powell, W.R., 1983, VCH Essex Vol8 p227- http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=63857
    King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol1 p148
    Pevsner, N., 1965, The Buildings of England: Essex (London, Penguin, 2edn. revised by E. Radcliffe)
    RCHME, 1921, An inventory of the historical monuments in Essex. Vol2 [central and south-west] p208-9 plan
    Turner, T.H. and Parker, J.H., 1859, Some account of Domestic Architecture in England (Oxford) Vol3 pt2 p301
    Britton, John, 1835, The Architectural Antiquities of Great Britain (London) Vol2 p98 and plates
• Journal Articles
  • Andrews, D.D., 2004, 'Nether Hall: a fortified manor of the Wars of the Roses' Essex Archaeology and History Vol35 p78-97
    1976, Journal British Archaeological Association
    1975, The Archaeological Journal
    Chancellor, 1918, Essex Archaeological Society Vol14 p176-82