Description

TOLLESHUNT MAJOR CHURCH ROAD
TL 91 SW (east side)
3/106 (8/182) Gatehouse 40 metres west
of Beckingham Hail,
30.12.59 (Formerly listed as Gate
House Beckingham Hall)
GV II*

Gatehouse. 1543-6. Red brick in irregular bond, with remnants of external
plaster. Rectangular plan facing approx. SW, with a circular turret at each
corner, and connected to a wall (listed separately as item 3/107) enclosing a
courtyard W of Beckingham Hall. 2 storeys. The blocked outer archway has
richly moulded jambs and 4-centred arch in a square head with double label; the
spandrels retain remnants of plaster. Above it is a window of two 4-centred
lights in a square head, with moulded jambs, mullion and arches, recessed
spandrels outside and inside, and the remains of a moulded label. The 2 outer
turrets have restored cruciform loops on the upper floor. Chamfered plinth,
moulded string course at first floor level, restored parapet. Above the S
turret is a round chimney-shaft with a moulded necking on which stands an
ornamental cap with 4 attached semi-circular shafts, restored. The responds of
the inner archway have each an attached semi-circular shaft with a moulded
capital and restored base. The springers of a 4-centred arch remain, the
remainder rebuilt; above it are the remains of a large window with moulded
jambs. On the NW wall are remnants of original plaster with a painted design in
black and white. The inner turrets are hollow with domed floors, with external
plain doorways to the courtyard with 4-centred arches. There is no floor or
roof. In the thickness of the SE wall a stair rises to the first floor, lit by
a chamfered rectangular loop, entered by a plain doorway with 4-centred head in
the E turret, with a similar doorway at the top in the S turret. A similar
stair, but unlit, rises to the roof. In the NW wall, at first-floor level, is
an incomplete fireplace with remains of a 4-centred arch, and 2 flues branching
to the W and N turrets. The W turret has on the first floor a plain doorway
with 4-centred head. Built for Stephen Beckingham (P. Morant, The History and
Antiquities of Essex, 1768, I, 390) and shown on an estate map of 1637 by Samuel
Cosin (Essex Record Office, T/M 4/3), at which time the house extended further
to the NW, symmetrically about the same axis as the gatehouse.

Listing NGR: TL9093411252

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q17532054

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

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