Description

TL 72 NW SHALFORD BRAINTREE ROAD
(east side)

3/45 Nichol's Farmhouse
2.5.53

GV II

House. Late medieval, altered in C16 and early C17. Timber framed, plastered,
roofed with handmade red clay tiles. 2-bay hall facing SE, with originally
storeyed parlour/solar bay at left end, early C16 or earlier. 3-bay extension
to right, early C17, with axial stack at the junction. Hall range of one storey
with attics, right extension of 2 storeys. Ground floor, 5 C20 casements.
Upper floor, 3 C20 casements, of which one is in a gabled dormer. C20 door. 6
octagonal shafts, rebuilt. The left bay of the hall house has a chamfered axial
beam with step stops, plain joists of horizontal section, and a shutter groove
and diamond mortices for an unglazed window at the end. The rear wallplate of
the hall exhibits evidence of a large unglazed window, and is smoke-blackened.
The mid-C16 inserted floor consists of a transverse beam, chamfered with step
stops, supported on independent posts, longitudinal square joists chamfered with
step stops, and original boards. On one side the middle part of the beam is
left unchamfered, indicating the former existence of a timber-framed chimney.
The roof is ceiled, without access, so this part of the building cannot be
accurately dated. C20 grate in large wood-burning hearth on ground floor,
blocked hearth with depressed arch of plastered brick on upper floor. Jowled
posts, inserted framed doorway in one tiebeam, other severed. The right
extension has jowled posts, some exposed close studding, and primary straight
bracing. Chamfered axial beams with plain joists of horizontal section. Large
wood-burning hearth on ground floor, hearth with depressed brick arch
(originally plastered, now stripped) on first floor. Unusual internal door with
ventilation slots to rear of stack, C17 or C18. The name derives from John the
son of Nicholas, recorded in court rolls from 1304 to 1326, and Thomas, John and
Margery Fitz-Nicols or Nicholas, who successively held the estate from 1351 to
1376. Nichols was formerly a manor (P. Morant, The History and Antiquities of
Essex, 1768, II, 38). RCHM 3.

Listing NGR: TL7278728352

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26440674

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.

Recommended Books

• 
  Pevsner's Architectural Glossary (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
• 
  Lancashire: Manchester and the South-East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Somerset: South and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  This Old House: Restoring, Rehabilitating, and Renovating an Older House
• 
  Yorkshire West Riding: Sheffield and the South (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Huddersfield in 50 Buildings