Remains of Netherhall, Roydon, Essex

Image: © Christine Matthews Taken: 15 Jan 2006

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, but 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.

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