Bourchier’s Hall
Behind the plaster and brick of this farmhouse stands one of the oldest timber frames in the village – an early 14th-century aisled hall, Grade II listed. Look for the three-bay hall range; the western aisle survives, though the eastern one was taken out long ago. Inside is medieval carpentry of real quality: an octagonal crownpost with a moulded cap and base, and four braces rising from it.
It was probably built by Robert Bourchier, who came into the manor by marriage and held his first court here in 1329. He went on to a remarkable career. In 1340 he was appointed Lord Chancellor of England – the first layman ever to hold the office, which until then had always gone to a churchman. He fought at Crécy in 1346, and died two years later of the Black Death at Bordeaux, while escorting Princess Joan on her journey to be married in Castile.
Tollesbury has a second great medieval hall: Tollesbury Hall on Church Street, also Grade II*, built as a manor house of Barking Abbey. The two belong to the same tradition of aisled-hall building, though the Hall is the elder by a generation or more – its frame has been dated to the 13th century.
Bourchier’s Hall is a private house. Please view it from the road.