Great Hallingbury, St Giles
Great Hallingbury: suggested c.1086 manorial complex from the south, with church top right. Illustration: Daniel Secker
Now St Giles, the church was St Mary's in the late 19th century and this may have been its original dedication. The church was drastically rebuilt in 1874 (VCH 1983, 120) but some original features survive. There is a fine early Romanesque chancel arch of re-used Roman brick. Externally, a nave window and the south-eastern quoin survive of the early church. Though the brickwork resembles Roman brick, it might actually be purpose-made earlier medieval brick, is was used at Chipping Ongar (see the reconstruction painting and description for that church in the menu). At Great Hallingbury there is also however certain re-used Roman brick and tile. It is possible, as is likely at Chipping Ongar, that the exterior was entirely rendered and whitewashed. More speculatively, the church may have had a tiled roof.
Part of a medieval ditch survives to the north-west of the 16th century hall and to its south-east next to the road. Surviving boundaries suggest the ditch may have originally enclosed both the manor house and churchyard. As is often the case the present manor house may occupy the position of a Domesday period hall. The churchyard forms a rectangular platform which overlooks the hall. Perhaps the dominant situation of the house of God was symbolic.
In 1086, Great Hallingbury was held by Roger d'Auberville, a very minor baron (Williams and Martin 2002, 1008). He may have been responsible for the church.
References
VCH. 1983, Victoria County History, Essex, Volume 8
Williams, A. and Martin, G. H. 2002, Domesday Book: A Complete Translation. London: Penguin
Now St Giles, the church was St Mary's in the late 19th century and this may have been its original dedication. The church was drastically rebuilt in 1874 (VCH 1983, 120) but some original features survive. There is a fine early Romanesque chancel arch of re-used Roman brick. Externally, a nave window and the south-eastern quoin survive of the early church. Though the brickwork resembles Roman brick, it might actually be purpose-made earlier medieval brick, is was used at Chipping Ongar (see the reconstruction painting and description for that church in the menu). At Great Hallingbury there is also however certain re-used Roman brick and tile. It is possible, as is likely at Chipping Ongar, that the exterior was entirely rendered and whitewashed. More speculatively, the church may have had a tiled roof.
Part of a medieval ditch survives to the north-west of the 16th century hall and to its south-east next to the road. Surviving boundaries suggest the ditch may have originally enclosed both the manor house and churchyard. As is often the case the present manor house may occupy the position of a Domesday period hall. The churchyard forms a rectangular platform which overlooks the hall. Perhaps the dominant situation of the house of God was symbolic.
In 1086, Great Hallingbury was held by Roger d'Auberville, a very minor baron (Williams and Martin 2002, 1008). He may have been responsible for the church.
References
VCH. 1983, Victoria County History, Essex, Volume 8
Williams, A. and Martin, G. H. 2002, Domesday Book: A Complete Translation. London: Penguin