Tillingham

94. TILLINGHAM. (G.b.)

(O.S. 6 in. ^(a)lv. S.E. ^(b)lxiii. N.E.)

Tillingham is a parish and village 6 m N.N.E. of Burnham-on-Crouch.

Ecclesiastical

^a(1). Parish Church of St. Nicholas (Plate, p. xxxii) stands in the village. The walls are of septaria and flint-rubble with limestone dressings; the roofs are tiled. The Nave was built in the 12th century. Early in the 13th century the Chancel was re-built and lengthened. In the 14th century the chancel-arch was re-built, a S. aisle built and the West Tower added. The church was restored in the 19th century, when the South Aisle was re-built and the S. arcade opened out and possibly reconstructed and the South Porch and North Vestry added.

Architectural Description—The Chancel (43¼ ft. by 17 ft.) has in the E. wall three 13th-century lancet-windows, all modern externally. In the N. wall are three similar lancet-windows, the two eastern modern externally and the westernmost with a segmental-pointed rear-arch; there is also a modern opening to the Vestry. In the S. wall are three 13th-century lancet-windows; between the two western is a blocked doorway of the 13th century with a segmental rear-arch and not visible externally. The 14th-century chancel-arch is two-centred and of two chamfered orders; the responds have attached semi-octagonal shafts with moulded capitals.

The Nave (52½ ft. by 21 ft.) has in the N. wall two windows all modern except for the splays and rear-arches; between them is the early 12th-century N. doorway, of one plain order and a segmental head supporting a diapered tympanum enclosed by a round arch. The mid 14th-century S. arcade is of four bays with two-centred arches of two chamfered orders; the octagonal columns have moulded capitals and bases, and the responds have attached half-columns, considerably restored.

The West Tower (12 ft. by 11 ft.) is of the 14th century and of three stages with an embattled parapet and a S.E. stair-turret rising above it. The two-centred tower-arch is of three chamfered orders, of which the inner is continued down the responds. The W. window is of two trefoiled lights with a quatrefoil in a two-centred head with a moulded label and head-stops; the W. doorway has double hollow-chamfered jambs and two-centred arch. The second stage has in the N., S. and W. walls a modern window. The bell-chamber has a modern window in each wall.

Fittings—Bells: six; 2nd by William Culverden, c. 1500 and inscribed "Sancte Luca"; 3rd by Henry Jordan, mid 15th-century and inscribed "Johannes Est Nomen Eius"; 4th by John Darbie, 1684; 5th by Henry Pleasant, 1707. Brasses: In chancel—on S. wall, (1) of Edward Wiot, 1584, kneeling figure in cloak and trunkhose, with shield-of-arms. In S. aisle—(2) to John Wakeman, 1584, inscription only. Chairs: In chancel—two, with carved backs and legs, early 18th-century. Doors: In turret-staircase to tower, two, of overlapping battens with strap-hinges, 15th-century. Font: square bowl with conventional foliage in relief, late 12th-century. Monument: In churchyard—S. side, to Charles Cockett, 1714, table-tomb, with shield-of-arms. Piscina: In chancel—with moulded jambs and two-centred head, moulded bases to jambs and octofoiled drain, chamfered shelf, 13th-century. Plate: includes large cup dated 1616. Sedilia: W. of piscina, of three bays with two - centred arches, middle bays on shouldered corbels, 13th-century. Miscellanea: Built into walls of S. aisle, various architectural fragments, 12th-century and later.

Condition—Good.

Secular

Monuments (2–7).

The following monuments, unless otherwise described, are of the 17th century and of two storeys and timber - framed and plastered or weather-boarded; the roofs are tiled. Some of the buildings have original chimney-stacks and exposed ceiling-beams.

Condition—Good or fairly good, unless otherwise noted.

^a(2). Stowe's Farm, house, 600 yards W.S.W. of the church, was built in the 16th century, and has a modern addition on the N. side. The upper storey projects at the E. end of the original block.

^a(3). West Hyde, house (Plate, pp. xl–i), 1¼ m. W. of the church, has an original central chimney-stack with three grouped diagonal shafts. Inside the building is an early 18th-century fireplace with a heavy moulded architrave.

^b(4). Reddings, house (Plate, p. xxxv), 1,500 yards S.W. of the church, was built probably early in the 16th century, with cross-wings at the E. and W. ends. The upper storey projects at both ends of the E. wing. On the N. side is a chimney-stack with one diagonal shaft. Inside the building is some exposed timber-framing and a door of 16th-century panelling.

^b(5). Hill House, 500 yards W. of (4), was built probably in the 16th century, and has a cross-wing at the W. end. One chimney-stack has two 17th-century diagonal shafts.

^a(6). Bridgemans, house (Plate, pp. xl–i), nearly 1¼ m. E.S.E. of the church, has a cross-wing at the E. end. The upper storey projects at the S. end of the cross-wing.

Condition—Poor.

^b(7). Midlands, house, 1,500 yards S.S.E. of the church, was built probably in the 16th-century, and has two original chimney-stacks, both with grouped diagonal shafts. There are large modern additions.

Unclassified

^b(8). Red Hill, E. of Jerry's Farm, about 1½ m. S E. of the church. Now levelled.