TL 81 NE GREAT BRAXTED BRAXTED PARK ROAD 4/67 (16/405) Tiptree Priory (formerly listed in Tiptree Parish Lexden & Winstree District. 7.5.85 GV II* C12 Priory wall fragment. House. Circa 1570 with circa 1600 rear stair turret and later alterations and additions to rear. Red brick with some plaster dressings. Red plain tiled roof with projecting eaves. 2 storeys and attic. A tall, narrow building, the remaining half of a longer range, which may have had end crosswings. Rear left angled stair turret. Stone coping to parapet verges. Moulded and plastered bands above and below first floor windows. The top band continues through to stair turret. Fine 5 window range of large moulded 4 light mullioned and transomed windows excepting 5 light first floor right, those to first floor with moulded and plastered surrounds and labels, those to ground floor with brick surrounds and labels. Some windows appear to be in their original positions but those to left are reset. Traces of a former gable can be seen first floor left and traces of a former door at ground level. The 2nd left ground floor window has been blocked and double doors of 2 panels with top lights under a moulded brick segmental head inserted. Gabled left and right returns with 3 similar windows of 3 or 4 lights, that to attic with label over and ground floor without a transom. 3 similar 2 light windows without transoms or labels to stair turret return and rear. 4 horizontal sliding sashes to rear attics. Square leaded glazing to windows, those to first floor front each with an iron casement with wrought ornamental latch. Right and left gable apex red brick chimney stacks. Rear restored chimney stacks with 3 octagonal shafts and one other rear stack. Adjoining the right angle of the house and in continuation of the front is a brick doorway with moulded jambs and 4 centred arch, moulded pediment on small brackets, this at one time was probably the main doorway and has a short stretch of brickwork to the right. To the rear of this feature and continuing through to the rear of the main building is a wall of flint rubble, puddingstone and brick. Set in this wall to the right is a large blocked C16 fireplace with moulded jambs and 4 centred arch. This wall has recently been capped and a window inserted. There is a modern doorway by the house. Sections of this wall were visible in the house during redecorations. It relates to the C12 Black Canons, or Augustine Priory of Sts. Mary and Nicholas, founded by a member of the Tregoz family. After the suppression in 1525 it was granted to Cardinal Wolsey who on 10 February 1526 granted it to Cardinals College Oxford and then to Ipswich. It later reverted to the Crown and thence in 1547 to Thos. Darcy whose decendants probably built the present house. Most of the interior features are heavily restored or modern. A restored fireplace has an ashwell, a closet arch has been raised. There are some Victorian cast iron fire surrounds. A brewhouse, dairy and outbuildings have been incorporated at rear. Some stone slab and brick floors. Some 6 panelled doors and a range of servants bells. RCHM 2. Listing NGR: TL8754214571