Middle mill on the Colne outside Ryegate, the king's mill belonging to Colchester castle, was recorded c1101 when Henry I granted one third of it to St Botolph's priory. The priory retained that third until the dissolution, when it was granted to Sir Thomas Audley. It presumably escheated to the Crown on his death, and was thus re-united with the remaining two thirds of the mill. The mill descended with other castle lands to Hope and Martha Gifford, and was conveyed to Francis Powell in 1725. It was bought by Charles Gray in 1725. It was bought by Charles Gray in 1757, and passed with the castle lands to the Round family.<1>

Watercolour painting of Middle Mill.<2>
Oil painting of Middle Mill, Colchester.<3>
Oil painting of Middle Mill from East Stream.<4>
Oil painting of Middle Mill.<5>