Netteswell

72. NETTESWELL. (C.b.)

(O.S. 6 in. ^(a)xli. N.W. ^(b)xli. S.W.)

Netteswell is a small parish 4½ m. N. of Epping.

Ecclesiastical

^b(1). Parish Church of St. Andrew stands about the middle of the parish. The walls are of flint-rubble partly coursed and with dressings of limestone and clunch; the roofs are tiled and the bell-turret and spire are shingled. The Chancel and Nave were built early in the 13th century. In the 15th century the bell-turret was added, and a S. porch built. The church was restored in the 19th century, when the North Vestry and the South Porch were re-built.

Architectural Description—The Chancel (24½ ft. by 17 ft.) has a 15th-century E. window much restored and of three cinque-foiled lights under a three-centred head with a moulded label; on each side are the outer jambs and springers of two 13th-century lancet windows, now destroyed, and the original arrangement probably included a third lancet in the middle. In the N. wall are two 13th-century lancet windows, partly restored and with hooks for former shutters. In the S. wall are two lancet windows, and between them a doorway with chamfered jambs and two-centred arch, all of the 13th century, partly restored. There is no chancel-arch.

The Nave (41 ft. by 16½ ft.) has in the N. wall two windows; the eastern is of the 15th century and of two cinque-foiled lights with vertical tracery in a square head; the western window is a 13th-century lancet; further W. is the N. doorway, all modern except the semi-circular rear-arch, which may be of the 13th century. In the S. wall are two windows uniform with those in the N. wall; further W. is the 13th-century S. doorway with chamfered jambs, partly restored, and a two-centred arch; further W. is a sunk panel in brick with a moulded label and enclosing a double rose with supporters perhaps for Gervaise Rose, abbot of Waltham (1497–1500), below a crozier (?) a rose-sprig and a rabbit. In the W. wall is a 15th-century window, partly restored, and of three cinque-foiled lights in a segmental-pointed head; the jambs are moulded. The bell-turret at the W. end of the nave stands on chamfered posts and a tie-beam with curved braces, all probably of the 15th century.

The Roof of the nave is modern, but incorporates some 15th-century ribs with foliated bosses. The modern roof of the S. porch incorporates two 15th-century moulded wall-plates.

Fittings—Bells: three; 1st uninscribed; 2nd and 3rd by William Dawe, c. 1400, and inscribed "Sum Rosa pulsata mundi Katerina vocata" and "Gallus vocor ego solus super omnia sono." Brasses: In chancel—(1) of John Bannister, 1607, with figures of man and wife in civil costume, three sons and a swaddled infant. In nave—(2) of Thomas Laurence, 1522, and Alys, his wife, with figures in civil dress, two sons and five daughters. Font: plain octagonal bowl with moulded lower edge, plain stem and base, probably 13th-century. Glass: In chancel—in S.E. window, roundels with fragments of foliage, borders, badges of a feather piercing a scroll, etc., 13th to 15th-century. In nave—in N.E. window, symbols of the four evangelists, 15th-century; in S.E. window, figures (Plate p. xxxv.) of (1) St. Mary Cleophas with two children and name in black letter; (2) St. Mary Salome with four children and name in black letter, 15th-century; in W. window, figure of the Virgin, feather and scroll badges, fragments and quarries with leaf ornament, 13th to 15th-century. Niche: In nave—on jamb of N.E. window, with cinque-foiled head and vertical tracery, 15th-century. Piscina: In chancel—double, with Purbeck marble lintel and shaft with moulded capital and base, 13th-century, heads and drains modern. Plate: includes cup and paten of 1641 and alms-dish of 1656 with lozenge of arms; wooden case covered with tooled leather inscribed, "Netteswell Essex Arms, 1700." Pulpit: incorporating vine pattern frieze, dated 1618, and late 16th-century panelling; other carved panels now incorporated in cupboard in vestry. Seating: In nave—two benches with plain popeys, probably 15th-century. In vestry—stool with turned legs and carved rail, 17th-century. Sundials: Scratched on each jamb of S. doorway.

Condition—Good.

Secular

^b(2). Mill Ponds or fish-ponds, N. of the church, separated from each other by large banks in which small gaps mark the positions of former sluices.

Condition—Good.

^d(3). Barn, at Netteswellbury, W. of the church, is of weather-boarded timber-framing; the roofs are tiled. It was built probably in the 16th century, and is of six bays divided by massive trusses.

Condition—Good.

^b(4). Cottage, at N.E. end of Tye Green, ½ m. S. of the church, is of two storeys; the walls are of plastered timber-framing, and the roofs are tiled. It was built probably in the 16th century, but has a modern addition at the back. On the E. elevation the timber-framing is exposed; the original chimney-stack has grouped diagonal shafts on an irregular base with a moulded coping. Inside the building are exposed ceiling-beams.

Condition—Fairly good.

(5). Panelling, in modern house in Netteswell Plantation, 700 yards W.N.W. of the church; four rooms lined mostly with late 16th-century panelling, with some bolection-moulded panels of late 17th-century date; possibly brought from Netteswellbury.

^a(6). Cottage, S. of cross-roads at Netteswell Cross, 1 m. N.N.W. of the church, is of two storeys; the walls are of plastered timber-framing, and the roofs are tiled. It was built probably early in the 17th century, but has a modern addition at the back. The original central chimney-stack has grouped diagonal shafts. Inside the building are exposed ceiling-beams.

Condition—Good.

^a(7). Cottages, five tenements, on S. side of road, 100 yards W. of (5) and of similar construction. They were built probably as a row of tenements late in the 17th or early in the 18th century on a half H-shaped plan with small wings projecting towards the S.E.; at the back are modern additions. Inside the building are exposed ceiling-beams.

Condition—Fairly good.

^b(8). Tye Green Farm, house about ½ m. S. of the church, is of two storeys, timber-framed and weather-boarded; the roofs are tiled. It was built early in the 17th century and has exposed ceiling-beams.

Condition—Good.

^b(9). Crawley's, house, barn and moat 350 yards W. of (8). The House is of two storeys, timber-framed and plastered.; the roofs are tiled. It was built early in the 17th century and has exposed ceiling-beams and timber-framing.

The Barn, S.E. of the house, is probably of the 17th century and has a projecting wing on the E. side.

The Moat is fragmentary.

Condition—Of house, good.

^b(10). Jackson's Farm, house 60 yards S. of (9), is of two storeys, timber-framed and weather-boarded; the roofs are tiled. It was built early in the 17th century and has an original chimney-stack with grouped diagonal shafts. Inside the building is an original door.

Condition—Good.