19th July 2024.
We set out on our trip to the Tudor Merchant’s house Paycocke’s in Coggeshall, Essex, on one of the hottest days of the year. We were given a warm welcome by the National Trust and were immediately impressed by the stunning garden with rows of lavender, pretty summer borders and wisteria. It was made it into an Arts and Crafts garden by one of the earlier occupants of the house, Miriam Noel, and is kept in trim today by many volunteer gardeners hard at work.
Our guided tour of the house began with a brief history of the house, which was built around 1500 for Thomas Paycocke, a wool merchant. Our excellent guide pointed out beautiful carvings on the outside of the house, believed to be the oldest representations of mummers in England – one of St George and the other a fool. Thomas Paycocke wanted to impress and display his wealth and probably used the main room of the house as a showroom for his cloth trade. He ran his business from the house and outbuildings. He produced a fine white cloth called Coggeshall White.
Our guide pointed out how the restoration of the house had revealed mysterious marks and intricate patterns on the wooden beams. There is beautiful linenfold carving on many of the walls which was a sign of luxury. The house was sold to the Buxton family in 16th century. Lord Noel Buxton took on the house in 20th century and rescued and restored it and gave it to the National Trust in 1928.
We then travelled on to Maldon for lunch and to visit the Moot Hall. We had a very enthusiastic guide who told us many stories of the fascinating history of the building. One of the earliest brick buildings in Essex, it is thought to have been built around 1420. It was family home of a local MP, Sir Robert D’arcy (1391 – 1448). It has served as a prison, police station, courthouse, armoury, council chamber and public meeting space for nearly 450 years. Our guide pointed out graffiti from the prisoners and an impressive brick spiral staircase. We were shown the exercise yard, and the court room where the guide told us poignant stories of the fate of people who lived in poverty. The Town of Maldon have owned the Moot Hall since the Borough Corporation bought it in 1576.
A very enjoyable and educational outing!
Clare Mortimer
The photograph shows carvings at Paycockes.