Eastbury Manor House

A new abbey, dedicated to St Mary was founded by Erkenwald for his sister, Ethelburga at Barking, who were of royal ancestery.

The Abbey was later dedicated to St Mary and St Ethelburga. Today the only complete remaining building is the 15th century Curfew Tower or Fire Bell Gate. 

During the 670's the Charter for Barking Abbey was confirmed by Papal Rome. The Abbey's land included the manors of Barking, Ilford and Dagenham.

The first record of property bequeathed to the Abbey was noted in 951. Over the centuries there were many notable Abbesses including several saints, former queens and daughters of kings. Thomas Beckett's sister, Mary was appointed in 1173 and Elizabeth Chaucer (possibly the sister, daughter or close relative of Geoffrey Chaucer) was elected in 1381.

All Hallows by the Tower, originally called All Hallows Berkyngechirche, is one of the oldest churches in the city of London. It was founded in 675 by the Abbey of Barking, during the time when Ethelburga was Abbess and Erkenwald was Bishop of London, 675-93.

All Hallows was founded four hundred years before the building of the Tower of London. 

In 1066 William Duke of Normandy defeated King Harold II at the Battle of Hastings and became King of England. 

Following the Norman conquest and coronation of William the Conqueror in Westminster Abey on Christmas Day, the new king withdrew to Barking Abbey. He resided at the Abbey whilst work was underway to build new defence fortitfications in London. The White Tower was completed in 1100.

The Abbess, Æfgiva was granted a royal charter and King William declared "my peace and love, and all my rights within and without the burgh as fully as any abbess in that monastery of St.Mary had them in the time of King Edward".

The Domesday Book was commissioned by William the Conqueror in December 1085. The first draft was completed in August 1086 and contained records for 13,418 English settlements. 

Barking Abbey, recorded as Berchingas lists in its possession; 2 mills, a fishery, 10 beehives, 150 pigs, 24 goats, 114 sheep, 2 cobs and 34 cattle. The settlement consisted of 1000 acres of woodland, 100 acres of meadow, 143 villages, 100 smallholdings and 6 slaves. The value to the lord (Barking Abbey) was £80. 

The Magna Carta was signed in June 1215 between the barons of Medieval England and King John. Not only was it one of the most important documents of Medieval England (1154-1485) its legacy still lives on today.

Salt water fishing from Barking is first chronicled in the 14th century. Fishing was an important industry in Barking from the 14th century and was one of the busiest fishing ports until its decline shortly before 1860. During the 16th century the fishing industry grew due to the connection with the Royal Navy. During the mid 1600's fishing took place in the North Sea, suppling London with mackrel, herring and oysters.

An early receiver’s account mentions a reeve of Eastbury in 1331–2. The manor and land of Eastbury was one of the demesne  tenements of Barking Abbey. The land was leased and it is likely that a house or dwelling, on or near the current site was located there.

There are two recorded entries regarding Eastbury. In 1321 Gerard Cook was appointed Baliff of Eastbury and in 1440 William Pete elected Baliff of Eastbury but refused to do it, John Nattock chosen in his place.

An artist's impression of the Curfew Tower and Barking Abbey Church at the end of the 15th century by architect Frank Tingey (1917-2012).

As part of the Act of the Dissolution of the Monasteries Barking Abbey and its estates were finally dissolved on the 14 November 1539. Ownership of its land, income and assets were passed to King Henry VIII. The abbess, Dorothy Barley and the nuns were provided with pensions, according to age and rank and sent home.

On the 14th of November Eastbury (known as Estburie) and its estate was passed to the King. The yearly rent of £21 13s. 4d was paid directly to the crown for the following six years.

By 1540 Eastbury and adjoining lands were worth £21 01s 04d.

In 1534 the messauge of Eastbury and 'all appertaining to it' was leased to Nicholas Stoddard from the Abbess of Barking for a rent of £20 13s 4d.

The messuage of Eastbury and several other Essex manors granted by the King to Sir William Denham (son of Nicholas and Elizabeth Denham of Lyston, Devonshire). Denham was sheriff of London from 1534-5 and knighted in 1542.  The Eastbury estate and all tithes belonging to it were granted for sum of £1126 18s 8d and £2 2s 4d reserve rent.

In 1545, Eastbury land along with Gayshams, Stonehall, and Westbury, was granted by King Henry VIII to Sir William Denham. Denham was an absentee landlord and Nicholas Stoddard contintued leasing the land at Eastbury until 1546.

From archive documents it suggests that Nicholas Stoddard was renting the land for £21 13s 4d per annum.

Sir William Denham died and was buried at All-Hallows, Barking, a church located in the city of London overlooking the Tower of London.

Eastbury was inherited by his daughter and sole heir Margery, wife of William Abbot of Hartland, Devon. The estate included; ‘with appurtenances…200 acres of arable, 300 acres of pasture, 50 of meadow, 60 of wood, 200 of furze and heath’.

Eastbury farm continued to be leased by the tenant Nicholas Stoddard, who was then followed by John Purvey.

In September of 1550, the lease of the Eastbury estate is passed to John Minsterley.  

Margery, daughter of Sir William Denham and her husband William Abbot were granted a licence at a cost of £8 14s 15½d to sell Eastbury messuage, including its barns, stables, buildings and gardens to John Kele, a 'gentleman' of East Ham.  

The Abbots granted their manor of Westbury in Barking, their messuage at Gayshams Hall, lands in Westbury, Barking, Ilford, Dagenham, Woodford and Chigwell to Clement Sysley and John Kele, heirs of Clement Sysley and to the use of Margery Abbot, her heirs and assigns.

Clement Sysley of Barrow Hall, Essex granted coat of arms and begins building Eastbury Manor House and gardens.

Under Queen Elizabeth I, the Book of Common Prayer becomes the only legal form of worship in England. This was the third revision of the Common Book of Prayer.

In 1562, Clement Sysley's second wife, Maud, died. Her remains are buried in Barking Church.

The attic timbers in Eastbury Manor house are dated to 1566 by dendrochronology survey.

Check date of survey

Clement Sysley married Anne Argall sometime after 1562. Anne was Clement's third wife and the only daughter of the late Thomas Argall of Low Hall, Walthamstow, a wealthy and prominent royal tax and land administrator. Anne's marriage settlement of £200 and ownership of Maybells Farm (adjacent to the Eastbury estate) ensured personal gain for Clement Sysley. 

Clement's former wives were Frances Fleming from Romsey, Hampshire and Mandley Chambley from East Ham. 

Anne Argall became step-mother to Clement's surviving daughters Elizabeth and Mary Sysley. Mary Sysley married Abbacuck Harman of East Ham at St Margarets church in Barking (date unknown).

Queen Elizabeth pays for the building of a Court House in Barking

Eastbury Manor House and gardens completed. It has been suggested that there is a tradition 'of the date of 1572 having been cut in brickwork in some part of the hall' and of 'a date 1573 on a leaden spout on the south side of the house'. The London Survey Committee in 1912 gave a possible date for the house as before the dissolution of Barking Manor as there was 'a striking absence of Renaissance details' in the architecture.

The date 1573 was discovered carved on a rainwater spout at Eastbury Manor House, unfortunately this item was lost and never recovered.

By 1574, Clement Sysley refers to his new house as ‘Estbery Hall’. Various documents support evidence to reveal how the family lived. Servants were an important part of the household and at least eight were employed at Estbery Hall when Clement Sysley died in 1578. The Sysley's could afford to purchase commodities in addition to the varied produced from land "in their own occupation" such as beer. 

In September 1578, Clement Sysley died and Estbery Hall was passed to his wife, Anne Sysley. Clement left Anne lifetime ownership of the house and most of its adjoining buildings, land and extensive rabbit warrens (which provided both food and financial profit from rent). After her death, Clement wished for these to be added to Thomas' inheritance of tithes, the Great Barn and remaining estate. 

It is known from his will that Clement owned expensive horses, in particular a grey curtail and sorrel gelding as well as unspecified jewellery. Clement bequeathed his arms, weapons, armour and dags (guns) to his son Thomas Sysley "to him and his heirs forever at Eastbury". 

Anne Sysley married Augustine Steward and gave him wardship of her son, Thomas Sysley. Augustine Steward was a wealthy landowner with extensive property, including a large house in Hoxton. Augustine supported Thomas' education at Peterhouse Cambridge in 1582 and possibly later at Gray's Inn in 1592/3.

Thomas Sysley grants a 500 year old lease of Eastbury to his step-brother Augustine Steward the Younger (son of Augustine Steward, Anne’s second husband) in return for payment of his debts and an annuity of £50 (increasing to £100 on death of Anne). Soon after this lease was granted, Sysley agreed an outright sale to Augustine the Younger which was subject to Anne’s life interest.

An inventory from 1603 reveals that the house was rented by Anne Steward (formerly Anne Sysley) to a merchant John Moore, who was an Alderman of London. Moore was a tenant of Eastbury Manor House and was married to a Spanish woman, Maria Perez de Recalde. His stepdaughter was married to Lewis Tresham, younger brother of the Gunpowder plotter Francis Tresham.

It is known that Moore invested in the first voyage made by the East India Company.

On 24 March Queen Elizabeth 1 died. Her reign was followed by the accession of James I and VI.

Following the death of Queen Elizabeth I, England is thrown into civil war and revolution.

Local tradition and speculation suggest that the Gunpowder Plot, devised to blow up the houses of Parliament and kill King James 1 at the State Opening of Parliament on the 5th November, was planned at Eastbury House. It has been speculated that it was while staying at Eastbury, Lord Monteagle may have received a letter warning him to avoid attending Parliament (though there is no empirical evidence to suggest this actually happened).

In 1726  the writer, Daniel Defoe, wrote of Eastbury Manor House...''a little beyond the town (Barking), on the road to Dagenham, stood a great house, ancient and now almost fallen down, where tradition says the Gunpowder Plot was at first contrived and that all the first consultations about it were held there.''

Hugh Parish, a local Barking fisherman, rowed Guy Fawkes to Dunkirk and brough him back shortly afterwards.

In November 1608, Augustine Steward  the Younger, son of Anne and Augustine Steward becomes Eastbury’s new owner. 

Anne Steward, formerly Anne Sysley, dies. Eastbury Manor House and estate is inherited by Augustine Steward, the Younger.

King James Bible is published for the first time.

In Virginia, USA, Pocohontas is kidnapped by Augustine Steward's (the Younger) cousin, Samuel Argall.

The Pilgrim Fathers set sail for America on the boat, The Mayflower.

On 27 March 1625, Charles I was crowned King. He was executed in 1649.

The death of Augustine Steward (the Younger) sees the end of the ownership of the first extended family of Eastbury.

Eastbury Manor House and its estate is sold to William Knightly. Knightly is Serjeant of the Bakehouse to the King and his family become Eastbury’s second extended family owners.

In 1630, a group of Barking fishermen are prosecuted for using illegal trawl nets in the River Thames. As a result of the restrictions Barking smacks (boats) have to travel further, possibly as far as the North Sea.

Barking recieves money from Sir James Campbell to establish its first free school.

Execution of Charles 1 takes place and the English Commonwealth is established under Oliver Cromwell.

Eastbury sold to Thomas Vyner, the Elder, a goldsmith and banker. Vyner's family become Eastbury’s third extended family owners.

Oliver Cromwell becomes Lord Protector.

Thomas Vyner appointed Lord Mayor of London from 1653 to 1654.

Barking ketchmen partition to be exempted from being pressed into the navy.

Charles II Restoration granted in 1660.

Samuel Pepys began his diary in 1660 and completed it by 1669, however his diary was not published until the 19th century.

Sir George Vyner inherits Eastbury from his father, Sir Thomas Vyner.

The Great Plague of London claimed over 100,000 deaths in the first seven months of 1665. Victims were kept inside their homes and a red cross painted on the door, inscribed with the words 'Lord have mercy upon us'.

Great Fire of London starts in Pudding Lane at the bakery of Thomas Farriner.

Sir Thomas Vyner (junior) inherits Eastbury from his father.

Nieces of Thomas Vyner (the Elder), including Elizabeth Tombs, share ownership of Eastbury along with the family’s vast  property “portfolio” on the death of Thomas Vyner (the Younger). Their shared landholding continued until a legal act of partition in 1690 prevented such share-holding.

Barking’s House of Correction repaired and extended.

Eastbury is eventually allocated to Elizabeth Tombs. Extended family members inherit Eastbury until it’s eventual sale in 1714.

By 1693, Eastbury had been inherited and shared by Elizabeth Tombs’ son and her grandson, James (the Younger).

In 1696, James Tombs (the Younger) and his aunt become joint owners of Eastbury and its estate.

In 1699, James Tombs (the Younger) and his mother, Margaret Tombs become joint owners of Eastbury and its estate. They live in Barking. James Tombs is known as a Barking mealman, dealing in grain.

In 1714, Eastbury is sold to Captain William Browne. His family become the fourth extended family owners of Eastbury. Browne's relatives later become tenant farmers at Eastbury during the 18th century.

Captain William Browne’s sister, Elizabeth Sedgewick, inherits Eastbury and its estate.

Elizabeth Sedgewick’s children, her son William Sedgewick - a barber-surgeon and daughter Frances inherit Eastbury and its estate along with Captain William Browne’s brother (name unknown).

In 1726 the writer, Daniel Defoe, wrote 'A Tour Thro' the Whole Island of Great Britain' in which he comments on Eastbury Manor House; 

''...a little beyond the town (Barking), on the road to Dagenham, stood a great house, ancient and now almost fallen down, where tradition says the Gunpowder Plot was at first contrived and that all the first consultations about it were held there.''

Captain William Browne’s brother-in-law, Mr. Jenour Sedgewick, becomes tenant farmer at Eastbury.

John Weldale, a live cattle salesman, buys Eastbury and its estate. The Weldale family become Eastbury’s fifth and final extended family owners.

Eastbury and its estate is inherited by John Weldale's three daughters; Mary, Elizabeth and Anne Weldale.

Captain William Browne’s niece Rebecca Newmans and her husband, Thomas Newmans become tenant farmers at Eastbury.

A survey map is commissioned by Mary Weldale to assess Eastbury's extensive estate and land.

Rebecca and Thomas Newmans begin farming at Eastbury.

By 1737, the completion of  major “drainage” works to improve Barking’s agricultural land was complete. This involved diverting the Mayesbrook streams and the Roding Navigation Act was established. This was a Parliamentary act to ensure the river passing Barking was navigable as far as Ilford.

Mary Wollstonecraft (b.1759 - d. 1797), social and political thinker and author of ‘A Vindication of the Rights of Women’ lived in Barking from 1765 to 1768.

Mary Sterry, cousin of Anne Weldale, inherits Eastbury and its estate. The Newmans continue farming at Eastbury.

Gordon Riots protest against Catholic Relief Act.

Wasey, Thomas and Henry Sterry inherit Eastbury and its estate. The extended Sterry family continue ownership of Eastbury until approximately 1913/14.

During 1791, the Newmans family continue farming at Eastbury.

The Parliamentary Act of Union creates the United Kingdom.

Princess Charlotte of Wales, daughter of George IV, visited Southend for sea-bathing, as advised by her physicians.

From 1811 to 1812, a series of Luddite protests against industrial machinery took place across the country.

The Corn Laws were introduced by an act of Parliament to protect British agriculture.

Wellington defeats Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo.

The first wooden pier is built at Southend, establishing the town as a local seaside destination along the Thames Estuary.

Changes to rural life and the industrialisation of agricultural machinery threatened the way of life for many agricultural workers. This led to the Swing Riots in the early 1830's and affected mainly the south and eastern parts of England before spreading to northern counties. 

Parliament introduces the Abolition of Slavery Act.

Attic wall drawings in the house date from 1843.

The Municipal Corporation Bill created town councils for the first time.

The reign of Queen Victoria began in 1837 and lasted until her death in 1901. Throughout her reign there was widespread change and development across science, technology, civic infrastructure and the expansion of the British Empire. The Great Exhibition took place in 1851 and in 1877 Queen Victoria became Empress of India.

Elizabeth Fry, Philanthropist and Prison Reformer is buried at Barking. 

The Potato famine began in Ireland in 1845 and lasted approximately six years. During this time over a million men, women and children lost their lives and another million fled overseas, some to England to work as agricultural laborers.

Frederick Whitbread, was a shipping butcher & hay compressor before becoming a tenant farmer at Eastbury and livestock dealer. He farmed at Eastbury for 14 years from 1858.

Charles Darwin’s ‘On the Origin of Species’ published.

The Barking Jute Works was established by Mr Thomas Duff on the east bank of the River Roding. 

In 1877, the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings was founded by William Morris and other affiliates of the Pre-Raphaelite movement. SPAB, as it is now known, is a membership organisation dedicated to the restoration and re-use of old buildings to protect the historic fabric of our built environment.

In 1878, one of the worst shipping disasters took place on the River Thames when the collier, Bywell Castle ran into the Princess Alice at Gallions Reach. Over 600 people lost their lives.

The Education Act was introduced in 1880 to ensure complusory education for children between the ages of five and 10 years old.

In 1883 the Married Women's Property Act was introduced to allow women the right to acquire and control their own property.

In 1895 the National Trust was founded by Octavia Hill, a prominent social reformer. The Trust was vested with its key aim to 'promote the permanent preservation for the benefit of the Nation of lands and tenements, including buildings, of beauty or historic interest'. 

Eastbury Manor House seen from the south elevation. Image taken in 1896.

An early drawing of Eastbury Manor House from 1871 (artist unknown).

Queen Victoria dies and is succeeded by Edward VII.

The 11th Survey of London monogragh, 'Eastbury Manor House, Barking' was originally published by Guild & School of Handicraft in 1917. The publication consisted of a series of drawings of the house as part of a wider appeal to raise funds to save and provide the 'permanent preservation' of the house.

The National Trust purchases Eastbury Manor House to ensure its protection and lasting legacy for the nation. Prior to 1918, the house was in danger of demolition and had been left in a state of decay.

On the 19 January a huge explosion took place in a munitions factory in Silvertown, East London. It killed and injured many people, causing substaintial damage to the local area.

Following the end WWII, a new housing estate was conceived for homecoming soldiers and to rehouse residents of London's East End slums. Homes Fit for Heroes’ Becontree Estate was designed to accommodate 29,000 dwellings and approximately 145,000 people within five years. 

The Becontree estate, in the London borough of Barking and Dagenham, has a population of over a 100,000 and is the largest public housing development in the world. 

Ford Dagenham begins producing its first cars, although planning of the plant began with the purchasing of land in 1924.

In 1931 Barking officially became a London Borough.

In 1931 Barking became a borough. Prince George, Duke of Kent formally inuguarated the Charter at the Barking Pagaent. Another important event took place in 1931 when Gandhi chose to stay at Kingsley Hall on the Becontree Estate in Dagenham. Gandhi was friends with Muriel Lester who founded of Kingsley Hall.

In 1934, Barking Borough Council take over the lease of Eastbury Manor House.

Eastbury Manor House becomes the home of Barking Museum. The Mayor of Barking at the time of its inauguration, Mr. W.J James, states in the forward of the museum's booklet:

''It is the earnest wish of the Council of the Borough of Barking that the opening of Eastbury Manor House as a Museum will further stimulate the interest of the people of Barking in the history of their town and increase, by the gift of greater knowledge, the pride that is engendered in the hearts of all of us who live within its boundaries.

We are proud of Barking. We hope that the preservation of its records in our museum, records that will give us an intimate picture of those who lived and worked here before us, may prove an inspiration.''

World War II began in September 1939 and ended in 1945. Barking Museum which was located at Eastbury was closed in 1939 as a result of the war and became an ARP platform, a nursery as well as providing other necessary social welfare needs.

Queen Elizabeth II suceeds George VI. Photograph shows a local coronation party in Barking.

On 28 May 1954, Eastbury Manor House and its Tudor brick garden walls were listed Grade 1 by Historic England.  Only 2.5% of  buildings are granted Grade 1 and indicate 'exceptional' historical and architectural interest. 

List entry number for the house: 1359303 

List entry number for the garden walls: 1064414

An image of St Margarets tower taken in 1955. A church has stood on this site since 1215, the chapel was built as part of Barking Abbey. 

Dagenham East train crash.

Heritage Lottery Funding to restore and rennovate Eastbury Manor House -  check dates