LAYER-MARNEY, a parish in the hundred of
WINSTREE, county of ESSEX, 7 miles (S.W.) from Colchester,
containing 246 inhabitants. The living is a
rectory, in the archdeaconry of Colchester, and diocese
of London, rated in the king's books at £15.3.4.
Matthew Corsellis, Esq. was patron in 1828. The
church, dedicated to St. Mary, is principally in the later
style of English architecture, and contains several fine
ancient monuments of the Marney family. In 1500,
Sir Henry Marney erected Layer Marney hall, one of
the earliest brick mansions in the kingdom; part of the
south side, and the great entrance tower, which is very
lofty, are yet standing. In an ancient brick edifice,
about fifty yards from the church, William de Marney,
in 1330, founded a college, for a warden and two chaplains.