Colchester’s oldest surviving brick building which famously housed Henry VIII's Lord Chancellor is set to be sold at auction. 

Headgate Court, which dates to 1530, is located off of Head Street.

The property which will be sold by Allsop at auction, was originally the timber framed townhouse of lawyer Thomas, Lord Audley.

Audley supervised the trials of Sir Thomas More, Bishop Fisher and Queen Catherine Howard who were all executed after being found guilty.

Colchester historian Andrew Phillips said: “Headgate Court is one of the most fascinating buildings in Colchester and it has an extraordinary history.”

Mr Phillips has previously studied the building and said that the main part of the building survives dates from 1600.

In the mid 1500’s the house became an inn called the King’s Head. During the reign of Catholic Queen Mary, it was a popular protestant meeting place.

Gazette: Historian Andrew PhillipsHistorian Andrew Phillips

On one occasion more than 20 people were arrested and some were executed for their beliefs.

During the 11-week Siege of Colchester, hostages were held at the King’s Head. The inn became a focal point for the Parliamentary forces, after the Royalists surrendered.

Since Victorian times there have been reports of a Royalist ghost haunting Headgate Court.

Mr Phillips said in happier times the King’s Head provided a warm welcome to important guests including in 1764, the Prince of Brunswick.

In the 1820s Headgate Court was converted into four houses and it has been used as offices since 1875. In 1950 it was listed as a grade II building.

Headgate Court has been the home of Ellisons solicitors for over 100 years, but will be up for auction on July 17 which will be the start of a new chapter for the building.

The next chapter of the colourful history of Headgate Court, until recently the offices of Ellisons solicitors for more than 100 years, will be written on July 17 when it comes up for auction at Allsop  www.alllsop.co.uk with details available from June 28.