Core samples were taken from the oak timbers in the three bays of this barn which are still standing. The elm timbers in and adjoining truss II, the second most northern truss, were not sampled since elm is not yet used for routine tree-ring dating in this country. Three timbers were dated to the medieval period: the two principal rafters from truss I, the northernmost truss, had a felling date range of AD 1354-1356, and a timber reused as a lower purlin in bay 2 was probably also of the same date. The tiebeams from trusses III and IV, and an intervening east wallplate, were early/mid-sixteenth century. The seven other dated timbers, the principal rafters from trusses III and IV and three purlins from bay 1, were felled in winter or early spring of AD 1589/1590.
2/98
TREE-RING ANALYSIS OF THORPE PREBEND HOUSE, HIGH SAINT
AGNESGATE, RIPON, NORTH YORKSHIRE
Boswijk G
Number of: Pages - 18 Illustrations - 2
Photos - 0 Tables - 4
Thorpe Prebend House, Ripon, is a large building, consisting of a central hall and two cross-wings. Externally the building is of brick and render, but original timber framing survives in the hall and cross-wings. Two independent structural surveys had produced differing interpretations of the early phases of construction within the building. A report by RCHME considered that the east wing and central hall were contemporary, and the west wing was a later seventeenth century addition. In contrast, York Archaeological Trust has suggested that the east wing dates to the late fifteenth or early sixteenth century, and the central hall and west wing were built at a later date. Tree- ring analysis was undertaken to date the original timber framing, and identify the order of phasing. The east wing was dated to AD 1516/17. This was the earliest part of the building. The hall and west wing were built at the same time in AD 1583/4.
7/98
TREE-RING ANALYSIS OF OAKS FROM LANGFORD QUARRY, NEWARK-
ON-TRENT, NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
Hillam J
Number of: Pages - 20 Illustrations - 5
Photos - 0 Tables - 9
The analysis of 43 oak timbers from the river gravels near the River Trent resulted in the production of tree-ring chronologies spanning 4232-4021 BC, 2979-2858 BC, and 2637-2125 BC. Some of the trees were from a river jam and were associated with human remains. Tree-ring dates for these trees are compatible with a radiocarbon date for a human rib, and indicate that both trees and bones date to the early 3rd millennium BC.
9/98
TREE-RING ANALYSIS OF NEOLITHIC OAKS FROM ABERCYNAFON,
TALYBONT-ON-USK, BRECON
Hillam J & Hall C
Number of: Pages - 21 Illustrations - 5
Photos - 0 Tables - 5
The trees at Abercynafon were discovered during the construction of a pond in Talybont Forest when large timbers appeared in the spoil heaps. 114 timbers from the spoil heaps and subsequent archaeological excavation were sampled for dendrochronology. A tree-ring chronology was produced for the period 3098-2730 BC. Dates were produced for 25 timbers; these indicated that the dated trees died in the first half of the third millenium BC. The trees probably came from a small area of primary woodland, where conditions were often very unfavourable to growth. Comparison with contemporary trees from the Isle of Wight suggests that a general climatic decline may have affected the growth of the trees.
11/98
TREE-RING ANALYSIS OF TIMBERS FROM THE MANOR HOUSE,
ABBEY GREEN, BURTON UPON TRENT, STAFFORDSHIRE
Howard R, Laxton R & Litton C
Number of: Pages - 14 Illustrations - 6
Photos - 0 Tables - 1
Dendrochronological analysis was undertaken of samples from twelve oak timbers in the roof and cellar of the Manor House at Abbey Green, Burton upon Trent. This resulted in the production of a single site chronology of 178 rings, spanning the period AD 1162 - 1339. Interpretation of the sapwood on the samples indicates that the timbers they represent have an estimated felling date in the range AD 1340 - 1358.
12/98
TREE-RING ANALYSIS OF TIMBERS FROM THE MALTINGS, SEYMOUR
HOUSE HOTEL, CHIPPING CAMPDEN, GLOUCESTERSHIRE
Howard R, Laxton R & Litton C
Number of: Pages - 9 Illustrations - 6
Photos - 0 Tables - 1
Dendrochronological analysis was undertaken of samples from twelve oak timbers within The Maltings at the rear of the Seymour House Hotel in Chipping Campden. This resulted in the production of three site chronologies of two samples each, with 61, 54, and 68 rings, respectively. Although these were compared with a wide range of reference chronologies there was no satisfactory cross-matching. None of the single samples cross-matched with the reference chronologies and the timbers from this site must, therefore, remain undated for the moment.
15/98
TREE-RING ANALYSIS OF COFFIN BOARDS FROM THE FORMER
BURIAL GROUND OF THE INFIRMARY, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
Groves C & Boswijk G
Number of: Pages - 22 Illustrations - 2
Photos - 0 Tables - 4
Research is currently underway to determine the viability of the dendrochronological analysis of conifer timbers imported into England during the medieval and post-medieval periods. The eighteenth and nineteenth century coffin assemblage excavated from the former burial ground of the Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, dominated by softwood boards, was therefore considered a potentially valuable data resource. Timbers from 19 coffins were analysed. The majority of the timbers were found to be one of three coniferous wood types, whilst two were beech. The ring sequences from individual components of various coffins were found to crossmatch, but no crossmatching was obtained between coffins, and none of the ring sequences could be assigned calendar dates.
16/98
TREE-RING ANALYSIS OF TIMBERS FROM 10 THE CLOSE,
LICHFIELD, STAFFORDSHIRE
Howard R, Laxton R & Litton C
Number of: Pages - 15 Illustrations - 7
Photos - 0 Tables - 1
Dendrochronological analysis was undertaken of samples from nineteen oak timbers in the roof and attic space of 10 The Close, Lichfield. This resulted in the production of a single site chronology of 61 rings composed of samples from three attic floor joists. Although the site chronology is short and the t-values are lower than we would like, this is dated as spanning the period AD 1384 - 1444. Interpretation of the sapwood on the samples would indicate that the timbers of this phase have an estimated felling date in the range AD 1453 - 1478. The medieval and post-medieval roof trusses remain undated.
17/98
TREE-RING ANALYSIS OF TIMBERS FROM FYFIELD HALL, ESSEX
Bridge M C
Number of: Pages - 11 Illustrations - 2
Photos - 0 Tables - 6
This complex building appears to be centred on a two-day aisled hall, the earth- fast corner posts of which are carved in a style which suggests that they date from AD 1160 - AD 1240 (Hewett 1980). The central arcade posts and arched braces are from a later rebuild of the hall. Two tree-ring dates had previously been obtained, both based on material taken in 1985. One date was from what is thought to be a re-used timber forming an aisle tie on the north side of the central north post and had an outside ring (the fifth sapwood ring) formed in AD 1135, and the second from the central northern arcade post itself had an outer ring (the fourth sapwood ring) formed in AD 1385. Neither sample had the bark edge present. The present study confirms both these dates and extends the data set to include several elements of the roof structure, all of which were of oak. It gives narrower felling date ranges based on multiple samples which date the felling of the timbers for the first phase, assuming them to come from a single batch of timbers, to AD 1167 to 1185, and the felling of timbers for the major rebuild including the central arcade posts and easternmost arcade plates to AD 1397 to 1416, again assuming that these represent a single batch of timbers, using the sapwood number range 10-55 rings. This information shows Fyfield Hall to be one of the oldest inhabited houses in England.
18/98
TREE-RING ANALYSIS OF OAK TIMBERS FROM DORE ABBEY, ABBEY
DORE, HEREFORDSHIRE
Tyers I & Boswijk G
Number of: Pages - 15 Illustrations - 3
Photos - 0 Tables - 7
Tree-ring analysis of oak timbers from Dore Abbey, now the Church of St Mary, was undertaken in order to date the ambulatory roof and assess the importance of timbers re-used from early phases. Sixteen samples were obtained and all but one dated. Two chronologies were produced, dating to AD 1073-1195 and AD 1363-1612. The first chronology was produced from re-used timbers felled in AD 1205-1238. The second site chronology included two phases of timbers, one felled in the late sixteenth or early seventeenth century and the other probably relating to the extensive restoration programme of AD 1633.
19/98
TREE-RING ANALYSIS OF TIMBERS FROM GOSFIELD HALL, ESSEX
Bridge M C
Number of: Pages - 12 Illustrations - 3
Photos - 0 Tables - 4
The attic gallery of the west range survives without any major alteration since its first construction. Timbers from a contemporaneous north range roof, built in a different style, also survive, though this range has been much altered. Stylistically the west range roof has been dated to mid-sixteenth century and there are parallels with other sites. The dendrochronological study shows both roofs to be made from young trees and dates the felling of these trees to the period AD 1547 to 1583.
20/98
TREE-RING ANALYSIS OF OAK TIMBERS FROM THE "BREWHOUSE"
AND "REFECTORY" AT NOSTELL PRIORY, NEAR WAKEFIELD, WEST
YORKSHIRE
Tyers I
Number of: Pages - 32 Illustrations - 8
Photos - 0 Tables - 9
Tree-ring analysis was undertaken on samples from 42 structural timbers from two buildings forming part of the Home Farm complex at Nostell Priory, West Yorkshire. The results contribute significantly to the interpretation of the buildings. The 'Brewhouse', thought to be a single-phase structure, dates from early AD 1481. However the building has a series of intermediate roof trusses inserted circa AD 1536/7 which may mark a major remodelling of the structure. The 'Refectory', interpreted as parts of two buildings, is instead shown to be a single phase structure dating from AD 1509/10. Some inserted timbers in the 'Refectory' are also just pre-Dissolution in date, one at least of which is clearly re-used in its present position. Both buildings include later modifications or repairs from the mid-eighteenth century.
21/98
TREE-RING ANALYSIS OF TIMBERS FROM THE BASEMENT, BRUCE
CASTLE, TOTTENHAM, LONDON
Bridge M C
Number of: Pages - 11 Illustrations - 3
Photos - 0 Tables - 4
This work represents the dating of a second area of this building, the roof structure having been worked on previously (Bridge 1997a). A number of main floor beams and joists accessible in the cellar of the building were examined and found to be contemporaneous with the roof structure (felling period for the timbers AD 1554-1576). One joist was probably felled earlier than this and may be a re-used timber. The previous study of the roof structure found two groups of contemporaneous timbers, probably from two different sources, and the floor timbers can be divided into the same groups, resulting in two strengthened site chronologies covering the periods AD 1434-1542 and AD 1421-1544.
23/98
TREE-RING ANALYSIS OF OAK TIMBERS FROM THE BELL TOWER OF
THE CHURCH OF ST MARY MAGDALEN, MAGDALEN LAVER, ESSEX
Tyers I & Boswijk G
Number of: Pages - 15 Illustrations - 3
Photos - 0 Tables - 4
Tree-ring analysis of oak timbers from the bell tower of St Mary Magdalen, Magdalen Laver was undertaken to date the belfry and surrounding outer wall. The belfry was thought to be of fifteenth century date and the outer wall a sixteenth century addition. The results of the tree-ring analysis indicate that the belfry was constructed after AD 1525 and that the outer wall was built in, or shortly after, AD 1534/5. Contrary to expectation the results indicate that the structure could be the product of a single building campaign or to have taken only a few years to complete.
24/98
TREE-RING ANALYSIS OF TIMBERS FROM ADDINGTON HOUSE,
ADDINGTON VILLAGE, GREATER LONDON
Bridge M C
Number of: Pages - 7 Illustrations - 1
Photos - 0 Tables - 3
The present building has a medieval core which has been extensively added to, especially during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. This study has dated the felling of the oak timbers used in the medieval trusses to the winter of AD 1490-1. The construction is of particular interest for the amount of elm used. The posts, collars, and queen struts were of oak (Quercus spp.), whilst the ties, principal and common rafters, and purlins were of elm (Ulmus spp.). No tree-ring crossmatching was found between the oak and elm, and some of the smaller oak timbers were not dated.
25/98
TREE-RING ANALYSIS OF CANN HALL, CLACTON, ESSEX
Tyers I
Number of: Pages - 16 Illustrations - 4
Photos - 0 Tables - 4
Cann Hall, Clacton, Essex, is a two-storey timber-framed house surrounded by modern residential development on the north-west edge of Clacton. It has a large two-bay hall which is aligned east-west, an in-line service end to the east, and an upper-end cross-wing to the west which projects to the north. To the north of this main block are the fragmentary remains of a further timber-framed building, interpreted as a detached kitchen; this is now attached to the cross-wing by later modifications. Dendrochronological analysis of thirty-six timbers from the hall and service range, the cross-wing, and the kitchen range produced a tree- ring chronology for the period AD 1301-1511. The latest timbers were felled in the winter/spring of AD 1511/12.
30/98
TREE-RING ANALYSIS OF TIMBERS FROM CHICKSANDS PRIORY,
CHICKSANDS, BEDFORDSHIRE
Howard R, Laxton R & Litton C
Number of: Pages - 55 Illustrations - 20
Photos - 0 Tables - 9
Dendrochronological analysis was undertaken of eighty-eight samples taken from oak timbers in eight different parts of Chicksands Priory, Bedfordshire. Two site chronologies were formed from this material, both of which were dated. The first site chronology consisted of thirty-one samples and was 342 rings long. It was dated as spanning the period AD 1200 - 1541. The second site chronology consisted of twenty-seven samples and was 145 rings long. It was dated as spanning the period AD 1670 - 1814. An additional seventeen samples were also dated through further analysis. By examining the dated samples and their sapwood it is possible to calculate the felling dates or felling date range from all eight parts of the Priory sampled. Building A1: AD 1540, 1540, 1541, 1541 Building A1 (reused timbers): AD 1473-1508. AD 1255-1290. AD 1274-1309 Building A2: AD 1468 Building A3: AD 1469 Building A4 (roof): AD 1504, 1504. AD 1519-1554. AD 1682-1717 Building A4 (floor): AD 1503 Building D2: AD 1812,1813,1813 Building D3: AD 1812-1847 Building J: AD 1814,1814,1814
31/98
TREE-RING ANALYSIS OF OAK TIMBERS FROM PENRHOS COURT,
NEAR KINGTON, HEREFORDSHIRE
Tyers I
Number of: Pages - 19 Illustrations - 5
Photos - 0 Tables - 7
Tree-ring analysis was undertaken on 16 samples from the cruck hall and cross- wing at Penrhos Court, Herefordshire. Seven timbers were dated and these indicated four separate felling phases: two timbers from the cruck hall were felled in the mid-AD 1430s; one from the cross-wing was felled in the mid/late- fifteenth century; two timbers from a floor in the north bay of the cross-wing were felled in the mid-sixteenth century; whilst two timbers from an inserted floor in the hall were felled in the late-sixteenth or early-seventeenth century. In view of the complexity of these results a detailed structural survey and a documentary research would perhaps help elucidate the historic development of Penrhos Court. The small number of dated timbers from each identified construction phase suggests that the results of the tree-ring analysis should be treated with some caution until then.
33/98
TREE-RING ANALYSIS OF TIMBERS FROM FALMER COURT BARN,
FALMER, EAST SUSSEX
Howard R, Laxton R & Litton C
Number of: Pages - 24 Illustrations - 5
Photos - 0 Tables - 2
Sampling and analysis by tree-ring dating of Falmer Court barn were commissioned by English Heritage. The purpose of this was to complement the Archaeological Interpretative survey and to provide additional information ahead of a major programme of timberwork repairs and re-thatching. The sampling request asked the Laboratory to concentrate on establishing a felling date and thus a possible construction sequence for what have been labelled phases B1 and B2. The laboratory was also asked to date the felling of timber used in phase E1 and, if possible, given the limited amount of timber available, a date for the felling of timbers used in phase C2. Thus, dendrochronological analysis was undertaken of samples from thirty-eight oak timbers at this site. This resulted in the production of one dated site chronology and one undated site sequence. The dated site chronology is composed of seventeen samples. Most of the dated samples are from phases B1 and B2, with one sample being from phase E1 and one sample from phase C2. The undated site sequence is made up exclusively of samples from phase E1. The dated site chronology has 112 rings, and spans the period AD 1386 to AD 1497. Interpretation of the sapwood on the samples suggests that there is only a vey short time gap, if any at all, between the felling of any of the timber represented. It is estimated that the felling of timber for phases B1 and B2 took place some time in the range AD 1505 - 1525. A second, undated, sequence was also created from eight samples of another distinct segment of the building labelled E1. This undated sequence has 84 rings. The objectives are thus met in part. Phases B1 and B2 are shown to be of a very similar date whilst the construction phase C1 appears to be represented by reused timber and thus the phase itself is not dated. Phase E1 is not dated either but it would appear to be different from that of B1 and B2.
34/98
TREE-RING ANALYSIS OF OAK TIMBERS FROM ST NICHOLAS'
CHURCH, WARNDON, WORCESTERSHIRE
Tyers I
Number of: Pages - 19 Illustrations - 9
Photos - 0 Tables - 7
Dendrochronological analysis was undertaken on 18 samples from the nave roof and integral bell turret, and the bell tower at St Nicholas' Church, Warndon. Three timbers from the nave roof/bell turret crossmatched to give a chronology spanning the period AD 1348-1424. The felling date ranges produced suggest a construction phase in the early- or mid-fifteenth century for the nave roof and bell turret. Four timbers from the bell tower crossmatched to produce a chronology which dated to the period AD 1391-1498. Three of these had bark edge and produced precise felling dates for the winter or early spring of AD 1497/8 and AD 1498/9. This suggests that the bell tower was constructed shortly after felling at the turn of the century. The bell tower timbers were notable as they contained distinctive periodic bands of very narrow growth rings.
35/98
TREE-RING ANALYSIS OF TIMBERS FROM THE BELLFRAME AND
BELL CHAMBER FLOOR, CHURCH OF ST PETER AND ST PAUL,
CRANFIELD, BEDFORDSHIRE
Bridge M C
Number of: Pages - 13 Illustrations - 8
Photos - 0 Tables - 4
Dendrochronological analysis of timbers from the tower of this church show that much of the present bellframe, along with a single re-used timber above the sound openings, and one member of the present bell chamber floor, are likely to have come from a single batch of timbers felled between AD 1479 and 1507. This dates an early phase for the bellframe which previously had no dating information attached to it. These dated timbers include some timbers thought to have come from a later major phase of rebuilding tentatively dated by typology to circa AD 1600. The results therefore suggest that a new assessment of the frame may need to be made, incorporating the new evidence from dendrochronology.
36/98
TREE-RING ANALYSIS OF TIMBERS FROM NAAS HOUSE, LYDNEY,
GLOUCESTERSHIRE
Howard R, Laxton R & Litton C
Number of: Pages - 41 Illustrations - 19
Photos - 0 Tables - 10
Tree-ring analysis was undertaken of samples from 42 oak timbers from the north, east, and west ranges of Naas House, the staircase timbers, and the timber- framed west range. Additional samples were, however, obtained from reused timbers in the north, east, and west ranges, with a view to creating a reference chronology. Analysis of the samples produced four dated site chronologies and three undated site sequences:- i) LYDASQ01 (Timber-framed building) spanning AD 1373-1568, estimated felling date range AD 1578-1602. ii) LYDASQ01 (Staircase timbers) spanning AD 1127-1229, estimated felling date range AD 1218-1243 and AD 1245-1270. iii) LYDASQ06 (staircase timbers) spanning AD 1398-1545, estimated felling date in late sixteenth century. iv) LYDASQ07 (North and West range) undated. v) LYDASQ08 (North range) undated. vi) LYDASQ09 (North and East range) undated. vii) LYDASQ10 (reused timbers) spanning AD 1390-1591, estimated felling date in late sixteenth century. A combined site chronology, LYDASQ21, comprised of twenty-three samples was produced spanning the period AD 1360-1591. This was used to date two further samples, LYD-A21 and LYD-A26 from the north range roof. These suggest that the roof of the north range contains timbers felled at different times to others in this roof.
38/98
TREE-RING ANALYSIS OF TIMBERS FROM THE OLD RECTORY,
WITHINGTON, GLOUCESTERSHIRE
Howard R, Laxton R & Litton C
Number of: Pages - 20 Illustrations - 7
Photos - 0 Tables - 0
Dendrochronological analysis was undertaken of samples from twenty-one oak timbers from The Old Rectory, Withington. This resulted in the production of one dated site chronology and two undated site sequences. The dated site chronology, WTHASQ03, is composed of eleven samples from timbers of the roof and first floor of the northern portion of the west range. This has 178 rings, and spans the period AD 1252-1429. Interpretation of the sapwood on the samples in this site chronology indicates that the timbers from both the roof and the first floor were felled at the same time in AD 1429. The first undated site sequence, WTHASQ04, has 121 rings and is composed of two samples, both from timbers of the first floor. The second undated site sequence, WTHASQ05, has 92 rings and is composed of two samples from the cruck truss in the southern portion of the west range. A single sample, WTH-A20, from the cruck truss, has 59 rings. This was dated as spanning the period AD 1219 to AD 1277. It is not possible to estimate its felling date range since the heartwood/sapwood boundary did not survive on this timber due to the heavy moulding. The date of the cruck truss cannot therefore be determined, but it would appear to belong to an early building phase on this site dating to sometime after AD 1277.