Stable Isotope Tree-Ring Dates: List 3

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ENGLAND

CORNWALL

1. FOWEY, Haveners (SX 1262 5166)

1. South roof (I), raised base crucks without crown postsFelling date range and date: 1293–1325, Spring 1314

2. North roof (II), raised base crucks with crown postsFelling dates: after 1281, Winter 1318/19

Isotope dating: (a) West cruck (ihvfy01) 1284(h/s)i: t = 6.68, N/Ni 52/52, 1/p > 63k; Collar (ihvfy07) 1314(11¼ C)i t = 6.14, N/Ni 68/69, 1/p > 30k (match versus ihvfy010810). (b) Collar to crown post (ihvfy08) 1318(26 C)i: t = 6.04, N/Ni 93/62, 1/p > 18k; Collar (ihvfy10) 1272(-)i t = 6.40 N/Ni 89/91, 1/p > 25k; Mean ihvfy010810 1288i: t = 9.70, Ni = 85, 1/p > 1Million [SWAN066].

Sampling in 2018 (ODL) for ring-width dendrochronology identified only inconclusive matches, with many of the series exhibiting abrupt changes in growth rate, probably affecting their potential for ring-width dating. Isotope dating was conducted on four samples, three of which independently dated against the central and west (unpublished) chronology. A shorter fourth sample, ihvfy07, with complete sapwood was cross-dated against the site chronology (ihvfy010810) to yield felling date (a). These results indicate that the two phases of construction are relatively close in date. See pp. 8–13 for details of the building.

2. MORWENSTOW, Rectory Farmhouse (SS 2056 1522)

1. Northern hallFelling date range and date: 1318–50, after 1240

2. Southern hallFelling date: Summer/Autumn 1346

Isotope dating: (a) Collar (mwst01i) 1309(h/s + 11NM)i: t = 5.34, N/Ni 143/58, 1/p = 1027, Queen strut (mwst03i) 1231i t = 5.75, N/Ni_, 53/52, 1/p = 3198; (b) Cruck (mwst07i) 1346(34½ C)i: t = 9.58, N/Ni 110/102, 1/p > 1Million [SWAN067].

Sampling at Rectory Farmhouse (ODL) for ring-width dendrochronology revealed very sensitive timbers (high year-to-year variation in growth) and provided a felling date range for only one of the two identified phases (N. Alcock, ed., “Radiocarbon Dates List 6,” Vernacular Architecture 51 (2020): 105). Isotope dating of two samples was used to resolve the relative ages of the two construction phases within the roof. The two phases are clearly very similar in date, though stylistic evidence suggests that the northern hall may be earlier than the central hall. Dated against the central and west and pre-1200 (unpublished) chronologies. See pp. 14–19 for details of the building.

3. NEWLYN EAST, Cargoll Barn (SW 8194 5639)Felling date range: 1374–86 (OxCal, unrefined 1375–1400)

Isotope dating: Cruck (cgbn03i) 1366(1)i: t = 5.3, N/Ni 72/71, 1/p = 1403; [SWAN065]. Ring-width samples: Cruck blades (2/4): 1364(h/s)di, 1360(h/s)di; Arch braces (2/3) 1355(h/s)di, 1354(3)di. Site Master 1266–1364.

Initial sampling of timbers from Cargoll Barn in 2018 (ODL) identified a set of four timbers (cgbn03, 04, 05, 06) which cross-matched internally but the composite series from these timbers failed to yield sufficiently strong dendrochronological dates against reference chronologies. The isotope result from cgbn03i enables the group of four cross-matching timbers to be securely dated. See pp. 5–8 for details of the building.

HAMPSHIRE

4. HEADBOURNE WORTHY, The Old Rectory (SU 4850 3226)

1. Hall rangeFelling date: Spring 1406

2. CrosswingFelling date range: 1411–44

Isotope dating: (a) Corner post (hwor04i) 1406(13¼ C): t = 5.4, N/Ni 59/59, 1/p = 1388; (b) Collar (hwor08i) 1406(3): t = 7.3, N/Ni 53/54, 1/p > 700k; [SWAN068].

This failed to date by ring-width dendrochronology in 2017 (ODL) but both parts have now been dated by isotope analysis. The Old Rectory was originally timber-framed, though later cased in brick. The three-bay main range contains the open hall, floored service bay and a third open bay (probably the kitchen). It has arch-braced tiebeams carrying crown-strut roof trusses with clasped purlins, not uncommon in Hampshire in the earlier fifteenth century. No structural evidence was seen for an in-line extension in the position of the two-bay parlour/chamber crosswing, which was probably added soon after the main range was built. It has a queen-strut roof, also with clasped purlins and arch-braced tiebeams; the front jetty is hidden by the brick casing. A large brick chimney with fireplaces on both floors was added in about 1500 (previously thought to date the wing), and in the seventeenth century a brick stack was inserted when the hall was floored. Information from Bill Fernie.

For an image of this building, see page 79 (Fig. 1)

Figure 1. Old Rectory, Headbourne Worthy, Hampshire (1406i (hall); 1411–44i (crosswing)); see p. 78 (photo: © Bill Fernie).

5. ROMSEY, Cupernham Lane, Cruck Cottage (SU 3609 2201)Felling date: 1375/6

Isotope dating: Cruck (cc13) 1375(C)i: t = 6.16, N/Ni 72/52, 1/p > 13k; Cruck (cc14) 1375(C)i: t = 4.78, N/Ni 81/72, 1/p = 242; Mean of (cc13) and (cc14) 1375i: t = 5.85, N/Ni 81/75, 1/p > 14k [SWAN069].

Black poplar was once common in the English landscape, but is only occasionally found in historic buildings. Examples of poplar cruck trusses have been recorded in Avon, Herefordshire and Worcestershire (Harris, 1974; Wright, 2020) as well as in this house in Hampshire. Two black poplar cores from the crucks (ODL) have been dated, both complete to the bark edge with 72 and 81 rings. The two sequences cross-match (t = 7.85) and confirm a 1375 end date for each core. This date is the same as a tentative match obtained by ring-width dating of the cruck blades against local oak chronologies and serves to further demonstrate how isotopic dating can independently support inter-species dating. The cottage has a two-bay hall (which had never been floored) and an in-line service bay with a lean-to end bay. Three cruck trusses survive, with one end truss lost. The crucks have type-C (saddle) apexes, with a half-hipped truss between the service bay and the lean-to. See R. Harris, “Poplar Crucks in Herefordshire and Worcestershire,” Vernacular Architecture 5 (1974): 25; N. Wright, 2020, “Going with the Grain — The Identification of Timber in English Vernacular Buildings,” MSc diss., Oxford Brookes University; E. Roberts, 2003, Hampshire Houses: 1250–1700: Their Dating and Development (Winchester: The Hampshire Buildings Preservation Trust), 141; additional information from Kevin Stubbs. Dating commissioned by Romsey & District Building Preservation Trust.

For images of this building, see this page (Figs 2–3)

Figure 2. Cruck Cottage, Cupernham Lane, Romsey, Hampshire, view during conservation in 1994–5 (1375/6i); see pp. 78–79 (photo: © Kevin Stubbs).

Figure 3. Cruck Cottage, Cupernham Lane, Romsey, Hampshire, interior (1375/6i); see pp. 78–79 (photo: © Kevin Stubbs).