8-9, 9a, and the Law Library, The Close, Exeter, Devon: Tree-Ring Analysis of Timbers
Author(s): Alison Arnold, Robert Howard
Interpretation of the sapwood on the dated samples indicates that the timbers of both the roof and floor of 8-9 The Close (the front range) were cut as part of a single felling operation in the period AD 1402–27, with the timbers of roof 2 of 9a The Close (the north end of the rear east range) felled AD 1406–31. It is possible, therefore, that these two roofs, and roof 1 (at the south end of the rear east range, and structurally earlier than roof 2), are all co-eval. Two dated timbers from the roof of the Law Library (the rear west range) have an estimated felling date in the period AD 1417–42, suggesting that this part of the complex might be very slightly later. One timber from roof 1 of 9a The Close has an estimated felling date of AD 1468–93 and probably represents a repair phase. Thus, while there may have been breaks, it is possible that this whole complex was constructed as part of a single, extended, work programme dating to the early-fifteenth century. Five other, site chronologies and 19 individual samples remain ungrouped and undated.
- Report Number:
- 21/2011
- Series:
- Research Department Reports
- Pages:
- 69
- Keywords:
- Dendrochronology Standing Building
