Copeland House (EHER 35231)

Late 14th century timber-framed house with very rare A-frame construction and later alterations.

NRHE data transfer: Copelands House [NAT]. <1> A 14th century house with later alterations. There is mid-late 19th century weatherboarding over a timber-frame and a gabled old tile roof. Inline open-hall house with cross passage and service end. It is of one storey and attic with a mid 20th century flat-roofed extension to the rear left. The interior is notable for its retention of a rare 14th century timber- frame, finished to a high standard of carpentry. The two-bay former open hall has moulded wall plates, arch-braced cambered moulded tie beam and 4-way bracing to octagonal-shafted crown post with moulded capital and base. It is virtually a unique A-framed wall with vertical studding between cross passage and service bay which retains joisting to the original floor and mortices to soffit of centrally-placed lateral beam indicating its original division between buttery and pantry. Only one other example of an 'A' frame construction has been recorded in Essex. Grade II*. <2> Building Revolving Funding proposal for 1997/98. <3> See: <4>