South barn to the east of Elmdonbury (EHER 35855)

16th to 17th century timber-framed aisled barn.

2006. Building survey A weatherboarded five bay aisled barn with a half hipped thatch roof and two midstreys. A small tiled gabled roof associated with a later granary projects from the western roof pitch in the northern bay and a small extension, built with a catslide continuation of the south roof has been added to the southernmost bay. The barn appears to be in good order but in common with its neighbour the thatch is stating to fail. Externally the deterioration of the thatch and loss of its upper dressing is evident through the prominence of the staves across large parts of the roof. Internally failure can more easily been seen along the ridgeline. The barn is set out over 5 relatively equal bays with aisles along the east and west long walls. Unlike the northern barn the majority of the timber frame appears to be single phase, although inevitably some additions and alterations have been made. Built in oak each cross frame comprises pairs of jowled arcade posts with gradual swelling heads and jowled aisle posts (left). The arcade posts support straight tie beams which through raking struts support side purlins. Later raking struts have been added to further support the rather light scantling principal rafters. The side purlin roof was built with an upper purlin above the arcade plate and with intermediate collars, some of which were rather flimsy additions. The introduction of a ridge pole to the roof apex of the roof was a relatively recent attempt at strengthening the roof while many of the common rafters appear to be replacements. The additions of extra raking struts, collars and replacement rafters all suggest the roof, which appears to be a rather lightweight construction, needed additional support to carry the weight of the thatch. The southern midstrey/wagon entrance was not original to the barn, but a later addition or enlargement of an existing entrance. Probably late 18 to 19th century the western entrance had since been rebuilt in machine cut timber. All the wagon entrances retained their leaps suggestive of threshing and in the northernmost bay a granary floor was inserted in the around later 19th century. Supported on large imported softwood beams the introduction of a granary floor entailed the reworking of the roof to incorporate the first floor and the addition of windows and a taking-in door in the north-western corner. Some areas of the wall frame (north bay west wall) were also replaced at this point. Face halved and bladed scarf joints (left) were used in both arcade plates (later 16th century onwards) which seen in association with the heavier primary bracing used in the wall frames of the aisles substantiate the suggestion of a 17th century date for construction. The lack of wattle marks confirm this barn was weatherboarded from the outset and not plastered like its counterpart, while inspection of the boarding revealed that areas of Elm boarding, and not the more common feather edge or softwood boards, still remained along the east elevation. <1>