Barn to west of Parsonage Farmhouse (EHER 36597)

A medieval double aisled barn of the 15th century. It was recorded in 2008.

2008. Building survey. The barn is exceptionally well preserved, and distinguished both by the extent of survival, particularly of timbers such as sill beams which we would normally expect to be completely replaced, and also by the sensitivity and quality of later repairs. The building displays characteristics of the 15th century: the crown post roof of fairly square section, edge-halved scarf joints where the arcade plates in particular needed efficient, strong extension, the short passing braces which triangulate the aisle ties and form a rudimentary buttress, and wattle marks, indicating its original exterior appearance. Other broadly characteristic elements include the jowled posts and the robust nature of the common studs. The frame is of consistent quality, but the oak is fast-grown and where visible, such as the aisle sill ends, clearly not in excess of 50 years in age. The structure originally rested on a dwarf wall of flint cobbles which survives in discrete areas, particularly supporting the aisle-sills. The framing suggests that the barn survives to its full, original extent, with the early porch, now much remodelled, also surviving in its original position. The wall panels were initially infilled with wattle and daub, which was probably removed when the barn was first weather-boarded in the 17th or 18th century. A notable absence is anything but the most ephemeral evidence for assembly or carpentry marking, despite an earnest effort to find it. However, the grain had opened on much of the timber, and the light marking seen in one or two areas, survives on exceptionally fresh and undegraded timber. Two discrete phases of alteration can be discerned which represent general overhaul and repair, although there is evidence for small-scale alterations throughout. The reorganisation of the external stud walling with primary-bracing and new studs suggests that some extra strength was deemed necessary, though this was probably not needed. At a contemporary date, perhaps the roof also gave cause for concern, and a series of purlin sections was introduced with great efficiency by utilising the existing timber, perhaps as a response to sagging rafters. The use of forelock bolts and the slenderness of the timber suggests a later 17th or early 18th century date for this, representing the period between the decline of purely timber solutions in repair and the introduction of the nut and bolt. It may be that the flint work of the dwarf wall was also replaced, though this may be a separate alteration. Intermediate changes also occur, such as the application of the curious short buttresses on the north external frame, simply bolted into position, and the replacement of the occasional sill beam. 20th century repairs are evident in the Fletton bricks present in the dwarf wall, and occasional softwood replacement of roof timbers. More serious concerns resulted in the insertion of the steel plates and tension rods in Bay 2, which remedied any problems but left a rather unsightly legacy in what is otherwise a majestic building. <1> 2008. Watching brief. Only a limited amount of information was gathered during the programme of archaeological monitoring and recording. The area outside the barn where a drainage trench was excavated showed a large amount of modern disturbance at surface level, and hence signs of any previous activity were probably heavily truncated during construction of these surfaces. Inside the barn construction of a modern concrete floor likely truncated any previous levels. In the northern part of the barn truncation appeared greater where modern brickwork was located within a deep trench. The only area where the floor surface is likely earlier is to the south of the granary where the floor level was originally much lower. Later works in this area did not involve the removal of this floor but rather comprised the creation of a new floor at a higher level over a layer of made ground. <1>