Barn at King John's Palace (EHER 658)
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Summary
A late 15th to early 16th century (around 1490-1500) aisled barn to the south-west of Lordship Lane, Writtle. The six-bay structure is timber-framed and weatherboarded with a tiled roof and two gabled entrances on the north side and one on the south. The braced tie beams carry crown posts with two-way braces and a collar purlin. The building is supported laterally by arched shore timbers in the aisles.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | TL 6767 0667 (point) |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | WRITTLE, CHELMSFORD, ESSEX |
Type and Period
Description
Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import.
Barn at King John's Palace. <1>
Near site of 13th century royal hunting lodge and palace. The barn is one of the latest buildings, built in 1478 and still standing near the site. <2> <3>
A fine late 15th-early 16th century (around 1490- 1500) aisled barn of six bays. Timber-framed, weatherboarded. two gabled entrances on the north side, one on the south. Crown-post roof. <4>
King-post trusses. "Ash braces to the beam have unusual horizontal stays within them. Aisles rather narrow, with strip tension-braces". Part of original outer frame left. <5>
'A building that incorporates passing shore timbers, like those found at Upminster'.<6>
Aisled barn, survivor of the royal manor of Writtle, adjacent to the site of a hunting lodge established in 1211 by King John. 6 bays with tall, narrow aisles. Gabled ends with centre posts and a mid rail with a bracing either side of the arcade posts. Crown post roof construction. Ten timbers were sampled for tree ring analysis. Combining the interpretations of the dated timbers indicates the felling occurred between AD1441 and ca. AD1475.<7>
Listed Building Description:
A fine late 15th century to early 16th century (circa 1490-15OO) aisled barn. 6-bay. Timber-framed and weatherboarded with a tiled roof and two gabled entrances on the north side and one on the south. The braced tie beams carry crown posts with two way braces and a collar purlin. The structure is supported laterally by arched shore timbers in the aisles. <8>
Field Survey,
Barn as described by <4>, in agricultural use. <9>
Photographs <10> <11>
Sources
- <1> SEX4 DESC TEXT: Unknown. 1960 onwards. SMR form unknown.
- <2> SEX2526 DESC TEXT: Rahtz, P.A. in Wilson, D.M. and Hurst, J.G.. 1957. Medieval Britain in 1956. Vol 1, p160.
- <3> SEX52658 RECORD SHEET/FORM: Ordnance Survey. 1950-1990. OS cards. TQ59NE12, 1968.
- <4> SEX2528 DESC TEXT: Department of the Environment. 1975. List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest: Chelmsford. p242.
- <5> SEX227 Scheduling record: HBMC. 1983. DOE Scheduled Ancient Monuments. Part 3.
- <6> SEX348 Monograph: Hewett, C.A.. 1969. The Development of Carpentry, 1200-1700: An Essex Study. 1968 p123-7.
- <7> SEX61929 Dendrochronology Report: Tyers, I.. 1997. Tree-ring Analysis of Seven Buildings in Essex.
- <7> SEX71357 Webpage: Historic England. 2011. National Heritage List for England (NHLE).
- <9> SEX75700 PERSONAL OBSERVATION: Ordnance Survey. Field Investigator's Comments. F1 WDC 04.08.88.
- <10> SEX56253 Photograph: Essex County Council. 1970-1993. ECC Historic Buildings Photo Print Archive. 1 frame, 6/1986.
- <11> SEX57503 Aerial Photograph: Rogers, P.. 1990. 42.7-13.
Other References
- Old SMR Number: TL60-001
- NRHE identifier: 375545
- National Monuments Record: TL 60 NE 39