TREE-RING ANALYSIS OF TIMBERS FROM 8 VICARS' CLOSE, LICHFIELD, STAFFORDSHIRE
Author(s): Alison Arnold, R R Laxton, Cliff Litton
Inspection of timbers at this property indicated that they were unsuitable for tree-ring analysis. However to check this four of the best timbers were sampled. As expected three of these had very few rings, less than 50; however, the fourth had enough to make analysis worthwhile. This analysis resulted in sample LVC-B04 being matched at a first-ring date of AD 1381 and a last-ring date of AD 1435. The last measured ring on this sample is the heartwood/sapwood boundary ring, which allows an estimated felling date to be calculated, for the timber represented, to some time within the range AD 1450-75. Before tree-ring analysis this building had been dated on stylistic grounds to some time between c AD 1490-AD 1510. Obviously, the conclusions to be gained form the dating of one timber are negligible, but it can be said that timber felled in the third quarter of the fifteenth century was used in the construction of 8 Vicars' Close which possibly suggests a slightly earlier construction date than expected.
- Report Number:
- 16/2002
- Series:
- CfA Reports
- Pages:
- 14
- Keywords:
- Dendrochronology Standing Building
