Church of St Andrew, Feniton Court, Feniton, Devon: Tree-Ring Analysis of Timbers
Author(s): Alison Arnold, Robert Howard, Matt Hurford
Dendrochronological analysis was undertaken on timbers of the south aisle and nave roofs at this church. Seven samples from the timbers of the south aisle roof grouped to form three site sequences, which were successfully matched against the reference material to span the periods AD 1386–1477, AD 1422–79, and AD 1377–1471. A single sample, FEN-C07, was dated individually to the period AD 1409–73. Interpretation of the heartwood/sapwood boundary on these dated samples suggests felling of the timbers represented in AD 1489–1514. Prior to tree-ring analysis, the south aisle had been attributed to Joan Malherbe and her second husband, some time between c AD 1520 and her death in AD 1554, although stylistically it was felt to be slightly earlier. The dendrochronology has now demonstrated that the roof over this part of the church contains timber of the late fifteenth or early sixteenth century. Two site sequences containing samples from the nave roof were also constructed, but could not be dated.
- Report Number:
- 2/2009
- Series:
- Research Department Reports
- Pages:
- 45
- Keywords:
- Dendrochronology Standing Building
