Ulverscroft Priory, Ulverscroft, Charnwood Forest, Leicestershire: Tree Ring Analysis of Timbers
Author(s): Alison Arnold, Robert Howard, Cathy Tyers
Analysis by dendrochronology of 77 out of 91 samples (14 samples having too few rings for reliable analysis) taken from a wide range of locations at this site, has produced eight site chronologies accounting for 62 of the measured cores. Four of these, accounting for 52 samples, can be dated. Interpretation of the sapwood on the dated oak samples indicates that some, probably reused, timber with an estimated felling date in the early/mid-thirteenth century is to be found in the Prior’s Lodging, along with some timber estimated to be felled towards the mid/late-thirteenth century. Such timbers are distributed throughout this building. Another group of oak timbers, most notably those forming the ground-floor ceiling of the Prior’s Parlour of the Lodgings, are estimated to have been felled in the period AD 1475–1500. Other timbers of this date are found elsewhere in the building. A third phase of felling is detected amongst the ex-situ oak timbers of the Guest Hall, or west range, which were probably all felled in AD 1533. Finally, there is a group of pine timbers from the roof of the Prior’s Lodging. It is not possibly to be precise as to the felling date range of these, due to the variability in numbers of sapwood rings expected, but the roof is certainly constructed after AD 1763 and probably before the mid-nineteenth century.
- Report Number:
- 48/2008
- Series:
- Research Department Reports
- Pages:
- 68
- Keywords:
- Dendrochronology Standing Building
