Church of St Ildierna, Lansallos, Cornwall. Tree-Ring Analysis of Timbers from the Roofs and Pews
Author(s): Alison Arnold, Robert Howard
Prior to tree-ring analysis being undertaken, this church was believed to originally be a fourteenth-century construction, substantially rebuilt in the fifteenth century. The carved pews were dated stylistically to AD 1490–1520. Analysis has resulted in the dating of 31 roof timbers and 11 of the pews. Amongst the roof timbers, the earliest felling phase is found within the south aisle roof, with three archbraces dating to AD 1483–1508. Two separate felling phases were identified within the north aisle roof, with four archbraces dating to AD 1507–32, and one archbrace and three rafters to AD 1524–49. An archbrace from the nave roof dated to AD 1514, with a further six timbers having a felling date range (AD 1509–34) consistent with this felling. A single timber from this roof was dated slightly later, to AD 1521–46. A single timber from the chancel roof dated to AD 1519–44. Three samples from the porch roof dated to AD 1510–35. These results indicate a series of periods of felling and hence building activity in the late fifteenth/early-mid sixteenth century. The pews timbers were dated to a series of overlapping felling date ranges in the first half of the sixteenth century.
- Report Number:
- 49/2006
- Series:
- Research Department Reports
- Pages:
- 66
- Keywords:
- Dendrochronology Standing Building
