The Bishop’s Palace and Gatehouse, Palace Gate, Exeter, Devon: Tree-Ring Analysis of Timbers

Author(s): Robert Howard, Alison Arnold

Twenty-three samples were obtained from the timbers of the roof and cellar of the Gatehouse of the Bishop’s Palace, 13 of which were analysed by dendrochronology. This analysis resulted in the production of three site chronologies, all comprising only two samples. Two of these, one with 55 rings, and the other with 86 rings, were dated as spanning AD 1221–75 and AD 1188–1273 respectively. Interpretation of the sapwood suggests that the timbers, all collars, were felled together at some point during the period AD 1287 to AD 1312. The other site chronology from the Gatehouse, also has 55 rings but cannot be dated, though it is probable that the two timbers were felled at the same time as each other. Seven measured samples from the Gatehouse remain ungrouped and undated. All 21 samples from timbers of the roof of the east wing of the Bishop’s Palace were analysed, producing two site chronologies. The first site chronology, comprising 10 samples and being 126 rings long, spans AD 1527–1652. The second site chronology, comprising seven samples and being 113 rings long, spans AD 1540–1652. Interpretation of the sapwood on these 17 samples suggests that all the dated roof timbers were felled in, or about, AD 1652. The remaining four samples are ungrouped and undated.

Report Number:
49/2015
Series:
Research Report
Pages:
57
Keywords:
Dendrochronology Standing Building

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