TREE-RING ANALYSIS OF TIMBERS FROM THE BUILDINGS AND LIVINGTREES AT STONELEIGH ABBEY, STONELEIGH, WARWICKSHIRE
Author(s): Robert Howard, R R Laxton, Cliff Litton
One hundred and ten samples from nine buildings at Stoneleigh Abbey were analysed, producing nine site chronologies. A chronology from the gatehouse roof and gateway ceiling has 223 rings spanning AD 1124 - AD 1346. The felling date of the ceiling timbers is estimated as AD 1342 - 44, those of the gatehouse roof as AD 1348 - 9. From the gateway doors a chronology of 142 rings was created spanning AD 1405 - AD 1546. These samples give an estimated felling date in the range AD 1561 - 86.The gatehouse produced two further site chronologies. The first has 272 rings spanning AD 1387 - AD 1658. An internal first-floor partition wall was built using timbers felled in AD 1594, and first- and second-floor joists of the gatehouse use timbers felled in AD 1657/58; it is probable that the stairs also dates to this time. This site chronology includes a single sample from a bench spanning AD 1387 - AD 1453. The felling date of the timber cannot be determined, but is probably not before AD 1478. The second gatehouse chronology contains 108 rings spanning AD 1660 - AD 1767, this latter date being the felling date and representing later repairs. A chronology of 171 rings, spanning AD 1400 - AD 1570, was made from material of the east wing of the main house. Samples within this site chronology retain complete sapwood giving felling dates of AD 1568 -70. The roof of the stables, provided material for two site chronologies, The first, of 168 rings spanning AD 1646 - AD 1813, included two samples that retain complete sapwood. This indicates that the timbers used were felled late in AD 1813 or early in AD 1814. The second site chronology of 94 rings failed to date. The roof of the laundry, which is to the south-east of the main house, also produced two site chronologies. The first of 101 rings did not date. The second, of 72 rings spanning the years AD 1682- AD 1753, gives an estimated felling date in the range AD 1762 - 87.
- Report Number:
- 80/2000
- Series:
- AML Reports (New Series)
- Pages:
- 106
- Keywords:
- Dendrochronology Standing Building
