St Leonard's Church, Main Street, Apethorpe, Northamptonshire: Tree-Ring Analysis of Timbers
Author(s): Alison Arnold, Robert Howard
Four phases of felling have been detected amongst the samples from St Leonard’s Church. The earliest is that represented by samples from tiebeams of the north and south aisles, plus two king-posts in the chancel roof. These timbers have an estimated felling date in the range AD 1412–37. A second phase of felling is represented by samples from the chancel, notably the cranked tiebeam and four moulded common rafters. These timbers have a felling date in the range AD1611–36. This early seventeenth-century roof appears to have been replaced in the late seventeenth century by the present roof, comprising the two king-post trusses with straight tiebeams, these timbers having an estimated felling date in the range AD 1675– 1700. A fourth and final phase of felling is represented by a further, individually dated sample from the chancel. This timber has an estimated felling date range AD 1737–62. It is possible that it represents a phase of minor repair to the roof. Three site chronologies have been created from the material sampled here, APTCSQ01, SQ02, and SQ03 of six, seven, and six samples, with 193, 139, and 87 rings, these dated as spanning the years AD 1211–1403, AD 1458 –1596, and AD 1579–1665, respectively.
- Report Number:
- 85/2008
- Series:
- Research Department Reports
- Pages:
- 42
- Keywords:
- Dendrochronology Standing Building
