THE EARLIEST TREE-RING DATED BASE-CRUCK HOUSE: 21 HIGH STREET, ALCESTER, WARWICKSHIRE. (December 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Alcock, Nat; Miles, Dan
• Is Part Of: Vernacular architecture. Volume 44(2013)
• Page Start: 74
• Page End: 81
• Publication Date: 2013-12
• Subjects: Vernacular architecture -- Periodicals; Vernacular architecture -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 720
• DOI: 10.1179/0305547713Z.00000000017
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0305-5477

Abstract

Abstract : A commission from the owner to attempt to date a fragmentary truss has led to the recognition of the truss at 21 High Street, Alcester as the earliest domestic base cruck yet identified, with construction probably in the summer of 1264. It belonged in the fifteenth century to the Burdet family of local gentry, and the quality of the house suggests that it was of similar status when built. It is particularly notable as having a single tiebeam. A survey of the other base-cruck houses dated to before 1300 shows that their construction was eclectic, using both single and double tiebeams, and with a variety of carpentry details.