SNN111460 - Armada House, High Street, Weston, Near Towcester, Northamptonshire: Tree-ring analysis of timbers

Analysis by dendrochronology of 10 of the 18 samples obtained from Armada House (eight samples being unsuitable for tree-ring dating), has resulted in the production of three site chronologies. The first site chronology, WSTASQ01, comprising four samples from the ground-floor ceiling of the north range, is 90 rings long, these rings dated as spanning the years 1386– 1475. Interpretation of the sapwood on these samples would indicate that the timbers were probably all cut in a single episode of felling at some point between 1487 and 1512. The second site chronology, WSTASQ02, also comprises four samples, a pair from an axial ceiling beam and the fireplace bressumer in the kitchen in the south range, and a pair from two fallen, ex-situ, rafters, originally from the roof of the north range. Interpretation of the sapwood on these samples indicate that the kitchen timbers were probably both cut in a single episode of felling at some point between 1566 and 1591, while both the rafters were again probably cut together at some point between 1592 and 1617. The third site chronology, WSTASQ03, comprises two samples from the principal rafter truss at the southern end of the south range. Both timbers were probably cut at the same time as each other in 1640.