Kaye, K. (2022). Watching Brief at Minsden Chapel, Whitwell Road, Langley, Hertfordshire. KDK Archaeology Ltd. https://doi.org/10.5284/1117877. Cite this using datacite

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Title:		 Watching Brief at Minsden Chapel, Whitwell Road, Langley, Hertfordshire
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Series:		 KDK Archaeology unpublished report series
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kdkarcha1-504534_209244.pdf (23 MB) : Download
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Biblio Note		 This report was uploaded to the OASIS system by the named Publisher. The report has not been reviewed by the relevant HER. The report has been transferred into the ADS Library for public access and to facilitate future research.
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DOI
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DOI
https://doi.org/10.5284/1117877
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Publication Type:		 Report (in Series)
Abstract
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Abstract:		 Aims As described in the Written Scheme of Investigation (Watson 2022), the aims of the project were: • To ensure the archaeological recording of previously unexposed historic building fabric • To ensure the archaeological recording of all aspects of the development programme likely to have an impact on the historic fabric of the building before and during the works • To provide a report that meets the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework Methods The work was carried out according to the Written Scheme of Investigation (Section 2), which required: • All alterations to the building that were to be impacted on the historic fabric or exposed previously hidden structural and/or architectural material were monitored and recorded by an experienced archaeologist In addition, it was agreed that KDK Archaeology was to: • clean back the interior and exterior of the north and south chancel wall to define the edges • excavate a small slot beneath the opening in the south nave wall to define the outer edge of the wall, making sure to maintain the present slope once done • excavate a narrow slot through the east chancel wall to examine wall survival • clean back east wall as required • excavate a small area within the chancel to determine whether any floor survives • clean back the area around the NE and SE buttresses to define the edges • excavate a narrow slot along the north nave wall to further investigate the moulded stones revealed by the building contractors Between July and October 2022 KDK Archaeology Ltd carried out Historic Building Watching Brief of Minsden Chapel, Langley, Hertfordshire in order to fulfil a condition of Scheduled Monument Consent for the consolidation of the ruins. The Watching Brief has followed on from Historic Building Recording (Kaye 2021), the summary for which is as follows: Minsden Chapel, which is both a Scheduled Monument (NHLE Ref: 1003543) and a Grade II Listed Building (NHLE Ref: 1347462), dates from the 14th century and, given the mention of a priest serving Minsden in the Domesday Book, may have replaced an earlier church. Regular Divine Service appears to have ceased by the mid-17th century, but the chapel still played a significant role in the community in the early 18th century, by providing a place of worship for a large congregation of non-Conformists. The last known service was a wedding between Enoch West and Mary Horn on July 11th 1738 when a piece of masonry fell onto the service book being held by the curate. The building was systematically looted with the font and bells amongst the first losses. Tracery, stained glass windows and building materials were sold at auction or on the market in Hitchin in the 19th century. The chancel arch collapsed in 2008, and general decay and vandalism have left the remaining walls extremely vulnerable. The Watching Brief allowed the thickness of the walls to be determined the brickwork in the bellcote to be dated to c.1600, and various episodes of modern repair to be identified. No evidence for an internal floor was found in the chancel, but the rendered stone revealed in the test pit excavated immediately south of the south chancel wall, could suggest that the original external ground level was c.0.40m lower at this point than it is now. The western side of the door opening in the north nave wall was exposed during the remedial works, the base of which was also brick-built. This is quite possibly an indication that the wall was breached in the post-medieval period to install a new door.
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Author:		 Karin Kaye
Publisher
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Publisher:		 KDK Archaeology Ltd
Year of Publication
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Year of Publication:		 2022
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Locations:
District: North Hertfordshire
Country: England
Parish: Langley
County: Hertfordshire
Grid Reference: 519818, 224579 (Easting, Northing)
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Subjects / Periods:
WATCHING BRIEF (Event)
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OASIS Id: kdkarcha1-504534
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Created Date:		 23 Feb 2024