Vernacular Architect 28

Considers how the study of standing buildings can contribute to the study of history.

Observes that -- like archaeology in the 1960s -- the study of vernacular architecture is an `innocent' pursuit of recording old artefacts. It is argued that the discipline needs to mature by addressing more explicitly the assumptions underlying the interpretation and synthesis of the evidence. Ten principle rules for studying vernacular architecture are suggested and an agenda for future work is proposed.

Outlines the tree-ring dating process, and highlights some of the problems associated with using the results, setting forth a number of suggestions as to how they may be overcome.

A variety of documentary evidence shows that the middle years of the eighteenth century to have been the period when brick became the predominant material for walling in most parts of the county.

Cites documentary evidence that domestic detached kitchens were much more common in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries than the number of surviving examples would suggest. Some kitchens from Sussex are described and discussed, and the possibility is considered that others may have been mistakenly identified as small houses.

A moulded arcade post is thought to have originated from a very large high-status building.

Discusses the base-cruck roof that is tree-ring dated to 1287.

Describes the range of seven stone and timber-jettied houses. Tree-ring dates have been obtained for the mid-fifteenth century, but an earlier structure is evident in one basement, where dates between 1273 and 1318 were obtained.

Provides a fuller description of the aisled truss farmhouse that originally belonged to the Bishops of Winchester, (see also 92/718).

Gives details of dates determined by: the Nottingham University Tree-ring Dating laboratory (including work commissioned by English Heritage and results from Derbyshire, and Solway Plain); Sheffield University; Martin Bridge; D H Miles & M J Worthington (including the Shropshire Dendrochronology Project -- Phase Five, the Somerset Dendrochronology Project -- Phase One, and the Hampshire Dendrochronology Project -- Phase Five).