Untitled - English Heritage

SUMMARY
Dendrochronological analysis was undertaken on 10 samples obtained from a series of
timbers found during the redevelopment of this site. Of these10 samples, three could be
combined to form a single dated site chronology. Interpretation of the sapwood on these
dated samples indicates that at least one timber, a main bridging beam of a floor frame,
was felled in AD 1574. Two other floor frame timbers, both joists, could also have been
felled at this time, but it is possible that they were felled at any time in the period AD
1571–96. Seven further samples remain ungrouped and undated.
CONTRIBUTORS
Alison Arnold and Robert Howard
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Nottingham Tree-ring Dating Laboratory would like to thank the building contractors
working on the Briggate construction site, and especially Asim Qureshi, for their unstinting
cooperation and help during sampling. We would also like to thank Elizabeth Chamberlin,
Senior Historic Buildings Officer of West Yorkshire Archaeology Advisory Service, for her
helpful explanation and discussion about the possible phasing of the timbers, for providing
drawings, and for arranging sampling. The Laboratory must also acknowledge the efforts
of Richard Jaques and Kathryn Gibson of English Heritage in requesting the provision of
dendrochronology on this site, and to Dr Peter Marshall (English Heritage Scientific Dating
Team) and Cathy Tyers (Sheffield University Dendrochronology Laboratory), for
commissioning this programme of analysis.
ARCHIVE LOCATION
West Yorkshire Historic Environment Record
Registry of Deeds
Newstead Road
Wakefield
West Yorkshire WF1 2DE
DATE OF INVESTIGATION
2011
CONTACT DETAILS
Nottingham Tree-ring Dating Laboratory
20 Hillcrest Grove
Sherwood
Nottingham NG5 1FT
Alison Arnold and Robert Howard
0115 960 3833
roberthoward@tree-ringdating.co.uk
alisonarnold@tree-ringdating.co.uk
© ENGLISH HERITAGE 21 - 2012