BUILDING RECORDING IN 2008

Transcription

1 BUILDING RECORDING IN 2008 BUILDING RECORDING IN 2008 SOMERSET VERNACULAR BUILDING RESEARCH GROUP INTRODUCTION The Group s tenth village study Traditional Buildings in the Parish of Combe St Nicholas was published in The parish is situated in the south of the county, close to the Devon border and lies in a particularly interesting area. To the west in Devon the landscape is characterised by dispersed individual farmsteads and hamlets, while to the east in central and south-east Somerset nucleated villages developed. Combe St Nicholas shows a combination of both these settlement patterns. Recording work had already begun in the parish of Stogursey, but has increased this year with more volunteer surveyors. As will be seen from the summaries below, some unusual plan forms have been revealed, which are rare if not unique in Somerset. Also the careful study of documentary records has helped to inform the interpretation of the building surveys. This has included the transcription and analysis of probate records, together with an ongoing study of the documentation and the fabric of the church. In addition to the systematic village recording, a number of individual buildings in other parts of the county have been surveyed. As always, the Group is indebted to the owners and occupiers of the various properties for their generosity in allowing access. Copies of the full SVBRG reports and survey drawings have been deposited in the County Record Office and the National Monuments Record at Swindon. John Rickard took the photographs reproduced below, with the exception of those of Bow Mill, Merriott, which were taken by Martin Watts. SURVEYS Ashbrittle, Court Place ST This house was recorded by SVBRG in 1999, but various features have since been uncovered necessitating a revision of the original report. Until 1999, it was part of a substantial farmstead, details of which appeared in the original report. The house is of two storeys with three rooms in line and a crosspassage. Additional rooms under three later gables project to the rear (north) and a late kitchen/bakehouse, with curing chamber, projects at the northwest corner. The proportions and structural details suggest that the house was of gentry status. The roof structure comprises six side-pegged jointed-cruck trusses with cambered collars, a diagonally set ridgepiece, three tiers of purlins and two tiers of curved wind-braces. All the timbers are smoke-blackened throughout. A comparison of this roof with other similar dendro-dated examples, suggests a date in the 15th or 16th century. Despite the recent discoveries, the exact interpretation remains uncertain. However, in the 16th century it is thought that the use of the rooms was reversed the service room being moved to the west end and the parlour to the east. Ceiling beams and a first floor were inserted together with fireplaces and stacks. The siting of a fireplace at the upper end of the hall is unusual in Somerset plan forms. The house presents a number of features, in particular the paired roundheaded doorways, which are exceptional and appear to be without parallel in Somerset. The three gables and a turret stairs were added in the 18th century

2 SOMERSET ARCHAEOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY, 2008 and further changes took place in the 19th century, when the house became the centre of a large farmstead. Crewkerne, South Street, No. 20 ST The house appears to date from the early 17th century and then comprised a service room/kitchen, crosspassage, hall and an inner room, perhaps a parlour or bedroom. For some reason perhaps as the result of a fire the presumed large fireplace, which would have been in the gable end of the kitchen, was demolished together with the end of the front wall. It was rebuilt with a different window arrangement and to compensate for the loss of the kitchen a twostorey rear (south) wing was added, probably incorporating a dairy and cheese room. These changes probably took place in the late 17th century. The roof was raised in the 19th century and a further addition was built at the back. Fig. 1 High Ham, Henley Farm East Lambrook, Silver Street, Pittard s Farmhouse ST The house has an L-shaped plan and originally comprised kitchen, hall and a central unheated service room. The features suggest an early 17thcentury date. The east wing appears to have been added in the late 17th century, perhaps as a dairy/ cheese-room with cheese loft over. Upgrading in the late 18th century involved the building of a threestorey bay at the east gable, necessitating the resiting of the fireplace and stack. The end room then became the parlour and a staircase was built in the former service room. At the same time the roof over the main range was rebuilt using king-post trusses. The decline in cheese making in the 20th century allowed the rear room to be used for general domestic purposes. High Ham, Henley, Henley Farm ST The house (Fig. 1), which was formerly part of a farmstead, comprises three rooms in line with a cross-passage. On the evidence of the details of the roof construction and the smoke-blackened timbers it is probable that this was a single-storey, latemedieval open-hall house. The roof has five equally spaced jointed-cruck trusses, one with carpenter s marks. A 15th-century date is suggested based on comparisons with similar trusses which have been dendro-dated elsewhere in the county. The walls may originally have been entirely of cob and the thatched Fig. 2 High Ham, Henley Farm, detail of beam stop roof is likely to have been hipped at both ends. The details of the beams and the stops on the chamfers indicate that a first floor was inserted about Heart-shaped stops (Fig. 2) were used on the beams in the main rooms and simpler step and run-out stops in the dairy, cross-passage and the kitchen. The fireplaces and stacks were also inserted at this time, as were dormer windows at the level of the eaves. The house then comprised a hall, heated inner room, dairy, cross-passage and kitchen. Post and panel partitions were erected on the first floor to create smaller rooms. Perhaps in the 18th century the east end of the roof was raised and dormer windows inserted. The cob walls may have been replaced or refaced using local Lias. Possibly at the same time, the house was divided into two dwellings. In the early 19th century the ancillary buildings cider house (formerly with an apple-loft above, now gone), threshing barn (complete with surviving wooden plank threshing floor) and wagon house were built together with lean-to additions at the front. Stables 234

3 BUILDING RECORDING IN 2008 and cow-sheds were built on the opposite side on the road. The house reverted to one dwelling in the 20th century. Merriott, Bow Mill ST The mill and attached mill house (Fig. 3) stand in an isolated position near the eastern boundary of the parish. The mill-leat is fed by a stream rising to the south-west of Merriott village and after passing through the mill flows into the River Parrett. The history of the mill is described in VCH, volume IV (1978). The house is of two storeys, L-shaped in plan and the front range is of two units, hall and kitchen, with a central cross-passage. Based upon the plan-form and details of the beams and doorway, it appears to date from the mid 16th century. The east wing may also date from this period, but was upgraded or extended in the 17th century. A new staircase hall was created and the present stairs built in the late 18th century. At the rear, a bake-house and malt-house, including a large drying kiln, was in existence by c A fire in 1862 appears not to have affected the main house but was confined to the bake-house, flour loft and kiln, as the upper part of that building was removed altogether. The mill machinery is the subject of a separate detailed report by Martin Watts. In summary, his conclusions are that the machinery of Bow Mill represents an important survival as it is largely intact. There is documentation for the supply and installation of the waterwheel (Fig. 4) by Coombs of Beaminster, Dorset, in and it is of interest that the water feed arrangement was upgraded, perhaps in the 1880s. In addition, some parts of the machinery are older, probably late 18th or early 19th century. The arrangement is fairly conventional with three pairs of millstones (Fig. 5). The survival of two ancillary machines for producing animal feed, the completeness of the millstone furniture and the survival of some artefacts associated with stone milling are also considered important. Fig. 3 Merriott, Bow Mill (left) and Mill House Fig. 4 Merriott, Bow Mill, wheel chamber and waterwheel Montacute, The Borough, No. 17, The Milk House ST The house stands at the junction of The Borough and South Street with the principal entry in The Borough. Prior to the 20th century it was a farmhouse probably Borough Farm. The two-storey front range comprises a central entry with one room either side, but it is thought that formerly the east end of Fig. 5 Merriott, Bow Mill, stone floor with tuns (cases) and three pairs of millstones. 235

4 SOMERSET ARCHAEOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY, 2008 the adjoining Caundle Cottage had been part of this property. The south wing has two rooms. The surviving details of the main range suggest that it may date from the early 16th century. As there is no smoke-blackening, it is likely to have had a fireplace with lateral stack from the start. The walls and roof were raised in the late 16th century, when the plan comprised a kitchen, cross-passage, hall and inner room (now part of Caundle Cottage). Substantial rebuilding took place in the mid 17th century, and in the early 18th century the south wing was added. This may have included a dairy with cheese-room and cheese-loft over and a cow byre, with the adjacent collecting yard, probably with cow sheds. The inscription Milk House over a window on the east front was necessary during the period of the window tax ( ) to exempt payment on that window. Old Cleeve, Lower Washford, Huish Cottage, Osborne Cottage and Lilac Cottage ST Originally one house, it is now divided into three properties. The smoke-blackened roof structure together with the jointed-cruck trusses indicate that the house was built early in the 15th century. It then comprised a four-bay open hall, a two-bay high end, possibly with a solar chamber over, and probably a four-bay low service end. The far end room may have been a byre or barn. Early in the 17th century the upper floors and staircase were inserted. At that time the plan probably comprised a hall, unheated inner room, cross-passage and kitchen. The south end room remained non-domestic. The north end may have become separate two-room houses or even used for some other (industrial?) purpose. Fig. 6 Somerton, Roche Bridge Cottage Somerton, Sutton Road, Springfield Farm ST The house (Fig. 7) is of two storeys with three rooms in line and a cross-passage. A date in the late 16th century is suggested by the thickness of the walls and details of a fireplace and the poor quality roof over the hall. The roof, with tie and collar trusses, over the rest indicates that the house was upgraded later, perhaps in the early 17th century. Adjacent to the kitchen fireplace are the remnants of a substantial curing chamber and what may have been a small corn-drying kiln, perhaps converted to an oven. It is likely that the walls and roof were raised in the late 19th century and part of the front wall refaced. It is probable that the south-east wing formerly farm buildings, a barn and cider house was added at about this time. This wing has since been incorporated into the house. Somerton, Roche Bridge Cottage ST The house (Fig. 6) has an essentially rectangular plan comprised of three units with the southern part set at a slight angle. The misaligned unit is known to have been a stable in the 20th century, although now adapted as living accommodation. The earliest part of the house appears to date from c. 1600, based upon the single surviving collar truss, and at that time probably comprised one room with gable entry. There is an outshut to the rear and a curing chamber is located next to the inglenook fireplace. A second room was probably added in the mid 17th century. It appears that for a period the house was divided into two dwellings. Fig. 7 Somerton, Springfield Farm 236

5 BUILDING RECORDING IN 2008 Stogursey, Burton, Burton Farm & No. 2 ST These two premises adjoin The Croft and formerly were part of a farmstead. The two-storey main block probably dates from the late 18th century and has a range of rooms in line, with a stair turret and outshuts at the rear. Originally it comprised a parlour, living room, kitchen, scullery/dairy and service room. The accommodation abutting the road reverted to single storey when used as a Post Office in the 20th century. Stogursey, Burton, Chilcot Acre ST The main two-storey block comprises three rooms in line, with a south wing and additions on the north side. It appears to date from the early 17th century and then comprised a hall and unheated inner room. Access to the first floor was by a winding stair next to the fireplace with an oven under. A third room was added early in the 18th century, possibly as a separate dwelling. In 1885 the house was upgraded by raising the roof and ceilings and installing larger windows. Stogursey, Burton, Culver Street Farm ST The house was built c and then comprised three units hall, central service room and kitchen. The front entrance was into a lobby and there was access to the service room from the rear. The kitchen fireplace was probably flanked by a curing chamber and oven, possible with stone stairs over. A twostorey, single-room addition was built in the mid 17th century, but its original use is not clear. The main front range of the house was substantially altered early in the 19th century, when the present internal layout was established, and the roof rebuilt, perhaps as the result of a fire. A two-storey north wing was added in the mid 19th century. The house is the centre of an extensive farmstead, which includes stables, granary, lean-to cart-shed, stock shed, bull-box, linhay, barn and dairy. Stogursey, Burton, Knighton Farm ST The house is of two storeys, three rooms and a crosspassage in line and a two-storey rear wing. An original building date in the early 14th century is suggested by the form of the apex of the roof trusses (based on their similarity with dendro-dated examples found at Selworthy), when the house had a three-bay open hall. On the evidence of the later roof, the walls and roof were raised and upper floors inserted in the early 17th century. The plan then comprised an inner room, hall, cross-passage and kitchen, which contained an oven and possibly a curing chamber. The south front and parts of the east end were rebuilt in the late 18th century and probably at the same time the rear wing was added perhaps as a dairy/cheese-room and cheese-loft. A lean-to addition in the 19th century includes the present stairs. An adjacent two-storey, two-room building was built in the 17th century, probably for domestic use, but has served a number of uses including as a grain store. The associated farmstead includes a stable block, granary, cowshed, linhay and small stable. Extensive documentation survives in the Somerset Record Office. Stogursey, Church Street, No. 1, Harford House ST The house is L-shaped in plan and of varying phases. It appears that the corner room is the remnant of a mid 17th-century house of perhaps yeoman or lessergentry status. The north wing may be of 18th-century date but there is no firm evidence. The roof structure of the east wing suggests that it may have been added at the beginning of the 19th century, and from documentary evidence it appears to have been a doctor s surgery. The ancillary buildings in the yard may also be of that date. Stogursey, High Street, No. 8 ST This house together with its neighbours in Lime Street was largely destroyed by fire in 1998 (see also below). It comprises a single ground-floor room with an outshut under a cat-slide roof. Probably it dates from early in the 17th century and the front wall and roof were raised in the 19th century. Stogursey, High Street, No. 16, Post Office ST The two-storey, double-pile plan was probably a pair of cottages dating from the early 19th century, with two rooms on the ground floor and adjacent through passages (Fig. 8). The cart-way gave access to a courtyard with service buildings. The cottages were combined in the mid 19th century, when rear additions were built and the eastern through passage was built over. In the 20th century the Post Office accommodation has taken up the ground floor of the west cottage and the front room of the eastern one. 237

6 SOMERSET ARCHAEOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY, 2008 Stogursey, High Street, No. 58 ST The house has a rectangular plan and central entry with the principal rooms facing the street. The rear extends under a cat-slide roof and there is a range of outbuildings along the western boundary. The roof structure, proportions and details indicate a date at the end of the 18th century or beginning of the 19th century. In the 20th century the cat-slide roof was modified to allow the insertion of a first floor over the rear rooms. Fig. 8 Stogursey, High Street, No. 16 Stogursey, High Street, No. 18 ST The house has a rhomboidal plan having been built between two other buildings. Originally it was a tworoom plan with a single-storey rear outshut dating from the 17th century. At two periods in the 19th century, the front was raised and a new roof constructed, followed by the addition of an upper floor to the rear outshut. Stogursey, High Street, No. 23, Stone Cottage It appears that the original house had a two-room, gable entry plan (including part of what is now the adjoining property) (Fig. 9). The evidence of surviving details indicates a date in the 16th century and it appears to have been of some quality. In the mid 18th century it was extended to the east with a cross-passage and service room, and later additions to the rear. Stogursey, High Street, No. 72, Christmas Cottage ST The house has a double-fronted double-pile plan with additions at the rear. The sparse details suggest that it dates from the beginning of the 19th century, but the plan at that time is not clear. The 1841 Tithe Map shows the site occupied by one building, but the 1887 OS map shows the house divided centrally. Stogursey, Lime Street, No. 2 ST This two-storey house has a single ground-floor room with an outshut under a cat-slide roof. No internal features survive as, together with its neighbours, it was badly damaged by fire in 1998 and has been restored. However, it is likely to be of a similar age to other houses in the block, which date from early in the 17th century. The front wall and roof may have been raised in the 19th century. Stogursey, Lime Street, No.4 ST The house comprises a single ground-floor room with an outshut under a cat-slide roof, dating from the early 17th century. Like its neighbour (above) it was severely damaged by fire in Stogursey, Lime Street, No. 24, Darley House ST Fig. 9 Stogursey, High Street, No. 23 The surviving structural evidence is sparse, but it is conjectured that originally the property was probably of two storeys with a two-room plan, comprising a living room and scullery/service room, dating from the late 18th century. The presence of some thicker walls may indicate that there was an earlier building on the site. The bay window on the west front is thought to be associated with the use of the house as a barber s shop in the 20th century. 238

7 BUILDING RECORDING IN Fig. 10 Stogursey, St Andrew s Road, Cross Cottages, Nos 1 & 2 Stogursey, St Andrew s Road, No. 2, Cross Cottages Nos 1 & 2 ST The houses (Fig. 10) are conjoined and attached to No. 1 St Andrew s Road, and comprise four rooms in line. The jointed-cruck truss together with the halfpyramid stops on the beams indicate that Cottage No. 1 probably dates from the late 15th or early 16th century. It then comprised a hall and unheated inner room, with a turret stair. In addition, the numbering of the carpenters marks shows that there would have been three further bays to the south, presumably including a cross-passage and service room. Details of the hall fireplace suggest a 17th-century date, which probably indicates that it replaced a timber fire-hood. By the time of the 1841 Tithe Map, the property had been divided into two, and the 1886 OS map shows it further divided into four singleroom units, each with a rear outshut. It reverted to two dwellings in the 20th century truss and the ceiling beams of the hall, the house appears to date from c (by comparison with similar dendro-dated examples). Then it comprised an unheated inner room, hall and kitchen, and there is no indication of a partition between passage and kitchen. There was a heated chamber over the inner room and a chamber over the hall, but the kitchen appears to have been open to the roof. This arrangement is unusual in Somerset, but has been found elsewhere in Stogursey parish. In the mid 16th century, a two-storey unit was added to the west gable, possibly as a separate dwelling. The north wing was added c and includes an elaborate plaster overmantel in the first-floor chamber. At this time, an upper floor was inserted over the kitchen and the front elevation was refenestrated. The house had been divided into two dwellings by the time of the 1841 Census. Stogursey, Shurton, Fisher s ST Based on the details of the beams and roof structure, a late 16th century date is suggested. Then it comprised a hall with the stack backing onto a crosspassage, and a service room, the latter probably with a timber fire-hood and curing chamber. This plan form is relatively rare in Somerset (although Myrtle Farm, Shurton, is another example see SANH 151 (2008), 196). However, the presence of a closed truss over the kitchen is an anomaly and it is possible that there may have been an earlier plan form. Two small spice cupboards (Fig. 11) next to the hall fireplace are an interesting survival. In the 17th century, a stone stack was inserted within the fire-hood, and in the 18th century the west end was extended. The barn (now a dwelling, Brookside) and the lean-to Stogursey, St Andrew s Road, No. 17, Darch House ST The front two-unit range was built in the early 17th century and then comprised hall and unheated service room. A two-storey rear addition and wing were added c (the two-storey part indicated as nondomestic on the 1841 Tithe Map). By 1861 the front service room had been converted into a shop. Stogursey, Shurton, Ash Cottage and Little Ash ST The main range has four rooms in line with a north wing. Based on the details of the closed jointed-cruck Fig. 11 Stogursey, Shurton, Fisher s, spice cupboards 239

8 SOMERSET ARCHAEOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY, 2008 with entry in the then north gable end. A single unit was added c as a hall/kitchen and the original rooms were combined and upgraded to become a parlour. A fourth room was added in the 19th century as a working kitchen. Later the house was divided into two. The far end addition was originally open, but incorporated into the house in An associated cider house was sited across the yard. The attached mill is situated on the Stogursey Brook to the east of Shurton. No remnants of the mill machinery survive and the whole has been converted to domestic use. The history of the ownership is recorded in VCH, volume VI (1992). Fig. 12 Stogursey, Shurton, Fisher s additions were added at this time. The walls, roof and windows were raised in the mid 20th century (Fig. 12). Stogursey, Shurton, Grove House ST The house (Fig. 13) is essentially a two-room plan with entrance and stairs between, built in the late 18th century possibly in 1782, when the owner George Grove paid Land Tax. Two rooms were added in a single storey at the rear, possibly at differing times, but shortly after the original build. A further lean-to was added later to the east. Fig. 14 Stogursey, Shurton, Old Mill House Stogursey, Shurton, Shurton Cottage ST Fig. 13 Stogursey, Shurton, Grove House The house is of two storeys and one room with additions. On the evidence of the original roof construction it was open from the ground floor to the roof, allowing the smoke to percolate through the thatch. Based on tree-ring dating of similar roofs in Somerset, it appears to date from the 15th century. An upper floor was inserted in the second half of the 16th century and the ground floor then comprised two rooms, one unheated, with the entrance in the east gable. In c the adjacent Shurton House (see below) was built and this house was retained as its kitchen. The property was divided in the mid 20th century. Stogursey, Shurton, Old Mill House ST Stogursey, Shurton, Shurton Court, No. 2 ST The main range comprises four rooms in line with an addition at the end (Fig. 14). The original house, probably dating from the mid 16th century, comprised a hall with a small unheated inner room, This building is attached to the much larger 18thcentury Shurton (Court) House and has been much altered. Although the evidence is not conclusive, a 15th-century date is suggested (which is supported 240

9 BUILDING RECORDING IN 2008 by the documentary evidence, VCH, volume VI (1992)). The thickness of the walls and the details of the remnants of the arch-braced trusses, together with the degree of smoke-blackening, suggests that part had been the north end of an open hall house. Also there are indications that there had been a solar chamber above this part and that the remainder of the earlier house was to the south (now the site of Shurton House). An interesting feature of the fireplace is a semi-circular cut-away portion of the bressummer, which might suggest that a spit dogwheel or a spit-jack had been located here. In the early/mid 17th century, a two-storey west wing was added. A new south front of five bays replaced the original south end to form a large, double-pile house in the late 18th century. Stogursey, Shurton, Shurton House ST The two-storey house comprising two rooms, crosspassage and outshuts was built c adjoining Shurton Cottage (see above), which was converted into its kitchen. On the Tithe Map of 1841 it is shown as one property, called Shurton Court Farm, with a holding of just over 91 acres. Additions were made in the mid 20th century and the property was probably divided at that time. Stogursey, Shurton, The Shurton Inn ST20443 The front range appears to have been built c and then comprised the hall, unheated inner room, cross-passage and kitchen with curing chamber. The Tithe Map of 1841 shows that a wing at the rear had been added, perhaps as a service room. In 1862 it became an inn (VCH, volume VI (1992)) (Fig. 15) and at about that time the roof was raised and further lean-to additions built. Stogursey, Shurton, Shurton Lodge and The Cottage ST The front range probably dates from the late 17th or early 18th century and then comprised living room, service room and kitchen, all with chambers above. Two of the bedrooms contain contemporary painted over-mantels depicting Arcadian scenes. The east wing may have been a detached service room and the barn may have been built at this time. Lean-to additions were built at the back c The house was upgraded in the mid 19th century, including the insertion of bay windows, the creation of a parlour and a new stair turret. The adjoining cottage may Fig. 15 Stogursey, Shurton, Shurton Inn have been built c as a two-unit dwelling, perhaps to accommodate a farm worker. Later it is said to have been used as a cider cellar. Stogursey, Stolford, Chalcott Farm ST The house has two distinct parts. The main range, aligned north south is of two storeys and has been much altered internally and now comprises three units plus a single-storey wing. The other part is a two-storey south wing. Surviving evidence suggests a late 16th-century date, when the house comprised a kitchen, central unheated service room and hall. The kitchen may originally have been open to the roof with the fire being contained within a smokebay. In the early 17th century, a fireplace and stack replaced the smoke-bay, including a malting kiln and curing chamber, and an upper floor was inserted over the kitchen. A room at the rear with a loft may have been added at this time. A probate inventory of 1731/ 2 reveals that the occupier, William Burnoll, was a comparatively prosperous yeoman farmer. The twounit south wing, comprising a kitchen and parlour with chambers over, was added at the beginning of the 19th century. The house was the centre of a large farmstead, which includes a threshing barn, lean-to pigsty and log store, carthorse stable, granary, horseengine shed, trap-house and stable, a range of linhays and a garden building. Stogursey, Stolford, D Arches ST On the evidence of the jointed-cruck trusses and the half-pyramidal beam stops, a mid 16th-century date is suggested, when the house comprised a hall, an unheated inner room and kitchen. The kitchen may not then have had an upper floor (see Ash Cottage, 241

10 SOMERSET ARCHAEOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY, 2008 above) and there may have been a smoke-hood or smoke bay rather than a stone stack. In the late 16th century an upper floor was inserted over the kitchen and the cross-passage defined by a partition. A small room adjacent to the kitchen appears to have been added also in the late 16th century. A room of approximately this size and location in relation to the kitchen is unusual, but has been found at Zine Farm, Stolford (SANH 151 (2008), 197). It had been thought that these rooms may have been used as dairies or butteries, but whereas that interpretation may be relevant for later periods it has been noted that a 17th-century probate inventory for D Arches provides another possibility. Thomas Bartlett was the occupier in 1645 and there is a reference to quantities of wool and woollen cloth, so it is possible that this room was used for spinning and weaving, with a loft over for storage of cloth. Stogursey, Stolford, The Fisheries ST The house is part of what had been a small hamlet of farmhouses and fishermen s cottages close to the shore of the Bristol Channel. It comprises two rooms, originally a kitchen/living room and service room, with an outshut on the north side. The sparse structural evidence suggests a 17th-century date. The outshut was added in the mid 19th century, probably to process fish. The ancillary buildings, such as the shrimp house and stable, may also be of that date. Stogursey, Stolford, Little Dowdens Farmhouse ST The house comprises two rooms hall and kitchen with a central cross-passage and probably dates from the late 16th century. Originally there may have been a buttery, now gone. An addition at the rear may have been made later in the 17th century, possibly as a dairy or workroom. Stogursey, Stolford, Sea Findings ST The house originally comprised two units with chambers over and dates from c The datestone, 1708, on the south front indicates that there were changes at that time, which may have involved substantial rebuilding, including the addition of an extra room at the west end. A single-storey unit was added early in the 19th century as a workshop. Substantial renovation and modernisation took place in the mid 20th century. Stogursey, Stolford, Stolford Farmhouse ST Based on the remains of two jointed-cruck trusses and other details, such as the half-pyramid stop on the hall fireplace, a late 15th-century date is suggested. The house than comprised the hall, unheated inner room, cross-passage and kitchen, all with first-floor inter-communicating chambers. There appears to have been a small room with loft over, adjacent to the kitchen a similar feature has been found at Zine Farm and D Arches (Farm) nearby and which may be associated with spinning/ weaving (see above under D Arches). The hall fireplace shows some evidence of once having had a spit-jack. The kitchen fireplace has a deep inglenook with remains of a baking oven, summer oven, brick-built copper boiler and a curing chamber. Early in the 17th century the house was upgraded, when the walls and roof were raised, new stairs installed and a wood-lined spice cupboard fitted adjacent to the hall fireplace. Stogursey, Stolford, Sunshine Cottage (formerly Burnt House) ST This is a two-unit house with central entry and appears to date from the late 18th century. Originally it comprised a living room and service room. An addition to the service room was probably single storey, raised to match the main house in the 20th century. Thurloxton, Knotcroft Lane, Nos 51 & 52 ST Originally these properties were one house, comprising three units with a cross-passage and east wing. It appears to date from c. 1600, based on the evidence of the roof and details of the beams, and then comprised a kitchen, with curing chamber, cross-passage, hall and unheated inner room. The wing was perhaps a dairy and cheese-loft. At the end of the 17th century or early 18th century the house was upgraded and then divided into two in the mid 19th century. West Monkton, Blundell s Farm ST On the evidence of the wall thickness and the smokeblackened roof timbers, it is considered that the house (Fig. 16) was originally of late medieval build, 242

11 BUILDING RECORDING IN 2008 Fig. 16 West Monkton, Blundell s Farm probably in the mid 15th century (based on similar dendro-dated examples). It had then a single-storey open hall with a jointed-cruck roof, but the full extent of the building cannot be determined from the surviving evidence. However, it is likely to have comprised a service room, two-bay hall, and perhaps another room at the east end. In the mid 16th century, fireplaces, stacks and a first floor were inserted. Then the house comprised a kitchen, cross-passage, hall and an unheated inner room. In the third quarter of the 19th century a south wing was added, perhaps as a parlour. This was demolished c and the house was extended to the east. The adjoining barn is built entirely of cob, so it is likely that the house also contains some cob. West Pennard, Woodlands Road, Penwood Farm ST The two-storey house with attics is detached and formerly was part of a farmstead (Fig. 17). It has a three-unit with cross-passage plan and a two-storey wing and lean-to additions. The proportions and details suggest that the occupier was of yeoman status. On the evidence of details and the roof structure, a late 16th-century date is suggested. The house then comprised a kitchen with ovens and curing chamber, cross-passage, hall and inner room. An attic over the kitchen and cross-passage afforded servants accommodation as well as possibly being used as a cheese-loft for part of the year (this arrangement is similar to that at nearby West Town Farm, Baltonsborough). On the front elevation there is a date-stone for 1723 indicating when the house was substantially upgraded: the walls and roof were Fig. 17 West Pennard, Penwood Farm raised, the east front refenestrated and a two-storey parlour wing added. In the 18th century there were further additions, including a dairy. By the time of the Tithe Apportionment (1841) the holding was a dairy farm with c. 40 of a total of 42 acres being pasture, the remainder being cider orchards. Winsham, East Whatley Farmhouse ST The plan comprises three units and a cross-passage with two small lean-to additions. The jointed-cruck trusses together with the pyramidal stops on two halfbeams in the hall indicate that the house probably dates from the late 15th century. It may then have been built principally of cob and comprised a hall open to the roof with a projecting jetty at the high end. As there does not appear to be smokeblackening (although there was limited access to the roof apex) it is likely that the hall was heated by a fireplace and the inner room and the solar chamber above were unheated. The north end service room may also have been open to the roof, divided from the cross-passage by a head-height partition, and there may have been a smoke-bay occupying the full width of the room. Early in the 16th century a first floor was inserted over the hall and an upper floor was inserted over the service end. At the same time winding stairs were built rising from the hall. The lean-to buttery may have been added at that time. Alterations in the 18th century included the addition of a dairy and the smoke-bay was replaced by a fireplace. The cob walls may have been clad externally with local chert. The adjoining cheese room and loft are also of this period, as are the threshing barn, stable and cart-shed. 243

12 SOMERSET ARCHAEOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY,

13 PORTABLE ANTIQUITIES SCHEME 2008 FINDS REPORTED TO THE PORTABLE ANTIQUITIES SCHEME IN 2008 NAOMI PAYNE AND ANNA BOOTH In 2008, a total of 3571 objects discovered in Somerset were recorded by the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS), in 899 records. The detailed database records and images are available to view at The finds described in detail below are a selection of those designated Finds of Note (objects that are considered particularly interesting or unusual for the county) in The PAS database reference is included in each description. The online database contains colour images of each object. Late Neolithic to Early Bronze Age chisel from Tatworth and Forton (SOM-F34156) This incomplete flaked greensand chert implement (Fig. 1), discovered in Tatworth and Forton parish, probably formed part of a chisel of Neolithic to Early Bronze Age date. The surviving part of the implement measures 41.5mm by 20.1mm by 12.3mm and weighs 8.9g. It tapers to a rounded point and probably represents the butt end. It has a lenticular cross-section and both surviving faces have been invasively retouched. A total of 59 pieces of worked flint and chert have been recorded from the same field, of which 29 are retouched forms. Iron Age vessel escutcheon from Huish Episcopi (SOM ) This cast copper alloy bowl suspension-ring escutcheon of Iron Age date (Fig. 2) was found at Huish Episcopi. The incomplete, broadly oval escutcheon measures 30.9mm by 18.8mm by Fig. 1 Greensand chert chisel from Tatworth and Forton 11.2mm and weighs 12.1g. The front is convex and the back is concave, damaged and uneven. The front is also rather pitted but less so than the back and some decoration can be discerned. The cast linears define several areas: two long ovals with pointed ends which are near vertical, but bend outwards slightly towards the centrepoint of the edge on each side, and a central triangle. The lower section is damaged but there is a further curving linear on the surviving side. The escutcheon is similar to an example from Hod Hill, Dorset, which features in Jope s Early Celtic Art (2000, 104, pl. 169,g). Jope lists a number of bowl fittings of this type, all of which have been found in the West Country. The decoration on the Hod Hill example is thought to represent a stylised human face. Stray finds of Iron

14 SOMERSET ARCHAEOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY, 2008 Fig. 2 Vessel escutcheon from Huish Episcopi Age metalwork are not particularly common in Somerset. Roman seal box lid from Curry Rivel (SOM- 6891F3) This is an enamelled cast copper alloy seal box lid of probable mid-2nd to mid-3rd century AD date (Fig. 3). It was uncovered at Curry Rivel, in an area where other Roman finds have come to light. The flat circular lid measures 23.4mm by 18.4mm by 2mm and weighs 2.4g. A rounded lug projects from the edge. This has a recess on the front, which contains a trace of red enamel, and a small central projection on the back, which would have been used to keep the lid in the correct position in relation to the bottom part of the box. One half of the box s hinge would have been located opposite the lug but it has broken off and only a small stub remains. The Fig. 3 Seal box lid from Curry Rivel front of the box is decorated with two moulded concentric circles, one around the edge and one in the centre, which create recesses for enamel. The central recess has worn through to the back and no enamel survives. In the outer ring there are traces of four panels of red enamel that alternate with millefiore roundels. These are formed from red, yellow and blue enamel, the blue in the centre with red and yellow alternating around the edge. A broadly similar lid was discovered during excavations at Aldborough, North Yorkshire (Bishop 1996, 36 7, no. 201), although this example features three rather than two concentric circles. Only one other seal box from Somerset has been recorded on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database. The other example (SOM-FEF451), from Chedzoy, was the lower part of a lozenge-shaped box. There are five seal boxes with Somerset provenances in the collections of the Somerset County Museum, three from Shepton Mallet (accession numbers TTNCM 101/2001/ A294/a, TTNCM 101/2001/A294/b and TTNCM 53/ 2004/237) and two from Ham Hill (TTNCM A.1265 and TTNCM E18HH). One of the examples from Ham Hill is circular. Roman zoomorphic buckle from Ilminster (SOM- D07208) This apparently complete late-roman cast copper alloy zoomorphic buckle (Fig. 4) was found at Ilminster. It dates from the late 4th to the mid 5th century AD. The buckle is 25.5mm in width at its widest point, 62.1mm in length and 5.6mm in thickness. Its total weight is 9.8g. Only two buckles of this type from Somerset have been previously recorded on the PAS database. The highly decorated frame is D shaped, with two projections, shaped like horse heads, extending from the outer edge of the curved side. This is an example of a Hawkes and Dunning type 1B. According to Hawkes (1961, 23) this type is likely to be of British manufacture, but influenced by continental styles. Hawkes (ibid., 26) commented that buckles of this type are difficult to date but suggested that they probably began to be made only towards the end of the 4th century, continuing to be used into the middle of the 5th. The buckle s plate is rectangular in shape, with slightly rounded corners. The reverse face is decorated with an engraved design running around the outside of the longer edges and the shorter edge furthest away from the frame. The end of the plate where the frame is attached is divided into two strips, 246

15 PORTABLE ANTIQUITIES SCHEME 2008 with a central slot formerly intended to hold a pin. Originally these strips were likely to have culminated in a second plate, which would sit parallel to the surviving one, allowing a strap to be fixed in the centre with rivets and the frame and pin to sit in place at the fold. However, in this case, the plate appears to have been secured to the buckle frame by bending these strips around it. Therefore, there is reason to believe that the buckle plate has become damaged at some point, before being reattached to the buckle frame. Furthermore, it is possible that the frame and plate of two different, damaged buckles have been reused to form this object. The plate is noticeably simpler in design and decoration than many found with similar type 1B buckles, lending further weight to this theory. Mark Corney (pers. comm.) points out that the style of the plate, with its simple decoration, is not in keeping with most late-roman buckle plates (examples of such plates may be seen in Hawkes and Dunning 1961, 46 7, fig. 15, illustrations M- Q). Instead it is much more characteristic of medieval buckle plates, which may even indicate that a later damaged plate was attached to a much older frame. Corney is aware of a handful of similar buckles, which were lost, rediscovered and then reused with the addition of a new (or in this case second-hand) plate during the early-medieval period and suggests that this may be an example of such reuse. Stuart Laycock (pers. comm.) agrees that this may be a possibility, but does point out that simpler plates belonging to late Roman buckles are occasionally found, though they are rare (see for example PAS database record BERK-EB3477). Fig. 4 Zoomorphic buckle from Ilminster Early-medieval sceat from Charlton Mackrell (SOM-5492A7) This series E silver sceat (Fig. 5), which dates to c. AD , was found at Charlton Mackrell. The coin is 11.2mm in diameter, 1.4mm thick and weighs 0.7g. On the obverse the coin has a very stylised, so-called porcupine portrait a quilled crescent above a pellet-outline dolphin shape with central band containing two pellets toward the right-hand end and two lines below. The reverse is of the standard type with a central annulet and the letters VIXT. Such a coin is notable as only three other sceattas have been recorded on the PAS database from Somerset so far, making this find extremely rare. Fig. 5 Sceat from Charlton Mackrell Early-medieval cheek-piece fragment from Chedzoy (SOM-C97807) This object is an incomplete early-medieval cast copper alloy bridle cheek-piece (Fig. 6), which was discovered at Chedzoy. The fragment measures 52mm by 27.8mm by 5.6mm and weighs 36.9g. It is very worn and there is an old break at one end. According to David Williams (pers. comm.) the upper face is decorated with the head of a beast in profile, facing right, with a flowing mane. Such decoration suggests that this is a type 1 cheek piece (see for example BH-FEBCD7, a broad parallel from Ware, Hertfordshire). The reverse face, has two concave mouldings, but is otherwise undecorated. There is a circular hole through the centre of the object. The edge of the hole that would have originally held a bridle bit can also be seen on the right edge. Although this example is rather thick, both Kevin Leahy (pers. comm.) and David Williams (pers. comm.) have confirmed the identification. 247

16 SOMERSET ARCHAEOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY, 2008 Fig. 6 Cheek-piece fragment from Chedzoy Williams believes that the object is likely to date to the mid 11th century and is a good example of its type. Medieval ampulla from Westbury-sub-Mendip (SOM-B4C778) This cast lead ampulla (Fig. 7) of late-medieval date was discovered some years ago at Westbury-sub- Mendip and was recorded by the PAS in The flask-shaped ampulla measures 53.9mm by 33.5mm by 11.9mm and weighs 61.6g. It has a slightly expanded neck and a small pointed suspension handle projecting from each side. On one face are the letters S.B, surrounded by moulded crosshatching within a roundel. The other side is decorated with moulded vertical lines, in imitation of a scallop shell. Brian Spencer (pers. comm. to finder, 1988) suggested that S.B might refer to Saint Bridget of Sweden, as her cult (based at Sion Abbey, Isleworth, Middlesex) was popular during the second half of the 15th century. Medieval ampullae are not uncommon in Somerset; to date 13 examples from the county have been recorded on the PAS database. However, only two examples that are similarly inscribed have been recorded of over 700 from England and Wales: NMGW-A7E456 and NMGW-FAEA63, both from Wenvoe, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales. The form of the letters on both examples is very similar to the Westbury ampulla and they must all have been made in the same workshop. The record for NMGW- FAEA63 refers to a third S.B ampulla from the same farm and the concentration in this particular location could potentially suggest a local origin. Wenvoe is only three and a half miles north of Barry Island, where the 6th-century Welsh saint St Barruc is said to have been buried, and where a chapel was dedicated to the saint. Could S.B refer to St Barruc? During the Middle Ages, Barry Island was separate from the mainland and there was little else on the island other than a chapel and priest s house. Anyone visiting would have had to make a special journey. St Barruc s chapel was a free chapel, so its resident priest would have relied on donations from visitors (Knight 1981, 33). During excavations at the chapel in , part of a stone box was discovered (Knight 1981, 47 51). This was thought to be the relic-container that contained the saint s remains. These bones were the reason that the chapel had been built and why individuals made the journey there. Whilst on his travels in the mid-16th century, John Leland noted that much pilgrimage was usid at St Barruc s chapel (Toulmin Smith 1964, 24). There is a connection between the veneration of St Barruc and Wenvoe. In the late medieval period, the income from a meadow known as Saynt Barrowgis acre in Wenvoe parish was used to purchase candles to burn in front of an image of St Barruc in Wenvoe church (Knight 1981, 33). Perhaps an enterprising local produced these ampullae to sell to pilgrims visiting St Barruc s chapel, who might also travel the short distance to Wenvoe church to light a candle before the saint s image? This must remain speculative as medieval pilgrim souvenirs are not known to have been made for any other Celtic saint (Geoff Egan, pers. comm.). Fig. 7 Ampulla from Westbury-sub-Mendip 248

17 PORTABLE ANTIQUITIES SCHEME 2008 Fig. 8 Strap-end from Martock Medieval strap-end from Martock (SOM- AAC236) a fragment of a light brown textile has been preserved underneath. The front of the plate is decorated with a moulded letter A, within a rectangular border. This was originally parcel-gilt. Sixteenth-century hooked tags, usually of silver or silver gilt, are fairly commonly reported as Treasure under the 1996 Treasure Act and as a result the number known has increased dramatically in recent years. The Chilton Trinity hooked tag is an interesting example because the letter A appears to demonstrate the intended orientation of the object (sideways on), presumably indicating how it would have been worn. A similar example from Soulbury, Buckinghamshure was reported as Treasure in 2005 (Bland 2008, no. 644, Treasure reference 2005 T332). This cast copper alloy hollow-ended strap-end (Fig. 8) of late-medieval date was discovered in a garden in Martock. The broadly trapezoidal strap-end measures 41mm by 37.2mm by 5.5mm and weighs 25.8g. It is constructed from a cast front plate with backwards projecting edges, which is riveted to a sheet back plate. The four rivets would have held a leather strap in place and part of the strap has been preserved inside the strap-end. At the narrow end of the front plate there is cast openwork decoration in the form of projecting flowers (three in total) which alternate with leaves (of which there are two). The rest of the front plate is decorated with an incised motif within a rectangle. This consists of a central four-petalled flower within a circle, which is surrounded by leaves arranged in a spiral around the flower. The dating is probably c Post-medieval hooked tag from Chilton Trinity (SOM-887CE3) This cast silver dress hook or hooked tag (Fig. 9) dates from the 16th century and was found at Chilton Trinity. As it is made from precious metal and is over 300 years old it was reported as Treasure (reference 2008 T96). The Somerset County Museum hopes to acquire the find. The hooked tag measures 20mm by 9.8mm by 5mm and weighs 1.8g. It has a flat rectangular plate with six rounded knops that project from the corners and the centre of three of the four sides. The other side features a projecting trefoil. The backwards-curving hook is soldered onto the back of the plate and projects from the side with the trefoil knop. A flattened attachment loop has been soldered to the other end of the back of the plate and Fig. 9 Hooked tag from Chilton Trinity Post-medieval coin forger s die from Ashill (SOM ) This lead roundel from Ashill (Fig. 10) was probably associated with the forging of coins during the postmedieval period. The flat sub-circular piece of lead 249

18 SOMERSET ARCHAEOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY, 2008 Fig. 10 Coin forger s die from Ashill measures 74.9mm by 66.9mm by 6mm and weighs 216g. On one side there is the impression of a coin. The lead is pierced by two circular perforations close to the edge and opposite each other. On the other side there are several incised lines that form no coherent pattern. Richard Kelleher (Department of Coins and Medals, British Museum) identified the impression as a French silver quart d ecu of Henry III (king of France ), which was struck between 1578 and 1589 (Kelleher 2008, 297). Kelleher has suggested that a thin foil of silver would have been placed over this impression and on a corresponding impression of the other side of the coin, so that a base metal core could be inserted in between. The holes would allow two plaques to be fixed together to achieve this. The die was donated to the Somerset County Museum (accession no. TTNCM 115/2008). Acknowledgements We extend our thanks to the finders of the objects for their co-operation in bringing forward their discoveries for recording. We are also very grateful to the following individuals who commented on the objects featured: Colin Andrews, Barrie Cook, Mark Corney, Geoff Egan, Richard Kelleher, Stuart Laycock, Kevin Leahy, John Naylor, Anne Pedersen and David Williams. References Bishop, M. C., Finds from Roman Aldborough, Oxford. Bland, R., Treasure Annual Report 2005/6, London. Hawkes, S.C., and Dunning, G.C., Soldiers and settlers in Britain, fourth to fifth century: with a catalogue of animal-ornamented buckles and related belt-fittings, Medieval Archaeol 5, Jope, E.M., Early Celtic Art, Oxford. Kelleher, R., A lead impression of a French coin from Somerset, Numismatic Circular 116, no. 6, Knight, J. K., Excavations at St Barruc s Chapel, Barry Island, Glamorgan, Trans Cardiff Naturalists Soc 99, Toulmin Smith, L, Leland s Itinerary in Wales, London. 250