Newbury Farm, Tonge: Kent's Earliest Known Aisled Hall House
NEWBURY FARM, TONGE: KENT'S EARLIEST
KNOWN AISLED HALL HOUSE
RUPERT AUSTIN
Newbury Farm is located in a rural setting 3 miles to the south-east of
Sittingbourne. The farmhouse lies to the rear of a group of modern
estate cottages and agricultural buildings fronting Dully Road and is
a Grade II* listed building (Fig. 1). It is the only historic building that
survives within the farmstead. The property contains the remains of
one of the earliest timber-framed aisled hall houses in the country and
the only known dated example of this period in Kent. A substantial
two-storey stone cross-wing was added to one end of the hall in the
late thirteenth or early fourteenth century. Both cross-wing and hall
were extensively modernised during the sixteenth and seventeenth
centuries and again in the nineteenth century (Plate I).
The building was examined by RCHME in 1982 and again in I 991. 1
A date range of AD 1280-1310 was suggested on stylistic and structural
grounds at this time. Subsequent dendrochronological analysis of one
of its timbers provided a date of AD I 099 for the last surviving ring but
no sapwood was present and the suggested felling date of c. 1150 was
only approximate.2 This was thought to be too early and it was suggested
that the timber was reused. A brief documentary search was also
made but nothing relating to the building's early history was found.
By the time the Canterbury Archaeological Trust undertook its survey
the property had fallen into a state of disrepair and was uninhabitable.
The condition of its stone cross-wing in particular had deteriorated
to such a degree that a large part of its frontage had collapsed. An
extensive campaign of repair and restoration was proposed with the
intention of turning the property into two dwellings. Archaeological
conditions, comprising both historic building recording and a watching
brief during groundworks, were included in the planning consent
for the proposed works. CAT began its recording in August 1999 after
the building had been made safe with temporary shoring. Additional
dendrochronological analysis was undertaken at this time following
the discovery of several new timbers inside the property.
95
927 928
600
599
927 928
Fig. 1 Location and site plan. Location based on Ordnance Survey Data Licence No. 52855A.
600
599
KENT"S EARLIEST KNOWN AISLED HALL HOUSE: NEWBURY FARM. TONGE
PLATE I
General view of the exterior of Newbury Farm, looking north-west
THE AISLED HALL HOUSE
The aisled hall house at Newbury is one of only nine timber-framed
buildings in England dated to before 1230. Of these nine examples,
seven are aisled halls,3 viz:
Timber felling date
Fyfie/d Hall, Essex
Bishops' Palace, Hereford
Knight's Templar Hall, Temple Balsall, W Mids
Westwick Cottage, Herts
Newbury Farm, Tonge, Kent
Sycamore Farm, Long Crendon, Bucks
Harlowb11ry, Essex
1167-1185
n.a.
1176-1221
1184- 1219
1187 - 1207
1205 -
1220 - 1225
Archaeologists now believe that fully timber-framed buildings
appeared in England towards the end of the twelfth century.• All of
the nine known early such examples are well built and display
sophisticated carpentry techniques, many of which remained in use
until the end of the timber-framed tradition 500 years later.
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RUPERT AUSTIN
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KENT'S EARLIEST KNOWN AISLED HALL HOUSE: NEWBURY FARM, TONGE
All that survives today of the late twelfth- or early thirteenthcentury
aisled hall house within Newbury Farm are fragments of its
two-bay timber-framed open hall. This measures approximately
9.32m in length by 5.13m in width. Both bays are of near identical
length, the north bay measuring 4.47m between the arcade-posts, the
south bay 4.49m (Fig. 2). The arcade-plates of the hall lie approximately
5.60m above existing ground level. Repeated dendrochronological
analysis of the timbers of the hall proved more successful
and several dateable samples were obtained, one of which had sapwood.
The new samples provided a felling date between 1187 and
1207.5
Despite its small size it seems likely the building was of manorial
status. Hasted accounted Newbury, which was held by the Newburgh
family until sometime in the fourteenth century, as a manor. 6 The
early date and quality of work to be found in the property also suggest
this to be the case.
Central truss
Eight timbers from the central truss of the open hall survive within
the building (Fig. 3). These include the east arcade-post, the west
arch-brace and its spandrel strut, a tie-beam and an intact roof truss.
The arcade-post is certainly the most substantial of the surviving
timbers (Plate II). At ground level below a carved capital this post is
of octagonal section. Typically for an early building the arcade-post
is not jowled but has a rear upstand that passes behind the
arcade-plate, a feature that is common to nearly all the members of
the group.7 Evidence for the east aisle of the hall, in the form of two
empty mortices, can be seen on the outside face of the post. The firs.t
mortice lies below the capital and is for an aisle-tie. The second, for
an aisle-brace, is approximately 100cm above the capital.
Archaeology suggests that earthfast posts set directly into the
ground or placed on padstones were abandoned at this time in favour
of posts supported on cill beams. 8 The cill beam that lies beneath the
extant arcade-post today however is a sixteenth-century insertion.
Undisturbed subsoil was exposed during the watching brief
approximately 34cm below the extant base of the post but no
post-hole was revealed. It is suggested therefore that the arcade-post
sat on a padstone.
A flat uncambered tie-beam spans the central truss of the hall.
Barefaced dovetails with square housed shoulders secure the ends of
this tie-beam to the arcade-plates. Empty mortices for the hall's cornicebeams
can be seen on the ends of this timber (Plate Ill). Two arch-
99
RUPERT AUSTIN
PLATE II
Central truss arcade post, looking north-east
braces lay beneath the tie-beam forming a semi-circular arch across the
'nave' of the hall. Only the westernmost brace, which is decorated with
a double roll moulding, survives. Rebates on the tie-beam and
surviving brace and grooves in the adjacent arcade-post revealed that
wooden planks were once fitted to the spandrels of the arch.
100
KENT'S EARLIEST KNOWN AISLED HALL HOUSE: NEWBURY FARM, TONGE
PLATE Ill
East end of central tie-beam, looking north showing
cornice-plate mortice and ashlar piece
A horizontal spandrel strut affixed to the arch-brace was revealed
during works; an empty mortice for a similar strut was subsequently
found in the east arcade-post. Evidence for struts had been previously
observed at the north end of the hall but not here within the central
truss. Interestingly this strut is small, measuring only I 0.2 x 3.2cm in
101
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KENT'S EARLIEST KNOWN AISLED HALL HOUSE: NEWBURY FARM, TONGE
section. Such timbers are often seen in later structures but their
purpose has never been clear. The strut is clearly too small to have
been of structural benefit and is certainly not a decorative element as
it would have originally been obscured by the planking.9 It is suggested
the struts were used during the assembly of the building, temporarily
holding the heavy arch-braces in position while the arcadeplates
and tie-beams were dropped in place.10
An important feature of the carpentry at Newbury is the exclusive
use of mortice and tenon joints. No lap joints are present on any of
the primary timbers (other than those employed in the roof truss).
This is unusual; most of Newbury's contemporaries employ lap joints
to some degree. Interestingly the mortices have been gouged out
rather than drilled and chiselled in the manner of a later medieval
building.
Roof structure
Remarkably, an original roof truss has survived above the central
tie-beam of the hall (Plate IV). This comprises rafters, passing
braces, ashlar pieces and collar. Interestingly, the rafters pass behind
the outside edges of the arcade-plates and are uniquely tenoned onto
the ends of the tie-beam. Both rafters have now been truncated at
tie-beam level but must have continued over the aisles in one length.
Bare faced dovetails atop the hall's arcade-plates reveal where the
common rafters of the roof were located (Fig. 4D). It is suggested that
spur ties were located in these dovetails, connecting the common
rafters to the cornice-beams (the common rafters must have passed
behind the arcade-plates in a similar manner to the principals, Fig.
4A). This archaic arrangement differs from that employed in later
buildings where the rafters sit in housings atop the plates.
The passing-braces within the roof truss are halved across the south
face of the tie-beam and collar. These braces now stop at the tie-beam
but originally continued down to meet the arcade-posts. Several
details suggest that the passing-braces within the roof are later
additions. The brace mortice in the east arcade-post for example lies
alongside the spandrel strut mortice. Close inspection of the two
mortices here reveals that the brace mortice was cut later, severing
the peg that secured the spandrel strut into two pieces. The braces
also interfere with the spandrel planks.11 This discovery is something
of a surprise since passing-braces are a feature of nearly all the
surviving buildings in the group. It is perhaps significant that, unlike
Newbury, none of the other examples have spandrel struts in their
cross-frames. It is suggested that the braces were inserted at an early
103
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Fig. 4 Aisled Hall House Carpentry Details.
KENT'S EARLCEST KNOWN AISLED HALL HOUSE: NEWBURY FARM. TONGE
PLATElV
Central roof truss. looking north showing passing braces
date; one would not expect to see such features employed or
introduced into a building much after c. l 300. Passing braces were,
however, only inserted into the central truss of the roof; none were
added to the north end truss, but this is not unusual. 12
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Fig. 5 Partially restored views of north end truss.
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KENT'S EARLIEST KNOWN AISLED HALL HOUSE: NEWBURY FARM, TONGE
North End Truss
Only the east arcade-post, tie-beam and a length of partition-plate
survive at the north end of the hall (Fig. 5). Fortunately these timbers
reveal much about the arrangement of the building here. The surviving
arcade-post is similar to that of the central truss but there are
several differences that reflect its position at the end of the hall (Plate
V). Its capital, for example, has only been carved on the hall side of
the post, the rear face left plain. Empty mortices for arch-braces can
be seen above the capital.
Two sets of grooves can be seen beneath the tie-beam (at its east
end) and on the inside face of the arcade-post. The southern grooves
are for the planking in the spandrels of the arch. The northern grooves
however are for the partitioning that divided the hall from the
northern bay of the house. A similar groove lies beneath the partitionplate,
confirming that the partition continued down to ground level.
This lower groove is wider than that on the soffit of the tie-beam,
suggesting perhaps that the partition was more substantial at ground
level. Grooves on the outside face of the arcade-post confirm that the
partition continued across the aisle. No evidence for doors leading
through the partition into the northern bay of the property survived.
Surprisingly, two possible timbers from the aforementioned
partitioning were discovered reused elsewhere within the property
during works. These measured 23.5 x 7.7cm in section and are
heavily soot blackened on one face only. Grooves for the intermediate
members of the partition, perhaps thin planks, can be seen on
the sides of these timbers (Fig. 4C).
Interestingly, a reused timber within a later outshot to the
north-east of the hall was seen to have three empty window mullion
mortices on its soffit. The mullion mortices are typically set on the
diagonal but are surprisingly large, measuring 8.25cm square. This
timber is conceivably a reused fragment of the original building,
perhaps a section of eaves-plate, and might be evidence for the
original fenestration.
Missing Northern in-Line Bay
Evidence found on the north end truss confirmed beyond doubt that
an in-line bay once lay to the north of the hall and that this was an
integral part of the structure. A two storey timber-framed wing of
probable late seventeenth-century date is located here today (Fig. 6).
It seems likely given the evidence and from our understanding of the
other examples within the group that the missing bay was unfloored.
An empty mortice was discovered below the east arcade-post's
107
RUPERT AUSTIN
PLATE V
North end truss arcade-post, looking south-easl
capital. This is perhaps for a n-s aligned end aisle-tie that secured the
north wall of the building to the post, something that implies the
building terminated in an end aisle.
A second mortice for a brace was also found above the capital. This
108
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Fig. 6 Section D-D to east showing later additions to Hall.
RUPERT AUSTIN
brace lay in a higher position than the arcade-braces in the adjoining
hall and must have been smaller. The missing northern bay may therefore
have been shorter than the extant hall bays. A cantilevered half
bay, where the ends of the arcade-plates support a flying tie-beam is
possible; such arrangements are common in later structures. Unfortunately
the arcade-plate only continues for approximately 90cm beyond
the end of the hall, removing any evidence for such an arrangement.
Despite the inconclusive evidence it is suggested that the north end
of Newbury Farm was of similar form to the slightly later Purton
Green, Stansfield, which has a cantilevered half end bay terminating
in a return aisle. 13 Here the end bay appears to have been covered by
a half-hip, the gablet beneath the ridge perhaps left open to allow
smoke from the open-hearth to leave the building.
South End Truss
A similar in-line bay probably lay to the south of the hall but was
removed by the stone cross-wing (see below). Although the south end
truss of the hall no longer exists we know that it survived the
construction of the wing. The new wing was built directly against the
truss, its masonry partly encasing the earlier timbers. Although the
timbers have been removed a number of slots and impressions remain
in the masonry and render (Fig. 7). These impressions reveal that the
south end truss was of similar form to the north end truss. They
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Fig. 7 Section G-G to south.
110
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KENT'S EARLIEST KNOWN AISLED HALL HOUSE: NEWBURY FARM, TONGE
confirm that the hall was not only aisled to the east but also the west
(until now only an east aisle was proven) and that both aisles survived
the construction of the cross-wing. The outline of the west aisle roof
also survives in the render of the cross-wing, its pitch matching that
of the main hall roof at approximately 53-54°.
Interestingly the east aisle-tie appears to have been higher within
the south truss than the central and northern trusses, a difference that
might be explained by a change from reverse to normal assembly.
This could indicate that the method of assembly employed atop the
aisle-walls varied around the building. Alternatively the difference
might by the result of an early alteration undertaken prior to, or
during, the building of the cross-wing. Similar alterations can be seen
within other, albeit later, timber-framed buildings. 14
East and West Arcades
Three arcade-braces (one is incomplete) survive beneath the
arcade-plate along the east side of the hall (Fig. 8). They form similar
arches to that spanning the centre of the hall but are slightly pointed
rather than semi-circular (Plate VI). The braces are similarly
PLATE VI
East arcade (south bay, looking west) showing arcade-braces and inserted
window
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KENT'S EARLIEST KNOWN AISLED HALL HOUSE: NEWBURY FARM, TONGE
PLATE VII
East arcade-brace (south bay, looking north) showing
planking rebate
embellished with double rolls although the roll facing the hall is more
pronounced than that facing the aisle. Rebates for planking can again
be seen within the spandrels (Plate VII). The outer faces of all the
timbers of the east arcade are heavily weathered, indicating that they
I I 3
RUPERT AUSTIN
PLATE VIII
Face-splayed and tabled scarf (east arcade, south bay)
were exposed to the elements for some considerable period of time
following the removal of the building's aisles in the sixteenth century
(see below).
A stop-splayed and tabled scarf with undersquinted abutments was
revealed during works joining the two lengths of the east arcade-plate
(Plate VIII and Fig. 4B). Unlike later examples of its type this is face
splayed (laid on edge rather than flat), an orientation that would seem
structurally poor. A change to stronger edge splayed scarfs may well
have been underway at this time. Two lengths of arcade-plate joined
by a second splayed scarf were revealed along the west side of the
hall during works but these were the only original timbers to have
survived here; the arch-braces have been removed by later brickwork.
Open Hearth
The modern sprung floors within the former hall were rernovd
during restoration. The subsoil beneath was carefully cleaned at this
time and a patch of pink scorching revealed. 15 This scorching, which
114
KENT'S EARLIEST KNOWN AISLED HALL HOUSE: NEWBURY FARM, TONGE
was certainly caused by heat penetration from an open-hearth,
covered a sizeable area that measured approximately 2 x 2m. Such
hearths were periodically renewed as they burnt away but were not
always replaced in exactly the same spot. A succession of relatively
small hearths would perhaps account for the large area of scorching.
The heaviest scorching lay roughly within the centre of the former
open hall. Thus this evidence did not provide any clues as to which
end of the aisled-hall house was which.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE HALL
The way in which the aisled hall at Newbury evolved is of some
interest as it illustrates the way in which such buildings could be
modified to conform to later house design. One reason often cited for
the poor survival of early houses is that they were ill suited to such
change and therefore demolished in favour of new buildings. Another
is that they may not have been built in the same numbers as later
medieval structures or have perhaps suffered greater losses due their
age.
Demolition of the East Aisle
The first change at Newbury Farm that occurred appears to have been
the demolition of the east aisle and the construction of a new elevation
beneath the former arcade (Fig. 6). 16 Fortunately the arcade survived
the construction of the new elevation; its arcade-braces were
simply incorporated into the new work.
The new elevation survives largely intact within the south bay of
the hall but has been completely dismantled within the north bay.
Dendrochronological samples taken from two of the timbers revealed
that they were felled between 1517-20. 17 The open-hall era was certainly
in decline during this period but it is clear from the soot blackened
internal face of the new elevation that the building's open-hall
continued to be used at this time.
A large three-light window, comprising diamond set mullions,
survives in the south bay of the new elevation. Except for its single
upper light, which is centred above the two lower lights, the fenestration
is like that seen in many unaisled hall houses of the period. A
cross-passage would presumably have been present within the hall at
this time (assuming one was not part of the original arrangement) but
no door was included in the south bay of the new elevation. Any
passage must therefore have been located within the north bay of the
115
RUPERT AUSTIN
hall, something that would imply the north end of the building was
now the low end.
A door was, however, inserted into the south bay following the
construction of a later outshot. This outshot internalises the sixteenthcentury
elevation and occupies almost exactly the footprint of the
former aisle. It was originally timber-framed and dates perhaps to the
seventeenth century but little now survives; its east elevation has
been underpinned in brick and its roof rebuilt in softwood.
Demolition of the West Aisle
The west aisle of the hall was also demolished and a timber-framed
elevation inserted beneath the arcade-plate as before but only
fragments of this later work survive. A substantial arcade-post with
broach stops formed part of the new work (Figs 2 & 7). This abuts the
rear of the cross-wing and looks superficially similar to the original
arcade-posts but on close inspection many of its details differ. There
are no rebates or grooves for spandrel planks above its braces or
indeed for a plank partition to divide the hall from the missing
southern bay. No aisle-brace or aisle-tie mortices are present and it is
also incorrectly positioned with its upstand against the inside face of
the arcade-plate.
Dendrochronology provided a date of 1045 for the last ring on this
timber but no heartwood/sapwood boundary was present and its felling
date is therefore likely to be several decades later. 18 It is suggested the
post was salvaged from another building of broadly similar date to
Newbury and inserted here during the alterations. We know the
original arcade-post and its braces survived the construction of the
cross-wing as they have left impressions in the masonry (see above).
Flooring
The third major change appears to have been the insertion of a floor,
and therefore an upper chamber, into the south bay of the hall. Nearly
every hall house in the country has been floored, but this change was
not always undertaken throughout the length of a building in one go.
In many cases one half of the hall was converted first. This allowed
the open-hearth to continue functioning in the remainder of the
open-hall whilst adding an extra chamber to the house.
Several pieces of evidence show that the south bay at Newbury was
floored first, perhaps around the middle of the sixteenth century. An
inserted lath and daub partition survives in part beneath the central
tie-beam of the hall. This partition once divided the inserted chamber
from the adjoining ha11. It is heavily soot-blackened on its north face,
116
KENT'S EARLIEST KNOWN AISLED HALL HOUSE: NEWBURY FARM, TONGE
something that proves the hall continued in use in the northern bay
following the insertion of the chamber in the south bay. Access to the
chamber appears to have been afforded by steps in the south-east
corner of the room. The upper chamber was open to the roof at first,
the extant attic/garret floor inserted at a later date along with the
chimney (see below).
It seems likely the north bay of the hall was floored towards the end
of the sixteenth century. The inserted joists here are similar to those
in the southern bay but comprise timbers of more varied crosssection.
Once the hall was fully floored a chimney was necessarily
inserted into the building.
A Sixteenth-Century Chimney
The inserted chimney is a substantial affair that incorporates
back-to-back hearths at both ground and first floor level. Its features
suggest a late sixteenth-century date. The chimney was built within
the rear wall of the cross-wing, a large section of medieval masonry
necessarily demolished to accommodate it (Fig. 9).
The principal hearth was over 2.0m wide and lay at ground level
within the cross-wing. This hearth has now been largely destroyed
but the surviving evidence suggests it comprised a low four-centred
brick arch with ovolo/cavetto moulded jambs. Evidence for splayed
reveals could be seen within the opening during works. 19 Within the
former hall a less elaborate hearth can be seen. Here a plain oak
bressummer supports the opening, suggesting that the hearth may
once have been used for cooking.
Internal Reorganisation
Some rearrangement of the interior of the building necessarily
followed the flooring of the property and the construction of the
chimney. At ground level the former hall was subdivided by a
timber-framed partition. This was inserted into the north bay,
reducing its length by approximately 2m, thereby creating a ground
floor room of more acceptable proportions. A blocked door was
revealed here during works leading through to the north end of the
property. The door has a square head and ovolo moulded jambs.
Similar doors were formed against the west flank of the chimney at
this time. A crude opening made good with 2in. red brick was
punched through the masonry of the wing to accommodate the south
doorway.
117
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A MEDIEVAL CROSS-WING
An unheated two storey stone cross-wing now lies to the south of the
hall (Fig. 2). This likely replaced a single storey end bay o f similar
form to the aforementioned north end bay. None of the features of the
cross-wing allow it to be dated precisely but similar examples (e.g.
Old Soar, Plaxtol) were being built during the later part of the
thirteenth century. The new wing is necessarily aligned E-W and
measures 12.29m in length by 5.61m in width. Its walls are approximately
100cm in width and stand to a height of around 5.7m. They
comprise a mixture of roughly-coursed knapped and unknapped field
flints, water-rounded flints, numerous fragments of reused Roman
tile and the occasional piece of stone rubble. 20
No evidence for internal masonry cross walls was seen during the
survey but the range is certainly of sufficient size to have accommodated
more than one room on each floor. Any divisions must
therefore have been timber-framed. An upper chamber or solar to
which the family could retire was perhaps located on the first floor.
The ground floor may have been used for storage, functioning
therefore much like an undercroft. Externally, the only medieval
features to remain are the long and short Ragstone quoins running up
the north-west corner of the wing (the south-west corner must have
been similarly treated). It is within the interior that most of the
surviving primary features of the wing are located.
Windows
The splayed reveals of six windows survive internally within the
south and west elevations of the cross-wing (Fig. 10). Several of
these had not previously been observed. They are all built from
Reigate stone, and the first floor windows were taller than the ground
floor windows (security was perhaps of more concern at ground level
than good illumination). None of the external surrounds of the
windows survive but stone fragments recovered from the collapsed
section of the south wall during works revealed that the openings
were originally small and narrow with plainly chamfered jambs (Fig.
10, inset).
North Elevation Doors
The remains of several medieval doorways can also be seen from
within the interior of the cross-wing, two of which had not previously
been observed. Five of the doors lead through the rear north wall of
the cross-wing into the former hall and associated structures but of
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RUPERT AUSTIN
WINOOW CIU. FRACMENTS
REC