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ANGLIA RUSKIN UNIVERSITY THE ORIGIN, DEVELOPMENT, PURPOSE AND PROPERTIES OF GALLETING: THEORY AND PRACTICE COLIN ARNOTT A thesis in partial fulfilment of the requirements of Anglia Ruskin University for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Faculty of Science and Technology Department of the Built Environment Submitted: May 2017 Acknowledgements The research, the subject of this thesis, was carried out in the Faculty of Science and Technology at Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford. I am indebted to my team who worked closely with me and saw the project through to its conclusion. To Dr. Alan Coday, my first supervisor, whose support and guidance helped to shape the progress of this work, but particularly for his uncompromising advice and understanding. To Dr. Ian Frame who shared Dr. Coday’s enthusiasm and gave his time to this project. To Peter Wynn and Dr. Esther Norton who brought their specialist knowledge to the subject. To the university for the quality of their support for their students and provision of suitable facilities. Outside the university so many people have expressed an interest in this research that I cannot name them all but there are a number that deserve a mention. Not least are the homeowners who have kindly given me access to take photographs of their cottages or estates. Many larger organisations have assisted. The National Trust for access to Ightham Mote while closed and consenting to let me take photographs. To Adrian Paye of Paye Stonework for arranging access to Windsor Castle and Chris Gough for showing me over the vast, galleted curtain wall that they were repointing. To Steve Brown of Norwich City Council for arranging visits to Strangers Hall and Tim Cleall of Norse for demonstrating the repointing process with gallets so that I could photograph the stages. Thanks also to the groups who have contributed: 1. Yorkshire Vernacular Buildings Study Group and Lorraine Moor who kindly published my articles seeking help 2. Domestic Buildings Research Group who supplied a copy of their database of galleted buildings in Surrey and include my information sheet on their website 3. Norfolk Historic Buildings Group and Professor Robin Forrest who provided a quantity of photographs of galleted buildings 4. Lewes Archaeological Group and Fiona Marsden 5. The Vernacular Architecture Group 6. Kent Archaeological Society 7. Vernacular Research Group i I also wish to thank all the Conservation Officers in the British Isles who assisted, ranging from Simon Went, States of Guernsey in the extreme south to Stuart West on Orkney in the north. A special mention goes to the nuns at St. Mary’s Abbey, West Malling, Kent whose buildings range from 12th century to the modern day and for which they have complete historical records, all of which were made available. To Tim Tatton-Brown Architectural Historian. To English Heritage, particularly Dr. Stephen Brindle and his input in connection with Windsor Castle. To the Sevenoaks School bursar, Air Vice- Marshall Andrew Burton for freedom of access to the school’s wide range of galleted buildings. I am grateful to the members of the RICS Building Conservation Forum and LinkedIn Building Conservation Group who ran discussions based upon my requests for information. Thanks are due to Brian Shaw of Dunmurry in Northern Ireland who visited and photographed buildings of interest in Northern Ireland on my behalf. Thanks also to Amanda Conrad Translators; Amanda kindly gave her time to translate French texts. And to the many people, too numerous to name, who emailed and visited my website sending messages, suggestions, ideas, thoughts, information and photographs; who have taken the time to show their interest and support. Indeed, I was humbled when I started to compile this list and realised just how many people have contributed in some way. Most of all to my family who have been with me all the way through this long process. To my daughter Sarah and her family who have taken numerous photographs throughout France and travelled a long way specially to see a historic building that interested me to find it had disappeared under a nice modern pedestrian area; sacré bleu!!! Also to my daughter-in-law Annette who undertook the task of proofreading the entire document. None of this would have been possible without the extraordinary help and patience of my wife, Jan, who for about 10 years has been there for me, visiting buildings, making unexpected halts on journeys when I dash off, notepad and camera in hand, to see yet another interesting example. For always making sure I have the time I need for carrying out tests and experiments and seemingly endless typing. I am greatly indebted to her. ii DECLARATION The author declares that the content of this thesis is entirely his own work except where specific reference is made to the work of others. The photographs included in this thesis are those of the author unless noted otherwise. This work has not previously been submitted to any university or for any qualification. iii ANGLIA RUSKIN UNIVERSITY ABSTRACT FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY THE ORIGIN, DEVELOPMENT, PURPOSE AND PROPERTIES OF GALLETING, THEORY AND PRACTICE By COLIN ARNOTT May 2017 Galleting is the practice of inserting chips of stone into the mortar joints of masonry. Its long and enduring history is not explained by the belief that it is primarily decorative and a convincing purpose is sought. Information is not only in short supply but also inconsistent in the unsubstantiated views expressed. A detailed understanding of galleted masonry is necessary for its correct conservation. To better understand the subject a wide range of galleted mortar joints were photographed, questionnaires were sent to professionals and their views correlated and a separate convenience survey conducted. The geographical spread of galleting was plotted and the origins of galleting sought through secondary data sources. Finally, a series of new and innovative tests was devised to establish the influence of gallets on the strength and durability of lime mortar joints. A definition and taxonomy was devised to aid positive identification of galleting. Lime mortar joints are susceptible to early failure due to the slow progression of carbonation, exposure to weathering and the build-up of stresses. It was found that the incorporation of gallets into joints resolved this by significantly increasing compressive strength and reducing shrinkage. The gallets, being stronger than the mortar, accommodate the shear stresses and minimise the risk of failure. At the same time, they increase the durability of a wall and reduce damage due to weathering. Results show that galleting has been in use for many centuries, is more widespread than is generally recognised and almost certainly started out as a significant structural element in masonry construction. The true purpose of galleting and its relationship to the mortar in which it is bedded throws new light onto the use of non-hydraulic lime mortar in construction and conservation work. This will help conservationists and operatives to understand the complex nature of this traditional form of building. Key words: Galleting, pinning, masonry, lime mortar, conservation. iv Table of contents Acknowledgements ................................................................................................... i DECLARATION ....................................................................................................... iii ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................. iv Table of contents ..................................................................................................... v Tables ..................................................................................................................... xii Table of figures ...................................................................................................... xiii COPYRIGHT DECLARATION ............................................................................ xvi Chapter 1 – Introduction .......................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background ............................................................................................... 1 1.1.1 The need for this research ......................................................................... 1 1.1.2 The requirements of good practice in conservation ......................................... 2 1.2 Initial research questions ................................................................................ 2 1.2.1 What is galleting?............................................................................................ 3 1.2.2 Variation in galleting ........................................................................................ 5 1.2.3 Structural purpose ........................................................................................... 6 1.3 Initial exploratory research ............................................................................. 6 1.4 Findings from exploratory research ................................................................ 9 1.4.1 The aim ........................................................................................................... 9 1.4.2 Objectives ..................................................................................................... 10 Objective 1............................................................................................................