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Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group PENTRE-ISAF Bryneglwys,

[NPRN 27649]

Architectural Record, 2018

FINAL REPORT

Report Ref.: 2018_001(d)_v.3 FINAL

Issue Date: 1st March 2018

A report commissioned by The Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group in partnership with The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historic Monuments of

Report prepared by 4 Friars Walk, Ludlow, Shropshire, SY8 1NT t: 07929 023963 e: rictyler@bnternet.com RIC TYLER www.rictyler.com MCIfA PGCert. Arch. Hist (Oxf.) PN: 2018-2018 ---00001(d)001(d) PPPeP eeennnntretre-tre ---iiiisaf,saf, Bryneglwys, Denbighshire Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group Architectural Record, 2018

Project Data

Project Number:Number 2012018 888_00_00_001111((((dddd))))

Client NameName: Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group

Site Name:Name Pentre-Pentre ---iiiisaf,saf, Bryneglwys,Bryneglwys , Denbighshire

Status:Status Unlisted

NNNMNMMMRWRW ReferenceReference: 27649 CADW LB Ref. N/A

NGR:NGR SJ 13470 47260

Document Data

Document TitTitlelele: Architectural Record, 2018 Issue No.:No. v.3 FINAL

Document Location: Digital and hard copies of the present report will be deposited with the DOWHG and with Coflein.

Prepared by:by Ric Tyler MCI fA Issue Date:Date 1 st March 2018

Disclaimer This document has been prepared for the commissioning body and titled project or named part thereof and should not be relied upon or used for any other project without an independent check being carried out as to its suitability and prior written authority of the author being obtained. Ric Tyler MCI fA accepts no responsibility or liability for the consequences of this document being used for a purpose other than that for which it was commissioned.

4 Friars Walk, Ludlow, Shropshire, SY8 1NT t: 01584 879990 m: 07929 023963 e: [email protected] www.rictyler.com PN: 2018-2018 ---00001(d)001(d) Pentre-Pentre ---iiiisaf,saf, Bryneglwys, Denbighshire Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group Architectural Record, 2018

PENTRE-ISAF Bryneglwys, Denbighshire

[NMRW NRPN: 27649 ]

Architectural Record,Record , 2018201 888

TTTABLETABLE OF CONTENTS

Summary ...... 1

111 INTRODUCTION ...... 333

1.1 Background to the Project ...... 3 1.2 Site Location...... 4 1.3 Designations...... 4 1.4 Scope of the Report ...... 4 1.5 Previous Work / Archive Records ...... 5

222 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ...... 555

333 METHODOLOGY ...... 555

3.1 Documentary Research ...... 5 3.2 Historic Building Record ...... 5

444 BUILDING DESCRIPTION ...... 666

4.1 Exterior ...... 6 4.2 The Interior ...... 7

555 TREE-TREE ---RINGRING DATING ...... 999

666 DISCUSSION ...... 999

777 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...... 11

888 SOURCES AND BIBLIOGRBIBLIOGRAPHYAPHY ...... 12

List of Illustrations within Text

Key plan showing principal elements of recorded building ...... 6

i RIC TYLER MCIfA A report commissioned by the Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group in collaboration with PGCert. Arch. Hist. (Oxf.) The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW) PN: 2018-2018 ---00001(d)001(d) Pentre-Pentre ---iiiisaf,saf, Bryneglwys, Denbighshire Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group Architectural Record, 2018

List of Figures Figure 1: Location plan. Figure 2: Modern aerial photograph (Google Earth). Figure 3: Ground floor plan. Figure 4: First floor plan. Figure 5: Transverse cross-section at A-A; upper end of hall (dais partition), looking north. Figure 6: Transverse cross-section at B-B; lower end of hall, looking south. Figure 7: Transverse cross-section at C-C; lower side of passage bay, looking north.

List of Plates

Plate 1: Contextual, long view of Pentre-isaf looking north from A5104 Road. Plate 2: Pentre-isaf looking north-west illustrating characteristic ‘downhill’ siting, terraced into rising ground to north. Plate 3: Pentre-isaf looking south-west illustrating hillside location overlooking valley of River Morwynion; NBNB. modern extension to east elevation dates to 2010. Plate 4: Pentre-isaf looking south-east with mountains in background; note first floor projecting stack to north gable end. Plate 5: Bay I (Room [G1G1G1]) looking north-west. Plate 6: Bay I (Room [G1G1G1]) looking south-east. Plate 7: Bay II (Room [G2G2])G2 looking north-east. Plate 8: Bay II (Room [G2G2G2]) looking south-west. Plate 9: Post-and-panel dais partition to north side of Bay II (Room [G2G2G2]). Plate 10: Original door at west end of dais partition. Plate 11: Modified door at east end of dais partition. Plate 12: Reset, truncated dais post. Plate 13: Original post-mortice and slot for panel. Plate 14: Wide fireplace dominating south side of [G2G2]G2 (Bay II). Plate 15: Eastern blade of Cruck 2, visible from [G2G2].G2 Plate 16: Stop-chamfered common joists of inserted ceiling with bare-faced soffit-tenons. Plate 17: Inserted stack to north side of Bay III ([G3G3]).G3 Plate 18: Inserted stair to south side of [G3G3].G3 Plate 19: Western blade of Cruck 3. Plate 20: Room [G4G4]G4 looking south-west. Plate 21: Transverse partition at Bay III/IV rebuilt in stone; Room [G4G4]G4 looking north-east. Plate 22: Upper part of Cruck 1 within room [F1F1F1]. Plate 23: Upper part of Cruck 1 within Room [F2F2].F2 Plate 24: Alcock ‘Type L2’ apex detail with high and vertical abutments. Plate 25: ‘Packing piece’ to exterior of cruck blade; Cruck 1 (W). Plate 26: Upper part of Cruck 2 within [F2F2F2]. Plate 27: Trench for original side-purlin; Cruck 2 (W). Plate 28: Cruck spur to Cruck 2 (E), visible at floor level within [F3F3F3]. Plate 29: Rear of inserted stack within [F4F4F4]. Plate 30: Secondary KP truss to north side of [F5F5].F5

List of Appendices

APPENDIX AA:::: Project brief. APPENDIX BB: Catalogue of project drawings. APPENDIX CC: Catalogue of project photographs.

ii RIC TYLER MCIfA A report commissioned by the Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group in collaboration with PGCert. Arch. Hist. (Oxf.) The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW) PN: 2018-2018 ---0000001(d)1(d) Pentre-Pentre ---isafisafisaf,, Bryneglwys, Denbighshire Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group Architectural Record, 2018

PENTRE-ISAF Bryneglwys, Denbighshire

[NMRW NRPN: 27649 ]

Architectural Record, 2018

Summary

Pentre-isaf is located c.1km west of the village of Bryneglwys, near Corwen, Denbighshire and c.11km south of the county town of ; it is centred on NGR SJ 13470 47260. The house is not statutorily listed though it is included on the National Monuments Record of Wales, NPRN 27649. The current report summarises the results of a rapid architectural record of the house, made in February 2018 as part of the ‘Discovering Old Welsh Houses’ project, undertaken in partnership with the Royal Commission for Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW). It should be noted that no dendrochronological sampling of the structural timbers within the house has been undertaken at this stage.

Pentre-isaf, in origin, represents a classic cruck-built ‘peasant hall’ house occupying a simple rectangular plan on a characteristic ‘downhill’ site, being terraced in to the rising ground to the north and elevated upon an artificial platform of boulder construction to the south. Internally, four bays would originally have housed (from north to south) an inner room/s, a single-bay hall, a working/passage bay and an outer room/cowhouse. Two original crucks survive largely intact to the centre and northern end of the range, defining either side of the original single-bay hall, together with fragments of a third at the lower side of the passage bay, while the upper end of the original hall is distinguished by a surviving dais partition of ‘post-and- panel’ form, originally furnished with opposing doors to east and west. Formerly timber-framed, the external walls were rebuilt and raised in stone, at which time an enclosed fireplace and stack were introduced within the passage bay at the lower end of the hall, and the latter floored over.

Although no dendrochronological sampling has been undertaken to date at Pentre-isaf, and thus no precise date is available, overall form and details of construction would appear to suggest an early- to mid-16 th century date for the primary house, with principal modifications of inserted stack, flooring over of the hall and underbuilding of external walls in stone being undertaken in the early years of the 17 th century.

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Project

1.1.1 The current report outlines the results of a programme of historic building recording undertaken in February 2018 in respect of Pentre-isaf, Bryneglwys, Denbighshire. The house was recorded as part of the ‘Discovering Old Welsh Houses’ project, 1 undertaken in collaboration with the Royal Commission for Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW).

1 http://datingoldwelshhouses.co.uk

RIC TYLER MCI fA A report commissioned by the Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group in collaboration with PGCert. Arch. Hist. (Oxf.) The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW) 3 PN: 2018-2018 ---0000001(d)1(d) Pentre-Pentre ---isafisafisaf,, Bryneglwys, Denbighshire Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group Architectural Record, 2018

1.2 Site Location

1.2.1 Pentre-isaf is located c.1km west of the village of Bryneglwys, near Corwen, Denbighshire (see Figure 1) and c.11km south of the county town of Ruthin; it is centred on NGR SJ 13470 47260. It occupies an elevated site, lying at c.275m AOD, on northern slopes of the valley of the River Morywinion (Plate 1), a tributary of the Dee which it meets 4.5km to the south-west at , with long views to the Llantysilio Mountains (Bwlth y Groes / Moel Morfydd) to the south and south-east (Plates 3/4). The house is approached via a steep track rising to the north side of the A5104 Corwen Road.

1.3 Designations

1.3.1 Pentre-isaf is not statutorily listed.

1.3.2 Pentre-isaf is included on the National Monuments Record for Wales (NMRW), ref. NPRN 2764927649; the Coflein on-line database includes the following brief comment: 2

Late medieval cruck-framed hall house, clearly originally half-timbered. A cruck-framed partition and central hall truss are of this early period.

1.3.3 An investigator’s report by Peter Smith, dated July 1976, 3 is included within the NMR site files listed on Coflein (Cat. No. 404754), 4 and describes the house as follows:

‘A late-medieval cruck-framed hall-house, clearly originally half-timbered (as shown by two posts connected by slip-tenons to the crucks embedded in later stone walls). Of this period survive the dais cruck-framed partition, the central hall-truss, but a fragment only of the passage partition cruck truss. In the late 16 th - early 17 th century, a stone fireplace was inserted (backing onto the entry) and a wooden floor over the hall. The timber walls were progressively replaced by stone, and the eaves raised, first at the hall end but only recently over the downhouse. The house is a classic example of platform (downhill) siting. The best feature inside is the dais partition, the lower part of which is of post-and-panel construction; it retains one well-fashioned arched doorway. The central truss, characteristically embedded in the later chimney, appears once to have had a tie-beam and vertical stud as accumulating evidence (at Cadwgan Hall and elsewhere) proves to have been a common practice. The construction at the apex is of the common NE Wales type with high yoke and butting blades. There is no clear evidence of arch or wind braces.’

1.4 Scope of the Report

1.4.1 The Historic Building Record was undertaken in accordance with a previously issued ‘Design Brief for Historic Building Recording’, dated July 6 th 2016 and prepared by the Project Director; an adapted copy of this brief is included below as Appendix AA.

1.4.2 This report outlines the results of the building survey, and has been prepared in accordance with Historic England guidelines as published in Understanding Historic Buildings: A Guide to Good Recording Practice (HE, 2016), the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists’ Standard and Guidance for the Archaeological Recording of Standing Buildings or Structures (CI fA, 2014) and the Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers’ Analysis and Recording for the Conservation of Works to Historic Buildings (ALGAO, 1997).

1.4.3 Site survey was undertaken over the course of two days on 5 th -6th February 2018; this report has thus been prepared based upon information current and available as of February 2018.

2 http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/27649/details/pentre-isaf. 3 NBNB. Pentre-isaf is noted in Smith’s Houses of the Welsh Countryside (1988); maps 10, 12, 29 and 37. 4 http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/archive/6065827/details/503.

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1.5 Previous Work / Archive Records

1.5.1 Coflein, the on-line database of the NMRW, lists an investigator’s report dated to 1976 (Cat. No. 404754; see §.1.3.3) and a number of photographic images dating to 1954/5 (Cat. Nos. 404755, 503902/3 and 461655) and 1976 (Cat Nos. 450308, 514226, 500932 and 450309), though these records have not been reviewed as part of the current project.

2 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

2.1 The general objective of the architectural record, as outlined in the ‘project design brief’ (AppendixAppendix AA), was to generate a drawn, photographic and written record of Pentre-isaf. Specific aims of the recording action are listed at section §.4 of the brief.

3 METHODOLOGY

3.1 Documentary Research

3.1.1 Documentary research into the historical background, origins and development of Pentre-isaf is soon to be undertaken by volunteers of the ‘Discovering Old Welsh Houses’ group, and will be reported separately. Thus, no programme of documentary research into the building has been commissioned or undertaken as part of the current Historic Building Record.

3.2 Historic Building Record

3.2.1 The building record comprised an examination of all safely accessible areas of the building and the preparation of drawn, photographic and written records of the same, all carried out to a level commensurate with a ‘Level 2/3’ survey as defined by Historic England in ‘ Understanding Historic Buildings: A Guide to Good Recording Practice ’ (HE, 2016).

Drawn Record

3.2.3 The drawn record comprised the preparation measured plans at principal floor levels, to a sufficient level of detail to illustrate the dimensions, features (including phase breaks, blocked features, former doorways/fireplaces and partition walls etc.) and construction of the building, together with phasing and outline development so far as was practicable from a non-intrusive survey. Representative cross-sections and timber details were recorded as necessary. Plans were prepared on site in pencil on archivally stable drafting- film, at a scale of 1:50 with measurements being obtained by a combination of taped measurement and hand- held laser. Resultant site drawings have served as the basis for the illustrations included within the current document; a register of project drawings is appended as Appendix BB.

Photographic Record

3.2.4 To complement the drawn survey, a photographic record was made comprising high-resolution digital photography using a Nikon D3000 DSLR camera. The survey extended to include general and detailed shots, contextual views of the building and accessible external elevations, general and detail views of principal interior rooms and circulation spaces, together with visible structural and decorative details (both external and internal). Where practically feasible, photographs included graded photographic scales. A register of project photographs is appended as Appendix CC; selected site record photographs are reproduced as plates within the current document.

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Written Record

3.2.5 A written record was maintained in the form both of annotations to site drawings and as free text to accompany the drawn and photographic records, which together form the basis for the following building description. This extended to cover a summary of the building’s form and type, its function (both historically and at present), materials of construction, date and sequence of development so far as practicable from a non-intrusive survey.

4 BUILDING DESCRIPTION 5

4.1 Exterior

4.1.1 Pentre-isaf, in origin, represents a classic four-bay cruck-built ‘peasant hall’, 6 occupying a basic rectangular plan, 18m long x 6m wide ( c.59ft. x 19½ft.), aligned approximately north-south, of two storeys beneath a pitched, slate-clad roof, gabled to north and south, standing c.20ft. tall to apex. It occupies a characteristic ‘downhill’ site, 7 being terraced in to the rising ground to the north and elevated upon an artificial platform of boulder construction to the south (Plate 2). Walls are of roughly-coursed stone rubble throughout, 8 c.1½ft. thick, and are rendered with the exception of the northern gable end (Plate 4). A short, single-flue ridge stack rises centrally to the range, serving an inserted fireplace at the south side of an original single-bay hall, while a further, projecting first-floor stack (truncated/capped) rises at the north gable end, formerly serving the upper storey of the inner bay. All fenestration is modern, comprised double-glazed units. A tall, single-storey gabled extension projects from the central section of the eastern elevation, appended by the present owners in c.2010 (Plate 3), while a small ‘sun-room’/conservatory extension was added to the west side of the house in 2015 (Plate 4).

Key Plan (GF) showing principal elements of recorded building

5 Terminology within the following description follows Brunskill, 1985; Alcock, 1981; and Alcock et al., 1989. 6 See Suggett (2005 and 2013) for discussion of the ‘peasant’ hall house, the latter based upon recent research summarising a paper presented at the Vernacular Architecture Group 2013 Winter Conference. 7 See Smith (1988, 45) for discussion of downhill siting. 8 A secondary development, replacing original timber framed walling evidenced internally (see below).

RIC TYLER MCI fA A report commissioned by the Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group in collaboration with PGCert. Arch. Hist. (Oxf.) The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW) 6 PN: 2018-2018 ---0000001(d)1(d) Pentre-Pentre ---isafisafisaf,, Bryneglwys, Denbighshire Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group Architectural Record, 2018

4.2 The Interior

4.2.1 Internally, the historical core of the house is of four bays (here numbered I to IV from north to south; see key plan, inset above). Recorded details of cross-frames (see below) indicate that the primary plan comprised, from north to south, an inner room/s (Bay I), single-bay hall (Bay II), passage/working bay (Bay III) and outer room/cowhouse (Bay IV). The internal floor level steps down from north to south, with the floor level at Bay I being approximately 3½ft. higher than that to Bay IV. Terminal bays I and IV measure approximately 12½ft. in length, while the central two bays (II/III) are regular, and somewhat longer at 14½ft.

4.2.2 The extant house retains two substantially complete cruck frames to the centre and north end of the range (Bay I/II and Bay II/III), and the fragmentary remains of a third example at Bay III/IV (single, lower blade to west only); end frames to north and south have been lost when the external walls were rebuilt in stone, and it is thus not possible to establish with any certainty whether the range was originally gabled or hipped/half- hipped.

4.2.3 Details of surviving cruck frames can be summarised as follows:

Cruck 1 (Figure 5) forms the division between inner bay (Bay I) and single-bay hall (Bay II), and is of superior quality, formed of gently curving, tapering blades and incorporating a ground floor dais partition of post-and- plank construction below the level of the tie (see §.4.2.5). Above the level of the tie, a central, vertical king- strut rises to a gently-curved collar with a second, lower horizontal beam in two parts, tenoned into the central strut to east (surviving) and west (lost but evidenced by pegging). Both collar and lower, horizontal beam have been interrupted to the west of the central strut for the insertion of a secondary door serving the upper floor inserted within the hall at Bay II; a secondary, horizontal collar has been added above the upper, curved collar. To the apex, cruck blades meet in a vertical abutment with a high yoke (Alcock Type ‘L2’; Plate 24). 9 To the exterior face of the cruck blades, ‘packing pieces’ (Plate 25) would formerly have extended to the level of a horizontal cruck spur, 10 tying the blade back to a wall-post supporting the wall plate at the head of the original timber-framed wall.

Cruck 2 (Figure 6) is partly embedded within a secondary stone stack inserted within the north side of Bay III, though it is partially exposed at ground floor level within hall [G2G2G2], while the upper cruck-frame is fully visible within bedroom [F2F2].F2 It follows the general arrangements of Cruck 1, with gently curved, tapering blades meeting in a Type ‘L2’ apex, and again furnished with a curved collar, above which v-struts extend to the inner face of blades below level of high yoke. The lower frame has been removed for the insertion of the secondary, stone stack, though the collar retains a central pair of peg-holes indicating a former vertical strut beneath, reflecting Cruck 1, originally extending to a lower tie-beam and indicating a ‘closed’ form.

Cruck 3 (Figure 7) is located to the lower side of the passage at Bay III/IV, though only the lower section of the western cruck blade survives, the upper cross-frame having been renewed with a softwood truss of king-post form.

Ground Floor (Figure 3)

4.2.4 To the north end of the range, room [G1G1]G1 (Plates 5/6) occupies Bay I. It is entered from room [G2G2]G2 to the south (Bay II) via opposing doorways within a post-and-panel partition (see below). The room is lit by a single-light window to the east, with splayed reveals, and by a three-light casement to the west, both modern. The room is fully floored over, with the upper floor carried on an axial beam, set into the stone gable to the north and supported on a vertical post to the south (Plate 6), where it has been truncated for the insertion of a modern, straight-flight stair (BBBB) which rises from east-west against the back of the dais partition affording access to the

9 An apex type common to north-east Wales (see Alcock 1981, figure 10). 10 An example of which is visible at Cruck 2(E), at floor level within landing [F3F3F3] (Plate 28).

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first floor accommodation. With the exception of the rear face of the dais partition, room [G1G1]G1 retains little of historical significance.

4.2.5 Room [G2G2]G2 (Plates 7/8) occupies the area of the primary single-bay hall, which would originally have been fully open to apex level. It is lit by a single-light window to the east and a three-light casement to the west, both modern. As noted above, the upper end of the bay is distinguished by a dais partition of post-and-panel construction (Figure 5; Plate 9), integral to the framing of Cruck 1, which includes one original doorway to the west (Plate 10), with shallowly arched head, and evidence for a second, matching opening to the east (Plate 11). Both doorways are narrow and low, that surviving to the west measuring 2½ft. wide and just over 4ft. in height, partly due to the raised transverse cill of the partition, which sits atop a 1½ft. high stone plinth (reflecting the raised floor level of Bay I relative to that of Bay II). The eastern doorway has been modified (Plate 11), the head having been removed and the post originally forming its western jamb having been removed, truncated and re-set somewhat to the west (Plate 12). 11 The dais partition itself is formed of a total of six in-situ studs, 9in. wide by 3¼in. deep and set at c.19-20in. centres, plain-chamfered, unstopped, and double-pegged top and bottom, at tie and cill. Sockets within the eastern and western posts may relate to the location of an original dais bench, evidently reset after the remodelling of the eastern door. The southern side of [G2G2G2] is dominated by a massive stone stack, inserted within the northern half of passage Bay II and with its front face on a line with Cruck 2 (Figure 5). The stack is of slate rubble construction with an 8ft. wide fireplace opening spanned by a substantial timber lintel (Plate 14); a flanking passageway to the east leads through to room [G3G3G3] within the passage bay, and the lower eastern blade of Cruck 2 is here exposed (Plate 15), 12 where it forms the eastern jamb of an access doorway (the doorhead is set at the approximate level of the tie, and the peg-holes may be original, though the extant timber would appear to be secondary, being chamfer- stopped to respect both cruck blade and stack). Room [G2G2G2] is ceiled by an inserted floor (Plates 7/8), supported on an axial beam, c.10in. square with a 1in. plain chamfer, and is carried on regularly spaced, stop- chamfered common joists, 5 x 4in. at 16in. centres, jointed with bare-faced soffit tenons (Plate 16). To the south, the axial beam is embedded in the stonework of the inserted stack, with which it is presumably contemporary while, to the north, it is supported by a bracket applied to one of the dais studs, and by a free- standing, square-section post, set within the body of the hall (Plate 9).

4.2.6 Hallway [G3G3]G3 occupies passage/working Bay III, and includes opposing external doorways to east and west; 13 the western door was formed from a window by the present owner (F Miers pers. comm .), though it is assumed to reflect an original doorway location, effectively forming a ‘cross-passage’ to the southern half of the bay. The floor level of Bay III is set 13in. below that of Bay II. The northern part of the bay is occupied by the inserted stone stack serving the hall (Plate 17) 14 while, to the south, and inserted, straight-flight stair AAA (Plate 18) rises from west to east, enclosed in 19 th -century match-boarding, affording access to the upper floor. The south wall of Bay III has been largely underbuilt in stone (Plate 21), with only a small fragment of the western blade of Cruck 3 surviving, set atop a stone pad and forming the jamb of a wide doorway leading through to Bay IV (Plate 19).

4.2.7 Bay IV forms a single room [G4G4G4], currently occupied by a kitchen, the fittings of which obscure much historical fabric. The room is lit by two windows, both modern, viz. a small single-light window to the south end of the west wall and by a double-light casement with splayed jambs to the centre of the south gable end. The underdrawn ceiling is spanned by a single, substantial transverse beam (Plate 20), 11in. square and roughly converted, though with a 2in. plain chamfer (unstopped), set into the stonework walls to east and west, and displaying redundant mortices for common joists at 16in. centres, now redundant with a new floor set somewhat higher, atop the main beam.

11 An empty mortice and slot in the soffit of the overlying tie-beam (Plate 13) indicate the original location of post and associated panel. 12 A small section of the western blade is exposed to the west (Figure 6). 13 Each serving modern extensions, though originally external doors. 14 A small WC is enclosed to the west side of the stack.

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First Floor (Figure 4)

4.2.8 First floor level is approached by means of two straight-flight stairs, one (BBBB) within Bay 1 and another (AAAA) within passage Bay III, both representing secondary insertions.

4.2.9 Room [F1F1]F1 occupies the upper part of Bay I, where the upper part of Cruck 1 (see §.4.2.3) is exposed, showing details of ‘Type L2’ apex, curved collar and vertical strut extending between collar and tie (Plate 22). An inserted doorway to the west of the central strut opens onto the upper floor (room [F2F2F2]) over the original hall, the level of which is set some 18in. below the floor of [F1F1F1]. No clear evidence for an original upper floor to the inner bay was recorded. The roofline of the range has been historically raised and, in its remodelled form, is supported on two tiers of side-purlins; the upper purlin to the west constitutes a section of re-used wall-plate, displaying mortices for wall studs, regularly spaced at 3ft. 4in. centres, and intermediate, circular stave holes for wattle and daub infill panels, possibly a part of the original wall-framing.

4.2.10 Cruck 1 is also fully exposed within room [F2F2]F2 which occupies the full extent of Bay II (Plate 23), where the ‘packing pieces’ to the exterior faces of the cruck blades are also visible (Plate 25). To the south side of [F2F2F2], the upper part of Cruck 2 is also exposed (Plate 26), partly embedded within the inserted stone stack of Bay III, but with blades, collar and overlying v-struts visible. Trenches within the outer faces of the blades (Plate 27) originally carried side-purlins prior to the raising of the roofline.

4.2.11 Bay III has been sub-divided to form a landing/circulation space [F3F3F3] and bathroom [F4F4F4], with inserted stair AAA rising against the south wall from the passage bay below. The north side of the bay is mostly occupied by the mass of the inserted stone stack (visible within [F4F4F4]; Plate 29), which backs onto the south side of Cruck 2; the eastern blade of the latter is exposed to the north of [F3F3]F3 where, at floor level, what appears to be a horizontal cruck spur (Plate 28) would have originally tied the blade back to a wall-post supporting the wall plate at the head of the original timber-framed wall.

4.2.12 The first floor of Bay IV is occupied by a single space [F5F5],F5 where a secondary king-post truss is exposed to the north (Plate 30) indicating a re-roofing of this end of the range at least, most probably in the later 19 th century. The base of the king-post is joggled and bolted at tie level, with slender raking-struts rising to principals and (assumed) two tiers of side purlins, supported on timber cleats. A low window immediately above floor level to the south wall (see Plate 2) may suggest a former hipped/half-hipped roof form at this end of the range.

5 TREE-RING DATING

5.1 Pentre-isaf was assessed for dendrochronological (tree-ring) analysis in 2016 though, as it was graded at D on an A-F scale and not thought likely to yield a felling date, it was decided not to sample the property at that stage. However, following further sampling of nearby Ty Gwyn (NMRW NPRN 35448),35448 15 a neighbouring ‘cruck hall’ house, giving a Phase 1 date of 1447, additional sampling at Pentre-isaf is currently being considered.

6 DISCUSSION

6.1 Origins

6.1.1 Pentre-isaf was constructed as classic, four-bay, cruck-built ‘peasant hall house’ built on a ‘downhill’ site, comprising an outer bay to the south (downhill), a passage/working bay and single-bay hall, and with inner room(s) to the north, behind a post-and-panel dais partition. The peasant hall, with single- as opposed to two- bay hall, was a development growing out of the gentry hall tradition, first appearing as a distinct built form in

15 http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/35448/details/ty-gwyn . Previously recorded as part of DOWH project (Thompson, 2017).

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the early years of the 16 th century, 16 becoming established by the mid-16 th century, and surviving perhaps as late as the early-17 th century (Suggett 2013, 14). Thus, though the timbers at Pentre-isaf proved to be unsuitable for tree-ring dating and a precise construction date is not known, the form and style of the building are clearly suggestive of an early- to mid-16 th -century origin.

6.1.2 Recorded details suggest that the outer walls of the Pentre-isaf were originally of timber-framed construction, being later underbuilt in stone. Internal bay divisions were marked by cruck-frames, which survive in part; the early form of the gable ends, however, is not clear, in particular whether they would originally have been gabled or of hipped/half-hipped form; the low first-floor window of the south wall may be of significance in this respect, perhaps suggesting a half-hipped form that survived, at least temporarily, the conversion to stone walling. The interpretation of the original internal arrangements are informed by conventional planning and by the details of the surviving crucks. Although simpler in form than the grander ‘gentry’ houses, out of which the building type developed, the ‘peasant hall’ house was nonetheless strictly hierarchical in both its conception and construction (Suggett 2005, 85), 17 with the result that the individual, transverse cruck-frames tend to display distinctive features reflective of their physical location within the building.

6.1.3 Cruck 1, with its well-finished post-and panel dais partition, clearly denotes the upper end of the single-bay hall within Bay II. The opposing original doorways to east and west, opening onto the inner bay, are of particular interest; did they function to afford access to two discrete ground floor rooms, for example, or did one of the openings open onto a stair rising to an original upper floor level over Bay I? 18 While no clear evidence survives for a primary first floor over the inner bay (the current floor being a later insertion/replacement), conventional planning would suggest the inclusion of such a feature from inception, while the projecting stack to the north gable end clearly indicates that the provision of an upper chamber or ‘solar’ was included within the modifications associated with the underbuilding of the exterior walls, if not before. Cruck 2, was located at the lower end of the hall, and formed the ‘entrance’ to the latter, a location that often lead to an enhanced architectural treatment, and in this respect, the presence here of decorative v-struts to the apex is of note. The lower details of Cruck 2 have, unfortunately, been lost (as is often the case) to the insertion of the secondary fireplace and its associated stone-built stack, but this location was commonly characterised by wide- set posts beneath the tie-beam forming a simplified type of ‘spere-truss’ defining the entrance to the hall from the passage bay ( ibid., 84). 19 To the south of the hall, the passage bay itself (Bay III) is long, equal in length to the hall itself, and was most-probably multi-functional in form, reasonably combining the function of entrance passage with the servicing of the outer bay as a feedwalk and perhaps for crop processing ( ibid ., 88). Bay IV to the south of the range would most probably have served as a cowhouse, with a feed storage floor over.

6.2 Modifications

6.2.1 In late-16 th or early-17 th century, a stone fireplace with associated, massive stone stack was inserted within Bay III, backing onto and retaining the cross-passage to the rear of the stack, and a floor introduced within the hall (Bay II), thereby forming an upper chamber. It is assumed that the underbuilding of the exterior walls formed part of the same general process of improvement. These modifications reflect a widespread process of conversion of late-medieval hall-houses (Suggett 2005, 163), evidently undertaken from the late-16 th century and progressively adapting existing housing stock to suit contemporary tastes and requirements.

6.2.2 More recently, the house has undergone a number of phases of restoration and refurbishment/extension; Smith, for example, noted in 1976 that the house was being ‘restored’ at that date by the then owners, a Mr. and Mrs. Chalinor, while significant additions have been made by the current owners. Details such as windows

16 The earliest example so far identified having been dated to 1501 (Tŷ Cerrig, Llanfwrog, Denbighshire; NMRW PRN 27257).27257 17 Reflected by the fact that the ‘status’ rooms of inner bay and hall are not only socially, but also physically higher than the passage and outer bay, with an overall height differential at Pentre-isaf of 3½ft. from Bay I (N) to Bay IV (S). 18 There is no evidence to suggest an upper doorway within the dais partition, which would afford access to a putative upper room from within the body of hall. 19 Examples have been recorded with close-studding or even post-and-panel partitions below tie level, flanking a central opening.

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have been renewed throughout during the course of the 20 th century, while rendering precludes any meaningful interpretation of the external stone walls. Sufficient fabric survives exposed internally, however, to establish the general chronological development of a house of considerable intrinsic interest.

7 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

7.1 The project was commissioned by Mrs. Margaret Dunn and Dr. Martin Cherry of the ‘Discovering Old Welsh Houses’ group, to whom thanks are given for assistance and cooperation throughout. The survey was possible thanks to generous grant funding from The Woodtiger Fund, the Marc Fitch Fund, the Vernacular Architecture Group, and the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB . Special thanks are extended to Mr. and Mrs. Miers, owners of Pentre-isaf, for allowing unrestricted access to the property for the purposes of survey. Thanks to Mrs Margaret Dunn and Dr. Martin Cherry (DOWHG), and to Mr. Richard Suggett (RCAHMW) for comments on the draft version of the current report.

7.2 Site recording and assessment were undertaken by Mr Ric Tyler MCI fA who also wrote, collated and illustrated the current report.

Ric TylerTyle rrr MCI fA 01.03.2018

RIC TYLER MCI fA A report commissioned by the Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group in collaboration with PGCert. Arch. Hist. (Oxf.) The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW) 11 PN: 2018-2018 ---0000001(d)1(d) Pentre-Pentre ---isafisafisaf,, Bryneglwys, Denbighshire Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group Architectural Record, 2018

8 SOURCES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY a) Published Sources

Alcock, NW, 1981. Cruck Construction: An introduction and catalogue . London, Council for British Archaeology Res. Rep. 42.42

Alcock NW, Barley MW, Dixon PW and Meeson RA, 1989. Recording Timber-Framed Buildings: An Illustrated Glossary. Practical Handbooks in Archaeology No.5 . London, Council for British Archaeology.

Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers (ALGAO), 1997. Analysis and Recording for the Conservation and Control of Works to Historic Buildings.

Brunskill RW, 1994. Timber Building in Britain . 2 nd Edition. London, Victor Gallanz.

CI fA, 2014. Standard and Guidance for the Archaeological Investigation and Recording of Standing Buildings or Structures. University of Reading, CIFA.

Historic England, 2016. Understanding Historic Buildings: A Guide to Good Recording Practice.

Smith P, 1988. Houses of the Welsh Countryside: A Study in Historical Geography (2 nd Edition). London, HMSO.

Suggett R, 2005. Houses and History in the March of Wales; Radnorshire 1400-1800 . Aberystwyth, RCAHMW.

Suggett R, 2013. ‘Peasant Houses and Identity in Medieval Wales’ in Vernacular Architecture Vol. 44,44 p.6-18. Leeds, Maney Publishing. b) Unpublished Sources

Thompson P, 2017. ‘Ty Gwyn, Bryneglwys, Corwen, Denbighshire, LL21 9NA: Architectural Record, 2017’. Report commissioned by Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group. c) Online Sources

• http://www.archaeologists.net • www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk. • www.coflein.gov.uk • http://discoveringoldwelshhouses.co.uk • https://historicengland.org.uk

RIC TYLER MCI fA A report commissioned by the Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group in collaboration with PGCert. Arch. Hist. (Oxf.) The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW) 12 Bryneglwys N

see Figure 2

Based upon Explorer 1:25,000 map (Sheet 256) Ordnance Survey c Crown Copyright 2015. 0 1 2km All rights reserved. Licence No. 100050391.

RIC TYLER Pentre-isaf, Bryneglwys, Denbighshire MCIfA PGCert. Arch. Hist (Oxf.) Figure 1: Locaon Plan N

Pentreisaf [NPRN 27649]

Google Earth; image dated 20.04.2009

RIC TYLER Pentre-isaf, Bryneglwys, Denbighshire MCIfA PGCert. Arch. Hist (Oxf.) Figure 2: Detailed locaon; modern aerial photograph NB: for illustrave purposes only, do not scale from this drawing N

retaining wall

secondary stone walls C B A

WC cruck blade

[G3] postandpanel dais paron inserted stone stack FP [G1] [G4] A

[G2] B

boulder foongs C B A

retaining wall Bay IV Bay III Bay II Bay I (outer bay / cowhouse) (passage bay) (singlebay hall) (inner bay) (LOST CRUCK) CRUCK 3 CRUCK 2 CRUCK 1 (LOST CRUCK)

NB: Modern extensions omied for clarity 0 1 5m Scale in metres, 1:100 @ A4 Scale in feet 0 5 15. RIC TYLER Pentre-isaf, Bryneglwys, Denbighshire MCIfA PGCert. Arch. Hist (Oxf.) Figure 3: Ground floor plan NB: for illustrave purposes only, do not scale from this drawing N

secondary stone walls C B A

corbelled stack

[F5] (underdrawn ceiling) [F4] cruck embedded FP in inserted stack (bl.) (underdrawn B ceiling) [F2] [F1] A

fragment of original purlin [F3] cruck spur

C B A

Bay IV Bay III Bay II Bay I

(LOST CRUCK) (LOST CRUCK) CRUCK 3 CRUCK 2 CRUCK 1 (lost at this level)

NB: Modern extensions omied for clarity

0 1 5m Scale in metres, 1:100 @ A4 Scale in feet 0 5 15. RIC TYLER Pentre-isaf, Bryneglwys, Denbighshire MCIfA PGCert. Arch. Hist (Oxf.) Figure 4: First floor plan NB: for illustrave purposes only, do not scale from this drawing

WEST EAST

raised roofline secondary sidepurlins

packing piece ‘L2’ apex packing piece secondary

collar

secondary [F2] e stone walls secondary stone walls inserted floor (C17th)

bracket orig. orig. door(widened) door [G2]

floor level to Bay I

cill stone plinth

reset dais post

0 1 3m Scale in metres, 1:50 @ A4 Scale in feet 0 5 10.

RIC TYLER Pentre-isaf, Bryneglwys, Denbighshire MCIfA PGCert. Arch. Hist (Oxf.) Figure 5: Transverse crosssecon at A-A, Cruck 1 (dais paron) NB: for illustrave purposes only, do not scale from this drawing

EAST WEST

raised roofline secondary sidepurlins

‘L2’ apex

fragment of orig. purlin fragment of orig. purlin pegging for vert. strut

? ?

[F2]

NB. peg hole indicates level of original e

inserted floor (C17th)

secondary [G2] stone walls secondary Inserted fireplace stone walls

SJ

0 1 3m Scale in metres, 1:50 @ A4 Scale in feet 0 5 10.

RIC TYLER Pentre-isaf, Bryneglwys, Denbighshire MCIfA PGCert. Arch. Hist (Oxf.) Figure 6: Transverse crosssecon at B-B, Cruck 2 (lower end of hall) NB: for illustrave purposes only, do not scale from this drawing

WEST EAST

secondary kingpost truss raised roofline

bolted KP

[F5]

secondary stone walls inserted stone wall secondary stone walls cruck blade [G4]

0 1 3m Scale in metres, 1:50 @ A4 Scale in feet 0 5 10.

RIC TYLER Pentre-isaf, Bryneglwys, Denbighshire MCIfA PGCert. Arch. Hist (Oxf.) Figure 7: Transverse crosssecon at C-C, parally surviving Cruck 3 PN: 20182018----001(d)001(d) PentrePentre----iiiisaf,saf, Bryneglwys, Denbighshire Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group Architectural Record, 2018

Plate 11: Contextual, long view of Pentre-isaf looking north from A5104 Corwen Road.

RIC TYLER MCI fA A report commissioned by the Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group in collaboration with PGCert. Arch. Hist. (Oxf.) The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW) Plates PN: 20182018----001(d)001(d) PentrePentre----iiiisaf,saf, Bryneglwys, Denbighshire Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group Architectural Record, 2018

Plate 2:2 Pentre-isaf looking north-west illustrating characteristic ‘downhill’ siting, terraced into rising ground to north.

Plate 333:3 Pentre-isaf looking south-west illustrating hillside location overlooking valley of River Morwynion; NB.NB modern extension to east elevation dates to 2010.

RIC TYLER MCI fA A report commissioned by the Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group in collaboration with PGCert. Arch. Hist. (Oxf.) The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW) Plates PN: 20182018----001(d)001(d) PentrePentre----iiiisaf,saf, Bryneglwys, Denbighshire Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group Architectural Record, 2018

Plate 4:4 Pentre-isaf looking south-east with Llantysilio mountains in background; note first floor projecting stack to north gable end.

Plate 55: Bay III (Room [G1G1G1]) looking north-west. Plate 66: Bay III (Room [G1G1G1]) looking south-east.

RIC TYLER MCI fA A report commissioned by the Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group in collaboration with PGCert. Arch. Hist. (Oxf.) The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW) Plates PN: 20182018----001(d)001(d) PentrePentre----iiiisaf,saf, Bryneglwys, Denbighshire Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group Architectural Record, 2018

Plate 77: Bay II (Room [G2G2])G2 looking north-east. Plate 88: Bay II (Room [G2G2G2]) looking south-west.

Plate 999:9 Post-and-panel dais partition to north side of Bay II (Room [G2G2G2]).

RIC TYLER MCI fA A report commissioned by the Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group in collaboration with PGCert. Arch. Hist. (Oxf.) The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW) Plates PN: 20182018----001(d)001(d) PentrePentre----iiiisaf,saf, Bryneglwys, Denbighshire Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group Architectural Record, 2018

Plate 11101 000: Original door at west end of dais partition. Plate 1111: Modified door at east end of dais partition.

Plate 1212: Reset, truncated dais post. PlatePlate 13:13 Original post-mortice and slot for panel.

RIC TYLER MCI fA A report commissioned by the Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group in collaboration with PGCert. Arch. Hist. (Oxf.) The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW) Plates PN: 20182018----001(d)001(d) PentrePentre----iiiisaf,saf, Bryneglwys, Denbighshire Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group Architectural Record, 2018

Plate 114444: Wide fireplace dominating south side of [G2G2]G2 (Bay II).

Plate 115555: Eastern blade of Cruck 2, visible from [G2G2G2]. Plate 1616: Stop-chamfered common joists of inserted ceiling with bare-faced soffit-tenons.

RIC TYLER MCI fA A report commissioned by the Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group in collaboration with PGCert. Arch. Hist. (Oxf.) The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW) Plates PN: 20182018----001(d)001(d) PentrePentre----iiiisaf,saf, Bryneglwys, Denbighshire Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group Architectural Record, 2018

Plate 17:17 Inserted stack to north side of Bay III ([G3G3]).G3 Plate 1818: Inserted stair to south side of [G3G3].G3

Plate 1919: Western blade of Cruck 3. PlatePlate 202020: Room [G4G4]G4 looking south-west.

RIC TYLER MCI fA A report commissioned by the Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group in collaboration with PGCert. Arch. Hist. (Oxf.) The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW) Plates PN: 20182018----001(d)001(d) PentrePentre----iiiisaf,saf, Bryneglwys, Denbighshire Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group Architectural Record, 2018

Plate 2121: Transverse partition at Bay III/IV rebuilt in stone; Room [G4G4]G4 looking north-east.

Plate 2222: Upper part of Cruck 1 within room [F1F1F1]. PlatePlate 2323:23 Upper part of Cruck 1 within Room [F2F2].F2

RIC TYLER MCI fA A report commissioned by the Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group in collaboration with PGCert. Arch. Hist. (Oxf.) The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW) Plates PN: 20182018----001(d)001(d) PentrePentre----iiiisaf,saf, Bryneglwys, Denbighshire Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group Architectural Record, 2018

Plate 24:24 Alcock ‘Type L2’ apex detail with high yoke Plate 2525: ‘Packing piece’ to exterior of cruck blade; and vertical abutments. Cruck 1 (W).

Plate 2626: Upper part of Cruck 2 within [F2F2F2]. PlatePlate 272727: Trench for original side-purlin; Cruck 2 (W).

RIC TYLER MCI fA A report commissioned by the Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group in collaboration with PGCert. Arch. Hist. (Oxf.) The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW) Plates PN: 20182018----001(d)001(d) PentrePentre----iiiisaf,saf, Bryneglwys, Denbighshire Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group Architectural Record, 2018

Plate 28:28 Cruck spur to Cruck 2 (E), visible at floor level within [F3F3F3].

Plate 2929: Rear of inserted stack within [F4F4F4]. PlatePlate 303030: Secondary KP truss to north side of [F5F5F5].

RIC TYLER MCI fA A report commissioned by the Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group in collaboration with PGCert. Arch. Hist. (Oxf.) The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW) Plates PN: 2018-2018 ---0000001(1(d1(ddd)))) PentrePentre----iiiisafsafsaf,, Bryneglwys,Bryneglwys ,,, DenbighDenbighshshiresh ire Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group Architectural Record, 2018

APPENDIX A : Project Design Brief (amended from 2016 document)

1. Project background

1.1. The Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group aims to identify, sample and date using dendrochronology, and record Tudor/Elizabethan buildings with suitable original timber. Volunteers undertake documentary research and the results are widely disseminated and deposited in regional Historic Environment Records (HERs) and Coflein. The copyright of all project reports and materials belong to the Group.

2. Site locations

The current phase of recording relates to five buildings; viz . Pwllhalog and Terfyn, Cwm, Denbighshire; Maes y Coed, Afonwen, Flintshire; Pentre-isaf, Bryneglwys and Cae’r-Afallen, Ruthin, Denbighshire. Only one of the buildings (Cae’r- Afallen) has successfully been dated using dendrochronology (in June 2014), the report on which is available via the Group’s website: www.discoveringoldwelshhouses.co.uk .

3. General Requirements

3.1. The building recording must be undertaken by an appropriately qualified individual or organisation, fully experienced in work of this character. Access to small awkward loft spaces may be necessary.

3.2. Contractors and sub-contractors are expected to i) conform to standard professional guidelines; ii) meet all Health and Safety requirements, including the Group’s risk assessments; iii) possess current adequate insurance cover.

3.3. If contingencies arise, such as the need for additional work to record unexpected and important features, the Secretary should be contacted immediately and before any additional work is undertaken.

3.4. Many people in North Wales speak Welsh as their first language, and many of the archive and documentary references are in Welsh. Contractors should therefore give due consideration to their ability to understand and converse in Welsh.

4. Building Detail Record of each building

4.1. The amount of recording required will depend on what has already been undertaken by RCAHMW or others. The aim is to provide sufficient information of the early historic features to identify their significance. Detailed recording will be reserved for components which have been dendro-dated during this Project. Because of the nature of the timber samples required (certain numbers of rings) it is likely that the timbers will be structural timbers and probably, mostly, roof trusses and ceiling/floor beams.

4.2. An important component of the dating programme will include a detailed, measured and drawn, record of the timbers dated and the position of sampling cores.

4.3. Particular attention should be paid to diagnostic features, detail and structure, as the association of dendrochronological dates with the shape or style of the timbers has the potential to contribute to the development of a dated typology of such features.

In particular, attention should be paid to details such as:

i) the scale and positioning of collar beams and tie beams ii) the detail of major joints, for example, mortice and tenon, lap-joints, scarf joints

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iii) the presence or otherwise of struts springing from collars or king-posts iv) the number and position of peg holes at joints and any re-pegging v) the presence, or indication, of panelling between the spaces of structural members of trusses (seen as grooves/dowel holes) vi) the presence of decorative features, such as cusping, bosses, chamfering and fancy stops; and mortices below collars, tie-beams or floor/ceiling beams to accommodate stud partitions vii) the presence, or indication (seen as mortices), of arched braces and wind braces; viii) that some collar beam trusses with arched braces exhibit an arched profile at the level of the collar - some are more pointed than others and this is likely to be a chronological feature ix) the number of purlins (distinguish between butt purlins and through-purlins with scarfed joints); re-cutting of purlin slots and positioning and re- pegging of joists could be an indication of a reset truss or a re-vamped roof.

4.4. The minimum requirement for recording of dendrochronologically-dated timbers should include:

4.4.1. Contextual informationinformation.

i) Brief description of the building from which the sample is taken. ii) Summary of period phases represented in the building. iii) Brief description of the relationship to other contemporary features and other relevant, non-contemporary features within the building. (Written description, preferably supplemented by sketch plans/elevations and/or photographs)

4.4.2. Detailed recording Structural features being dated require measured drawings, in elevation and cross section, including associated components. That is, if part of a truss is being dated, the complete truss should be recorded. Similarly, if a ceiling/floor beam is recorded, the style of chamfer/chamfer stops, cross section of beam and style and spacing of joists should be recorded.

4.4.3. Brief written statement of possible potential for future recording.

4.4.4. Photographs should be used not only to show the appearance of the building but also to record the evidence on which the analysis of its historic development is based. Each print should be clearly labelled with the subject, orientation and the date taken, and cross-referenced to its negative and or digital file.

4.4.5. If utilising digital technology, high resolution images (preferably in tiff. format) must be produced. These should be presented within the report as a hard copy and a compact disc must be included as an archive to accompany the report.

5. Time Scale

It is hoped that the building recording can take place very soon in February 2018, with further visits arranged with the owner of a building as necessary.

6. Reports

Reports for all buildings will be required by March 2018201 888 or before if possible.

7. Monitoring

The Project will be monitored by experienced members of the Group to ensure the fulfilment of the brief and specifications.

8. Payment

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8.1. Only a finite amount of money has been allocated to this aspect of the project. 8.2. Once the work has been satisfactorily completed, invoices, including VAT etc, should be sent to the Secretary.

9. Summary re Surveys & Reports:

1. Follow the attached RCAHME Recording Historic Buildings Specification. It has to be adjusted to for digital survey. Copies are available from Margaret Dunn. 2. The emphasis should be on SURVEY & DRAWINGS and PHOTOGRAPHY. By and large others cover the history and interpretation though sometimes detailed descriptions are needed. 3. A ground-floor plan is always needed, simplified first-floor plan with position of roof trusses and fireplaces, cross-sections with the key historic trusses; architectural detail. Location of samples if possible. 4. Photography – as RCAHME specification. 5. Each site is different and some have been recorded before. There will to be a different specification for each site. 6. Final report in digital format is essential with hard copies including plans at relevant scale, with summary: i) Description. ii) Ground-floor plan, roof plan, cross-section of historic trusses (= level 3); iii) Photography (= level 3.); iv) Final report in digital form and hard copy. 7. CopyrighCopyright: Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group. We have an agreement to put the report as PDF on Coflein RCAHMW’s on-line database as part of partnership. 8. Archive. Archive to be deposited in RCAHMW’s archive (National Monuments Record for Wales) as part of partnership.

RIC TYLER MCI fA A report commissioned by the Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group in collaboration with PGCert. Arch. Hist. (Oxf.) The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW) Appendix A PN: 2018-2018 ---0000001(1(d1(ddd)))) PentrePentre----iiiisafsafsaf,, Bryneglwys,Bryneglwys ,,, DenbighDenbighshshiresh ire Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group Architectural Record, 2018

APPENDIX B : Register of Project Drawings

NBNB: All site drawings were prepared in pencil on archivally stable drafting film at a scale of 1:50 and/or 1:20 as appropriate.

Drg. No. Subject Format Scale Date Recorder 2018-001(d)/001 Ground floor plan A3 1:50 05.02.18 R Tyler 2018-001(d) /00 2 First floor plan A3 1:50 05.02.18 R Tyler 2018-001(d) /00 3 Cross -sections (1): Cruck 1 and Cruck 2 A3 1:50 05.02.18 R Tyler 2018-001(d) /00 4 Cross -sections (2): KP truss 3 A3 1:50 05.02.18 R Tyler 2018-001(d) /00 5 Longitudinal cross -section looking west A3 1:50 05.02.18 R Tyler

APPENDIX C : Register of Project Photographs

NBNB: All photographs taken with Nikon D3000 digital SLR camera, 10 mega-pixels. Photos marked with an asterix (****) are reproduced as plates within the current document.

Photo No. Plate No. Subject Orientation Date Photographer DSC_0001*DSC_0001 *** 222 General exterior view looking north-west → NW 05.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0002 Gener al exterior view looking north -east → NE 05.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0003 General exterior view looking north → N 05.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0004 General exterior view looking west → W 05.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0005 *** 333 General exterior view looking south -we st (landscap e) → SE 05.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0006 General exterior view looking south -we st (portrait) → SE 05.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0007 General exterior view looking south (north gable end) → S 05.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0008 North gable ned with projecting 1F chimney → S 05.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0009 General exterior view looking south-east (portrait) → SE 05.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0010 *** 444 General exterior view looking south -east (landscape) → SE 05.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0011 East elevation, north end → W 05.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0012 2010 extension to east elevation, oblique view → SW 05.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0013 East elevation, south end → W 05.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0014 East elevation, south end (oblique) → NW 05.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0015 2015 ‘sun room’ extension to west elevation → E 05.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0016 West elevation (oblique), including offset at Bay I/II → S 05.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0201 Room [G1G1G1] looking south-east → SE 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0202 *** 555 Room [ G1 ] looking north -west → NW 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0203 *** 666 Room [ G1 ]; in serted stair BBB → S 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0204 Room [G1G1G1]; inserted stair BBB → SW 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0 205 Room [ G1 ]; eastern blade of Cruck 1 → S 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0 206 Room [ G1 ]; western blade of Cruck 1 → SW 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0207 Room [G1G1G1]; western blade of Cruck 1 → SW 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0208 *** 777 Room [ GGG222] looking north -east → NE 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0209 Room [GGGG2222] looking north-west → NW 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0210 *** 888 Room [ GGG222] looking south -west → SW 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0 211 Room [ GGG222]; post -and -panel dais partition → N 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0212DSC_0212**** 999 Room [GGGG2222]; post-and-panel dais partition → N 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0213 *** 10 Room [ GGG222]; door to west end of dais partition → NW 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0 214 Room [ GGG222]; doorhead to west end of dais partition → N 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0215 Room [GGGG2222]; mortices in dais partition, poss. rel. dais bench detail 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0 216 Room [ GGG222]; modified door to east end of dais partition → N 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0217 *** 12 Room [ GGG222]; re -set dais post ↓ 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0218 *** 13 Room [ GGG222]; post mortice and slot for panel in soffit of Cruck 1 tie ↑ 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0 219 Rear of dais partition visible from [ G1] → SW 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0 220 Lower eastern blade of Cruck 1 (seen from [ G1]) → S 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0221DSC_0221**** 11 Lower eastern blade of Cruck 1 (seen from [GGGG2222]) → N 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0 222 Free -standing post supporting inserted, axial floor beam; [ G2] → NE 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0223DSC_0223**** 14 Inserted fireplace to south side of [GGGG2222] → S 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0 224 Inserted floor beam set into stonework of fireplace; [ G2 ] detail 07.02.18 R Tyler

RIC TYLER MCI fA A report commissioned by the Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group in collaboration with PGCert. Arch. Hist. (Oxf.) The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW) Appendix CCC PN: 2018-2018 ---0000001(1(d1(ddd)))) PentrePentre----iiiisafsafsaf,, Bryneglwys,Bryneglwys ,,, DenbighDenbighshshiresh ire Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group Architectural Record, 2018

DSC_0225*DSC_0225 *** 16 Inserted floor, common joists; detail of bare-faced soffit-tenon detail 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0 226 Lower eastern blade of Cr uck 2 (seen from [ G2]) → S 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0227 *** 15 Lower eastern blade of Cruck 2 (seen from [ G2]) → SE 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0228 Lower eastern blade of Cruck 2 (seen from [GGGG3333]) → NE 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0 229 Lower eastern blade of Cruck 2 (seen from [ G2]); lap -joint for tie? detail 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0 230 Lower western blade of Cruck 2 (partly visible from [ G2]) → S 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0 231 Unusual ‘slot’ within soffit of axial floor beam (1 of 2) detail 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0232 *** 17 Rea r of inserted stone stack to north side of Bay III (Room [ G3 ]) → NW 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0233 *** 18 Stair AAA, inserted to south side of Bay III (Room [ G3 ]) → E 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0234 Enclosed stair AAA,A oblique view → SE 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0235 *** 19 Low er western blade of Cruck 3 (seen from [ GGG333]) → SW 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0 236 Lower western blade of Cruck 3 (seen from [ GGG444]) → NW 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0237 *** 21 Wall between Bays III/IV, rebuilt in stone (from [ G4 ]) → N 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0238 *** 20 Room [G4 ]; transverse ceiling beam → W 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0 239 Room [ G4 ]; transverse ceiling beam – rudimentary chamfer stop detail 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0 240 Room [ G4 ]; transverse ceiling beam – rough conversion / waney edge → E 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0 241 Room [ G4 ]; transverse ceiling beam – redundant joist sockets detail 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0243 Room [G4G4G4]; wide southern window with splayed reveals → S 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_024 444*** 22 Room [ F1 ]; upper part of Cruck 1 looking south → S 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0 245 Room [ F1 ]; Cruck 1, Type ‘L2’ apex detail detail 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0246 Room [F1F1F1]; detail of Cruck 1 (curved collar and central strut) → SE 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0 247 Room [ F1 ]; upper part of Cruck 1 → SW 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0 249 Room [ FFF111]; upper west side purlin (re -used wall plate) ↑ 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0250 Room [FFFF2222]; upper part of Cruck 1 looking north → N 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_02 51*** 23 Room [ FFF222]; upper part of Cruck 1 looking north → N 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0 252 Room [ FFF222]; upper part of Cruck 1 looking north → N 07.02.18 R Tyl er DSC_0253*DSC_0253 *** 25 Room [FFFF2222]; ‘packing piece’ to western blade, cruck 2 → NW 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0 254 Room [ FFF222]; detail of Cruck 1 (curved collar and central strut) → N 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0255 *** 24 Room [ FFF222]; Cruck 1, Type ‘L2’ apex detail ↑ 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0256 Room [FFFF2222]; upper part of Cruck 2 looking south → S 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0257 *** 26 Room [ FFF222]; upper part of Cruck 2 looking south → S 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0258 Room [FFFF2222]; Cruck 2 – v-struts above collar → S 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0 259 Roo m [ FFF222]; Cruck 2, Type ‘L2’ apex detail ↑ 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0260 *** 27 Room [ FFF222]; Cruck 2, trench for original side -purlin detail 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0 261 Room [ FFF222]; Cruck 2, fragment of original side -purlin → S 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0262 Room [FFFF2222] looking north-west → NW 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0 263 Room [ FFF222] looking north -east → NE 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0264 Room [FFFF2222]; ‘packing piece’ to western blade, cruck 2 → N 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0 265 Room [ FFF222]; Cruck 2 – paired peg -holes for former central strut → S 07.02.18 R Tyler beneath collar DSC_0 266 Eastern blade of Cruck 2, visible from [ F3 ] → N 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0267*DSC_0267 *** 28 Small fragment of probable cruck spur to Cruck 2 (E) → N 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0 269 Eastern blade of Cruck 2, visible from [ F3 ] → NE 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0270 Eastern blade of Cruck 2, visible from [F3F3]F3 → N 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0271 *** 29 Rear of inserted stone stack, exposed within [ F4 ] → NE 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0 272 Rear of inserted stone stack, exposed within [ F4 ] → NW 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0273 Stair AAA,A inserted to south side of Bay III ↓ 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0 274 Room [ F5 ] looking south -west → SW 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0 275 Room [ F5 ] looking north (incl. KP truss) → N 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0276DSC_0276**** 30 Room [F5F5F5] looking north-east (incl. KP truss) → NE 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0 277 Room [ F5 ]; detail of joggled/bolted KP detail 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0 278 Long view of Pentre -isaf from south -east → NW 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0279DSC_0279**** 111 Long view of Pentre-isaf from south → N 07.02.18 R Tyler DSC_0 280 Long view of Pent re-isaf from south → N 07.02.18 R Tyler

RIC TYLER MCI fA A report commissioned by the Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group in collaboration with PGCert. Arch. Hist. (Oxf.) The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW) Appendix CCC