NHER 56596 (Building record) - Barn at Black Carr Farm, Besthorpe

October 2011. Building Survey.
Assessment of timber-framed barn at Black Carr Farm (Barn A).
See report (S1) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 8 September 2015.

January 2012. Building Survey.
Reconsideration of the interpretation of this barn presented in (S1).
The barn is of three bays and its roof was replaced in the 18th century. The barn may or may not have been moved to this site in the 18th century but it certainly underwent major repair.
The massive braces which make such an impact were interpreted in (S1) as part of the original structure but in fact they are part of a relatively late attempt at repair. This consisted of replacing the north east principal post of the centre bay. This had a mortise cut to take the tenon of one of the massive braces whilst the other posts, which remained in situ, had simple notches and the braces are held in position with bolts. Furthermore, where the braces meet the tie beams they are crudely held in position with nails. The impressive size of the braces and their proximity to the other original shorter braces has led to the faulty interpretation owing to a superficial similarity to passing braces in aisled barns. The braces are clearly additions, probably of the 18th century.
The scarf joint referred to as edge-halved is in fact face-halved and bladed normally belonging to the second half of the 16th century and 17th century. A 14th-century building would have had splayed scarf joints.
The building is still of very considerable interest particularly owing to something omitted from the report. The principal posts of the centre bay, except for the replaced one, have raised central fillets in line with the original braces and carry on along the soffits of the tie beams. This is decorative and designed to give the impression of a complete arch combining the posts, braces and tie in one continuous line. This is a technique which is commonly observed in late medieval structures and well into the 16th century. In this case the effect is not very successful but represents an interesting survival of the technique.
The principal posts have massive jowls which is principally a post medieval technique. In the 14th century jowls like this were not used – they were little more than a slight expansion and are called ‘upstands’. They gradually increase in size to reach the massive proportions of those at Black Carr.
There is some cranked down bracing and the fine studwork is of heavy scantling and wide spacing.
On balance a medieval (before 1530) date can be discounted. The correct date is later in the 16th century c.1570.
S. Heywood (HES), 30 January 2012.