BARLEY BARN

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Aisled barn built possibly not later than 1130 or early 13th century, altered in early 16th and 17th centuries. Close-studded timber-framing, plastered and weatherboarded, later brick infill and relatively modern roof of handmade red plain tiles. Barley Barn is one of two barns which constitute the only surviving remains of the Knights Templars' settlement at Cressing.

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(TL 799 186) Cressing Temple (NR) (1)

The house of Knights Templar at Cressing was donated by Maud (queen of Stephen) in 1136, all that now remains are two barns. Barley Barn is possibly not later than 1130 and Wheat Barn is late 13th century (see TL 71 NE ). (2-5)

The farm was leased to a private owner in 1515. Barley Barn is listed Grade I. (4)

Recognisable extant remains of the Templars establishment are confined to the barns. Barley Barn stands at TL 79891877 and is basically of close studded timber framing with later brick infill, and relatively modern timber roofs. Both Barley Barn and Wheat Barn are outstanding examples of early barns and the former is regarded as the oldest in the country. See photographs.

Published 1:2500 survey correct. (6)

Barley Barn. Early 13th century, altered in the early 16th century and 17th century. Timber framed, plastered and weatherboarded, roofed with handmade red plain tiles, plinth of red brick in irregular bond. 7 bays aligned NE-SW with 2 aisles and midstrey to SE. The SE elevation has great doors. Dated by radiocarbon to c1200, dendrochronological analysis of one core indicated construction soon after 1220. Major early 16th century alteration to reduce the NE bay to a half-bay with hip. Small lean-to extension at north corner demolished 1986. (7)

TL 799187 Cressing Temple scheduled - Essex 211. (8)

The Barley Barn is among a group of historic buildings at Cressing Temple which are being brought into public ownership by Essex County Council with the help of substantial grants from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and English Heritage. (9)

Additional References. (10)(11)(12)(13)

This record was originally part of TL 71 NE 19. (14)

SOURCE TEXT

(1) Ordnance Survey Map (Scale / Date)

OS 6" 1960

(2) by David Knowles and R Neville Hadcock 1971 Medieval religious houses in England and Wales

1971 edition Page(s)292-, 300-3

(3) by Nikolaus Pevsner ; revised by Enid Radcliffe 1965 Essex

The buildings of England Page(s)153

(4) List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest

DOE (HHR) Braintree RD April 1976

(5) Essex Archaeological Society transactions

1923 (RC Fowler) 16 Page(s)110

(6) Field Investigators Comments

F1 BHS 06-MAY-76

(7) List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest

Braintree, 29-JUL-1988 1248 Page(s)41

(8) General reference

English Heritage SAMs Essex 1987 Page(s)4

(9) General reference

Essex Archaeology Society Newsletter 1987 100 Page(s)22

(10) Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England) 1922 An inventory of the historical monuments in Essex. Volume III [north-east]

Page(s)79

(11) General reference

CA Hewett, The Development of Carpentry 1200-1700, an Essex Study, 1969 Page(s)22-32,55-8

(12) Vernacular Architecture Group Vernacular architecture

1985 16 Page(s)41

(13) Essex Archaeological and Historical Congress Essex journal: a review of archaeology and local history

(plan of Cressing Temple complex) 22.3 Page(s)67-71

(14) General reference

KMF 15-JUN-1995 RCHME Recording

(15) National Record of Industrial Monuments

Recorded by JB Lucy, Jul-1973

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CRESSING TEMPLE
CRESSING

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Site of the earliest English Knights Templars settlement, donated by Maud in 1136. Settlement dissolved 1308-12 becoming a preceptory of the Knights ...

CRESSING TEMPLE
CRESSING

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A Tudor period and later post-medieval farm on the site of a Knights Templars settlement, including a 16th century farmhouse and 18th, 19th and 20th c...

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