Arrow slit windows ? Ignorant eejit needs help.

[jess marley]

When did what I call, probably erroneously, 'arrow-slit' windows stop being used in agricultural and/or domestic buildings? We have one built into what was once the rear wall of our house, before the house was later extended. The opening measures 8" wide x 30" high on the originally exterior side of the wall and opens out to approx 26" on the other side.
It's got me rather puzzled. Help please !

 

[jess marley]

If it's any help, the wall is 28" thick, and the house was extended beyond it certainly by 1842, as we are lucky enough to have a map with a very detailed drawing of the house at that time.

 

[skier-hughes]

We have one of those in our house, but opens up to about 18" on the inside.

Graham

 

[jess marley]

Any idea on a date for it?

 

[Gervase]

There's a barn near me with such windows which was built in the 1860s, if that helps.

 

[worms]

Still quite common on byres and steading buildings around here that I would reckon date to the 1870/80s or possibly later.

 

[jess marley]

thanks for the feedback, but no....the additions to the building which made it redundant are at the latest 1840.

 

[Penners]

When did what I call, probably erroneously, 'arrow-slit' windows stop being used in agricultural and/or domestic buildings? We have one built into what was once the rear wall of our house, before the house was later extended. The opening measures 8" wide x 30" high on the originally exterior side of the wall and opens out to approx 26" on the other side.
It's got me rather puzzled. Help please !

Jess, listen carefully - I will say this only once.

Your arrow-slit was obviously built for defence against the hordes of English grockles invading Kernow. Meanwhile, some of us Tre's, Pol's and Pen's were quietly sneaking north across the Tamar to infiltrate them.

Rydhsys rag Kernow lemmyn!

 

[MdB]

hordes of English grockles

They be known as "Emits" down here (and I am one )

 

[Penners]

Well, in St Mawes (where I be from) tourists was always grockles.

Emits was incomers.

Either they, they was all "foreigners".

 

[jess marley]

I believe that the use of emit (cornish for ant) is a relatively new way of insulting visitors to the area, and given Penners' great age , he may not be aware of the modern usage. Pass him the thermos and rug someone...

 

[skier-hughes]

Any idea on a date for it?

General consenus is, that part of the building is the oldest and dates back some 600 years, what that says about the window I have no idea

Graham

 

[worms]

When did ... 'arrow-slit' windows stop being used in agricultural and/or domestic buildings?

thanks for the feedback, but no....the additions to the building which made it redundant are at the latest 1840.

Jess, I'm not sure what you are trying to answer here. Clearly the feature you describe was still being included in new buildings after the probable date when the building was converted. It therefore doesn't help you in dating the original building? (Or am I even more confused than usual?)

 

[shelli]

You do know that they are not really for archers don't you? - of course you do - but people loikes a bit of romance and social interest

In barns up our way they are to allow the hay to ventilate - being tough cumbrians hardly anybody dared to invade us so we didn't need arrow slits - we were in part protected by Roman road called High Street - one of the earliest bypasses on the island

I can't wait to get to Mother Iveys Bay this year - I have been a happy Grockle since aged 3.

Shelli

 

[jess marley]

Yes thank you, I know they weren't for arrows.
The window itself had been filled in when the front room was georgianized, and un-earthed in the 70's...but yes, if they were still being included in new buildings 1860 ish or so, then indeed, I'm stuck on a date for the original building, whatever it was. Tithe maps here only seem to go back to 1840. Is that the same everywhere?

 

[Nemesis]

It's cos of the Commutation of Tithes Act:

https://secure.nationalarchives.gov.uk/pathways/localhistory/gallery1/tithe.htm


Of course some slits were for arrows, just it depends on the building!

 

[worms]

Maybe you guys were too peace loving, but around here, General Roy's military maps from the mid 1700s give a surprisingly accurate picture of where there were buildings at that time. (After a third Jacobite rebellion in 50 years London thought that it might be worth having a map of the terrain!).

I'm not sure how widespread the coverage was, but I think that map series covered all of Scotland, so perhaps there was a similar attempt to map England. Local Archives would know.

 

[Penners]

given Penners' great age , he may not be aware of the modern usage. Pass him the thermos and rug someone...

An' don' ferget the pasty.

 

[chuckey]

There is a listed and fully restored 3 bay barn near me that has "arrow slit" opening. Lovely building but it must have been placed here by aliens, cos its unique, not typical of the indigenous style at all.
Frank

 

[Penners]

By "aliens" I presume you mean anybody south of Leeds?