Durability of timber windows

[Gareth Hughes]

http://www.spab.org.uk/media-centre/press-releases/press-release/?ContentID=155
(Yes, Penners, I know - "a millenia" :shock: )

Repair work at St Andrew's Church, Boxford in Berkshire has revealed one of the earliest intact timber windows in the country – a frame complete with a hinged wooden panel dating from the Saxon period. Not only does the intriguing discovery prove that this attractive church on the banks of the River Lambourn is far older than previously suspected, but it also allows St Andrews to lay claim to having the oldest working wooden window in England.

The discovery was made by architect and SPAB (Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings) member Andrew Plumridge, of Peter Scott and Partners, during the course of repairs to the chancel of the church. The window came to light as Mr Plumridge and colleagues worked on an area badly affected by damp. When sections of inappropriate cement were removed, the ancient window was founded intact and embedded in the wall. It is likely that it had been ‘lost’ to sight for hundreds of years.

Realising that this was a potentially significant discovery, Andrew Plumridge consulted Oxford Diocesan Archaeologist Julian Mumby and Reading University medieval specialist Professor Roberta Gilchrist, who both concluded that window pre-dates the Norman Conquest of 1066. Julian Mumby’s opinion is that this is a simple Saxon window, with a hinged inner wooden panel to let in air and light. Distinctive ancient mortar work around the opening played a key role in the identification process and future work to protect the window will also preserve this important feature.

Andrew Plumridge comments: “Both the church and village are delighted with the find, especially as we believe there are, at most, just three others in the country - and this could certainly be the oldest. It raises the status of the church and confirms other Saxon evidence around the chancel.”

Matthew Slocombe, of SPAB (The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings) says: “We were hugely excited when Andrew told us of his discovery. This is such a rare and unusual find. It is a great privilege to be able to see the work of a Saxon craftsman who lived more than 1000 years ago. Also, as we continue to battle the tide of inappropriate UVPC replacement windows that blight historic properties throughout the country – often causing enormous problems for the buildings in the process – it’s a delight to see that a traditional, wooden, hand-crafted window can stand the test of time more than a millennia after its construction.


Matthew Slocombe continues: “At SPAB we would love to hear from anyone who thinks they have found an earlier, wooden crafted window.”

Andrew Plumridge adds: “At Peter Scott and Partners, we are now delighted to be able to say, officially, that we have worked on buildings spanning more than 1000 years!”

 

[biffvernon]

How nice. Good job the Saxons didn't have UPVc.

I happened to be discussing Saxon windows just yesterday. There's one in St Mary's, Stow, but it's just the stonework, not the timber, that is old.
http://www.stowminster.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=22:the-outside&catid=8

This one at St Andrew's, Boxford, clearly had no glass, but when was glass first used in a church window? Or any window? The Romans had window glass, but all that I have seen has been pretty poor cast stuff that might let light into your bathroom but would hardly do for a view out of the living room, despite the Romans' ability to produce fabulous drinking and storage vessels. Was there any glass technology in post-Roman Britain?

 

[worms]

The Romans had window glass... Was there any glass technology in post-Roman Britain?

Is that why its called the dark ages?

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Amazing.

How was it hinged? Wood or metal?

 

[Schoolmarm]

I would love to see a picture from the other side.

 

[robgil]

so it was the Saxons with their silly draughty windows who messed up the environment and not the Victorians with their silly smelly industrial revolution..
pesky saxons.

 

[Penners]

(Yes, Penners, I know - "a millenia" :shock: )

The error is noted, with disappointment.

But at least SPAB can spell "millennia".







Uh-oh! That's me in for a kicking on Sunday.

 

[Penners]

Good job the Saxons didn't have UPVc.

Well, who knows? Maybe they did - but just had the good sense not to use for windows.

What a wonderful discovery. Considering the age of the building, the wood is in remarkably good condition.

 

[Feltwell]

Considering the age of the building, the wood is in remarkably good condition.

Do you think it needs a bit of Ronseal slapping on it now to keep it that way? :wink: