Tree-Ring Analysis of Oak Timbers from Com berm ere Abbey, Whitchurch, Cheshire

Summary Ninety-seven samples obtained from a wide range of locations at Combermere Abbey produced two site chronologies, one of sixty-six samples, 202 rings long, spmming AD 1363 -AD 1564, the second, eleven samples, 126 rings long, spmming AD 1602- AD 1727. Three phases of work are suggested, the earliest being the roof of the Abbot's lodging. All the timbers here being felled in AD 1502, though one may be slightly earlier. Timbers for the wall- and floor-frames of bedroom A, the floor-frame of the Oak room and the inserted ceiling of the Abbot's lodging were probably all cut in AD 1564. Although possibly felled any time in the period AD 1546 - 81, the timbers of the Orange room were most probably cut shortly before AD 1564 and are to be seen as part of the same general late­ sixteenth century programme of work.