Description:
This medieval barn is one of the outbuildings of Coggeshall Abbey, a Cistercian house founded in 1140. It was fully repaired and reconstructed. The barn is one of the earliest all-timber framed in Europe. The roof was reconstructed around 1360-1400, this date being established by the form of construction used and the type of large roof tile found amongst the debris of the building. The battle to obtain recognition of its importance and to save it lasted 16 years. The repairs and reconstruction was carried out using traditional techniques although often in an entirely innovatory way. With the exception of one post all the remaining Norman carpentry was rescued together with the greater part of the 14th century upper. It was decided not to attempt any conjectural restoration and the barn was rebuilt almost entirely as it had stood when the collapse started.