The Old School House

BARKING BARKING TYE TM 05 SE

2/23 The Old School House -

• II

Former farmhouse, and during C19 a village school. A C15 or early C16 open hall-house with alterations principally of C16 and C19. 3-cell plan. 1 storey and attics. Timber-framed and plastered, the gable ends and later wing are encased in late C19 red brick. Plaintiled roofs; axial and external end chimneys of red brick. C19 small-pane casements, some with moulded cast iron lintels. A lean-to plaintiled entrance porch with glazed panelled door. The 2-bay open hall has an open truss with an arch-braced tie-beam; the braces are chamfered and have survived the insertion of a C16 first floor despite the low level from which they spring. Smoke-blackened coupled rafter roof; alternate couples appear to have had double collars, and the last couple a third forming a smoke-gablet. Much-altered storeyed cells at either end of hall; c.1600 the parlour cell was extended with coupled-rafter roof. The C16 hall fireplace has a wide lintel with an apparent merchant-mark incised on the centre, and in a similar hand are further markings on the hall tie-beam; both probably pre- date the inserted floor. A pair of C16/C17 base-crucks stands upon a 1st floor beam over the parlour, enabling the removal of a C15 tie-beam and allowing access to the parlour-chamber beyond.

Listing NGR: TM0680352916