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R.T. Mason, F.S.A. When inspected during the autumn of 1975 Gallops was in an almost derelict condition ... It embodies substantial remains of a small single-aisled house, probably of four bays with a two bay hall at its centre. It appears that the aisle extended right through the building to include both solar and service bays. This was not invariably the case; sometimes only the hall was aisled. Gallops has been subject to many alterations down the centuries, some of which make interpretation at the present time rather difficult. These include a complete rebuilding of the south (?parlour) bay, and taking down and reconstructing the whole of the roof. The front (east) wall was rebuilt in brickwork in Flemish bond with vitrified headers and the hall floored over and a large chimney breast with fireplaces built between the hall and parlour. The early structure is well-carpentered but with smallish scantlings and incorporates certain features which suggest considerable age, such as the use of square-section timbers for bracing, and 'reversed assembly' of the joint where post, tiebeam and plate come together. In normal assembly the roofplate sits upon the head of the post and the tiebeam is notched over it. In reversed assembly the roof rests upon the tiebeam, the latter being seated fully upon the posthead. Here, however, caution is needed and it has to be admitted that the reverse assembly may actually have resulted from the re-framing of the roof. Upon the assumption that alterations to farmhouses are investments made during times of exceptional prosperity, one such must have occurred here during the first quarter of the 19th century. Not only was the east wall rebuilt in brickwork of durable rather than handsome quality, but a very fine small barn was erected nearby. On its doorposts were inscribed the initials T.A.J and the date 1804. Dates, we know, are not always reliable but there seems to be no reason to suspect this one. If accepted the building was a remarkable survival of medieval craft practice and the construction not very different from that used throughout the Middle Ages. It has now been taken down and re-erected on another estate nearby (Banks Farm). When the house roof was reconstructed its medieval timbers were re-used and still retain a thick coating of soot. They are notched for short collars but the latter have not been reused, so it is impossible to tell whether or not the original roof had a collar purlin or crownposts; either is equally probable. A peg-hole can be seen at the top-centre of the hall tie beam which certainly suggests a crownpost, but does not necessarily indicate a collar purlin. The hall tiebeam has exaggerated camber - reckoned by some to argue a late date. Gallops is certainly not a late house, and the tiebeam, like the 'reversed assembly' may have been introduced during the reconstruction. Upon the whole a date in the first half of the fourteenth century seems probable. The illustration is very far from typifying a timber-framed house of high antiquity, but is not included here for pictorial value, but rather as a warning to all those who judge old buildings solely upon the basis of external appearance. Reference: R.T. Mason (1978) Single-Aisled Halls in Sussex, SAC 116, 157. |
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Gallops Farm, boarded prior to demolition, 1975. |
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