Medieval Hall And Cross-wings At Freedom Church

remains of a high end with adjoining C16/17 cross-wings with later alterations.

MATERIALS: the medieval building is constructed of an oak timber frame with oak roof structures, encased in C18/C19 brick on stone cills and with brick and stone detailing.

The other attached parts of the building comprising post-C17 wings*, and C19 orphanage* and C20 chapel* are not of special interest.

To the right is the former open hall, which forms the medieval core of the building and has exposed C15 framing

a C17 ceiling.

The timber framing to the east wall has been revealed and opened up to the C15

C17 east cross-wing.

It is a closed partition, part of the mid-C15 primary structure, and the sill beam, two posts, one stud and a mid-rail appear to be original.

Some medieval wall posts are in situ (with four additional C21 posts* supporting the location of a former inserted stair, which are not of special interest).

The moulded centre post to the south wall has a former carved capital embedded within the wall.

The C15 hall roof structure comprises five complete oak trusses.

To the ground floor the east wing has C15 oak ceiling beams and a later stone and brick chimneybreast between the two principal rooms, with chimneypieces to each side.

The original northern extent of the C15 cross-wing is uncertain.

The stair is set north of a closed end truss, the former north end wall of the cross-wing, which has semi-circular carpenter’s marks to the outer face of timbers and the form of which in Herefordshire is typically ascribed to the late C16 or early C17.