'The Unmistakable Fashion of the Time'?: Dating Flore's House at Oakham, Rutland.

Flore's House is an important medieval townhouse near the centre of Oakham in Rutland (UK), long associated with William Flore and his son, Roger. A new detailed survey has recently been carried out, together with a programme of dendrochronology. The central hall range, built of stone with a base-cruck roof, has been dated to 1378, indicating that it was indeed built by William Flore. The south crosswing at the service end, timber-framed over a stone ground floor, dates to c. 1407-10 and reflects the rising ambitions of William's son, Roger. The tree-ring dating to the north crosswing, also timber-framed over a stone-built parlour, proved a considerable surprise. This wing had previously been estimated to date from c. 1500, but was dated to 1659. It is suggested that the use of such an archaic style was a deliberate choice of the builder, who must have thought it particularly appropriate for the ancient residence of Oakham's most famous citizens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]