Building record DBN 173 - Barn at Crow's Hall, Debenham

Grade II listed building. Manorial outbuilding, now in agricultural use. A complex building of C16, in 3 main phases, forming a single range 72m long. Phase 1. 9 or 10 bays to west, probably a barn. Timber framed: south wall has intact heavy studding with mid rail. North wall rebuilt in red brick; the two easternmost bays were re-fronted in mid C16 when court hall was added to north, probably to make a symmetrical facade: diapered brickwork, 2 original 3-light upper windows in brick. Roof of double Roman tiles. To north is a C17 gabled timber porch; the east wall of the porch, enclosed by a later addition, has some old plaster decorated to resemble brickwork. 3 bays of original queen-post roof at east end, the remainder re-roofed C20. Phase 2. 3-bay court hall. North wall of red brick with diapering, some mid C20 repair; south wall timber framed. Pantiled roof. 3 brick mullion and transom windows to upper floor, 2 intact. Over a doorway, 4 C16 bricks with fools' heads, now much decayed. Upper floor structure mostly concealed. C20 roof, originally of queen-post type, the truss at the east end intact. Phase 3. Six irregular bays to east, perhaps stabling. North wall and east gable end of English bond red brick; timber framed to south, now underbuilt on ground floor. Pantiled roof. 2 storeys and attic, the latter partly removed. Various window openings to north, one intact brick window; traces of stucco quoining. South wall has several diamond-mullioned windows. Upper floors have plain joists, mostly set flat. In fourth bay from end, an inserted stack and solid-tread straight stair. Roof has clasped and butt purlins (S1).

2015 Eavesdropper Newsletter: Article discussing scribed symbols. The barn at Crow's Hall, Debenham contains many circular patterns, concentrated in areas where animals were housed and where corn was taken in and stored. These date from the early 19th century when areas of the building were adapted for housing cattle and their feed, and replastered. Scribed multifoils at the entrance to the barn c. 1800-1815. A Hexafoil with six extra arcs and a scribed M below. A circular symbol we would recognise as a consecration cross in a church with an X mark (saltire cross) (S2).