The Barns of the Abbey of Beaulieu

The Barns of the Abbey of Beaulieu at Its Granges: Great Coxwell, Beaulieu-St. Leonards by Walter Horn and Ernest Born is a comprehensive architectural study that delves into the extraordinary timber structures of medieval England. Focusing on two of the most significant barns—Great Coxwell and Beaulieu-St. Leonard's—the book explores not only their architectural significance but also the broader history of timber construction across centuries. With a keen awareness of the limitations of photography in capturing the vastness and spatial quality of these magnificent interiors, Horn and Born employ detailed site drawings and precise measurements to convey the structural beauty and spatial function of these barns. Their work is an important pilot study that sheds light on the intricacies of medieval timber construction and the challenges of reproducing such structures in visual form. The barns, particularly Great Coxwell, considered one of the finest surviving medieval barns, are explored not only for their architectural merit but also as representations of a broader all-purpose house in timber—a versatile structure used for communal living, storage, and assembly throughout history. Originating in the seventh century B.C. and spreading across Europe, this structural type became the backbone of medieval society, supporting everything from agricultural needs to royal administration. This study is more than a treatise on medieval barns—it is a celebration of the ingenuity of timber construction and its enduring impact on architectural history.

This title was originally published in 1965.

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