Building record 179/0/11 - 20a & 22 High Street

Grade II listed timber framed town house, now with modern shop fronts. Built after the Great Fire of 1583. The fire that swept through Nantwich in December 1583 destroyed most of buildings to the east of the River. It is of particular interest because the programme of rebuilding, part funded by Queen Elizabeth I, is very well documented. Wood was in plentiful supply as a building material in Britain until the 17th century. It was therefore the most practical material for house building. Timber framed buildings consist of a wooden framework (usually oak) that was infilled to created solid walls. Infill material used included wattle and daub, lath and plaster, brick and weather board. Brick nogging, (brick infill) was often used in the 17th and 18th centuries to replace earlier wattle and daub or lath and plaster infill as it was longer lasting.