Building record 1248/0/2 - Old Smithy Cottage

Grade II listed house. Built in the early 17th century, with late 17th century additions. It has cruck construction with brick infill and thatched roof. The road frontage has rendered walls. Inside are two full crucks. A cruck is a beam used in timber framing. Two curved timbers that are cut from the same tree are used to support a roof from floor to apex. 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.