The English Frame.

In it's simplest form the 'english frame' will use a large beam (the Tie-beam) to span the building and tie it together. Thes coincide with pairs of large supporting posts which very often formed part of the external walls. However in the larger forms of these buildings such as churches halls and barns, the tie beams may a top much taller posts which as pairs formed aisles.

The system of bringing together the raw materials (green -unseasoned oak ) into a structure that could offer flexibility and strength was developed slowly, over many generations, strictly adhered to and gradually perfected. Built in two-dimensional sections using very simple (but effective) hand tools the carpenters took inordinate amounts of care and by following tradition were confident that what was conceived and laid out in their yard two-dimensionally, would lock together with impressive deliberation in it's final three-dimensional form.

Explore the structure of this fifteenth century barn and see the fascinating variety of joints that were employed..

	Place your cursor upon the various intersections of timbers within this diagram for a closer look at the joints that are used.......