Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
The original shaped bricks for the mullions, voussoirs, labels of the window
openings, and the reveals and ordered arch and label of the entrance door-
way are clearly of cut-moulded bricks. The visual signs of axing and abrading,
and the regularity and accuracy of post-fired working on the faces of the cut-
moulded bricks, are readily evident and some, removed during recent restora-
tion of the tower brickwork carried out by St. Blaise under instruction from
Caroe and Partners, Architects, have been closely examined by the author in
his consultative role. Clifton-Taylor (1978, 3) is therefore incorrect writing:
Purpose-made bricks are also much in evidence at the windows, which are of vari-
ous types and shapes. Some are mullioned: some have tracery: some hood moulds
above.
Brickmaking
The seventeenth century saw a considerable development in the quality of bricks,
largely influenced by the practices of brickmakers from the Netherlands. Brick
sizes altered during the period and some Jacobean bricks are noticeably larger
than their Tudor counterparts (Lloyd, 1925, 12; citing a Proclamation of Charles
I, 1625). Government law or statute regulated these, although usually reserved
for London only, enforced by the powerful Tylers and Bricklayers Company.
By 1622, to regulate the brick supply the Tylers and Bricklayers Company were
entrusted with overall supervision of the City brickmaking industry.
The gradual effects of deforestation gradually led to the increased use of
coal, delivered into various national ports by ships, or 'sea-coal' as an alterna-
tive fuel. This in turn necessitated modifications in clamp and kiln firing, and
in placement of the green bricks, to produce rubbing bricks of a quality broadly
similar to those burned by wood, such as the control of draught and humidity
within the burning zone.
Master Bricklayer and the Architect
Several factors combined to make gauged brickwork emerge and consolidate
its position in the seventeenth century.
●
The increasing native assimilation of the Renaissance of classical
architecture by a new class of designers - architects.
●
The shift of importance in the development of architectural inspiration
and innovation from Italy to northern European models; proliferated
through builders 'pattern books', and combined with the movement to
England of influential continental architects and master craftsmen.
●
The on-going refinement of the skills and knowledge of post-fired cutting and
rubbing of bricks by city bricklayers for classical architectural enrichments.
