1500s Threshing barn
Drawing of men threshing corn in a threshing barn, surrounded by a wattle fence. From a 16th century Flemish Calendar (Weald 13).
Medieval Cottage from Hangleton
This peasant's cottage was built in the 1300s. It is made of the local flint at Hangleton. Notice the smoke hole in the end of the eve.
Oven in Hangleton cottage
Although the Hangleton cottage is divided into only 2 rooms, one of them has a large oven in it.
Hangleton Cottage's Thatch
Notice the moss growing on the thatched roof of the Hangleton cottage.
Thickness of the thatch.
Thatched roofs are usually several feet thick. They last up to 60 years.
How roofs are thatched
Roofs were thatched with bundles of dried hay tied onto cross sticks. The cross sticks are fastened down to the rafters of the roof.
Inside of a thatched roof
This is the inside of a thatched roof. You can see the ties around the rafters holding the thatching on.
Wattle stall for pigs
A wattle stall for pigs or sheep. Notice the thatched roof and woven wattle half walls.
Fence
Wattle fences were also used to make corals to keep livestock in.