Crucks are pairs of curved timbers and generally consist of two halves of a tree trunk. They are regarded as one of the earliest type of timber frame. This subject has been the cause of much debate amongst building historians. F.W.B.Charles, in his book "Conservation of Timber Buildings", puts foward a very interesting argument for their long antiquity - an opinion that I also share. The massive Tithe barn at Leigh Court in Herefordshire was one of my favourite inspirations. The cruck frames here are the largest known and it is unusual that each giant curving timber is a whole tree. One can only look with amazement at the superb carpentry and wonder at the lifting capabilities of the 14th century craftspeople. In the building you see to the left the central cruck is based on the afore mentioned. For the entrance frame I chose to break with tradition by crossing the cruck timbers. This not only produced the arched shape door frame but also helps to transmit roof loadings directly to the ground like a traditional cruck. The finnished design for me echoes a Scandiavian / Viking style whose art in building and wood carving I constantly marvel at. The aesthetic qualities of the simple cruck frame;especially the arches formed by the braces that sweep up to the collar beams make it a favourite element in many of my building designs.