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Flint Architecture of East Anglia

Synopsis:

East Anglia has a unique and very substantial heritage of flint-built churches and secular buildings over a wide area that range from Saxon times to the 20th century, many of them of exceptional beauty, and most in a good state of preservation. Stephen Hart considers that these buildings, in which a large number of different flintwork techniques and designs are used that are partly functional, partly dependent upon local materials and partly aesthetic in inspiration, constitute an important part of our heritage. It has only been scantily treated in previous works. His book is the first comprehensive one to be written on English flint architecture and is likely to become the definitive work on the subject. He shows that, although some of these techniques and designs are also to be found in other chalkland regions of England, including Hampshire, Sussex (e.g. Goodwood House), Kent, Wiltshire and Dorset, the greatest variety is in East Anglia. He has devised a classification system based on analysis of the materials and workmanship in flintwork which distinguishes between different types of flint, including flint combined with brick and stone. The numerous colour plates and black and white photographs convey the fascinating multiplicity of styles to be found, some of them reminiscent of the work of contemporary artists like Richard Long, and the virtuoso skills of the craftsmen who created them. There is a deeper consciousness and wider appreciation of vernacular architecture today in Britain than there has ever been, and the book could well inspire people to explore new possibilities in the use of flint architecture. Apart from its general appeal, it is a book that will strike a particular chord among architects, designers, craftsmen, local historians, artists and regional councils responsible for planning and conservation.

Reviews:

'...[a] truly wonderful book...delightful and imaginative, as well as scholarly, comprehensive and useful...' Norman Scarfe, author of Faber Shell Guide to Suffolk 'This important and comprehensive book...is a richly rewarding [one] to read and study. To those unfamiliar with flint architecture, the discovery of the subtlety and sophistication of the techniques and designs of the flint tradition will be a revelation...The depth of the author's study, research and knowledge of flint is very impressive and the book is destined to become a standard work on the subject.' Building Design

Author Biography:

Stephen Hart was for many years a practising architect in eastern England, and he has built up his remarkable and very detailed knowledge of architecture in flint and the many other materials that are combined with it, over a long period. His penetrating descriptions and analysis are the product of a lifetime's experience with and observation of buildings. He is past chairman of the Men of the Stones, a society devoted to encouraging the use of natural materials, which celebrated its 50th anniversary during his chairmanship. He is also a regular contributor to the magazine of the Round Tower Churches Society.

Table of Contents:

Origins and Nature of Flint, Constructional Features of Flint Walls, Flint Building Through The Ages, Local Flintwork Character, The Varieties of Flintwork, As-found Flintwork, Knapped Flint, Compound Flintwork, Flint With Brick, Flint With Stone, Triple Composite Flintwork, Multiple Composite Flintwork, Freestone Flushwork, Flushwork Derivatives, Walls of Varied Flintwork.

Additional Information:

Illustrations: 128 colour and 48 b&w illustrations Related subjects: Stone buildings England East Anglia Historic buildings Flint Architectural structure & design