Thatching
In 1300 the great Norman castle at
Pevensey (Sussex) bought up 6 acres of
rushes to roof the hall and chambers.
Much later, in the late 18th century
thatched cottages became an extremely
popular theme with the “picturesque”
painters, who tried to portray an idealized
(Romantic/sanitized) version of nature.
So what caused the decline of thatching?
Primarily better transportation. The
growing railway network in the Victorian
era meant that cheap slate from Wales
became easily available all over Britain.
Agricultural machinery, particularly the
combine harvester, had the unfortunate
effect of making wheat straw unusable for
thatching. This made Norfolk reed all the
more prized, and now the latter material
is grown specifically for use in thatching.
Although thatching, like many rural crafts,
has suffered from the encroachment
of “civilization”, many property owners
today recognize the value of keeping their
thatched cottages, if for no other reason
than that thatched cottages fetch a prime
price in today’s real estate market!
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