Round Stone turrent

A circular stone turrent with wind cock sometimes potententially windows and walls were aligned with the earths magentic poles. Many windows in round tower windows were aligned with North, East, South and West.

The Medieval Stonemason - A mason's craft

A mason's craft

The medieval mason was not a monk but a highly skilled lay craftsman who combined the roles of architect, builder, craftsman, designer and engineer. Using only a set of compasses, a set square and a staff or rope marked off in halves, thirds and fifths, the mason was able to construct some of the most amazing structures ever built: Gothic cathedrals. Their awesome size combined with their appearance of lightness and fragility have led people to believe that medieval masons had some magical secret but this was actually just an understanding of proportion and basic geometry.

Contemporary illustrations of master masons show them to have been prosperous middle class professionals. The men they supervised, who did much of the actual carving and laying of stone, were like modern skilled tradesmen, and many younger men still learning the trade worked on the building sites as labourers. Masons shared their secrets openly and many medieval buildings imitate each other in style and technique. The choir at Lincoln Cathedral, for instance, is similar to that at Ely, and both copy Westminster Abbey. Designs for the building were worked out at full scale on tracing floors covered in soft plaster. Such floors survive at Wells Cathedral and at York Minster. Sometimes drawings on parchment were also made and at Worcester a carving shows a mason giving a drawing to a monk.

'Building a great cathedral was hard work and often dangerous.'

All the stones were carved on the ground before they were set in place. Larger blocks were carved at quarries which made them lighter and easier to transport. Individual masons used special symbols to ensure that they were paid for the blocks they carved.

More » BBC The Medieval Stonemason

Reference:
Carol Davidson Cragoe,The Medieval Stonemason, BBC, UK, viewed 16 September 2007, <http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/middle_ages/architecture_medmason_01.shtml>

Stonemasons mark or headstone

While this isnt a Stonemasons benchmark it is similar to a headstone tirbute to a mason who is granted internal stature to the building due toa large donation or contribution to the building. It was stated that the mason may have been a wood merchant due to the comb in the centre but it looks like a scutch comb to some extent so I wonder. If someone has an answer to this symbol to the centre of the sotne or wishes to elaborate please post away.

Triple Lancet Stone Arch plus vaulted ceiling

Built early 1100s with sotne vaulted ceiling inside.

Lancet stone arch 1142

Restored in some 700 years later this stonework has done well.

Stone walls to 1841 Telescope

From memory built 1841 this 72 inch reflecting telescope stood as the largest telescope for 75 years. The wooden structure used to polish the lense was as intriguing.

Stone terraced garden

Terraced garden built in hand cut and rubble wall. Im guessing Roman influence in Brittain probably a long time after the castle was constructed considering the castle is of Gothic architecture.

Stone bridge built in 1776

The bridge below built in 1776 with some nice trout caught on fly. Great stream which really puts you in to a relaxed state of mind.

Stone Bridge Niche built 1776

This stone niche sits upon a stone bridge opposite another built in 1776. Not a bad working period considering the amount of water that would have passed below and the period it was built.

Stone roof

Here a roof has been constructed in stone somewhere around 1100AD.

Medieval masons build castle

Here a recreation of masons slaking, cutting and building a castle in the background.

Flemishbond tuck pointing

A pub built in flemish bond tuck pointed brickwork.

Chevron semi circular arch

This arch sits front entry to a building where the entry was rebuilt as a Chevron semicircular arch in sandstone of Roman influence.

Stone Offset arch

This stone arch is offset where another structure meets a turrent and allows sight access to what once was the only access across a river to the castle.

Stone fireplace benchmark

Quite often stonemasons chiseled a benchmark in a project containing their initials. This one a little more obvious and elaborate by the mason who probably just didnt build the fireplace but the entire castle.

Stone spiral staircase

A typical stone spiral stair case in a castle.

Castle cross section 2

Here is another section of the castle viewed from a different angle.

Castle cross section

This castle "appears" to have sheared at the openings designed for launching arrows.

Martello internal 2

Here another photo of the internals of the Martello. A structure I would have loved to be a part of but not really in the particular era of war. The opportunity today would be fantastic.

Martello Inner stone

Once I managed to climb into this structure things became a whole lot more complex.
The inner section had deterioated quite badly though this was an amazing first for me. Complex tunnels and venting systems enabled difficult penetration of this structure.
A circlular vaulted ceiling built in a combination of brick and stone with staligtites forming from water leaking through the lime mortar allowing recarbonation.

http://www.martello-towers.co.uk/

Martello Stone Outer

I believe this Martello is of the Napoleanic era though some research says it may have been constructed early 1900s. While the structure looks quite simple outside something more complex exists.

Carved stone arch

This arch has carved sections with springers and keystone. The stone also has what I term ribbon pointing though many call bastard pointing.

Round stone pier

This round stone pier is built in what I call wet rubble because of the evident flush or slightly recessed mortar joints.
There is a total dry joint and a method of construction that utilises hidden mortar.
If someone has a better description please do not hesitate to email me.

Stone Datum Mark 1100 AD

I believe this stone datum mark was on a building built somehwere around the early 1100 AD. Once I do more research on where I took the image I'll confirm a more precise date. When I had a quick look the datam referenced approximately mean ground level or just above it.

Stone water wheel

Although this wheel was set up as a water feature I cant see why it wouldnt work if set up properly.

Radial granite cobble stones

A reasonable example of granite cobblestones I think in Chester UK.