Conservation
Society
Protecting Rye’s historic heritage
for future generations
Rye Conservation Society is a registered charity -
In 1377 most of the timber houses in Rye were destroyed when the French set fire to the town. They were rebuilt using timber, notably oak frame constructions, because there was a plentiful supply of wood but no good local stone.
Demand for oak, including that for shipbuilding, outstripped supply. Brick-
Variety in the colour and texture of brick comes from the choice of clay, the method
of manufacture and the temperature and length of time for the burning -
Brickwork, Temple House
Decorative brickwork using overburnt headers
Images and text by John Griffiths, Rye Conservation Society
