Oxfordshire Woodland Group

Some cruck timber frames in the north England have a large hole (4" x 6") cut through the face of the cruck blade near it's base. The reason for this is currently unclear.

There is some conjecture that this could have been used to raise the cruck using levers or possibly to help stabilise a cruck blade during the conversion process.

Any possible explanations or ideas on how early cruck frames were raised without the aid of cranes or modern lifting aids would be much appreciated.

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