ESSEX BRICKS
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buildings up to, perhaps, the late seventeenth century. It is often
used in the eighteenth century and the nineteenth century to pro-
duce initials and dates in brickwork and, although effective and
permanent, may sometimes be clumsy.
Another device of arranging for three or four courses to project
about 1in. from the rest of the brickwork face—the "string
course", as it is called—is a most pleasing relief to an otherwise
blank wall. It is met with from sixteenth century down to the end
of the eighteenth century, after which it is unusual.
Possibly in imitation of wooden rafter-ends, an arrangement of
alternate headers projecting from the course immediately under
the eaves, usually suggests a late eighteenth century or first half of
the nineteenth century date, and 10in. to 101/2in. bricks were
specially made for this purpose.
One other form of ornament should, I think, be mentioned; the
use of light red bricks to outline door and window openings in a
wall built otherwise of yellow or dark red bricks—so-called "eye-
brows"—made its appearance just at the turn of the seventeenth
century and became general in Anne's reign. It usually dates the
wall between 1695 and 1720, although country examples of much
later date are known.
To recapitulate briefly:
I have touched upon the manufacture of bricks by hand, the
limitations and consequences of the process.
I have illustrated Roman bricks and the earliest certain post-
Conquest bricks in England.
I have suggested that the art of brickmaking may have been
dormant, but not entirely extinguished in the Dark Ages; that is
to say, it did not have to be re-invented in East Anglia, at least.
I have described the later brick developments, including special
shapes and the use of moulded brick ornament, and the changes in
size, colour, and texture.
How far can this knowledge of bricks be used and relied upon as
evidence of date of a building? It can be used to the extent I have
already indicated, provided one is alive to the pitfalls, for instance:
(i) There is no observable difference between Roman Bricks of the
first, second, third, and fourth centuries;
(ii) The presence of exceptional sizes and colours in all periods may
lead one astray:
(a) 6in. x 3in. x 11/2in. bricks are found in the Roman Forum site,
and even smaller ones elsewhere at Colchester;
(b) 10in. x 3in. thick bricks are found in sixteenth century work,
although I said they are characteristic of late eighteenth century ;
(c) Small bricks (6in. x 3in. x l1/2in.) are found in Wren's work
(it is true, for a special purpose) ;
(d) Dutch Bricks were nearly always smaller than English counter-
parts and their importation for an eighteenth century building
may suggest a much earlier date in error.