SDO9735 - An Upper-Cruck Roof Truss in South Street, Dorchester

During demolition of No. 1 South Street members of the staff of the RCHM noted that the short back wing facing Greyhound Yard had a roof truss of the upper-cruck type. Such a truss comprises two curved or angular principal rafters, each of which has a lower straight part let into slots in the stone wall, providing a semi-attic storey with more headroom than a true attic, in which a triangular space is enclosed by two straight principal rafters tenoned into a tie-beam. Moreover each principal rafter comprised two pieces scrafed (or jointed) together. The roof is dated to the middle of the 17th century by an original fireplace at the east end of the upper storey.