Our History: The Building
The White Hart Inn is a National Heritage Listed Building erected in 1460, during the reign of King Henry VI. It was a time of civil war in England when two branches of the royal House of Plantagenet were fighting for the throne. Battles raged between the houses of York and Lancaster until 1487 and became known as "the Wars of the Roses".
This might explain the orientation of the inn, whose windows allow the entire street to be observed all the way to the bridge, perhaps for defensive purposes. Or maybe to keep an eye open for those pesky excise men?
It is thought that the oak frame of the building was pre-assembled in Lavenham and then erected on-site. Go into the "The Lions Den" to see beams bearing carpenter’s marks that show the order of assembly. The supporting truss along the centre of the main hall is a heart oak, believed to be re-cycled - perhaps from a ship or previous building - and as a tree would have started its life at least 1500 years ago!
Recycling timber from older buildings, barns, and ships was a common practice for villagers in the 15th century, especially in rural areas where access to new materials could be difficult or expensive. It allowed for the reuse of high-quality wood, such as oak, which is strong and durable, and made it possible to construct homes, barns, and other buildings at a lower cost. While the process of salvaging and reworking timber required effort and skill, it was an essential part of life in rural England during the period, helping to stretch resources and ensure that valuable materials did not go to waste.