Your post is very welcome and throws new light into the background research undertaken for your first book and the development of your own particular style of timber framing.
I have come across a few old timber frame houses here in Olde England where the main post joints directly into the underside of the pricipal rafter. There is a notable medieval open hall house in West St, Farnham, Surrey just across the road from the Westminster Hall framing ground (1395) which incorporates this feature in the open arch hall cross frame and since this house dates from the late 1300's I like to think that it was cut by carpenters engaged on the great works but alas this house refuses to give up its secrets easily, as we were not able to obtain reliable dendro dates due to the widespread use of fast grown timber. Using oak trees with only 50 or so growth rings is something that appears to be quite common practice in early English medieval houses and it also demonstrates that the use of this type of material (i.e. not old growth) can possibly enhance the life span of a timber framed building.
I have not yet seen any CG (interrupted) wall plates in England but they might well exist somewhere that is frequented only by bats and mice. If I come across any I will let you all know.
