Hi All,

I think that you will find that Laurie will talk about proportions and not dimensions. What is interesting about the 16" centre to centre is that this is clearly a measured dimension that corresponds with todays unit of measure. The metric system of measurement was introduced in the UK in the late 60's early 70's but I think that this has been the standard way of measurement on mainland Europe for centuries. England had a bit of an aversion to the use of bricks after the Roman occupation and it wasn't until the late 1500's / early 1600's that building with brick really took off. Prior to this it would more likely have been stone or wattle & daub with no fireplaces so the 2 bricks wide fireplace theory is liable to flounder. In any event fuel wood was brought home in bundles [faggots] and this was more like brushwood (lop & top) than split logs.

Regards

Ken Hume

Regards

Ken Hume