• GLOSSARY
• EARLY HISTORY
• WOOD
• GEOMETRY
• DESIGN BUILD
• FRENCH SCRIBE
• SLATE ROOFING
• WORKSHOPS

• Who We Are?
• Members
• Past Guest Book

• Avant Propos
• Ecorcage Cramponnage
• La pique
• Le pot Hugues
• L'amasse

• Gazebo 1
• Gazebo 2
• Gazebo 3
• Gazebo 4
• Gazebo 5
• Gazebo 6
• Timber Frame Octagon

F RENCH SCRIBE

| FRENCH SCRIBE | THE TRAIT DE CHARPENTE | THE FIVE TRAITS CARRES | CALCULATING ANGLES | PROCEDURES | THE REMBAREMENT PROGRAM |

M any methods of timber framing were developed through the ages. The French Scribe method was created by the master builders in 11th century France and perfected throughout the centuries into a system that has proven its effectiveness. The great halls, cathedrals and other European buildings of the past 800 years, still standing and in use to this day, are examples of this. It has proven to be the only reliable method that would ensure perfect integrity of the project, its conception, designing, plotting, cutting and assembling procedures. The results are precision and efficiency.

Myth has it that a group of French carpenters and masons, known as Les Compagnons, were organized as early as 400 BC and participated in the building of the Temple of Solomon.

The origins of Les Compagnons is steeped in legend and tells of the disagreement between two master craftsmen, Maître Jacques and Père Soubise, the former a stone mason and the latter a master carpenter. Their feuding relationship stemmed from a dispute over who's trade and knowledge was the finest and most important. Their stubbornness led to a series of breakups and reconciliations throughout the ages between the two clans - the masons and the carpenters. They eventually reconciled, once and for all, and today stand together as the highest order of the trades.

T he French Scribe System

Because the French Scribe system was developed before there were calculators and machinery, it was necessary for the first Compagnons to perfect a system which would allow 100% of the calculations to be plotted in the technical drawings. Common timber framing methods, using trigonometry and computers, although accurate on paper, do not take into account the shape of each timber. The French Scribe system acknowledges the uniqueness of each beam with its twists, cracks and curves. The French Scribe method allows one to work with any timber, whether perfectly straight and square, or completely irregular. Given this, it is possible to build any type of architecture, from traditional to contemporary styles, towers or octagons, to a basic frame. It also provides for the use of used or salvaged beams, adding extra character to any design.

The system used today by French traditional timber framers is based on this same knowledge. It is important to understand that this method is not dated, but rather, has evolved. As architecture has changed throughout the centuries, the master Compagnons have adapted the French Scribe system. The ability to provide this combination of contemporary knowledge with age-proven methods makes this a superior system.

Click here to access to the full size of the pictures and drawings

• Wood SawHorses
• Wood Sawhorses Animation Of the Elevation
• Wood Sawhorses Names/Blueprints of the pieces (En)
• Wood SawHorses Dimensions Of The Ground Plan (En)
• Wood Sawhorses Draw The Ground Plan
• Wood Sawhorses How To Draw And Cut The Pieces

• Chapelle Sainte Agnès
• Ewen Barn - Heritage Conservation
• timber Frame Square Tower