The Crooked Billet, Our Home in England

            The Crooked Billet is an early 16th Century (1500’s) timber-framed house with a cross-wing at the east end.  It is generally accepted that this is the home of Sir Richard Haddock.  Between Gilmans and the Crooked Billet,

Billet Lane

joined the Street. The lane was named after The Old Billet; the original Haddock family home built in 1430 on the east side of the lane.

            The present day sign displayed outside Sir Richard Haddock’s affords several possible explanations for the name.  A “crooked billet” is a boomerang-shaped tree branch, such as the one in the painted sign.   Some scholars believe that a “crooked billet” marked the home of a noble gentleman, based on the symbol’s use in heraldry. Others believe that this bent tree branch signified an “inn” in medieval times when very few people could read.

            Christina Haddock carefully leaned over the fireplace, gently stirring the large black cauldron of stew wedged down amongst the coals.  Even this close to the fire, she could feel the chill from the night ocean breeze coming through the walls and windows.  It was a wonderful home, large and sturdy.  Plenty of room for all her children. 

            Suddenly, a gust of cold caught her back. “Is Father home yet?” young Richard called out as he attempted to close the heavy door behind him.

            “Nay, Richard.  He must be fishing farther out than usual.”  The middle-aged woman pulled her woolen shawl more snuggly around her shoulders.

            “A storm’s a coming.  But Father won‘t even notice. He’s been in far too many to mind a little rain,” Richard continued trying to allay any fears he might have caused his mother by even mentioning the storm.

            She seemed preoccupied as she focused on the heavy black pot of stew.  The medley of meat and vegetables, especially the turnips filled the room with warm assurance.  Stew was the staple of most families’ diets, but it was also the best thing to cook on a night like this.  No telling how late the fishermen would be returning home, but for sure they’d be starving.

            She and Mary Goodlad had talked about this often, “It’s as though our husbands don’t eat a thing while they’re out on the sea.”

            When Christina and Richard were first married he was able to come home nearly every evening.  Now he’d make it back twice a week at best. ’Cause now he had to bring enough fish to fill all the king’s tables at court.  Christina had been pleased that her husband and his friends were now the King’s appointed fishermen, but she had not imagined how much fishing would be required.

            Still providing food worthy of a king, the Haddock home is officially ranked # 10 in the top 30 restaurant/pubs in all of England in 2008.  In fact, actress Kate Winslet helped put the Crooked Billet on the map with her Bangers and Mash wedding reception for 200 guests in November 1998.  Perhaps most impressive of all, however, is that the home of Sir Richard Haddock is still standing after 500 years!