Bressumer
Drawing for Understanding, Creating Interpretive Drawings of Historic Buildings, published by Historic England in 2016 defines bressumer as: ‘Load bearing beams in a timber framed building, usually found over open spaces such a fireplaces and supporting the lower part of upper-storey walls in jetty construction.’
The exact definition of a bressummer (or in English often bressumer with one m) beam, it is though most likely to be an elongated lintel beam or girder. It can span an entire section of wall, either within a wall or across a large opening, supporting timber framing wall above or in some cases other materials such and brick or stone.
The term stems from the term sumpter or in French sommier meaning a pack horse or being able to carry a heavy burden.
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