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Brick building came to the Midlands in the 15th century when its adoption reflected its prestige amongst the aristocracy and episcopacy. This study explores its wider acceptance and diffusion and describes the pattern and volume of a locally distinctive material. By 1780 its practical advantages saw its use in churches, chapels, gardens, estate buildings and early industrial factories. As 'hard' brick it was a significant factor in the development of industrial kilns. Based on documentary sources the text examines such factors as the technology of brickmaking, the price of bricks, building costs, the availability of other materials, the impact of fire and the social value attached to brick. It particularly emphasises the visual impact of brick on the landscape, for example in 1789 Lord Torrington recorded that 'At Grantham they leave of the stone and build with flaming red brick of which Newark is built and looks like a new town.'

Many towns and cities expanded and went through continuous redevelopment during the 19th and 20th centuries, and Wolverhampton was one of these, losing a lot of historic buildings. Fortunately, at the end of the 1970s, Wolverhampton Council stepped in to rescue and restore two town centre timber-framed buildings, bringing them back into use, to remind people of what was commonplace in earlier times. The stories of these two buildings are told in this book, along with the background story of the writer who, as a Council surveyor, was happy to play his part in the rescue, and who is pleased to see them both continuing to play their important part in the life of Wolverhampton.