The Crooked House in the village of Lavenham, Suffolk is said to be the inspiration for the old English nursery rhyme “There Was a Crooked Man English nursery rhyme that first appeared in print in 1842.“.[1] It was built in the early 15th century,[a]Some sources claim it was bult in 1395.[1] as the south cross wing of a medieval Hall House. Later separated into two tenements, it has been Grade II listed since 1958 as part of 7–9 High Street.[2][b]The Crooked House itself is No. 7 High Street.
During the 15th and 16th centuries Lavenham was a booming and prosperous community owing to its wool industry, which resulted in local merchants building hastily with green timber. Over time, as the timber dried, it warped and twisted, resulting in the buildings becoming distorted. But by the time the problem manifested itself the boom was over, the merchants had left, and there was no money to address the issue.[2][3]
The upper storey was originally used as a weavers’ workshop, but in more recent times the house has served as an art gallery, an estate agent’s office and a tea room.[1]
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