Flemish bond is a pattern of laying bricks in which each course consists of headers and stretchers alternating along its length, with each header centred on the stretcher in the course below. A header is a brick laid with its short end facing outwards and a stretcher one laid lengthways, so the finished wall shows a regular, chequered rhythm across its face.
The bond was introduced to England in the seventeenth century, probably through contact with the Low Countries, and it gradually replaced the older English bond for fine facing work. It became the standard bond of Georgian architecture, used for town houses, rectories and country houses, where its even, refined appearance suited classical façades. Builders often emphasised the pattern by using darker, vitrified or burnt headers, creating a subtle diaper effect. Flemish bond is slightly less strong than English bond, so variations with more stretchers between headers were used for garden walls and less important elevations. Recognising the bond helps in dating and understanding historic buildings, and in repair work it is important to match not only the brick but also the bond, joint width and lime mortar of the original.
