Lintel?

[TwoBlueFish]

In the process of removing multiple layers of paint and paper from my bedroom walls. I knew the plaster around the window was dodgy and sure enough loads has cracked off as I’ve removed the wallpaper. So I’ve been merrily removing the loose stuff as I go along. Big lump at the top of the frame just came away and it just looks like there’s a couple of planks of wood there where I would have expected to see evidence of a lintel. I can’t see evidence of a lintel on the outside either.

It’s a 1929 semi in the northwest, windows were replaced 15-20 years ago (before we bought it).

Does this look like there’s no lintel? If so is that a problem?

Solved my own question!

It Isn’t actually 2 planks of wood, it’s a wooden lintel with a slat from the lath and plaster nailed to it.

The wooden lintel if it's like ours might not be up to modern standards. Ours was 2m long, a bit of 2 by 4 laid flat nailed to a piece of 6 by 2 laid upright and the whole lot was eccentrically supporting a load of brickwork somehow! So it may be worth checking it out if you have concerns.