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In most of medieval Europe, towns were typically part of a feudal lord’s domain. In an environment where one house was close to the next, most medieval towns forbade thatched roofs – otherwise common in the countryside – to crown residences. Ideally, clay tiles or shingles were used for roofing – layered lead was all the better. However, thatch was so inexpensive, and such roofs apparently so ubiquitous, that these regulations were seldom enforced to their fullest extent. With dense towns on the rise all over Europe, the search for the ideal housing unit consumed most of the medieval time period. People living in the Middle Ages looked for a house that optimized space within the limited area of walled settlements but also one that allowed for different living and commercial configurations.
Function of Manor Houses
Architects were usually master masons (Magister lathomorum), and were typically responsible for the structural engineering of their buildings, for ensuring that they were stable, unlike in later periods. The entire family would sleep on such a bed, in a single room or floor within a townhouse. Wealthy burghers, however, would have beds rivaling in size, or exceeding even, current king-sized beds. Medieval townhouses had windows, but if these weren’t mere holes to be closed with shutters, they would be lined with oiled parchment, or layers of horn specially treated to be translucent. Glass windows were not unheard of, but they were generally too expensive and frail.
The Heart of Community: Homes as Social Centers
Medieval houses varied in style according to their location and the wealth of their owners. The second floor usually had an overhang – even when these were technically forbidden because they decreased air circulation and increased the risk of fire. A craftsman is only as good as his tools, and in the medieval era, tools were pivotal in realizing the vision of a sturdy and aesthetically pleasing medieval house. Basic tools like hammers, chisels, and saws were integral in shaping timbers and stones. The plumb bob, an ancestor to modern levels, ensured walls were vertically straight. However, preservation and restoration efforts can be time-consuming, resource-intensive, and challenging due to the delicate nature of the structures.
Civic architecture
Windows, in the earlier part of the medieval period, were small and without glass – a luxury few could afford. As time progressed, larger windows with wooden shutters or oiled paper became more common. The thatched roof, a picturesque feature, was practical and made using locally sourced straw or reed. And not to forget, the central hearth or fireplace, which was the heart of every medieval house, providing warmth, light, and a place for cooking.
Medieval Castles of England
Peasants were, for the first time, able to offer their services to the landowner that would pay the highest wage. Medieval furniture was simple, functional, and often handcrafted, with wooden benches, stools, and chests used for seating and storage. Wealthier households had more ornate furnishings, such as decorated chests and curtains, but these were still rare commodities.
Houses close to water bodies or in flood-prone areas were often elevated or had their ground floors used as storage, protecting the living quarters from potential water damage. In coastal areas, designs incorporated measures to combat the saline air, ensuring the house’s longevity. The essence of a medieval house’s design was largely about making the best of what the land offered and mitigating its challenges. The construction of a medieval house was not solely determined by architectural aspirations or the owner’s status.
Ancient chocolate factory — built in 600-year-old building — discovered in Spain - Miami Herald
Ancient chocolate factory — built in 600-year-old building — discovered in Spain.
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As the medieval period waned, giving way to the Renaissance, there was a palpable shift in the design and aesthetics of houses. Influenced by the rediscovery of classical Greco-Roman art and architecture, the medieval house began to incorporate more symmetrical designs, ornate facades, and intricate interior details. Large windows, frescoes, and open courtyards were characteristic of this transition, embodying the Renaissance emphasis on art, light, and space.
Longhouses were elongated rectangular structures and were constructed mostly of timber frames with wattle and daub. The floor was made from beaten earth or flagged with stones and a turf roof was common. Traditional construction of a medieval house was an art, handed down through generations. Building usually commenced with laying down a solid foundation, often made of stone or large timbers, ensuring the structure’s stability. This involved weaving a lattice of wooden strips (wattle) and then daubing it with a mixture of clay, sand, animal hair, and dung. This technique not only provided insulation but was also relatively fire-resistant.
Unlike these grand structures, houses were the silent witnesses to everyday life, encapsulating the routines, dreams, and aspirations of the common folk. The construction of a medieval house was not just a functional undertaking but a reflection of the society’s values, traditions, and advancements. They offer modern historians a tangible glimpse into how people once lived, loved, and labored. Today, many medieval houses have been preserved as valuable cultural heritage sites.
One of the most common types of peasant house was the cruck house, named for the distinctive cruck frames that supported the roof. The houses comprised a Grand Hall, a Kitchen, Storerooms and Servant Quarters. The Great Hall was used for various purposes, including dining, social and official gatherings, recreational activities, etc. If the houses were built as Castles, they were usually quite huge, with several rooms of different sizes that housed the Noble family and the servants. During the early medieval period, nobles lived in a grand house, usually called the Manor House. They eventually fell after a certain period and were then abandoned by their families.
Bledington Church in Gloucestershire, which is still well-preserved today, was the central point for all community activities. Villagers from the parish were involved in church life on a daily basis as it served as the schoolhouse and markets would often be held in the churchyard. Architecture reflects changing fashions, religions, or belief systems; the emergence of newer ideas; and advancements in building technology. A prime example of architectural development is the design and construction of flying buttresses which made it possible to build higher and more spectacular buildings. Some of these medieval artists also wanted to show the interiors of these homes – to do so they simply removed one of the building’s walls.
For instance, in the rocky terrains of Scotland and Wales, stone was a readily available resource. In contrast, the timber-abundant regions of Northern Europe saw the proliferation of wood-based constructions. Cruck houses were typically small, with a single room serving as both living and sleeping quarters for the entire family.
Once early medieval houses had been built, they were not usually upgraded and eventually fell into disrepair and were abandoned if they were not burnt down first. The interior decoration of the Medieval house consisted mainly in elaborated painted woodwork. In terms of content, Gothic furniture was prevalent, with the Medieval decor displaying common traits in castles and ordinary houses. The main furniture pieces were the same, with more luxury and a more elaborated execution in the castles, but also in the houses of the rich merchants. The Medieval house of the 14th century England was generally drawn with the gable end toward the street.
Painting the walls in colors like blue, green, red or yellow was also common in the Low Countries, and even in Eastern Europe. Long wooden beams would hold the thatched roof, where birds, insects and mice dwelled. By the 10th century, longhouses incorporated lofted areas for either living or storage arrangements.
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