Greater Medieval Houses – serie

More than 700 greater houses of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries survive in England and Wales, of which nearly two-thirds are in continuous occupation. Yet they have been little-studied in comparison with the country's medieval castles, cathedrals and abbeys. This book, first published in 1996, surveys the houses in detail. It is an illustrated record of the surviving residences of the Crown, the greater and lesser nobility, and church leaders - the 'movers and shakers' of medieval society. All major and most lesser houses are appraised in detail, concentrating on their architectural development and historical relevance. They are grouped by region, prefaced by short introductions which establish their historical and architectural context. The topic will be covered in three volumes - on northern England, central England and Wales, and southern England. When complete the volumes will be the first and only comprehensive survey of the subject. Volume 1 (on northern England) describes nearly 200 houses, and contains over 200 illustrations, 100 plans and maps, appendices and a full bibliography.

Greater Medieval Houses of England and Wales, 1300-1500 is a three volume survey offering an assessment of nearly 700 houses and a synthesis of current knowledge and research. This second volume, first published in 2000, covers central England and Wales and is divided into five geographical regions. Each of the four English regions is supported by historical and architectural introductions, and by a thought-provoking essay stimulated by a key building in the region. The fifth section, on Wales, is the first overview devoted solely to medieval Welsh houses. The text is complemented by hundreds of illustrations - plans and maps, early engravings, and photographs showing the present condition of almost every house discussed. Many traditional assumptions are challenged on well-known buildings, making this volume - and the survey as a whole - essential reading for anyone interested in medieval English and Welsh history and culture.