Tudor-Style Houses

By Elli Davis, December 29, 2011

Beaney Institute, Canterbury (1899) 
by Wikimedia Commons

One does not always have to be an architect to look at a building and recognize what architectural style it is based on, especially one of the more commonly used styles. However, many people only know a little about the many different archectural styles and are too busy to study any of them in detail. That is why I want to introduce you to one of the most famous styles, the Tudor. Read on and impress everyone the next time you discuss houses.

Origins

As its name suggests, the Tudor architectural style came into existence during the Tudor period in England, which lasted from 1485 to 1558. During this time, the houses in the country changed noticeably. It is true that most of the buildings did not immediately change their Gothic form, but a visible transformation is undeniable. Not only did the security of the house not matter as much anymore, but the appearance was also becoming more and more important. Beautiful, luxurious houses were now preferred to the practical ones.

The decreasing role of the Catholic church had an impact on the overall situation in the country at that time. Indeed, its growing unpopularity caused people to spend more money on their own luxury and happiness. Furthermore, due to the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII, huge areas of land became available. The exploitation of land was inevitable, and new farms were appearing all over the place.

Characteristics

Once we know the history, it is also useful to be aware of the main features to look for in Tudor-style houses. Most of the features are not exclusive; they can also be used for other styles. The more of the following characteristics a building has, the more likely it is a piece of Tudor architecture.

• Location
  The location of a house is crucial. There are much greater chances that you see will a Tudor-style house in Great Britain, North America, and northern Europe than anywhere else. The colleges of some of the most famous universities in the world, such as Cambridge and Oxford, are still being built in Tudor style. Moreover, the main square in Chester, Great Britain is “surrounded by lavish Victorian Tudors that stand unapologetically alongside authentic medieval buildings.”

• Bricks
  Bricks were brought from the Low Countries to East Anglia in the late medieval period. No matter how unbelievable it seems, they used to be luxury items, and not everyone could afford them. While bricks are the defining feature of Tudor houses, those who were not rich enough had to use plaster.

• Decorative Half-Timbering
  Decorative timbers are among the most typical signs of this style. Houses in the Tudor period were usually framed with vertical, horizontal, and diagonal timbers made from either oak or elm. The timbers bring back the atmosphere of Medieval times, when timber framing was seen almost everywhere.

• Roof
  Most Tudor houses have a steeply pitched roof, but you can also find houses with low roofs. The most popular seemed to have been thatched roofs, especially in places with relatively low fire risk.

• Windows
  Tall, narrow windows and small window panes are typical toTudor houses. During the Tudor period, only the rich were able to afford glass windows. The poor used horn or wooden shutters to cover their windows.

• Chimney
  Tall and wide chimneys, frequently decorated with chimney pots, are undoubtedly one of the most important characteristics of Tudor architecture. It was during the Tudor period that they became commonly used. The reason for that was simple: the growing use of coal as fuel.

• Tudor Arch
  The four-centred arch is certainly a defining feature of the homes built in the Tudor period. Compared to the Gothic arches, the so-called Tudor arches were smaller and flattened.

Hampton Court Palace

Hampton Court Great Gatehouse
by Wikimedia Commons

One of the most remarkable original Tudor style buildings is the Hampton Court Palace. Back in 1529, King Henry VIII began the process of rebuilding the palace, which became his primary  home. As mentioned, bricks were a luxury at that time, but the material used for the building (including the chimneys) was red bricks nonetheless. The King required only the best, and thanks to that, the palace was “one of the most modern, sophisticated, and magnificent in England.” The palace is open for public visits; if you by any chance will be in the UK, I strongly suggest you go and see the original Tudor architecture yourself.

Tudor Revival

Tudor architecture did not end when the Tudor period did. In the 19th century, many buildings and railway stations were built in the so-called Tudor Revival style (Mock Tudor or Tudor-Bethan). The birthplace of the original Tudor style, the United Kingdom, brought the style back in the second half of the 19th century. Many British colonies followed the trend. In both Canada and the US, Tudor architecture gained immense popularity in the 1920s and 1930s, and modified versions became trendy in the 1970s and 1980s.

Chaplin Estates

Do we have a Tudor building in Toronto? Yes, indeed we do, and a lot more than one. Test your knowledge in practice and pay a visit to the Chaplin Estates neighbourhood. Since most of the homes in the neighbourhood were built during the Tudor revival boom in North America in the 1920s and ’30s, it is not surprising that it this style is very much visible in Chaplin Estates.

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