Town Houses of Medieval Britain (Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art)

This uniquely wide-ranging book explores British medieval houses, from humble to grand, in greater detail than ever before. Anthony Quiney synthesizes the most current archaeological, architectural, and historical findings to present a survey of houses throughout Britain from the early fifth century to the ascent of James VI of Scotland to the English throne in 1603. The book features over 300 illustrations that include medieval depictions of houses and their occupants, historic prints and photographs, as well as numerous explanatory drawings.

In the first part of the book, Quiney considers a variety of political, religious, and economic contexts and their influence on medieval building. The second part looks at the houses themselves: royal palaces; the houses of burgesses, craftsmen, and clergy; hovels of the impecunious; as well as social buildings such as guildhalls, almshouses, and hospitals.