Here are some facts about Tudor houses.
- One of the most distinctive things about a Tudor house was the black and white effect (see image below), because of their exposed wooden frames. There are many Tudor houses in England, some of which are still being lived in today. The town of Lavenham in Suffolk is famous for its Tudor buildings.
- Many Tudor houses featured a wooden frame (joined together by wooden pegs and not nails), a tall chimney, a steep roof and an enclosed fireplace. The walls between the timber frame were made from wattle and daub, which was wood strips or sticks covered with clay and dung. The walls were often whitewashed.
- Most Tudor houses had a thatched roof, although rich people could afford to use tiles.
- Very rich people in Tudor times liked to have a large garden, often containing a maze, fountains or hedges shaped like animals. Poor people had much smaller gardens and grew their own herbs and vegetables.
- Most homes had dirt floors, which were almost impossible to keep clean.
- Even rich people did not always have a lavatory. Some castles and palaces did include a toilet, but it was little more than a raised hole in the floor above the moat. The toilet was not private as it is today, but was still called a privy.
- During the late 15th century, glass was expensive and only a few people could afford glass windows. Most people took their windows with them when they moved.
- Furniture in Tudor homes was often made of oak and was heavy and not very comfortable. Many people sat on benches and stools, instead of chairs.
- Only rich people could afford carpets, although they were often hung on the wall, rather than placed on the floor.Most homes had dirt floors, which were almost impossible to keep clean. People covered the floor with reeds or rushes and replaced them when they became too filthy.
What next? Discover more Tudor facts by visiting the Primary Facts Tudor resources page.
