The Tudor House

As part of my research into Tudor houses, I recently had the opportunity to visit Nine Chimneys House in Balsham, Cambridgeshire. Nine Chimneys House was originally a substantial Tudor house, built by Thomas Sutton (Master of the Ordinance to Queen Elizabeth I) in 1583. It was a large E-shaped building with nine chimneys, of which six still survive. The current Nine Chimneys House is a wing of the original building, and it is the oldest house in the village.

Nine Chimneys House in Balsham, Cambridgeshire

Named after the Tudor dynasty that ruled England during this period, the era began with the accession of Henry VII in 1485 and concluded with the death of Elizabeth I in 1603.

During the 120 years of the Tudor era, a range of different architectural styles developed, and because of this, it's not always easy to identify a Tudor house. The early houses of this period are excellent examples of vernacular architecture as transport was limited during the late 15th century and houses were built by local craftsmen using local materials.

Image credit: Country Living

As timber was the most popular building material for houses, Tudor houses often featured exposed timber framing filled with wattle and daub or brickwork, creating a charming and rustic appearance. Frames were formed out of timber and infilled with wattle and daub, oak laths or even brick where the owner could afford it.

Old Tudor House (Tiddy House) Tudor Street, Exeter, Devon Image credit: Adobe Stock

Little Moreton Hall in Staffordshire Image credit: Adobe Stock

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It was during this time that brickwork appeared, and a house built of brick was seen as a status symbol. Although only the wealthy could afford to use brick for the whole house, it was also used as infill for timber framed houses. Tudor bricks were irregular in shape and size, and were thinner than our modern bricks. Bricks were mostly red, but some were overheated in the kilns to change the colour and were then used to create decorative patterns in the walls.

Mapledurham House in Oxford is a large Elizabethan manor house built in brick in the late 16th century.

Mapledurham House in Oxfordshire Image Wikimedia

Stone was also used, but it was expensive and used only by the wealthy. Athelhampton, built in the 1490's is an example of an early Tudor house.

Athelhampton, Dorset Image Wikimedia

Tall, very decorative chimneys were used to display the new enclosed fireplaces that were seen as a luxury. Previously, there was a central open hearth in medieval timber halls and the smoke from this open fire simply escaped through the roof. By the end of the 16th century, a brick or stone chimney with a fireplace would have been included in any building plan.

Jetties are a characteristic feature of Tudor townhouses. This would have provided more space upstairs, but were mostly added for status.

Timbered houses in Stratford-Upon-Avon with long continuous jetties across the whole facade Image credit Adobe Stock

The monarchs and nobility of the Tudor period openly flaunted their riches. This period was characterized by extravagance, opulence, innovation, and grandeur, particularly evident in the extravagance of country estates. The nobility built expansive houses which were meant to impress visitors. King Henry VIII epitomized this trend by possessing a staggering 63 palaces.

Hampton Court Palace Image credit: Adobe Stock

According to Clive Aslet in The Story of the Country House, this is regarded as the golden age of the 'manor house' and a time during which lawyers, merchants, and wool traders sought residences that reflected their wealth and social standing.

During the 15th and 16th centuries, Lavenham was a prospering town and many of its charming timber-framed houses were built by the town's wool and cloth merchants with the wealth they accumulated through the wool trade. The Guildhall in Lavenham, built in the early 16th century, is one of the finest examples of half timbering.

Lavenham Guildhall Image credit: Adobe Stock

Straight out of a fairy tale: Timber-framed houses in Lavenham Image credit: Adobe Stock

Colourful timber-framed houses in Lavenham Image credit: Adobe Stock

There are different opinions on how the outer surface of original Tudor houses would have been finished and according to Trevor Yorke in Tudor Houses Explained, there were regional and possibly personal variations. In some cases, the exterior oak beams were deliberately left untreated, allowing them to weather naturally and acquire a graceful silver-grey patina. The spaces between the beams, filled with wattle and daub, were either painted or treated with a lime wash. According to Yorke, there were instances where the lime wash was also extended to cover the timber itself.

"Blackened timber with white panels was probably only used in a few locations, such as Cheshire; the stark black and white scheme we are familiar with today was a Victorian creation and the modern appearance of many of our Tudor framed houses is not as originally intended."

- Trevor Yorke

According to Yorke, it is likely that many wealthier owners would have painted their timber framed homes in shades of yellows, reds and pinks to highlight the timber. Different regions would have favoured certain colours.

Today, we often look at these magnificent houses from an Edwardian perspective. This is due to the fact that many of the Tudor homes that had deteriorated during the Georgian era were lovingly restored into family residences with a touch of romanticism around 1900.

Gardens became more important during this time and garden buildings such as the gatehouse and banqueting house were key buildings in the grander Tudor gardens.

"One of the most characteristic features to be found in Tudor gardens is a banqueting house...They were used in the same way as the banqueting rooms built within the house, a place to retire after the main meal where sweets could be eaten, and some also as summerhouses from which to admire the surroundings."

- Trevor Yorke

The banqueting house at Melford Hall dates back to the late 16th century.

The Banqueting House at Melford Hall

The Shambles, York Image credit: Adobe Stock

Overhanging buildings at The Shambles in York where some of the houses date back to the 15th century. The ground floor of these houses would have been used as shops, and here in York it would have been mostly butchers.

The Tudor House Interior

Tudor houses were bare and uncluttered, with the table and bed the most important pieces of furniture.

"Before the sixteenth century, the concept of a dedicated bedroom was virtually non-existent in Medieval England."

- Bethan Watts

Before the 15th century, At the beginning of the period, chairs weren't common and were mainly used by the head of the house. Benches were still generally used and cupboards were few as the Tudors didn't have much to display. In wealthier households, good quality plate would have been used to impress guests, but guests still carried their own knives and spoons.

The walls of the main rooms were often panelled using square shaped panels and linen fold panelling was popular during the first half of the Tudor period.

16th Century linenfold panels from the Palace of Westminster Image credit Antique Hadden

Linenfold panelling in the Queen Elizabeth Room at Penshurst Place

The wall panelling was mostly constructed from oak and the quality of the oak depended on the social status of the household. Wealthy owners would have used the best quality oak with other cheaper woods used by poorer families.

Interestingly, when we think of a Tudor house, most people today would automatically assume that the walls should be white with dark wood panelling, but sometimes, the panels would have been painted with decorative patterns on the bare walls.

" The dark stained wood and bright white walls we see today are a later fashion - in most Tudor houses the important rooms would have been as colourful as the exterior surfaces could be"

- Trevor Yorke

The Oak Room at Abington Park Image credit Abington Park Museum

Decorating a Tudor house today

In a Tudor house with original dark panelled walls, you could think about adding softness with fabrics, rugs and possibly a tapestry or two. Create a balance by adding upholstery in lighter colours to contrast with the dark wood and make sure that you think about the different textures in the space. It is worth noting that the architectural features in a Tudor house will always be the main event, any décor or design will have to be carefully considered to work with what is already there.

In this 15th century cottage living room, the large fireplace takes centre stage and is definitely the focal point in the room. The neutral walls make the room seem lighter. Soft, muted colours were chosen for the furniture and upholstery.

South Wraxall Manor decorated by Robert Kime

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