The only Medieval houses that survive today are those of the wealthy.
They have survived because they were made out of stone.
This medieval cottage from the thirteenth century, has been reconstructed by the Weald and Downland Museum, Sussex, England.
It has two rooms, one containing the hearth that would have been the main living area, the other contains a stone oven.
The house would have been very dark and smoky inside as there is no chimney and only a small window.
Peasants’ houses have not survived because they were made out of sticks, straw and mud.
They were one-roomed houses which the family shared with the animals.
They made their houses themselves because they could not afford to pay someone to build them.
The simplest houses were made out of sticks and straw.
Wattle and Daub houses were taller and wider than the simple stick and straw houses.
They also offered better protection from the weather.
They were made by first constructing a framework of timber, then filling in the spaces with wattle (woven twigs). Finally, the twigs were daubed with mud which, when dried, made a hard wall.
Additional Resources About Medieval Life
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"Where Did Medieval People Live?" History on the Net© 2000-2024, Salem Media.
April 18, 2024 <https://www.historyonthenet.com/where-did-medieval-people-live>
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