8-5Architecture

 WHAT WERE COMMON FORMS OF ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIOR DECORATION IN ELIZABETHAN ENGLAND? //Answer prepared by: John S.// “The style during the Elizabethan England was a transitional style of the English Renaissance.” says Elizabethan-era.org. During this period the houses were mainly called manor houses. They consisted of a broad staircase, a long gallery connecting the wings of the house on the upper floors, withdrawing rooms, and bedrooms. “Most houses were designed by their owner to fit their personal wants and needs. The houses usually had columns, pilasters, lozenges, festoons, scrolls, and grotesque figures.”   The first place said to be the real start of this style was Hampton Court. It was originally built for Cardinal Wolsey , “a favorite  of King Henry VIII , circa 1514; in 1529, as Wolsey fell from favor,” says Hamptoncourt.org. The palace was then passed to the King, who enlarged it.  Upper Class houses of the wealthy were built with stone and expensive bricks that were used for durability and appearance (as opposed to the timber and wattle of Lower Class houses). “Classic Greek and Roman architecture was admired by the Elizabethans and sometimes great columns framed the entrances of many great Elizabethan houses,” explains Britainexpress.com. One of the most impressive houses built during the Elizabethan era which made use of such columns was the magnificent Hardwick Hall, known as Bess of Hardwick (1521 - 1607). Hardwicke Hall was truly magnificent, four stories tall with prolific plaster work. One of its major features was its many glass windows. The architecture of Middle class houses was similar to traditional medieval styles. But Elizabethan Houses were framed with massive upright, vertical timbers. These vertical timbers were often supported by diagonal timbers. The wattle walls were daubed with mortar and whitewash was then applied. This process resulted in the highly distinctive black and white half-timbered Elizabethan Houses.  Works Cited "Elizabethan Life." //Elizabethan Era//. Web.16 Apr 2009. [].

Mckenny, Julian. "History of the Castle." //Hampton Court//. Web.16 Apr 2009. .

Ross, David. "Elizabethan Architecture in England 1550-1625." //Britain Express//. Web.16 Apr 2009. []. 