Elizabethan Architecture

What was Elizabethan architecture like?

The rich were very keen to show off their wealth and power. One way of doing this was through the architecture of their stately homes.

How was Elizabethan architecture possible?

The Dissolution of the Monasteries under Henry VIII freed up about a quarter of all land in England. This was now available for the rich to purchase.

What was the Great Rebuilding in Elizabethan architecture?

Building during Elizabeth's reign was known as the Great Rebuilding. It celebrated a desire among the wealthy to show houses at their best.

What was the external architecture like on Elizabethan buildings?

There were 3 things that characterised the external design of Elizabethan homes.

• ❖ They were inspired by Italian Renaissance architecture.
• ❖ Many houses had large mullioned windows. These were large windows made up of many small panes of glass, divided by supports.
• ❖ Some manor houses were not classically influenced and were still made using wattle and daub.

What was the architecture like inside Elizabethan buildings?

There were 3 things that characterised the internal design of Elizabethan homes.

• ❖ Rooms were very well lit due to the large and extensive windows.
• ❖ Bedrooms were placed upstairs for the first time.
• ❖ There were long galleries for entertainment.

What was Robert Smythson's contribution to Elizabethan architecture?

Robert Smythson was a leading architect. He designed and built Longleat House and Hardwick Hall.

How did Elizabethan architecture show the prosperity of its owners?

Architecture was used to display the prosperity of its owners in several ways:

• ❖ There was a new culture of personal comfort, meaning a country house was not the communal centre of a village, but a private residence for a cultured noble.
• ❖ It was fashionable to be inspired by ancient civilisations as it demonstrated a cultured mind.
• ❖ Expensive materials were used to show off an individual's wealth.
• ❖ A lot of glass was used on both the exterior and interior of a house to show off the owner's wealth.