The Featured Image Of Medieval House

Medieval Houses

Medieval houses, constructed in diverse styles based on owner status and location, were typically two-storied timber structures, offering space for livestock, work, and comfortable living. Reflecting a simple and minimalistic lifestyle, these historical dwellings continue to captivate our fascination today, providing a glimpse into the lives of 5th-century inhabitants. Explore more in the full article.

Types of Houses in Medieval Times

Medieval House
Medieval House by Geni licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Medieval architecture bore an intrinsic and exquisite look that distinctly belonged to that era. It’s easy to identify houses built during the medieval period through their particular characteristics.

Medieval houses were broadly classified into two types –

  • Noble Houses
  • Peasant Houses.

Back then, society at large was divided based on the strata.The architecture during the medieval era changed through centuries as the requisites, purpose, values, and belief systems changed. But medieval houses remained divided into Noble and Peasant houses. During the early Medieval period, peasant houses were usually made of straw and sticks as they could not afford anything better.

Early Medieval houses were simple, with two rooms, limited ventilation, and small windows. Later Medieval noble houses were more extravagant, featuring a mix of timber and brick construction, tiled roofs, chimneys, and glass windows on two stories. Servants typically resided on the first floor.

Noble Houses during the Medieval period

Noble Medieval House
Noble Medieval House by Silver149 licensed under CC BY 2.5

During the Middle Ages, a well-defined hierarchy started developing within the Noble class, with the Nobles and the Aristocrats vying to establish their dominance in the social order. This race gave rise to a need to reflect their wealth as much as possible through different means, and building luxurious homes emerged as one of the best ways of doing that. These houses were greatly ornamental, flamboyantly displaying the wealth of the owner.

During the early medieval period, nobles lived in a grand house, usually called the Manor House. They eventually fell after a certain period and were then abandoned by their families.

Houses were greatly upgraded during the later Medieval period. The houses comprised a Grand Hall, a Kitchen, Storerooms and Servant Quarters. The Great Hall was used for various purposes, including dining, social and official gatherings, recreational activities, etc. If the houses were built as Castles, they were usually quite huge, with several rooms of different sizes that housed the Noble family and the servants.

Peasant Houses during the Medieval Period

Peasant Medieval House
Peasant Medieval House by David licensed under CC BY 2.0

The Peasant Houses were simple, small and wore a shabby look as peasants could not afford anything beyond straw and sticks, especially during the early Medieval period. None of the peasant houses has stood the test of time and disappeared from history. The accounts and estimates of the current structures have been passed through oral records and examples.

Post-Black Death in 1384, peasants shifted to Wattle and daub houses due to reduced population. With fewer laborers, nobles raised wages for menial jobs, elevating the living standards of the remaining peasant class during the later Medieval period.

Interesting Medieval Houses Facts

  • The medieval houses, especially peasant houses, were very basic. No material used to build our homes today was available back then.
  • The peasant houses had only a pit as a toilet that the residents could use and bury it. Toilets in Castles were called garderobe and were simply vertical shafts with a stone seat. 
  • Medieval houses, especially those of the Nobles, were status symbols. The wealthier the owner, the grander the house would be 
  • The Medieval period was exciting and intriguing in many ways, especially how the houses stood as a living example of how society operated in a well-defined hierarchy. However, these houses continue to give us a sneak peek into the era that was.

Also, if interested, check out “MEDIEVAL ROYAL CLOTHING, Medieval Instruments and MEDIEVAL FOODS.”

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