Housing (AQA GCSE History): Revision Notes
Housing under the Normans
Introduction to Norman housing
Under Norman rule, housing conditions varied dramatically depending on social status and location. The majority of Norman homes were constructed from timber, with stone buildings reserved for the wealthiest members of society. Living conditions were generally harsh, with most people's homes being damp, dark, and smoky environments that significantly impacted daily life.
The stark contrast between timber homes for commoners and stone buildings for the elite immediately established visual symbols of Norman social hierarchy throughout England.
Village houses
The manor house system
Norman villages were dominated by the manor house, which served as the residence of the local lord. This represented a significant change from Anglo-Saxon times, as the traditional Anglo-Saxon thegn's wooden hall was replaced with a stone manor house. These substantial buildings demonstrated Norman wealth and power while serving as the administrative centre for the surrounding village.
The manor house was accompanied by various barns and outbuildings that were shared with the entire village community. This centralised system reflected the feudal structure that the Normans established throughout England.
The replacement of Anglo-Saxon wooden halls with Norman stone manor houses was not just architectural - it represented a fundamental shift in how power was displayed and exercised in mediaeval England.
Peasant housing hierarchy
The rest of the village housing followed a clear social hierarchy that determined both house size and land allocation:
Freemen occupied the largest peasant homes and had the most substantial plots of land for growing vegetables and keeping livestock.
Villeins lived in smaller houses with moderate-sized plots where they could cultivate crops and maintain animals and poultry to support their families.
Cottars and bordars had the smallest homes and were allocated only tiny plots of land, reflecting their position at the bottom of the village social structure.
Living conditions in peasant homes
Life in a typical peasant house was challenging and uncomfortable. These single-room dwellings housed entire families together, with no separation between living and sleeping areas. The structures had several key characteristics:
- No windows were installed, making the interior extremely dark during daytime hours
- Animals were brought inside at night for protection and warmth, sharing the living space with human occupants
- Earth floors were covered with straw or rushes to provide basic insulation
- Smoke holes in the roof allowed smoke to escape, though this made the interior constantly smoky
These poor housing conditions contributed significantly to low life expectancy during this period. Average life expectancy in the 11th century reached only 30 years, primarily because many children died in infancy. Those fortunate enough to survive to adulthood and reach their early sixties were considered to have lived exceptionally long lives.
Housing in towns
Urban construction and layout
Town housing presented different challenges compared to village accommodation. Most urban buildings were constructed from wood and packed tightly together, creating very narrow streets throughout the settlement.
Some towns attempted to use grid-based planning systems, but these were typically poorly implemented. Houses were often built wherever space could be found rather than following any organised layout, leading to cramped and confusing street patterns.
Multi-story town houses
Mediaeval town houses frequently featured multiple levels to maximise the use of limited urban space:
- Ground floors commonly served as shops for merchants and craftsmen, or operated as alehouses for the local community
- Upper floors provided living accommodation and were often divided between several different families to reduce housing costs
- Building extensions sometimes projected over the street below, further narrowing the available walking space
Street regulations and safety
Norman authorities implemented specific regulations to manage urban housing:
The high street was required to maintain a width equivalent to a lance length. Any buildings that encroached on this space and narrowed the main thoroughfare were ordered to be demolished to maintain proper access.
However, because land within town walls was so expensive and limited, many houses were constructed with upper floors that extended over the street level, creating dark and cramped conditions for pedestrians below.
The tension between official street width regulations and economic pressures created ongoing conflicts in Norman towns, as property owners constantly sought to maximise their valuable urban space.
Urban health and safety challenges
Town living presented several serious health and safety risks that made urban life particularly dangerous during the Norman period.
Fire hazards were extremely high due to the combination of wooden construction and the presence of craftsmen working with flames and heat sources throughout the settlement.
Disease spread was rapid and dangerous because towns lacked any sewage systems, and the overcrowded conditions allowed illnesses to transmit quickly between residents.
Limited space within protective town walls meant that larger houses with gardens were only available on the outskirts of settlements, where wealthy residents could afford more substantial properties.
Timeline of key housing developments
- c1066: Norman Conquest begins transformation of English housing
- c1070s-1080s: Manor houses replace Anglo-Saxon thegn halls across England
- c1080s-1100: Town walls constructed, limiting urban space and affecting housing density
Key Points to Remember:
- Norman housing clearly reflected social hierarchy, from stone manor houses to basic peasant cottages
- Most homes were built from wood and shared between humans and animals, creating dark, smoky living conditions
- Poor housing contributed to a life expectancy of only 30 years during this period
- Town housing was densely packed with wooden buildings, creating significant fire and disease risks
- Street width regulations existed but were often ignored due to limited urban space