Key Question No. 1

Many materials were used while creating the establishments of the Elizabethan Era. Most materials used were strong and supportive, as structures of the Elizabethan Era were built to last. The materials available changed drastically during the late 1500s. Because the Civil Wars had come to an end, houses could now be built without having to factor in the security risks the wars posed.

The main structure of lower class houses were simple and mainly made of cheapest wood, while middle and upper Class households had more complex and intricate structures made from stone.

During the mid to late 1500s timber was prominently used in many constructions, oak in particular because of its durability and water resistance. The timber planks were often arranged in a pattern on the exterior walls of the establishment. As time went by, brick became more significantly more popular in design, especially in England. The main materials used in lower class construction were various strong oaks, light woods and willows.

Prior to the Elizabethan Era, glass was scarcely used as it was a very expensive building material. However, that price decreased dramatically during the 1500s, allowing households to install greater glass windows in their houses, which let light and warmth into the building. Also, because of the wars ending, residents no longer had to keep their houses small and private as there were no consequences if you didn’t.

Thatched roofs were typical of middle and lower Class homes because of the low price and the simplicity of its construction. Bundles made up primarily of reeds and/or straw were layered, covering the house. During wet weather, small animals would find shelter on these roofs and when the rain became especially heavy, they would often slip off the surface. Hence the expression, ‘it’s raining cats and dogs’.

Often the roofs of middle class were made of sticks and various plants bundled or woven together. Bricks were rarely used as they were expensive and difficult to find. However because of the impractical roofing material, lower class housing had constant leaking throughout the colder seasons.

The interior floor was usually covered in dirt, grass and sometimes flowers and featured a hearth used for cooking and heating.

Wealthy homes were always built with the most expensive, most rare materials and resources available. The interiors were filled with beautiful, yet often unnecessary, pieces of wooden furniture. These pieces were often carved with intricate patterns and designs. Often the wealthy would include gold paint as a prominent feature of the interior and exterior of their houses to separate themselves from the other classes.

Stone was a popular building material used in wealthy households as it was strong, durable and demonstrated the owner’s wealth in comparison to the lower classes who couldn’t afford such luxuries. While bricks were used, they quickly lost their popularity as the era went on.