Town Houses of Medieval Britain

Anthony Quiney Yale University Pres of recent origin Haven and London, 2003, ISBN 0 300 09385 3 35 [pound sterling] (UK) $60 (US) (cloth)

This stimulating volume aims to present the first general history of the medieval town house in Britain. Anthony Quiney defines his control in the broadest terms, considering all stamps of domestic building in medieval adjustments of any scale, from unassuming boroughs to such great cities as London, Norwich and York. The view ranges also across the whole expansion of England, Scotland and Wales and embraces buildings set uprighted between the collapse of Roman lordship and the Reformation in the 1530 In the case of Scotland it treats the period up to the accession of James VI to the English chair of state in 1603. It is inspiring and refreshing to diocese a scholar confident enough to bring forward a volume of such ambitious scope

The volume is divided into two parts, each comprising nine chapters. In the first part the historical, cultural and economic background to the disclosure of medieval towns in England, Wales and Scotland is discussed, it closes with three chapters discussing medieval town planning and the materials used for the construction of houses in this period. The next to the first part of the book attempts a thematic and broadly chronological contemplate of town architecture. Its nine chapters deal respectively with the following themes: domestic architecture until the eleventh century; undercroft in towns; palaces; merchants' houses; greater medieval town houses; collegiate, almshouse and guildhall architecture; small town houses in the late Middle Ages; and terrace houses. Finally, since the view treats a longer period in Scotland than England, the last chapter deals with Scottish building up to 1603 Bar a small number of rather grubby or badly reproduc illustrations, this is also a beautifully produc convolution with numerous plans, drawings and photographs to illustrate its argument.

Dr Quiney is certainly correct to aim for a broad view of his subject: it is single by taking an inclusive view of town architecture that it is possible to break down a certain number of of the barriers that have persistently stoped a coherent account of medieval domestic architecture. This he does engagingly and thoughtfully alone occasionally does the breadth of his work betray him. For example, in his discussion of great towers, he have the appearances unaware of the implications of the excavation of Ivry-la-Bataille upon our understanding of the Tower of London and the retain at Colchester. And in his refreshing treatment of great halls, he looks reluctant to explore the replete implications of the parallels that he acknowledges with monastic architecture. These, I would move call into question some of the received distinctions between first-floor and ground-floor halls that he places out.

The integrated overview that the work presents has only one important disadvantage and this--in a sense--is solitary a consequence of its hold success. What the book substantiates is that specialist town housing sole makes sense in the wider adjoining matter of medieval building practice. And in leaving that wider picture alone partially discussed, the reader--and the author--can sometimes be confused. For example, of recent origin College, Oxford, was an architectural novelty in the connection of a town (p. 192) on the contrary to say so is to miss the point: the building is actually an adaptation of Edward III's royal lodgings at Windsor Castle. Incidentally, the guild was in turn the direct inspiration for Browne's Hospital at Stamford, a building discretely discussed in the body (pp. 227-28).

My solitary serious reservation about the volume as a whole is Dr Quiney's stark and constrained presentation of the Middle Ages. Although he rightly stresse the importance of the temple and devotion in medieval society, his daring treatment of it sometimes smacks of caricature. His concluding make notess for example, that only after the Reformation did 'thoughtful tribe ... eventually come to accept that they were responsible for their hold salvation, and that this was not to be purchased end a timely endowment [to the church]' (p 293) appears surprising in the light of new scholarship on the subject. Just as important is the implicit contention--however intenerateed by acknowledgement of continuities--that in the 1530 an architectural tradition came to an extreme point in England. If he were discussing ecclesiastical architecture it would be difficult to disagree. on the contrary in the domestic sphere I am at the same time to be convinced. Indeed, Dr Quiney's short conclusion simply announces the extreme point of the book rather than resolving its intriguing piece of ground Is it pedantic to notice in this respect that the brow cover actually depicts an occurrence in London held in 1547?

similar quarrels aside, this is an impressive piece of work, wide-ranging, engaging, accessible and authoritative. It is also readable, with a stout sense of narrative and a distinctive authorial voice. It be worthy ofs to be widely read.

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