The final development of what was considered to be Medieval Architecture is that of the Tudor style architecture made famous of course during the Tudor Period in England which ran from 1485 until 1603. This places most of the Tudor Period in the 16th century. The Tudor Period Architecture was followed by the Elizabethan Architectural period and can be most noticeably seen at colleges like Oxford as well as Cambridge.
One of the most prominent pieces of the Tudor Period is that of the Tudor Arch which is a four-centred arch. The Tudor period is known for its naturalistic and awkward styling. Today, the Tudor style is considered to be the epitome of the English taste in architecture that is still often copied and imitated today.
You can still see the Tudor style in various churches in England including places like Henry VII’s Chapel which is located at Westminster. The King’s College Chapel at Cambridge is an excellent example of Tudor Architecture.
It was Henry VI who planned the University originally as part of the Eton College. However, the only part of the college that was built was that of the Chapel. On St. James’ Day back in 1446, the first stone of the chapel would be placed only for it to be finished by Henry VII until his death and eventually completed by Henry VIII in 1515. However, the only portion of the chapel that was never completed was that of the great windows of the four-centred arch.
In Windsor Castle, the St. George’s Chapel is also an example of Tudor Architecture. The St. George’s Chapel is the place of worship for the royal as well as the Order of the Garter since its beginnings. Located in the lower ward of the castle, it’s also in the region of the castle where Queen Elizabeth called her residence.
In Kent, one can find the Eltham Palace which is also a fine example of Tudor architecture.
In 1305, the Bishop of Durham gave the palace to 1305 and since then it has been a royal residence through the Tudor Period. It was here that Edward III was inspired in founding the Order of the Garter as well as being a popular haunt of Henry IV.
The Oxburgh Hall in Norfolk is a Tudor style manor house which was originally built in 1482. A moat is located around the manor and is 75 meters wide in the shape of a square unlike the normal round shaped moats of the era.
In Gloucestershire one can find the Owlpen Manor house which is located in the Stroud District and was built in 1464 by the Daunt family who maintained ownership until 1616. By 1719, Thomas Daunt IV would add some gardens as well as the East Wing of the manor house. Other than these, the Tudor style manor house has been left untouched since its original construction.
There are a number of great examples of Tudor style architecture which can still be found today all over England as well as other parts of the world. The major distinctive features of the Tudor architecture include the half timber decorations, the steeply pitched roofs, large chimneys as well as decorative chimney pots and even cross gables. Furthermore, The Tudor style buildings have tall narrow windows along with the four-centred arch with small window panes. It is important to remember there is a difference between the traditional Tudor buildings which were only built in its originality back in 16th century, all of the other Tudor style buildings are fake designs or mimics of the Tudor style due to the popularity of the style which can still be seen today all across the world.
Original Authors: Nick (Globel Team)
Edit Update Authors: M.A.Harris
Updated On: 07/08/2008
