Changes in Tudor Architecture
This is there period where leisure and comfort came into consideration when designing and constructing a palace or prodigy house. This plays into the politics of the age because prior to this there was not much accommodation for leisure in homes and the homes were generally small fortresses or barracks. Prodigy homes and palaces would be primarily for housing the Lord, his household, and many retainers and servants. Having to accommodate so many people, did not leave much room for leisure spaces and private spaces. There was no change in the need to accommodate numerous people, but there was a change in what was prioritized and how the rooms were organized. Just as in the royal palaces, the arrangement of prodigy houses became more private and intimate as one went further in. This was for the same reason as the monarchs did it, they wanted to control the flow of access to the lord. The builders started making interior, private rooms as nicely appointed as the great hall and chapel, which had not been done in the fortress like homes. Another major reason the homes moved away from fortress characteristics is simple, there was a relatively long period of domestic peace in England and there was not really a need any more to protect one’s home from siege or invasion.
[1] Barras, A Wealth of Buildings, 264