Houses and Society in Norwich, 1350-1660 - Urban Buildings in an Age of Transition

This book provides a comprehensive archaeological study of Norwich during its peak power, exploring the changing forms, construction, and spatial organization of urban houses across the social spectrum. It examines the themes of continuity and change in the material world and the role of the domestic sphere in expressing and negotiating shifting power relationships, economic structures, and social identities.

Format: Hardback
Length: 330 pages
Publication date: 16 October 2020
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Ltd

From the late Middle Ages to the mid-seventeenth century, Norwich, a major provincial capital, rivaled London in size and economic significance. This book presents a comprehensive examination of urban households and domestic life in Norwich during this period, utilizing a wealth of archaeological evidence from surviving buildings, excavated sites, and material culture. It offers a broad overview of the evolving forms, construction, and spatial organization of urban houses across different social strata, ranging from the grand courtyard mansions inhabited by members of the mercantile and civic elite to the homes of the urban middle class and the small two- and three-roomed cottages of the city's weavers and artisans. The so-called age of transition witnessed profound social, economic, and religious upheavals, which Norwich experienced with particular force and intensity. Domestic life was also transformed as a result of these changes.

The author delves into the twin themes of continuity and change in the material world and the role of the domestic sphere in expressing and negotiating shifting power relationships, economic structures, and social identities in the medieval and early modern city. By exploring the archaeological evidence, the book sheds light on the lived experiences of ordinary people and their interactions with the larger social and political structures of the time. It provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of urban life in medieval England and offers insights into the complex dynamics of power, society, and culture in this period.

Weight: 978g
Dimension: 180 x 247 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781783275540