ent Architecture (which should be read in an edition not
earlier than that of 1845), from the pen of Mr. Twopeny, whose attention
has long been directed to the subject. "There is ample evidence yet
remaining of the domestic architecture in this country during the
twelfth century. The ordinary manor-houses, and even houses of greater
consideration, appear to have been generally built in the form of a
parallelogram, two stories high,[936] the lower story vaulted, with no
internal communication between the two, the upper story approached by a
flight of steps on the outside; and in that story was sometimes the only
fireplace in the whole building. It is more than probable that this was
the usual style of houses in the preceding century." Instances of houses
partly remaining are then given. We may add to those mentioned by Mr.
Twopeny one, perhaps older than any, and better preserved than some, in
his list. At Southampton is a Norman house, perhaps built in the first
part of the twelfth century. It is nearly a square, the outer walls
tolerably perfect; the principal rooms appear to have been on the first
(or upper) floor; it has in this also a fireplace and chimney, and four
windows placed so as to indicate a division into two apartments; but
there are no lights below, nor any appearance of an interior staircase.
The sides are about forty feet in length. Another house of the same age
is near to it, but much worse preserved.[937]

The parallelogram house, seldom containing more than four rooms, with no
access frequently to the upper which the family occupied, except on the
outside, was gradually replaced by one on a different type:--the
entrance was on the ground, the staircase within; a kitchen and other
offices, originally detached, were usually connected with the hall by a
passage running through the house; one or more apartments on the lower
floor extended beyond the hall; there was seldom or never a third floor
over the entire house, but detached turrets for sleeping-rooms rose at
some of the angles. This was the typical form which lasted, as we know,
to the age of Elizabeth, or even later. The superior houses of this
class were sometimes quadrangular, that is, including a court-yard, but
seldom, perhaps, with more than one side allotted to the main dwelling;
offices, stables, or mere walls filled the other three.

Many dwellings erected in the fourteenth century may be found in
England; but neither of that nor the next