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Jawaher Al Sabousi 

Department of English Literature 

Architecture in England 1485–1660

CONTENTS

A. Synopsis

B. Key actors

C. Iconic buildings

D. Bibliography and references

 

2 of 6  

Jawaher Al Sabousi 

Department of English Literature 

Synopsis

The architecture in England over the period 1485–1660 was increasingly influenced by the architects of the Italian renascence. Those Italian architects were themselves influenced by the ancient Roman and Greek civilizations.

Prior to Tudor/Elizabethan and Jacobean architecture, the dominant form in England was Gothic and Norman, stone was used (not brick, wood and glass) and the focus was on churches and cathedrals with tall steeples.

I have argued that the architectural shift from gothic to renaissance was very much linked to the move from religious absolutism to humanism. It was more scientific, secular, sensuous, symmetrical and square.

Key Italian-style features: arches, columns and domes (public buildings/stately homes)

Having said this, the architecture from Italy cane to England via countries like Holland and Belgium. Therefore, features such as “Dutch gables” and “Flemish strapwork” in geometric designs alongside the black oak timber structure being on overt display were key identifiable aspect of Tudor period architecture too.

Tudormania continues in England today, old Tudor building and gardens are popular tourist attractions and many modern houses continue to adopt Tudor-style façades.

Key actors

Marcus Vitruvius c.75 BCE – c 15 AD

A Roman author, architect and civil engineer who is best known for writing De architectura. His discussion of perfect proportion in architecture and the human body led to the famous Renaissance drawing by Leonardo da Vinci of Vitruvian Man.

Andrea Palladio 1508–1580

An Italian architect who was influenced primarily by the Roman architect Vitruvius. Palladio is considered to be one of the most influential architects in the history of architecture. He wrote, Four Books of Architecture. 24 of the villas he built are listed by UNESCO as part of a World Heritage Site.

Queen Elizabeth I 1533 – 1603

From her name we get the term, Elizabethan architecture. Under her reign icon structures such as William Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre were built.

Robert Smythson 1535–1614

One of the most accomplished English architects during this era, he was very much inspired by Italy and travelled there to learn and take ideas. Notable buildings of his include: Hardwick Hall and Longleat.

 

3 of 6  

Jawaher Al Sabousi 

Department of English Literature 

Vincenzo Scamozzi 1548–1616

An Italian architect and a writer on architecture. He is considered to be the most important Italian architect of this era after Palladio. Indeed, he inherited Palladio’s unfinished architectural projects after his death.

King James I 1566–1625

From his name we get the term, Jacobean architecture. Much like the Elizabethan architecture, it was heavily influenced by Italian renascence design principles, notable Jacobean-style buildings in England include: Bramshill House and Crew Hall.

Inigo Jones 1573–1652

Probably most significant English architect in the Early Modern Period. He was the first to employ Vitruvian rules of proportion and symmetry in English buildings. While in Italy, Inigo Jones got copies of Andrea Palladio’s Four Books of Architecture. Notable buildings of his include: Banqueting House and Queen’s House.

Iconic buildings

Hampton Court

England’s first Elizabethan-style construction (heavily influenced by renaissance Italy).

A Tudor home

Key features are that the windows have crossbars, the black oak timber frame is clearly visible and, the walls are while limewash

 

4 of 6  

Jawaher Al Sabousi 

Department of English Literature 

Hardwick Hall

An architecturally significant Elizabethan country house. Hardwick was designed by the architect Robert Smythson, who was guided by Italian renaissance style of architecture.

Queen’s House

Designed by Inigo Jones, Greenwich, London.

The Globe Theatre

Reconstruction (1997) of original (1599), London.

 

5 of 6  

Jawaher Al Sabousi 

Department of English Literature 

Bibliography

Wikipedia. (2019). Elizabethan Architecture. Wikipedia. Retrieved,

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabethan_architecture

Wikipedia. (2019). Jacobean Architecture. Wikipedia. Retrieved,

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacobean_architecture

Wikipedia. (2019). Tudor Architecture. Wikipedia. Retrieved,

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tudor_architecture

References

Artsy Editors (2015). The Most Iconic Artists of the Italian Renaissance, from Masaccio to Titian. Artsy.

Retrieved, https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-these-8-italian-artists-set-the-renaissance-in-motion

Cibelli, D. (n.d.). The Art & Architecture of the British Renaissance. Nicholls State University. Retrieved,

https://www.nicholls.edu/art-dhc/elizabethanstyle.html

Elizabethan Architecture (n.d.). Elizabethan Architecture. Retrieved, http://www.elizabethan-

era.org.uk/elizabethan-architecture.htm

English Heritage (2019). Tudors: Architecture. English Heritage. Retrieved, https://www.english-

heritage.org.uk/learn/story-of-england/tudors/architecture/

Higgins, C. (2016, 4 May). Tudormania: Why can’t we get over it? The Guardian. Retrieved,

https://www.theguardian.com/news/2016/may/04/tudormania-why-can-we-not-get-over-it

Historic Royal Palaces (n.d.) Banqueting House. Historic Royal Palaces. Retrieved,

https://www.hrp.org.uk/banqueting-house/

Metropolitan Museum of Art (2000). Architecture in Renaissance Italy. Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Retrieved, http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/itar/hd_itar.htm

The National Trust (2019). Hardwick Hall. National Trust. Retrieved,

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hardwick-hall

The Shakespeare Globe Trust (n.d.) Shakespeare’s World. The Shakespeare Globe Trust. Retrieved,

https://www.shakespearesglobe.com/discover/shakespeares-world/

Wikipedia. (2019a). Johannes Gutenberg. Wikipedia. Retrieved,

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johannes_Gutenberg

Wikipedia. (2019b). Henry VIII of England. Wikipedia. Retrieved,

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_VIII_of_England

 

6 of 6  

Jawaher Al Sabousi 

Department of English Literature 

Wikipedia. (2019c). Baldassare Castiglione. Wikipedia. Retrieved,

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baldassare_Castiglione

Wikipedia. (2019d). James VI and I. Wikipedia. Retrieved, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_VI_and_I

Wikipedia. (2019e). Galileo Galilei. Wikipedia. Retrieved, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galileo_Galilei

Wikipedia. (2019f). Francis Bacon. Wikipedia. Retrieved, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Bacon

Wikipedia. (2019g). Michelangelo. Wikipedia. Retrieved, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelangelo

Wikipedia. (2019h). John Milton. Wikipedia. Retrieved, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Milton

Wikipedia. (2019i). Inigo Jones. Wikipedia. Retrieved, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inigo_Jones

Wikipedia. (2019j). Andrea Palladio. Wikipedia. Retrieved, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrea_Palladio

Wikipedia. (2019k). Queen’s House. Wikipedia. Retrieved, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen%27s_House

Wikipedia. (2019l). Charles I of England. Wikipedia. Retrieved,

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_I_of_England

Wikipedia. (2019m). Longleat. Wikipedia. Retrieved, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longleat

Wikipedia. (2019n). Burghley House. Wikipedia. Retrieved, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burghley_House

Wikipedia. (2019o). Bramshill House. Wikipedia. Retrieved, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bramshill_House

Wikipedia. (2019p). Crewe Hall. Wikipedia. Retrieved, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crewe_Hall