English Tudor Architecture Tudor architecture was the Medieval architectural style developed in the early part of the Tudor Dynasty in England between the time period of 1485 to 1603. This phase had 6 rulers―Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward VI, Jane Grey, Mary I, and Elizabeth I. When Henry VIII ascended the throne, he declared himself the Head of the Church in England, after a fallout with the Vatican. This started a period of suppression of monasteries. The loss of importance of the monasteries meant that the elite channeled their wealth toward construction. Stone, as a result being used less by the churches, became more widely available. Also, the Tudor era, being peaceful, people could devote more of their attention to construction. Depending on the ruling monarch, Tudor architecture is made up of different styles, such as Elizabethan, Jacobean, and so on. This perpendicular style was different from the early Gothic style architecture, and had some Renaissance elements. In the initial phase of the Tudor Dynasty, the architectural style was not completely free of Gothic elements, and this initial style was called the Tudor Gothic style of architecture. There was a shift from large-sized spacious structures to smaller, more intricately designed features. Church artisans still stuck to the old Gothic architecture, while adopting certain elements of the Renaissance Period. Tudor Architecture Revival There was a revival of Tudor architecture in the second half of the 19th century, and it made its way into America during the end of the 19th century. It was also called Jacobethan architecture, based on the combination of the words Elizabeth and Jacob from the same periods of English history. This revival phase went on till the advent of the Second World War, when patriotic feelings favored American-style buildings, and the Tudor style was pushed to the brink. Other factors that led to its decline were that the houses required expensive materials, and were difficult to upkeep and replicate. In fact, another secondary Tudor revival occurred in the late 20th century, and the houses built in this phase were called Mock Tudor houses.

In the Tudor era, the focus shifted from large, opulent castles to better residential structures for the common people. Tudor houses have a Medieval cottage look. They were made with 'noble', strong materials that were long-lasting. Many are still standing today. The basic architectural structure involved a timber-framed house built on a strong stone foundation. Tudor architecture was also popular due to Henry VIII's support of his royals, who on becoming powerful, constructed large Tudor manor houses. The houses of the Tudor Period offered more privacy, and had specific rooms for purposes like studying, dining, and so on. Tudor houses built in the revival phase came to be called 'Stock broker' houses, owing to the fact that many of America's rich had made their wealth in the successful stock market of the early 20th century. In this style of architecture, there were no facilities for sanitary disposal, and human waste was thrown out of the windows.

A general black and white look. Asymmetrical construction features with sharp edges throughout the structure. Sharp-pitched roofs with cross gable and dormer windows. Overhanging top floors. Oak-lined inner walls. Wavy woodwork or plasterwork, giving a folded-cloth look. Huge fireplaces. The house timber frames were plastered with wattle (inter-meshed branches) and daub (mud), and then whitewashed with lime. Use of incomplete wooden beams that were exposed from the outside. Low ceilings. Large doorways with four centered arches lined with brick and elaborately decorated doors. Roofs covered with slate tiles or thatch (slate became difficult later on). Tall, narrow, and mullioned windows (called oriel) with small panes and a copper hood, plus highly decorated glass-work. Use of brickwork for filling between wooden beams (brick was considered a luxury). Huge chimneys, sometimes made of stucco or brick, with decorative chimney pots. The middle class and poor used plaster for filling purposes, instead of brick.