Houses and the Hearth Tax: The Later Stuart House and Society

by P.S. Barnwell, Malcolm Airs (Editor)

This book is the first systematically to use the Hearth Tax data to develop a better understanding of vernacular building in the 17th century at a county level - looking at how the buildings of various social classes differed, as well as the regional variation in new building, and differences between town and country. The authors trace developments in fireplace design, introduction of new building materials, correlation between the number of hearths and social status, as well as arrangements for cooking and levels of heating.

202 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006