The Houses of the Weald from Medieval to Early Modern

The Course

This day school will look at houses in the Weald as homes in which families lived and worked. It will consider both the continuity and changes which occurred from the late Medieval period, through transitional stages to the early-modern era. It will place the houses in both their historical context and landscape setting, within the various settlement types of the region — rural, village and town. Finally, it will consider how the external appearance of homes have changed over the period and, in this respect, will bring the story up to the present day. A visit to selected houses on the museum site will be included.

The Tutors

David and Barbara Martin. David was a building surveyor and the Director of Rape of Hastings Architectural Survey for 20 years before becoming the Senior Historic Buildings Officer at University College London Field Archaeology Unit/Archaeology South-East in 1992. From 2013 he has been an Honorary Research Associate at the Institute of Archaeology at University College London. His experience includes a survey of the Town Wall, Hastings, East Sussex, an archaeological interpretative survey at Headstone Manor, Pinner, Middlesex, an interpretative recording of The Gatehouse, Tonbridge Castle, Kent and intensive interpretative recording of Ypres Tower, Rye. David and Barbara have been published extensively, some of their work includes ‘Adapting Houses to Changing Needs: Multi-phased Medieval and Transitional Houses in Eastern Sussex’ SAC 137 (1999), 121-132, ‘Farm Buildings of the Weald, 1450-1750’ (2006) and Medieval Villages in the Eastern High Weald, 1250-1750; Parts 1 & 2 (2016).

Participant Information

You may wish to bring paper and pen. The course will include a walk to selected buildings, it is advisable to wear weather appropriate clothing and footwear.

Fee & Refreshments

£75 per person to include teas, coffees and a light lunch. If you have any dietary requirements please let the Museum know in advance