The English Country House Explained (Britain's Living History)
by Mr Trevor Yorke
Countryside Books | June 2012 | ISBN 978 1 84674 301 6 | ePUB | 108 pages | 41 mb

Most of England’s country houses are packed with masterpieces of art and antiques. They also have vast landscaped gardens, often with lakes and fountains. Recent television series and films (such as Downton Abbey and Gosford Park) have spurred on the public’s interest in these grand and glamorous houses which reflect all the splendour of England’s glory years. Using original colour drawings, diagrams and photographs, Trevor Yorke takes the reader on a careful tour of the country house and describes its features, exterior and interior, upstairs and downstairs. He looks at the different periods of large country houses from the mid 1500s up to 1914, explaining the changing architectural styles and the tastes of those who had them built. He describes the rooms within the main house and their role over the centuries. There is a glossary of architectural terms and a quick reference time chart, listing country house architects and the notable buildings they designed, with drawings of the period details that help to date the houses.

About the Author
Trevor Yorke is the author of numerous related books including British Architectural Styles 1500-1950, English Churches Explained and Georgian & Regency Houses Explained.

CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
SECTION I
COUNTRY HOUSE STYLES THROUGH THE AGES
Chapter 1
CHIVALRY AND GLUTTONY1300–1560
Chapter 2
WEALTH AND THE HUMANITIES1560–1660
Chapter 3
COMMERCE AND SCIENCE1660–1720
Chapter 4
LIBERTY AND SENSIBILITY1720–1800
Chapter 5
EMPIRE AND INDUSTRY1800–1914
SECTION II
THE COUNTRY HOUSE IN DETAIL
Chapter 6
INTERIOR STRUCTURES
Chapter 7
THE UPSTAIRS ROOMS
Chapter 8
THE DOWNSTAIRS ROOMS
Chapter 9
THE GARDENS AND ESTATE
SECTION III
QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE
PLACES TO VISIT
FURTHER INFORMATION
TIMECHART
GLOSSARY
INDEX