How To Read A Country House

Product Description

Why was heraldry so important to the families for whom houses were built? How does the layout of a house reveal the values of the people who lived in it? By reading the architectural features of a house
- even simple items such as windows, doors, chimneys & staircases
- we can learn so much about the past. Interiors, as well as exteriors, have a story to tell, with floor layouts & contents of rooms revealing much about the people who built & lived in them. We can also read the iconography of a house: its symbols & images, spanning subjects such as classical mythology, religion & British history. Heraldry too is an essential tool for understanding much of the details found in country houses, from coats of arms to crests, or fireplace decorations & ceiling bosses. Through all this, we gain a glimpse into the social world of the families who lived there
- & discover that the stories of many country houses are inextricably linked by marriage, royalty or political or military service.

Richly illustrated with stunning photographs from the unique archive of Country Life magazine, this book is a joy for all those who want to learn more about our heritage, art & architecture, & the essential characteristics of a classic country house.