Bertrand J. Waterhouse, Esq., Sydney, N.S.W. Vernon Watney, Esq., M.A., J.P., F.S.A., Cornbury Park, Oxon Humphry Watts, Esq., Clent, Stourbridge Hugh Weguelin, Esq., London, S.W. R. W. S. Weir, Esq., London, W.C. R. Douglas Wells, Esq., F.R.I.B.A., Kensington, W. Adolph H. C. Wenger, Esq., Trentham Priory, nr. Stoke-on-Trent Arthur Whereat, Esq., Clifton, Bristol Messrs. J. Whitehead & Sons, Ltd., London, S.E. Lt.-Col. Henry Wickham, C.M.G., J.P., Cotterstock Hall, Oundle Chas. Wicksteed, Esq., J.P., C.A., Kettering Mrs. Wigan, Windsor Mr. J. M. Wigley, Bookseller, Lancaster The Rev. H. J. Wilkins, D.D., Redland Vicarage, Bristol Chas. Williams, Esq., Cheltenham Messrs. Clement Williams & Sons, Halifax H. Williams, Esq., London, E.C. Sidney Herbert Williams, Esq., St. Leonards-on-Sea Henry Williamson, Esq., Maryport J. Bertram Wills, Esq., A.R.I.B.A., Bristol Mr. D. Wilson, Bookseller, Bradford W. B. Winckworth, Esq., Taunton E. Ernest Winterbotham, Esq., Hampstead, N.W. F. Arthur Wodsworth, Esq., Nottingham P. W. Wood, Esq., Emmanuel College, Cambridge G. Grey Wornum, Esq., Nottingham George Wragge, Esq., Kensington Wm. Wright, Esq., One Ash, nr. Loughborough The Rev. W. Wykes-Finch, M.A., J.P., Chaddesley Corbett York Public Library, per A. H. Furnish, Esq., City Librarian Edward Yates, Esq., London, E.C. Thomas Charles Yates, Esq., Kensington, W. H. S. Young, Esq., Crosby, Liverpool Messrs. Henry Young & Sons, Ltd., Booksellers, Liverpool J. M. Zarifi, Esq., London, W. _Agents for the United States of America_ CHARLES SCRIBNER’S SONS FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK PREFACE The following pages take up the story of the English House at the point to which it was carried in my former work on _Early Renaissance Architecture in England_, and carry it to the beginning of the nineteenth century. Between them the two books present the history of domestic architecture from the time when houses were becoming homes instead of fortresses, until a period well within the recollection of our grandfathers. During the three centuries thus covered, houses were built and decorated in successive styles, which were universally accepted at the time. The prevailing character of these styles was derived from classic sources, as distinguished from our native Gothic traditions, and it owed its origin to the Renaissance style of Italy. The earlier efforts towards the change are visible in the work of the sixteenth century and of the first quarter of the seventeenth. With the advent of Inigo Jones, however, a further impulse was given to the desire for a classic treatment of architecture; and it is this impulse and its consequences which form the basis of the present inquiry.