Norman

Homes for the not so rich

These small, peasants' cottages were usually of wood.

The sides were made up of rows of sticks with long bendy twigs woven in and out of them and then covered with mud and dung mixed with straw - this was called wattle and daub.

The roofs were thatched with straw or reeds.

The windows would have been covered with wooden shutters or pieces of oiled cloth in cold weather.

Smoke from open fires escaped through a hole in the roof, or the small window openings.

There was very little furniture inside - perhaps a stool, a trestle table, a bench and a chest. In one corner may be a few cooking pots and dishes.

What did people share their cottage with?

Click the picture for an answer.