Tudor (Afterward)

Tudor style is a type of British architecture that was used from 1485 until 1558 (Britannica.com). During this time England was prospering, which meant that a lot of people were able to afford large manor houses (Przybylek).

Characteristic for the Tudor style is the steeply pitched roof, the many gables and that the majority of the exterior is made out of brick. On top of the brick is then usually half-timbering. Other characteristics include tall and narrow windows with multiple panes that are placed in large groups. On the upper levels of the building is often one or several windows that project outwards. These windows are called oriels. Another striking part of Tudor architecture are the chimneys (Burch).

The place the Boynes buy in “Afterward” is a Tudor style building. It is exactly said detail that eventually convinces the Boynes to buy the house (Wharton 343). The steeply pitched roof is mentioned in the story in chapter one as Mary and Edward find the hidden stairwell (Wharton 347). The chimneys of Lyng are described as twisted which can be a characteristic of Tudor architecture (Wharton 356). The windows of the house are also mentioned in “Afterward”, but only described as mullioned, thus a feature of Tudor architecture, the large groups of windows, are never mentioned (Wharton 344).

Image 1: A Tudor house




  • Wharton, Edith. "Afterward". The Muse's Tragedy and Other Stories . Ed. Candace Waid. London: Penguin Books, 1992. 342-373. Print.