ABSTRACT
The feudal system, which for ages prevailed in Europe, had an influence upon the domestic architecture of that period. When the Saxons first landed in Britain, they must have found many Roman edifices, which they partially or entirely destroyed. A Roman origin has been ascribed to some ancient ruins of castles, which more probably were Saxon, as they possess the leading features of the ecclesiastical remains of that period; namely, the semicircular, compound arch over the doors and windows, with the zigzag and fret mouldings. There were but few strong castles in England, however, before the Norman conquest. William, and his chieftains, built strongly fortified castles in various parts of the kingdom. The rage for building in England, during the fifteenth century, led to immense extravagance. To defray the expense of their splendid and capacious mansions, noblemen sold or mortgaged large estates.
