And there is something so magical when entering a room out of the middle ages to want to call it your home straight away. I felt it last week, through the Landmark Trust, staying in the wonderful Methwold Old Vicarage, in which there was an opportunity to visit the lodgings of the previous owner (the prior) of Castle Acre Priory. It is not that you are especially shrinking into yourself, as a child shrinks into a threatening dark, but that being in those old rooms where the texture of the builded stone is wearisome and old and the centuries are present in every corner of it, you come really to visualizing practical difficulties of medievalism–where, for example, your modern kitchen was to go.
This primordial attachments to our architecture make some statement about our nature as human beings and our attachment to historical spaces. It is not merely the fact that medieval constructions such as Castle Acre Priory fill with the essence of the past; they also render the past palpable, encouraging us to picture ourselves as a continuation of a constant human inhabitation of the same construction going as far back as a millennium.
The Enduring Allure of Medieval Architecture
Authenticity in an Age of Mass Production
In a modern day society of off the shelf developments and prebuilt houses, medieval structures are something less common; something with real character made over time through the development and use of the people. This is illustrated perfectly by the lodgings of prior at the Castle Acre Priory. Other parts of the priory complex remain in romantic ruins but it was these individual rooms that were used as a farmhouse right up until the 19th century. This practical cumulative practice of use has not only kept the physical appearance intact but also the inhabited vibe that makes the spaces feel homelike as opposed to museum like.
The massive stone walls, the less smooth floors with their scuffed marks of hundreds of footsteps, and the windows which look out over the Norfolk country as they looked out on the priors of the Middle Ages produce much the same effect as in old mediaeval buildings. Those are the imperfections, we may say age-old imperfections wrought by weather and settlement which give medieval buildings their soul.
The Psychology of Historic Spaces
Environmental psychology research indicates that our preference towards historic buildings is based on a few factors. The medieval architecture will give the researchers so called restorative environments, which can overcome mental fatigue and stress. The use of organic materials, variation of natural light and attachment to the landscape that defines building such as the Castle Acre Priory stimulates positive mental responses that are usually missing in sterile modern habitats.
In addition, such spaces provide what the psychologists call place attachment, which is the strong emotional connection of the individual to the place. As we walk in the rooms which people inhabited, worked, prayed, and dreamt in over the centuries, we get a strong feeling of continuity with the past which gives a good sense of our own role in the flow of the past.
Castle Acre Priory: A Window into Medieval Monastic Life
Historical Significance and Architecture
The Priory at Castle Acre was one of the most significant monasteries in England, it was to be founded circa 1090 by William de Warenne, the first Earl of Surrey. The lodgings of the prior, in which people to-day find something of the same impulse to move in at once, were the apogee of the medieval domestic architecture in response to religious life.
The existence of these specific chambers makes a very interesting adaptive reuse story. In the 1530s, with the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII many of the monastic complexes were ruined or cannibalised as a source of building materials. But the lodgings of the prior at Castle Acre were of too great value as accommodation, to quit. Local farmers knew its potential and changed them into a working farmhouse which lasted almost three centuries.
Architectural Features That Captivate
The dwelling of the prior exhibits some architectural features that remain captivating to the contemporary visitors:
Stone Construction: The height of the uses of limestone as a wall material lies on the fact that it enhances stability and beauty. The walls may be two feet and even more in thickness, furnishing the feeling of permanence and security, which no modern lightweight construction could equal.
Medieval Proportions: The rooms retain the medieval domestic architecture proportions of the human-scale. As opposed to the lofty headlands of the priory church the lodgings have been planned on convenient housing of human beings and the height of the ceiling and the size of the rooms give a kind of natural feeling.
The placement and design of windows: The medieval windows that survive on the work serve as a window to the Norfolk landscapes coupled with giving a source of the natural light which varies according to the time of the day giving the spaces a dynamic quality of changing play of light and shadows.
Functional Design: All the aspects of creation by an architect also had a purpose like location of fire places, so that they would not only heat, but also heat as much as they could, or the location of doorways that they would not hinder the movements of the day-to-day affairs.
The Landmark Trust: Preserving History Through Experience
A Unique Approach to Conservation
The Landmark Trust, which manages properties like Methwold Old Vicarage where visitors can stay while exploring sites like Castle Acre Priory, represents a revolutionary approach to historic preservation. Rather than treating historic buildings as untouchable museums, the Trust recognizes that buildings are best preserved when they continue to fulfill their original purpose: providing shelter and creating homes.
This philosophy aligns perfectly with the survival story of Castle Acre Priory’s prior’s lodgings. Just as 16th-century farmers preserved these medieval chambers by continuing to live in them, the Landmark Trust preserves historic properties by making them available for contemporary visitors to experience as homes, not just tourist attractions.
The Benefits of Experiential Heritage
Staying in Landmark Trust properties offers several advantages over traditional heritage tourism:
Immersive Experience: Rather than viewing historic buildings during brief daylight visits, guests experience the full daily rhythm of historic spaces – the quality of morning light, the acoustics during quiet evening hours, the way weather affects the building’s character.
Deeper Understanding: Living temporarily in historic spaces provides insights into past ways of life that no guided tour can match. Questions like “where would I put the kitchen?” arise naturally and lead to genuine understanding of how our ancestors adapted to their built environment.
Sustainable Tourism: By providing accommodation within or near heritage sites, the Landmark Trust model reduces the environmental impact of heritage tourism while generating revenue for ongoing conservation efforts.
Educational Value: Children and adults alike benefit from the hands-on history lesson that comes with staying in genuinely historic buildings.
Medieval Living in the Modern World: Practical Considerations
The Kitchen Question and Medieval Domestic Life
The practical question of kitchen placement in medieval buildings like the prior’s lodgings reveals fascinating insights into medieval domestic arrangements. In monastic settings, cooking typically occurred in separate buildings to reduce fire risk and manage the logistics of feeding large communities. The prior, as head of the monastery, would have had access to prepared food from the main kitchen but might also have maintained smaller facilities for private meals or entertaining guests.
For modern visitors contemplating medieval living, the kitchen question highlights the fundamental differences between medieval and contemporary domestic priorities:
Fire Safety: Medieval builders were acutely aware of fire risks and typically located cooking areas away from sleeping and storage spaces.
Food Storage: Without refrigeration, medieval kitchens required cool storage areas, often partially below ground, and proximity to water sources.
Social Function: Medieval great halls served multiple functions – dining, entertainment, and administration – requiring flexible space design that differs markedly from modern open-plan concepts.
Seasonal Adaptation: Medieval homes adapted to seasonal changes in ways that modern climate-controlled environments do not, with different rooms serving different functions throughout the year.
Adapting Medieval Spaces for Contemporary Comfort
The centuries-long use of Castle Acre Priory’s prior’s lodgings as a farmhouse demonstrates how medieval buildings can successfully adapt to changing needs while maintaining their essential character. This adaptive approach offers lessons for contemporary historic preservation:
Sympathetic Modification: Changes should enhance rather than compromise the building’s historic character. The Victorian farmers who modified the prior’s lodgings made practical additions while respecting the medieval fabric.
Reversible Interventions: Modern conservation philosophy emphasizes changes that can be undone without damaging historic fabric, allowing future generations to make their own decisions about building use.
Climate Adaptation: Medieval buildings were designed for their climate and location. Modern interventions should work with these original design principles rather than against them.
The Broader Appeal of Historic Properties
Why Medieval Buildings Feel Like Home
The immediate sense of wanting to live in medieval buildings like Castle Acre Priory’s prior’s lodgings reflects several factors that resonate with contemporary sensibilities:
Human Scale: Medieval domestic architecture was designed around human proportions and activities, creating spaces that feel naturally comfortable rather than imposing or sterile.
Natural Materials: Stone, timber, and other organic materials used in medieval construction continue to provide visual and tactile appeal that synthetic modern materials often lack.
Connection to Landscape: Medieval buildings were intimately connected to their surroundings, both for practical reasons (local materials, climate adaptation) and aesthetic ones (views, garden integration).
Patina of Age: The weathering and wear patterns that accumulate over centuries create visual richness and character that new construction cannot replicate.
Historical Continuity: Living in spaces where others have lived for centuries provides a sense of connection to the broader human story that many people find deeply satisfying.
The Role of Imagination in Heritage Experience
The desire to move into medieval spaces like the prior’s lodgings speaks to the power of historical imagination. When we encounter well-preserved historic buildings, we naturally begin to populate them with our own activities and routines. This imaginative engagement transforms passive sightseeing into active historical participation.
This psychological process serves important educational and cultural functions:
Historical Empathy: Imagining ourselves in historic spaces helps develop understanding of past ways of life and the challenges our ancestors faced.
Cultural Continuity: Recognizing the similarities between our needs and those of past inhabitants emphasizes human continuity across centuries.
Preservation Motivation: People who develop emotional connections to historic buildings become advocates for their preservation and maintenance.
Practical Advice for Historic Property Enthusiasts
Planning Heritage Accommodation Experiences
For those inspired to seek out their own medieval room experiences, several practical considerations can enhance the adventure:
Research Before Visiting: Understanding the history and architecture of properties like Castle Acre Priory enhances the experience of exploring both ruins and surviving structures.
Book Heritage Accommodations: Organizations like the Landmark Trust offer unique opportunities to stay in genuinely historic buildings, providing immersive experiences unavailable through conventional tourism.
Explore Surrounding Areas: Historic properties like Castle Acre Priory are often located in areas rich with additional heritage sites, archaeological remains, and traditional landscapes.
Document Your Experience: Taking time to record observations, questions, and emotional responses to historic spaces creates lasting memories and can contribute to broader understanding of heritage tourism’s value.
Supporting Heritage Preservation
The continued survival of buildings like Castle Acre Priory’s prior’s lodgings depends on ongoing support from heritage enthusiasts:
Visit Responsibly: Following site guidelines and respecting historic fabric ensures these spaces remain available for future generations.
Support Conservation Organizations: Groups like English Heritage, the National Trust, and the Landmark Trust rely on memberships and donations to maintain historic properties.
Advocate for Adaptive Use: Supporting policies that allow appropriate modern use of historic buildings helps ensure their long-term survival.
Share Experiences: Talking and writing about positive heritage experiences encourages others to explore and support historic properties.
Conclusion: The Timeless Appeal of Medieval Living
Standing in the prior’s lodgings at Castle Acre Priory, contemplating the practicalities of medieval domestic life while simultaneously wanting to move in immediately, captures something essential about our relationship with historic architecture. These buildings offer more than shelter – they provide connection to our shared human heritage and demonstrate that good design transcends centuries.
The survival of these medieval chambers through their continued use as a farmhouse until the 19th century proves that the best preservation often comes through adaptation rather than abandonment. Today, organizations like the Landmark Trust continue this tradition, ensuring that historic buildings remain living spaces rather than empty monuments.
Whether planning a heritage accommodation experience, visiting historic sites, or simply appreciating medieval architecture, we participate in an ongoing conversation between past and present. The immediate desire to inhabit these ancient spaces reflects not just their architectural quality, but their fundamental success in creating environments where humans can thrive across centuries.
The next time you encounter a medieval room that makes you want to move in immediately, embrace that impulse. It’s not just aesthetic appreciation – it’s recognition of timeless principles of design, craftsmanship, and human understanding that continue to enrich our lives today. And yes, you can still ponder where to put the kitchen – after all, practical considerations have always been part of making any space truly home.
