Homes and House Holds

Medieval towns were typically small and crowded.  Most houses were made of wood.  as the houses got older they tended to lean to one side. Rich and poor people lived in much different houses. A family might share a house with another  family. One family would usually eat, sleep, and cook in the same room! Wealthy merchants often lived in fancy housings. They usually had four levels. The first level would often be business and include offices and storerooms. The second level family's living quarters where they would eat and chat with other family's. The third level usually housed servants and apprentices. All houses were usually dark cold and smoky. The only source of heat was fire places.