Architecture – Jacobean Architecutre

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Again Happy New Year! Today we explore part two of the Renaissance styles – Jacobean architecture. Last week we explored the first part of Renaissance styles – Elizabethan architecture. A topic which as I said started with a Holiday card featuring Blickling Hall by Robert Lyminge. Lyminge also designed Hatfield house.

The Jacobean style was during the reign of James I – 1603 and 1625. It was a transition between the Elizabethan and Pure Renaissance, it blended Medieval and Renaissance styles.

Where Elizabethan architecture was irregular, Jacobean is more regular. It is enhanced with classic columns and entablatures (the horizontal portion above the columns). A more stylistic unity is achieved.

Oddly enough Wikipedia has both Hatfield House and Blickling Hall in Elizabethan architecture. Both were designed by Robert Lyminge who they also state is a Jacobean architect. Sir Banister Fletcher’s A History of Architecture only has a plan drawing and a drawing of Blicking Hall’s front entrance, so no additional information there. It declares Hatfield House as the most spectacular Jacobean mansion. Fletcher makes no mention of Robert Lyminge. And so I’ve left Blickling Hall and Hatfield House in the Elizabethan architecture but also included them here. That being said, Hatfield House was built between 1607 and 1612, Blickling Hall between 1616 and 1617, placing them both in the Jacobean period. I’ve heard of Wikipedia having errors – I’d never, to my knowledge, encountered one till now. Or, perhaps both mansions have characteristics found in either style. Or, both styles have a wide crossover. As I look at the photos of the different structures, I see differences but I also see many similarities…


Bank Hall Daffodils




Blicking Hall South West Facade




Bramshill House




Castle Bromwich Hall




Charlton House




Crewe Hall




Hallilford




Hatfield House




Kensington Palace




Lilford Hall




Plas Teg Hall




Wollaton Hall