Solar (room)
– Etymology:
– Possible origins of the word “solar”: Latin words “solaris” meaning sun or “solus” meaning alone
– Function:
– The solar was a private room for the heads of the household
– Provided seclusion from the noise and smell of the great hall
– Typically smaller than the great hall, with comfort and status
– Found in late castles across the British Isles
– In some cases, the solar was a separate tower or pavilion for more privacy
– Paradigm examples:
– Edlingham Castle in Northumberland has a mostly intact solar tower
– Tattershall Castle in Lincolnshire has a large solar block converted into a tower
– Longthorpe Tower in Peterborough is an extension to a fortified manor house
– Beverston Castle near Tetbury has a surviving but ruined solar in the south tower
– Highclere Castle near Newbury has a suite of rooms demonstrated in the TV show “Downton Abbey”
– See also:
– Parlour
– Drawing room (withdrawing room)
– References:
– “Castle Life” by Struan Reid
– “Design and Plan in the Country House” by Andor Gomme, Austin Harvey Gomme, Alison Maguire
– “Greater Medieval Houses of England and Wales, 1300-1500” by Anthony Emery
– “Norman Stone Castles (1): The British Isles 1066–1216” by Christopher Gravett
– “Kilkenny; the Ancient City of Ossory” by Hogan
The solar was a room in many English and French medieval manor houses, great houses and castles, mostly on an upper storey, designed as the family's private living and sleeping quarters. Within castles they are often called the "Lords' and Ladies' Chamber" or the "Great Chamber".
