In this book the distinguished architectural historian R W Brunskill covers the fascinating history of vernacular housing - the dwelling-palaces of the people - from the earliest times to the 20th century. Construction techniques, materials, design, floor plans for buildings both rural and urban: all are covered in detail, alongside the author's illuminating drawings and many photographs. Particularly fascinating is the section dealing with how particular dwellings - medieval townhouses, longhouses etc - would have developed from their original erection to the state in which we might see them in historic towns of today. Houses and Cottages of Britain is an absolutely essential book for anyone interested, whether professionally or personally, in the architectural history of this country.