Medieval Floor Tiles of Northern England: Pattern and purpose: production between the 13th and 16th centuries [eBook (PDF)]

This study of the design, manufacture and use of medieval floor tiles shows the long-lasting influence achieved in the north of England, especially by the Cistercian monasteries. It serves to demonstrate how these monastic houses made use of the resources and contacts available to them. The study focuses on one of the richest medieval floor tile assemblages in the world, with material from 118 sites. Over 500 different designs and 60 mosaic arrangements have been identified. Jennie Stopford examines the monastic influence on northern England's manufacture and use of floor tiles. Split into three sections - Chronological Survey, The Tile Groups, and The Sites and Collections - this in-depth study covers an immense body of work. Contents include: a view of the world - plain mosaic floor tiles and the Cistercians, c.1230-1270; long distance supply and personalised designs, c.1350; standardisation - plain-glazed tiles; the plain tile mosaic group, c.1220-1270; inferior quality plain mosaic, later 13th century; the decorated mosaic tile group, c.1300; parallels to the decorated mosaic tile group, possibly c.1300; the Nottinghamshire tile group, c.1325-1365; fourteenth-century copies; the plain-glazed tile groups; small assemblages dating from the 14th or 15th centuries; the Transpennine tile group, later 15th century; the Huby/Percy tile group, c.1500.

List of Figures
List of Tables
Acknowledgements
Summary, Resume, Zusammenfassung
Section 1: Chronological survey:
Introduction
A view of the world - plain mosaic floor tiles and the Cistercians, c.1220-1270
Reorganisation of production and changes in design, c.1300
Long distance supply and personalised designs, c.1350
Standardisation - plain-glazed tiles
Revival in decoration and home production, c.1450
Floor tile usage in the late Middle Ages
Conclusions
Section 2: The tile groups:
Introduction to the tile groups and the recording methodology
The plain mosaic tile group, c.1220-1270
Inferior quality plain mosaic, later 13th century
The inlaid tile group, mid or later 13th century
The usefleet tile group, c.1300
The decorated mosaic tile group, c.1300
Parallels to the decorated mosaic tile group, possibly c.1300
Line impressed mosaics from the north west, possibly earlier 14th century
Various mosaics at Holm Cultram Abbey, date unknown
The Nottinghamshire tile group, c.1325-1365
Fourteenth-century copies
The plain-glazed tile goups
Small assemblages dating from the 14th or 15th centuries
The Transpennine tile group, later 15th century
The Huby/Percy tile group, c.1500
Small assemblages dating from the 15th/early 16th centuries
Small undated asemblages and unallocated tiles
Section 3: The sites and collections:
History of the sites and collections
The site gazetteer
Appendix 1: The analysis of medieval mosaic and other floor tiles from Yorkshire by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (by M J Hughes)
Appendix 2: Concordance of numbering series
Bibliography
Index

"authoritative and attractive'"
Paul Stamper
British Archaeology (2005)

"sets the standard for other regions where contrasting trends in production, distribution and use would benefit from the same kind of disciplined synthesis.'"
Anthony D F Streeten
Antiquity (2006)

" The first of a series of regional surveys, Jenny Stopfords book adds hugely to our knowledge and understanding of its subject...Stopford organizes her material lucidly and benefits her readers with more than 250 illustrations, maps, charts, and tablets. English Heritage should be applauded for providing multiyear financial support for Stopfords undertaking and for underwriting the publication. And Oxbow Books intelligent page layout adds much to the books handsomeness.'"
Peter Fergusson
Speculum (July 2007)