Daily Curiosity

Middle Ages · Question

What do we call a medieval house with walls made of wood and mud?

Answer

Wattle and daub house

The story behind the answer

Because “wattle” refers to woven wooden strips and “daub” to a plaster-like mix of clay, mud, straw, and often dung, this method literally builds walls from wood and mud. It was cheap, quick to erect, and reasonably insulating once limewashed, making it the go-to construction for many medieval cottages and town houses.

For context: thatch describes roofing, not walls; cob uses a solid earth-straw mixture without a woven framework; and stone was costly, reserved for the wealthy or for fortifications. The technique endured for centuries and is still visible in many half-timbered buildings, where the exposed timber frame surrounds wall panels filled with this composite.

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