Calvin72 Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 From Wikipedia; The window tax was a property tax based on the number of windows in a house. It was a significant social, cultural, and architectural force in England, France and Scotland during the 18th and 19th centuries. To avoid the tax some houses from the period can be seen to have bricked-up window-spaces (ready to be glazed or reglazed at a later date), as a result of the tax. It was introduced in 1696 and was repealed in 1851, 156 years after first being introduced. Spain and France both had window taxes as well for similar reasons. Arundel Lane, City Centre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheffmark Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 I was only thinking about the window tax the other day! Thats why i love this forum/site! Thanks for the info Calvin!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveHB Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 From Wikipedia; The window tax was a property tax based on the number of windows in a house. It was a significant social, cultural, and architectural force in England, France and Scotland during the 18th and 19th centuries. To avoid the tax some houses from the period can be seen to have bricked-up window-spaces (ready to be glazed or reglazed at a later date), as a result of the tax. It was introduced in 1696 and was repealed in 1851, 156 years after first being introduced. Spain and France both had window taxes as well for similar reasons. Arundel Lane, City Centre Try ..... Arundel Street, corner of Charles Street Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calvin72 Posted March 24, 2014 Author Share Posted March 24, 2014 Two for the price of one on Bank Street. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jiginc Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 Two for the price of one on Bank Street. Do we know when the above properties were built. They must have been before 1851 as after this date the windows could have been built in and no tax paid. I also wonder why they were never installed once the tax was removed. For that matter why was the wall not just built flat why simulate a window. jiginc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calvin72 Posted March 28, 2014 Author Share Posted March 28, 2014 Do we know when the above properties were built. They must have been before 1851 as after this date the windows could have been built in and no tax paid. I also wonder why they were never installed once the tax was removed. For that matter why was the wall not just built flat why simulate a window. jiginc It seems that the only reason for bricking up a window, rather than getting rid of all trace of it, was to allow the space to return to being a window later. Mind you the tax lasted a long time to plan ahead! As to why they never returned to a window after 1851 ... who knows? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bayleaf Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 It seems that the only reason for bricking up a window, rather than getting rid of all trace of it, was to allow the space to return to being a window later. Mind you the tax lasted a long time to plan ahead! As to why they never returned to a window after 1851 ... who knows? To take another example, Hillsborough hall, which was built in 1779. There are a few closed up windows on the building, which are filled with the same ashlar stone blocks that the rest of the building is made from. Inside there is no trace of these windows, and I've seen it suggested that in fact such windows were never intended as such, but are simply to give symmetry to the appearance of the building. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saw119 Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 Remember that some of these buildings had blank windows built in for architectural and aesthetic reasons. I would suggest that Calvin's house on Bank Street is one of those houses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lysander Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 "A tax on health and a tax on light and air" was the campaign for its abolishment's cry. The tax mainly affected the middle and lower classes...the rich could afford this tax which had been introduced as a means to recoup losses to the coinage by clipping. One side affect was on glass manufacturers who, despite the boom in house building, saw no increase in demand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vox Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 I think a lot of windows were bricked up to make more wall space inside the rooms. (as in the example on Charles Street) Having a window on both exterior walls, a doorway on one of the interiors and a fireplace on the other one, leaves no space for a bed and a wardrobe. I know from experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheffield Col Posted May 7, 2014 Share Posted May 7, 2014 From Wikipedia; The window tax was a property tax based on the number of windows in a house. It was a significant social, cultural, and architectural force in England, France and Scotland during the 18th and 19th centuries. To avoid the tax some houses from the period can be seen to have bricked-up window-spaces (ready to be glazed or reglazed at a later date), as a result of the tax. It was introduced in 1696 and was repealed in 1851, 156 years after first being introduced. Spain and France both had window taxes as well for similar reasons. Arundel Lane, City Centre Is this where we get the saying "daylight robbery" from? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardB Posted May 7, 2014 Share Posted May 7, 2014 1820's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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