More than 700 greater houses of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries survive in England and Wales, of which nearly two-thirds are in continuous occupation. Yet they have been little-studied in comparison with the country's medieval castles, cathedrals and abbeys. This is the first book on the subject for over thirty years, and the first to survey the houses in any detail for over 150 years. It is an illustrated record of the surviving residences of the Crown, the greater and lesser nobility, and church leaders - the 'movers and shakers' of medieval society. All major and most lesser houses are appraised in detail, concentrating on their architectural development and historical relevance. They are grouped by region, prefaced by short introductions which establish their historical and architectural context. The topic will be covered in three volumes - on northern England, central England and Wales, and southern England. When complete the volumes will be the first and only comprehensive survey of the subject. Volume 1 (on northern England) describes nearly 200 houses, and contains over 200 illustrations, 100 plans and maps, appendices and a full bibliography.