In the beginning of the Dutch war of independence (1568-1648) it was particularly the countryside that suffered. When around 1590 many towns had obtained a new confirmation, the attention for architecture revived again (ill. 1-5). The ornamental roof played an important part in this. It originated in around 1550 by a clear separation between roof and facade by means of a gutter board. The place of the chimney was also given more attention. For a long time building in the countryside proceeded cautiously, in small parts. Consequently, the reconstruction of country houses was not a major chapter in Dutch history of architecture, which had taken cover in the towns. Restoration in the countryside did not start until 1609, when a truce with Spai...