In 1535 an Act of Parliament declared that land owners that had land worth over 100 were to build a tower or castle. This would enable the land owner to defend his property.
Tower houses are similar to a rectangular keep.
The entrance was moved to the lowest level, and the walls of the tower house were less fortified. In the 17th century comfort became a priority and tower houses became more spacious. Tower houses most often contained one room for each floor, and many rose four stories or more. Wings and towers were incorporated into the design, or added on at a later building period There are three basic types of tower houses, based on the design plan, or shape. Most tower houses did not have curtain walls and baileys, or they were removed during remodelling.