The first room you see when you enter Burton Agnes Hall is the Great Hall. It features fine Elizabethan carving, plasterwork and panelling:
The figures – biblical, allegorical and mythological – are far too numerous to catalogue, and in the screen alone there are angels, a crusading knight, Elizabethan ladies, the Twelve Apostles (these in narrow tier) with the pilgrim knight again featured at the centre, perhaps representing the builder of the house. The loser tier has as its subject the four Evangelists and their emblems. In the woodcarving below, the figurines in the frieze depict the Twelve Tribes of Israel, with en-scrolled captions naming them and supplying relevant texts.
The massive chimney-piece is a further example of elaborate Elizabethan alabaster, rich in allegory. The lower part depicts the Wise and Foolish Virgins – those on the left are industriously at work spinning and washing while the idle ladies on the right sing and dance, their lamps upturned. The carved wood entablature above incorporates the arms of Sir Thomas Boynton and two of his three wives. This was brought from nearby Barmston Hall, an early home of the Boyntons. The chimney-piece is surmounted by the arms of Sir Griffith Boynton, 6th Baronet, impaling those of his first wife, Charlotte Topham. *
*From the Burton Agnes Hall guidebook.
Those carvings are amazing. Remind me where is it… in relation to London that is..
174 miles to York plus a little bit more to travel to the hall.
A very great hall. Architecture was always a bit askew in those days, wasn’t it?
I think it looks a little askew due to the angle I took it and the distortion factor of the camera lens.
Too many wines?
No wine, far too early in the day
Thank God places like this are preserved, Cherie!
The history in them is just so amazing
IMHO this clear pic highlights an OTT design which detracts from incredible craftsmanship. Perhaps I am having one of my green eyed days
The hall is still lived in and it is quite light and airy inside, so I could imagine myself living there too
I wouldn’t like all that dusting housework though…
Is plasterwork moulded or carved? It’s incredibly detailed and intricate whatever.
Looking at it closely I think it must be moulded but I don’t know for sure.
Incredibly intricate and dare I say I’m glad I’m not the one who does the dusting.
Canada being a young country doesn’t have many beautiful historical places.
I wouldn’t fancy doing the housework in there. Far to much for me