THE LOST WING OF HUNSTANTON HALL

THE ELIZABETHAN WING

This reconstruction is an image representing the appearance of the lost Elizabethan Wing of the house. It is not exact, but was very similar.

The fire of 1853 left only the remains of the 1618 porch as shown, which was ultimately the principal entrance to the Hall for many centuries. 

Situated centrally within the Courtyard, it bears the date 1618, indicating that it was constructed at a later date than the rest of this Wing. This remaining porch has been Grade 1 Listed.

The doorway projected slightly from the main façade, forming a shallow porch. The the heavy door was likely made from oak.

It opened directly into the large room known as the Tenants Hall, which was customarily used as the main dining room. Whereas, breakfast was served in the South Dining Room.

The Tenants Hall room measured approximately forty feet x twenty feet wide.

The east wall contained two large stone-mullioned windows overlooking the Court. At the north end, a row of small, high-set windows admitted light from a small leaded court situated above the wine cellar.

These beautiful upper windows decorative stained glass with coats of arms, including those of Hastings and Camoys. These were all destroyed in the fire.

The floor consisted of large flagstones, largely covered with Indian matting. The infamous old Turkish carpet given by the Shah of Persia, was laid centrally – the very one belonging to Armine le Strange (see Ghost) saying that her curse would light on her reckless son Nich – (The Jolly Gentleman) – if he dared sell it!

The walls were wainscoated with dark oak panelling, & above this panelling, hung many suits of armour. These included both chain-armour & plate armour; the Helmets with visors. They were “partly up looking and most lifelike”, only a few fragments survived the Fire & were preserved and kept in the Orangery.

The stone Fireplace reached to the ceiling - the type you could stand inside the hearth, look up & see the sky! Only huge logs of wood were burnt, every day of the year including the height of summer!

Some symbolic iron dogs represented guardian couchant hounds. The upper part of the chimney piece bore the arms of le Strange and Lewknor. This Sir Nicholas le Strange, was created a Baron on 1st June 1629.

Between the fireplace and coat of arm was a useful stone carved stag’s head on whose antlers a silver toasting fork would hang. There were two high armchairs either side of the fireplace and an oriental draft-proofing screen to deter draughts entering from the door. The rest of the room had the dark oak furniture arranged around the walls, and this Tenant’s Hall was aptly named for the room where Estate staff were received on business terms with the Lord.