THE GREAT HALL – HEVER CASTLE

THE GREAT HALL – HEVER CASTLE

During the time of the Boleyns, the stunning Dining Room at Hever Castle, was known as the Great Hall.

Initially open to the roof rafters, in 1506 Thomas Boleyn added a Long Gallery above it.
The Boleyn family would have dined in this room, and entertained Henry VIII and his retinue here, when he visited.

The lower ranked household servants would have eaten all their meals and also slept there, as the open central hearth would have made it a warm and comfortable room.

In 1463 the Great Hall was ‘modernised’ by Geoffrey Boleyn.

The impressive fireplace is made of Clipsham stone from Rutland, and is surmounted by the Boleyn coat of arms.

The fireplace hood has Tudor rose detailing.

The ‘Months and Seasons’ Tapestry in the Dining Hall, dates back to 1550.
At 11ft 8ins high and 23ft 6ins wide, it spans almost the entire width of the Dining Hall, and was made in Brussels.
The tapestry was bought by William Waldorf Astor at an auction in Paris in 1903.

Two impressive portraits hang on the far wall.

One is of Edward of Woodstock – The Black Prince.
The other is Henry V.

One of the impressive gilt locks on the doors in the Great Hall belonged to Henry VIII.
Henry was worried about assassination so, to ensure his safety when visiting other houses, he brought his personal locksmith to fix special door locks.

The ornate carvings at Hever are spectacular, from the simple to the elaborate, all the work has been executed by craftsmen who were masters of their art, whether it was in Tudor times or in the 20th century.

Twenty four 17th century walnut armchairs, were reupholstered in keeping with their original design.
The chairs surround the 17-ft oak table, which dates from around 1600, although its top is a 20th century replacement.

? Picture Credits – M.Tong for The Tudor Intruders.
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