THE SMALL AND LARGE PANELLED LOUNGES

All notes are subject to revision and we welcome further referenced information.

An earlier or first building located south and SW of the Great Hall and Inner Hall and possibly dating to the 1580s, was partially rebuilt and refaced here.

This second phase c1633 includes the 2 panelled lounges in 5 bays at the east end of this 13 bay SW wing. This phase became known as the Inigo Jones wing because of the stone window dressings and followed only 10 years after Jones's innovative Banqueting Hall of 1622. Both phases are built in hard rubble stone quarried from the estate and faced with local lime render but a timber framed west gable end was taken down in the 1630s work.

THE WINDOWS

Image: FAM volunteer

The external ground floor windows, with alternating triangular and segmental pediments, copy Jones’ work but the asymmetrical window spacing is taken as proof he did not design this wing and an indication of its adaptation from an earlier structure.

Vertical Sliding sash windows were only invented in the 1690s so it is thought that fixed and opening casements of small diamond shaped leaded glass first filled the wide openings. Earlier stone mullion and transom windows (vertical and horizontal stone window dividers) can be seen on the north side of the SW wing, 1st floor, and are remains of the earlier 1630s windows. In theory this window form had been made redundant by the stronger pediment structure but was also present in Jones’ Banqueting Hall, until removed in 1713.

Image: FAM volunteer (2021)

The panelled rooms are not original to the 1630s phase and possibly late 17th - early 18th century? Michael Jenner, writing in 1979 offers no date, but not short of an opinion, describes the panelling as ‘severely plain and very heavy’ but the heavy plaster entablature as ‘marvellous’. A framed photo in the small lounge shows a beautiful image of a flower painted on wall plaster found behind the panelling when it was removed during the 1970s works.

THE FIREPLACES

Image: FAM volunteer

Fireplaces located on the north wall of each room, with large bolection mould and pulvinated frieze above, could be late 17th century.

The ceilings and ceiling roses are apparently modern replacements.

Before the 1630s classical makeover by Thomas and Florence (the roof was probably different), the earlier building was partially demolished or to quote one sister ‘brother Thomas is busy plucking down the old house and putting up new’. Florence Poulett was only 15 when she married 17 year old Thomas Smyth in 1627. At that time, her Catholic family was completing a new facade to Hinton House, Hinton St George, in the new continental design, with a west country builder /architect. Eight years later, her new marital home also boasted the new fashion. It probably helped that Bro. Thomas was also working in London as an MP and saw Jones’ new work.

Who built the earlier wing and when is unclear. It may coincide with the arrival of Matthew’s wife Jane (Tewther/Tudor) in 1580. She was related to the Tudor and Spanish courts, brought a fortune with her and was active in running and expanding the estate and house.

Who introduced the panelling? It was possibly introduced to the rooms in the late 17th century and may coincide with the 1695 date on the Inner Hall fireplace. This was just after Elizabeth, an Astry heiress, married Sir John, the grandson of Thomas and Florence Smyth, had moved into the house but she was also kept fairly busy producing at least 8 children in 15 years.

Elizabeth’s son, John, was only custodian of the mansion for 15 years, until 1741. His wife brought no new money with her and unfortunately died early. He managed to bankrupt the estate and as far as we know, is more likely to have organised parties in the lounges rather than building works.

LARGE PANELLED LOUNGE

In the 1880s. These rooms were recorded by Bantock as the ‘Dining’ and the smaller ‘Business Room’. Framed photos on the walls reveal how the rooms looked while still used by the family in the early 20th century.

1970s Restoration. Photos taken during the works show that the panelling had been removed from part or all of the walls for chemical treatment and repair, then expertly reinstated in good time, before warping or loss.

Future. It is unlikely that these rooms would be restored to any earlier era even if desired, as these finishes are so intact, despite the picture of painted wall plaster, neither should they be replaced with a new version of the same.

LARGE PANELLED LOUNGE (FORMERLY THE DINING ROOM)