Stained Glass of the Ante Room of Surrey House
This fascinating window very much reflects the history of Surrey House. It contains fragments including: an arm grasping a club with the motto "Frappe Forte" which is part of the crest of the Wodehouse family who live in Surrey House at the the end of the 16th century; a lion standing guard which is part of the crest of the Yelverton family who married into the Wodehouse family;the letter HR which Blomefield records as being among the Surrey House glass in 1740. The glass in this panel had been removed from Surrey house around 1780 when it was placed in the summer house in "The Grove" at Lakenham, the home of James Crowe. "The Grove" was eventually purchased by the Trafford family who returned it to its original home, where it was refitted in 1962
The roundel is made up of a modern border containing a heraldic quarry of c1600 in which is placed a cartouche of the Royal Arms. Prior to 1962 this panel was located over the front door of the main office where it had been moved after the old Surrey House was dismantled at the turn of the twentieth century
The window depicts the arms of Thomas, third Duke of Norfolk. The arms are surrounded by the Garter and above the shield is a ducal coronet. Under the shield is the inscription "Thomas Duke for Norfolk Hyghe Treasurer & Erle Maryshall of Englande" It is probable that this window was located in Henry Howards's Surrey House between 1537 (the date of Edward V1's birth) and 1546 when the Earl was arrested.
The window depicts the crowned arms of England as borne by the Sovereigns from about 1411 to 1603. They are surrounded by the Garter whilst underneath is written "Di Enet mon Droyt". The exact date of the glass is unknown but Blomefied writing in the 1740s mentions it as being in Surrey House when he visited.
Here is depicted the ostrich feather badge of Edward Prince of Wales (later Edward VI). It is surrounded by a wreath which incorporates the Tudor rose surmounted by the Royal crown. Below is written "Vive le Roy." It is probable that this window was located in Henry Howards's Surrey House between 1537 (the date of Edward V1's birth) and 1546 when the Earl was arrested.
The window depicts the arms of Thomas, Third Duke of Norfolk. The arms are surrounded by the Garter and above the shield is a ducal coronet. Under the shield is the Howard motto "Sola virtus invicta" It is probable that this window was located in Henry Howards's Surrey House between 1537 (the date of Edward V1's birth) and 1546 when the Earl was arrested.
The roundel is made up of a modern border containing a heraldic quarry of c1600 in which is placed a shield. Although some detail has been lost through fading it represents the arms of the Worshipful Company of Skinners. Prior to 1962 this panel was located over the front door of the main office where it had been moved after the old Surrey House was dismantled in the early 20th century
It is probable that this window was located in Henry Howard's Surrey House between 1537 (the date of Edward V1's birth) and 1546 when the Earl was arrested. It depicts a large Tudor rose within a floral wreath which also bears Tudor roses
This pane is signed by the famous York glazier, Henry Gyles , and dated 1697. The window was made for the chemist JF Vigani Professor of Chemistry at Cambridge. This pane bears his arms. It is not known how the pane came to be at Surrey House
This pane is signed by the famous York glazier, Henry Gyles , and dated 1697. The window was originally made for Johanne Franciscus Vigani, who came to England from Verona in 1675, and in 1703 became Professor of Chemistry at Cambridge. The glass contains his transposed initials and those of Elizabeth his wife. These are depicted over a crown and two cherubs who are separated by a cartouche proclaiming Vigani's achievement as Prince of Chemists : "Vigani Veronensis, Chymicorum Princeps." It is not known how the glass came to be in Surrey House
The Ante room
This beautiful room has had many uses at one time being the office of the Society's Chief Solicitor.Today it is more likely to be used for entertaining.
It is a flamboyant room which makes it very easy to overlook one of its most important features, namely the heraldic stained glass some of which originates from 16th century Surrey House.
In 1962 it was fully restored by G King & Sons, under the supervision of Dennis King.
To learn more about Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey who lived in the original house in the 16th century and his Father the Duke of Norflok click here
For information on each panel and to view the glass in more detail pass your cursor over the highlighted pictures above.