A FINE VYNTAGE

The 16th century carved panels at The Vyne really take some beating, says Claire Saul

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More than 500 years ago, eminent Tudor courtier William Sandys created a grand moated manor house, remodelling the cluster of medieval buildings on his north Hampshire "Vyne Green" Estate. Sandys was a royal favourite, loyally serving King Henry VII before continuing his flourishing career with King Henry VIII, who appointed him a Knight of the Garter and, later, his Lord Chamberlain. Several times over the years, Sandys would host Henry VIII and his first two queens, Katharine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn, at the Vyne.

When ownership of the house passed from the Sandys family to the Chutes in 1653, it was in a poor state and considered old-fashioned. Lawyer Chaloner Chute, later speaker of the House of Commons, decided to demolish almost two-thirds of its buildings and courtyards to create a new, symmetrical facade. There were interior changes, too, rooms which continued to evolve with the changing tastes and required functionality of its owners over the centuries.

However, many elements of the 16th century house remain, most notably the Vyne's stunning, 25m-long Oak Gallery, which boasts more than 400 individually carved heraldic panels from floor to ceiling. Created by Sandys to show his powerful connections, the gallery showcases the most powerful names in Henry VIII's court, from Cardinal Wolsey to local officials. Seen by everyone from Henry and courtly rivals to tenants late with their payments, this is a room designed to make a statement.