Panel
ca. 1577 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
Heraldry was a common feature of 16th-century domestic glazing schemes. The great hall was the usual setting for such displays, since it was here that the medieval lord feasted with his household and guests. These eye-catching decorations not only advertised his wealth, but also proclaimed his lineage and social alliances.
Place
This is one of a series of coats of arms relating the history of the Beaupré family. It is thought to have been commissioned for Beaupré Hall near Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, by Sir Robert Bell. The majority of this series of windows seem to date from the completion of a new great hall which Bell commissioned in around 1570. They were eventually moved from their original location and cut down to fit narrower lights.
People
Sir Robert Bell was a prominent figure who married Dorothy Beaupré, the sole heiress of her line, in 1559 and succeeded to the estate following the death of his father-in-law, Edmund, in 1567. This shield depicts the arms of Bell himself - 'Knight Lord Chiefe Baron of the Eschequer'. It was evidently a subsequent addition to the Beaupré series, dating from around 1577 when Bell fell victim of a 'pestilential vapour at the Oxford Assizes' and died. Unlike other examples of his arms in this series, this window seems to have been preserved intact. The Gothic helmet, crest (a falcon) and the border of his shield are almost totally authentic.
Heraldry was a common feature of 16th-century domestic glazing schemes. The great hall was the usual setting for such displays, since it was here that the medieval lord feasted with his household and guests. These eye-catching decorations not only advertised his wealth, but also proclaimed his lineage and social alliances.
Place
This is one of a series of coats of arms relating the history of the Beaupré family. It is thought to have been commissioned for Beaupré Hall near Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, by Sir Robert Bell. The majority of this series of windows seem to date from the completion of a new great hall which Bell commissioned in around 1570. They were eventually moved from their original location and cut down to fit narrower lights.
People
Sir Robert Bell was a prominent figure who married Dorothy Beaupré, the sole heiress of her line, in 1559 and succeeded to the estate following the death of his father-in-law, Edmund, in 1567. This shield depicts the arms of Bell himself - 'Knight Lord Chiefe Baron of the Eschequer'. It was evidently a subsequent addition to the Beaupré series, dating from around 1577 when Bell fell victim of a 'pestilential vapour at the Oxford Assizes' and died. Unlike other examples of his arms in this series, this window seems to have been preserved intact. The Gothic helmet, crest (a falcon) and the border of his shield are almost totally authentic.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Clear glass, with painting in brown enamel and yellow stain |
| Brief description | Panel of stained, painted and leaded glass depicting the arms of Sir Robert Bell. Originally from Beaupré Hall, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. England, about 1570 |
| Physical description | Panel, tall oval, with red enamel border. Arms of Sir Robert Bell, with inscription. |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Given by Mrs L. S. Kinsman, in accordance with the wishes E. Fordham Newling |
| Object history | From Beaupré Hall, Wisbech, Cambs. Made in England Beaupre Hall is a 16th century manor house built by the Beaupre family and enlarged by their successors, the Bells. The oldest part, dating from around 1500, is the central block running from south west to north east, with a wing at a north west angle. The V&A windows were located in two windows in the entrance hall and date from 1570-80. These surviving heraldic windows were probably commissioned by Sir Robert Bell. He married Dorothy Beaupre, the heiress, in 1559 and succeeded to her estate after the death of her father Edmund in 1567. Sir Robert Bell held politically important positions during his lifetime. He was Speaker of the House of Commons in 1563 and later became the Chief Baron of the Exchequer. |
| Summary | Object Type Heraldry was a common feature of 16th-century domestic glazing schemes. The great hall was the usual setting for such displays, since it was here that the medieval lord feasted with his household and guests. These eye-catching decorations not only advertised his wealth, but also proclaimed his lineage and social alliances. Place This is one of a series of coats of arms relating the history of the Beaupré family. It is thought to have been commissioned for Beaupré Hall near Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, by Sir Robert Bell. The majority of this series of windows seem to date from the completion of a new great hall which Bell commissioned in around 1570. They were eventually moved from their original location and cut down to fit narrower lights. People Sir Robert Bell was a prominent figure who married Dorothy Beaupré, the sole heiress of her line, in 1559 and succeeded to the estate following the death of his father-in-law, Edmund, in 1567. This shield depicts the arms of Bell himself - 'Knight Lord Chiefe Baron of the Eschequer'. It was evidently a subsequent addition to the Beaupré series, dating from around 1577 when Bell fell victim of a 'pestilential vapour at the Oxford Assizes' and died. Unlike other examples of his arms in this series, this window seems to have been preserved intact. The Gothic helmet, crest (a falcon) and the border of his shield are almost totally authentic. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.71-1946 |
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| Record created | June 9, 1998 |
| Record URL |
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