A couple who live in a house which once belonged to a 16th Century Archbishop of Canterbury have discovered a mural of King Henry VIII as they were renovating.
Angie and Rhodri Powell were removing wooden panels from a wall in their home in Milverton, Somerset when they uncovered the mural.
The painting, by an unidentified artist, is thought to date back to 1530. Henry VIII reigned from 1509 to 1547.
Michael Liverside, of the History of Art department at Bristol University, described the discovery as ‘enormously significant, stunningly exciting and of national importance.’
The Powells' home was once lived in by Thomas Cranmer, who was made the first Protestant Arcbishop of Canterbury in 1533.
He served under three monarchs - Henry VIII, Edward VI (Henry VIII's son) and Lady Jane Grey (Henry VIII's great niece).
He was the Archbishop who declared Henry's marriage to Catherine of Aragon void, allowing Henry to marry Anne Boleyn four months later, and was executed in 1556 during the reign of Mary I, the daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon who persecuted Protestants, for treason.
Out with his head! DIY couple uncover medieval mural of King Henry VIII
By Daily Mail Reporter
29th January 2011
Daily Mail
A couple have uncovered a 20ft high medieval mural of King Henry VIII as they renovated their home.
Angie and Rhodri Powell were removing wooden panels from a wall in their home in Milverton, Somerset when the painting was revealed.
The house used to belong to Thomas Cranmer, the Archdeacon of Taunton, who went on to become the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1533.
The painting of Henry VIII was discovered behind wooden panels in a house in Milverton, Somerset
Angie and Rhodri Powell described the discovery of the 20ft high mural as 'a real moment'
The property used to belong to Thomas Cranmer, the Archdeacon of Taunton and later Archbishop of Canterbury, who helped the King break from the Catholic Church
The mural has been described as being of 'national importance'
Mrs Powell told the BBC: ‘When we saw the eyes appear out of the plaster it was a real moment.’
The painting is thought to date back to around 1530, although the identity of the artist is not known.
Michael Liverside, of the History of Art department at Bristol University, described the discovery as ‘enormously significant, stunningly exciting and of national importance.’
Children’s author Mrs Powell added: ‘It is a presence and you do feel there’s just something there behind you looking over your shoulder.
Henry VIII and his six wives
'When people come in, he grabs the attention.’
The Royal, who famously executed two of his six wives, is also widely known for his role in the separation of the Church of England from the Roman Catholic Church.
The move saw the King establish himself as the Supreme Head of the Church of England, as the Monarch still is.
Thomas Cranmer was made the first Protestant Archbishop of Canterbury in 1533 and was responsible for declaring Henry VIII's marriage to Catherine of Aragon void.
Upon his appointment as Archbishop of Canterbury, Cranmer immediately declared the King’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon void and four months later married him to Anne Boleyn.
Cranmer also served under Edward VI and supported Lady Jane Grey as his successor.
The new queen’s reign lasted only nine days before the Roman Catholic Mary I took over and tried Cranmer, now an enemy of the regime, for treason.
In March 1556 he was burnt at the stake.
dailymail.co.uk
Angie and Rhodri Powell were removing wooden panels from a wall in their home in Milverton, Somerset when they uncovered the mural.
The painting, by an unidentified artist, is thought to date back to 1530. Henry VIII reigned from 1509 to 1547.
Michael Liverside, of the History of Art department at Bristol University, described the discovery as ‘enormously significant, stunningly exciting and of national importance.’
The Powells' home was once lived in by Thomas Cranmer, who was made the first Protestant Arcbishop of Canterbury in 1533.
He served under three monarchs - Henry VIII, Edward VI (Henry VIII's son) and Lady Jane Grey (Henry VIII's great niece).
He was the Archbishop who declared Henry's marriage to Catherine of Aragon void, allowing Henry to marry Anne Boleyn four months later, and was executed in 1556 during the reign of Mary I, the daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon who persecuted Protestants, for treason.
Out with his head! DIY couple uncover medieval mural of King Henry VIII
By Daily Mail Reporter
29th January 2011
Daily Mail
A couple have uncovered a 20ft high medieval mural of King Henry VIII as they renovated their home.
Angie and Rhodri Powell were removing wooden panels from a wall in their home in Milverton, Somerset when the painting was revealed.
The house used to belong to Thomas Cranmer, the Archdeacon of Taunton, who went on to become the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1533.
The painting of Henry VIII was discovered behind wooden panels in a house in Milverton, Somerset
Angie and Rhodri Powell described the discovery of the 20ft high mural as 'a real moment'
The property used to belong to Thomas Cranmer, the Archdeacon of Taunton and later Archbishop of Canterbury, who helped the King break from the Catholic Church
The mural has been described as being of 'national importance'
Mrs Powell told the BBC: ‘When we saw the eyes appear out of the plaster it was a real moment.’
The painting is thought to date back to around 1530, although the identity of the artist is not known.
Michael Liverside, of the History of Art department at Bristol University, described the discovery as ‘enormously significant, stunningly exciting and of national importance.’
Children’s author Mrs Powell added: ‘It is a presence and you do feel there’s just something there behind you looking over your shoulder.
Henry VIII and his six wives
'When people come in, he grabs the attention.’
The Royal, who famously executed two of his six wives, is also widely known for his role in the separation of the Church of England from the Roman Catholic Church.
The move saw the King establish himself as the Supreme Head of the Church of England, as the Monarch still is.
Thomas Cranmer was made the first Protestant Archbishop of Canterbury in 1533 and was responsible for declaring Henry VIII's marriage to Catherine of Aragon void.
Upon his appointment as Archbishop of Canterbury, Cranmer immediately declared the King’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon void and four months later married him to Anne Boleyn.
Cranmer also served under Edward VI and supported Lady Jane Grey as his successor.
The new queen’s reign lasted only nine days before the Roman Catholic Mary I took over and tried Cranmer, now an enemy of the regime, for treason.
In March 1556 he was burnt at the stake.
dailymail.co.uk
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