Our fabulous oriel window
- Owen Davies - Estate Manager
- Jan 31, 2022
- 1 min read
Martyn’s Ape at Athelhampton in stained and painted glass, photographed in our fabulous oriel window The ancient emblem of William Martyn, who built the Tudor Hall at Athelhampton in 1485. In reality, he is most likely a Barbary ape, though not an ape at all, but a monkey, the Barbary macaque. Native to North Africa, owning such a pet would have been considered a high status symbol for a family in Tudor times.
Oriel windows are such a distinctive feature of historic English manor houses, projecting light and space into upper rooms while also giving a Space Waves Game striking external profile — and this one at Athelhampton seems especially rich with meaning and heritage.