The fireplace in the Holbein Hall of Reigate Priory (see
TQ2549 : Reigate Priory).
For another photo, without the display on the right, see
TQ2549 : Fireplace, Holbein Hall, Reigate Priory.
The fireplace surround dates from the early 16th century and was originally installed in Nonsuch Palace in Ewell, having been commissioned by Henry VIII and thought to have been designed by the German artist, Hans Holbein. It was later moved to Bletchingley Place (see
TQ3252 : Place Farm), for Anne of Cleves, Henry's divorced wife.
Bletchingley Place was bought in 1560 by William Howard (father of Charles Howard of Effingham of Spanish Armada fame, Reigate Priory's most famous resident), and in 1655 William's great granddaughter, Elizabeth, Countess of Peterborough, had the surround moved to Reigate Priory.
The stone fireplace itself dates from the 1540s and was put in by William Howard, whose arms are at the top of the fireplace arch.