Important Bishop James Stanley 1508 King Henry VII English Oak Tudor Tester Bed

Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very rare and highly important, Museum quality, English Tudor King Henry VII Oak tester bed made for and carved with Bishop James Stanley of Ely’s details and dated 1508

Where to begin, the word “rare” is tossed around in circles relating to collectables far to freely, however when there is one of the item I think it can be used with confidence, this bed, without the link to Bishop James Stanley, would be a very substantial find that a very prolific antiques dealer may be privileged to see once in a lifetime of research and study, with the Bishops attribution it would be in a hundred lifetimes, there is only one of these beds and it belongs in a Museum so all can see and enjoy it, it is 100% original and without alteration

I will include a history of the good Bishop below, as for the bed it is ornately carved from every single angle as you can see, there is a running poem which resides across the top rail starting on the left and running the full length of the bed, it reads as follows

Left side:- HIS OWNE SMALLE FLOCK EACH BISHOP DYD KEEPE

Front:- BISHOP JAMES STANLEY OF ELY 1508

Right side:- TWRO SHEPHERDES CARESTWEIR DIVINE RETREATES

The underside of the bed (as pictured) is paneled and has the Bishops Armorial coat of arms which has a winged angle below and a what looks like a hat perhaps with some machine of the day and flowers above, its hard to understand it. Each front corner has a Bishops hat, the footboard has again a winged angle and the headboard half nude herm figures. Finally the headboard has a hidden cupboard, there is a key present but the lock needs some attention

This is naturally a tour de force of craftsmanship, made in a time when quality was quality and the term no expense spared was coined

The bed retains all its original bolts which is to say the four along the base, all other joints simply slot together. Beds like this are not as stable as modern examples as you can imagine, I would recommend if this is to be used as intended, the new owner has a cabinetmaker look what can be done to firmly secure it, most likely however it will be just for display in which case it is just fine

Condition wise, there will be old losses and repairs, I can see the footboard bolt covers are missing, I can have replacements made should the new owner wish, three of the four bolts work fine, the forth struggles a bit, we have cleaned waxed and polished it from top to bottom, there will be age and use related patina marks consistent with a 500+ year old bed!

Dimensions

Height:- 231cm with the shell at the front, without the shell 215cm

Width:- 155cm

Depth:- 197cm

Side rail height:- 42cm

Internal width:- 120cm

Internal depth:- 173cm

Please note all measurements are taken at the widest point, if you would like any additional or specific measurements please ask

James Stanley (c. 1465–1515), scion of a distinguished aristocratic family, was Bishop of Ely from 1506 to 1515. He was the third son of Thomas Stanley, 1st Earl of Derby. Described as the tallest man in England and reputed to be some 6 feet 7 inches tall, he took holy orders after university study, but, although regarded as a popular man, was not considered either a natural scholar or celibate. (There is an apocryphal story of Erasmus turning him down as a pupil.) Like most senior churchmen of his period, he was a pluralist and is believed to have lived with a woman, fathering at least one illegitimate child.

Besides being renowned as a skilled soldier and an enthusiastic huntsman, he is also credited with a great interest in cockfighting. He was cited in Protestant propaganda of later centuries as an example of the corruption of the Medieval Church, although his decision to take orders can hardly have been voluntary, but rather a further means of consolidating the dynastic ambitions of his already powerful family. His appointment as bishop was made by papal bull of Pope Julius II.

He held the office Master or St James and St John Hospital at Brackley from 1472 and of Archdeacon of Richmond from 1500 to 1506.

He was buried in a tomb in what is now Manchester Cathedral, then a collegiate church, patronised by several generations of the Stanley family, and which he had enriched as Warden. The tomb, together with the Ely Chapel that housed it, was destroyed during the Blitz although the original, contemporary brass memorial has survived.

There is also a memorial for the safe return of his alleged son (and certainly kinsman) Sir John Stanley from the Battle of Flodden in 1513; the St John the Baptist chapel, which incorporates the original site of the Ely Chapel, was built by James and John. The Stanley coat of arms can still be seen decorating the roof of this chapel, which is now dedicated to the memory of the Manchester Regiment.

He died on 22 March 1515 and was later remembered thus:

A goodlie tall man as was in all England And sped well all matters that he took in hand King Harrye the VIIth a prynce noble and sage Made him Bishop for wisdom and Parentage Of Ely. Many a day was he bishopp there He builded Sommersome the byshoppe's chief manner A great vyander as any in his days For Byshoppes that then was, this is no dispraise. Because he was a priest I dare do no lesse But telle, as I know not, of his hardiness What proud priest hath a blowe on the ear sodenlye Turneth the other ear likewise for humilitye He could not so do by the crosse in my purse Yet I trust his soule fareth never the worse. He did end his life in merry Manchester And right honorablye lieth he buried there In his chapel, which he began of freestone Sir John Stanley built it out when he was gone God send his soule to the heavenlye companye Farewell godlye James Byshopp of Elye.

From the Ancient Metrical History of the House of Stanley.

Any questions please feel free to ask before you bid

Condition report:

Please view the very detailed pictures as they form part of the description pertaining to the condition. Please also ask any questions before you bid and not after, all of our items are sold as seen and as listed

Royal House Antiques cannot be held liable for any independent assumptions made regarding the items we sell, if you are unsure on any point, please feel free to ask for clarity

Please note vintage period and original items such as leather seating will always have natural patina in the form of creasing and wear, we recommend annual waxing to ensure no moisture is lost, also hand dyed leather is not recommended to sit in direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time as it will dry out and fade

Additional dimensions information:

Side rail height:- 42cm Internal width:- 120cm Internal depth:- 173cm