Recent discoveries at The Ashes, a Tudor hunting lodge in Cumbria, unveiled rare 16th-century wall paintings in the Grotesque style. These national heritage murals, depicting fantastical creatures, have received enhanced legal protection. Dating back to the early years of Queen Elizabeth I's reign, analysis indicates the lodge’s timber was sourced in the winter of 1561/62. The lodge, with its distinct motifs, reflects a significant transformation from a hunting retreat to a working farm, delighting its current owners and emphasizing its historical importance.
"The combination of motifs discovered here is unusual even by national standards," said Myra Tolan-Smith, Listing Adviser at Historic England. "Together with the newly listed farm buildings, this discovery provides remarkable insight into the evolution of a significant Tudor hunting lodge into a working farm."
"In the 1970s, initial fragments were discovered on the first floor of the building. More artworks were revealed in the 2010s and early 2020s, showcasing the intricate designs of the time."
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