The Lecture Room

“To the left of the great halls fireplace is an entrance to the Lecture Room. Another room which gained it’s name by the Royal School of Church Music. The room was originally designed by Robert Mylne as a Drawing Room and continued as such through the occupation by the Archbishops and Frederick English. This room is part of the Original House constructed in 1778, and the proportions of the room are unchanged from that time although it is possible the interior decoration was modified by Norman Shaw. Of interest to the visitor is the marble fireplace with its jasper columns and frieze. The carved classic tableau in the centre matches the Wedgwood style plaques at each end of the ceiling and over the doors. The ‘moulding’ surrounding the plaques over the doors is finely carved from wood and the tiny musical instruments are hollow. The doors are of solid mahogany. Regency symmetry dictated the provision of four doors, whereas there are only two entrances. Two of the doors are false, one concealing a cupboard and the other having only a wall behind it.”