HUGIJENOT ARTISTS DESIGNERS AND CRAYPSNEN IN GREAT ...

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whole series complemented the use of the rooms, as it does at Hampton
Court. Mr. Edward Croft Murray has identified the subjects of the
Boughton ceilings, but their significance has not yet been determined.12
During the reign of James II, Ralph Montagu was out of favour
and spent the years 1685 to 1689 in voluntary exile in France. It is
probable that the decorative scheme at Boughton refers to the Glorious
Revolution, the overthrow of James II, and the triumph of William III, as
King of Great Britain. The figure of Hercules would be a fitting allusion
to William III, and indeed there is plenty of evidence that it was so
used at that time. A pamphlet published in 1691 which was entitled,
'An Accurate Description of the United Netherlands' included an 'Exact
Relation of the Entertainment of his most sacred majesty King William
III at the Hague', with an account of William III's public entry into
that city on January 26th, 1691-2. The Triumphal Arch in the Outward Court
bore the inscriptions 'Crossing the Seas he delivered Britain where
being Honoured with Scepters of large extended power, He is received
again into his own country with Publick Joy', and 'He was happily
joyned in Wedlock to a Princess descended from an Antient Race of Kings'
with a lion and a unicorn symbolizing the marriage. A nearby arch was
painted with the histories of Hercules, Theseus, Phaethon, Perseus,
and Andromeda, and the arms of England, Scotland, France and Ireland.
In addition, a display of fireworks which began at 6.30 p.m., was
set against a structure which included in the centre the King's cypher,
surmounted by a crown and sceptre, on either side two high pyramids, a
lion, a Hercules and a sun. Furthermore, when the firework display began,
Hercules 'Arms were Expanded, firing with Eight several pauses to
denote his Labours which were,
1. The Establishment of Religion and Victory.
2. The securing the tranquility of Europe.
3. The settlement of the Government upon a right bottom.
If. The Preservation of Unity amongst the Neighbouring Princes.
5. The Preservation of the common interests of the people.