16th-century paintings set to be conserved and displayed in Chichester
The eight oak panels date back to around 1526
Last updated 6th Nov 2025
A collection of rare 16th-century paintings, known as The Worthy Women or The Amberley Panels, will soon be conserved and displayed in Chichester following a decision by the district council.
The eight oak panels, painted around 1526, depict notable heroines of antiquity and were created during the reign of Henry VIII. Thought to have been commissioned for Amberley Castle by Robert Sherborne, Bishop of Chichester, they are attributed to artist Lambert Barnard (c1490–1567).
During a council meeting on 4th November, cabinet members approved a £191,300 investment from reserves for vital conservation work at the Hamilton Kerr Institute in Cambridge. Another £57,250 will fund the creation of an environmentally controlled display space at The Novium Museum.
John Cross, cabinet member for culture, sport & place, highlighted the importance of preserving the panels:
“For those people lucky enough to have seen these panels up close, they are truly magnificent and very beautiful works of art.
“These panels are extremely rare survivals and are exceptional examples of their kind because they can be confidently attributed to a named painter and patron. As a significant part of our national and local heritage, it’s vital that they are conserved fully – and as custodians of these panels, we have a duty to ensure that they are cared for properly.”
The panels are believed to have been created for the ‘Queen’s Room’ at Amberley Castle, a residence intended to host Katharine of Aragon during a Royal Progress by King Henry VIII through Sussex. Although Katharine did not visit, historians suggest it is likely the King saw the paintings.
Transporting the panels from their current location in the Bishop’s Palace to the conservation institute will require custom-built crates. Conservation work will address the panels’ age-related fragility, ensuring their preservation for future generations.
The approval comes as The Novium Museum also receives a backdated business rates refund of more than £1.3m for 2025/26. Grant funding is also being sought to assist with the long-term care of the panels.
By keeping the panels in Chichester, the council expects them to become a major draw for visitors. Mr Cross explained:
“I have no doubt that once the panels go on display at The Novium Museum, they will become a huge draw.
“Having them on display also means that the museum will be able to develop activities for schools and the local community to complement the current learning programme.
“Being such rare and significant works, these are sure to bring many visitors to the museum, which will help boost tourism and the local economy – I view this as a very exciting opportunity.”
The panels were originally purchased by the council in 1983 for £6,500, aided by a £4,000 grant from National Heritage. Initial attempts to relocate the panels to other museums were unsuccessful, as conservation work was required beforehand, leading to the decision to retain them locally.