Fate of precious Henry VIII stained glass in dispute as ‘haunted house’ auction halted at last minute

A stained glass heraldic roundel depicting the arms of Henry VIII and Ann Boleyn on the window linked to Nonsuch palace. Photograph: Duke's

The fate of precious Tudor stained glass marking the union of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn is in dispute after its last-minute withdrawal from a private auction, the Observer has learned.

Urgent intervention by conservationists prevented the sale of English glasswork “of exceptional importance”, including a window made in the 1530s as well as older ­medieval glass. The windows were hanging in a 16th-century Dorset manor and were destined for a private contents auction until spotted listed alongside vintage furniture and china.