Charles I Unburied
This is the statue of Charles I that pre-dates Trafalgar Square.
Location: Trafalgar Square, Westminster
Description: This statue of Charles I by Hubert La Sueur is the earliest equestrian statue in London. But the 1633 bronze has an even quirkier claim to fame.
During the Civil War the Roundheads sold it to a brazier, John Rivet, so he could break it up for scrap. He didn't, he hid or buried it in his garden in Holborn instead, and then set about selling souvenirs cast from the statue.
When the monarchy was restored he made himself a further few bob by producing the undamaged monument to the late king and sold it back to His Majesty Charles II's Government to be re-erected here in 1678.
Both the original sword and it's replacement have both been stolen from the statue over the years and not been seen since.
|
This is the statue of Charles I that pre-dates Trafalgar Square. |
Ranking This Month: 2349/3091
Pages Hit This Month: 24
Your Comments:
Other places nearby:
History of Golden Square», 0.5km
Barbara Hepworths Home», 2.6km
The Pavlova Statue», 0.9km
Dandelion Sculpture», 0.8km
Hydra & Kali», 6.0km
Young Dancer Sculpture», 0.4km
Comedy and Tragedy», 1.7km
Sir Hugh Myddelton's Statue», 1.9km
Wellcome to Bleigiessen», 1.3km
Sylvia Pankhurst lived here», 10.km
Location Pinpointed:
Open Street Maps», Google Maps»
