Marquess of Anglesey's Column

Marquess of Anglesey's Column
Type Monument
Location Anglesey, Wales
Coordinates 53°13′15″N 4°11′48″W / 53.2208°N 4.1967°W / 53.2208; -4.1967Coordinates: 53°13′15″N 4°11′48″W / 53.2208°N 4.1967°W / 53.2208; -4.1967
OS grid reference SH 5343 7156
Built 1817
Listed Building – Grade II*
Official name: Anglesey Column
Designated 5 February 1952
Reference no. 5432
Community Llanfair Pwllgwyngyll
Principal area Isle of Anglesey
Location of Marquess of Anglesey's Column in Anglesey

The Marquess of Anglesey's Column (also known as Anglesey Column) is a Greek doric column dedicated to Henry William Paget (the first Marquess of Anglesey) to commemorate his valour particularly at the Battle of Waterloo. The column is a Grade II* listed building.[1]

During the battle Paget (at that time Lord Uxbridge) lost his leg to a cannonball hit. It is claimed he turned to Lord Wellington when his leg was hit, and exclaimed, "By God, sir, I've lost my leg!" — to which Wellington replied, "By God, sir, so you have!".[2] Paget was later fitted with the first ever articulated wooden leg.[2]

The 27-metre (89 ft) high monument (designed by Thomas Harrison) was erected close to Paget's country retreat at Plas Newydd, in 1817.[3] The monument was not completed until 1860 (after the Marquess had died) when the brass sculpture at the top was added. Matthew Noble sculpted the statue.[1]

Present Condition

In recent years, the condition of the column has deteriorated. Many of the wooden steps in the tower have rotted, and pose a severe fire risk. As a result, the column closed to the public in March 2012, and no formal restoration proposals have been agreed.

References

  1. 1 2 "Anglesey Column". Statutory List of Buildings. Cadw. 21 April 1998 [Listed 1952]. Cadw Building ID 5432. Retrieved 2 May 2016 – via Historic Wales.
  2. 1 2 "Obituary: The 7th Marquis of Anglesey". The Telegraph. 15 July 2013. Retrieved 22 February 2014.
  3. ↑ "The Marquess of Anglesey's Column & Nelson's Monument". Places to visit. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.