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Berkeley Square

Bristol High Cross

Description

Gothic turret with at the base four statues of seated monarchs.
The original cross was carved in 1373, removed to College Green in 1733, and again to Stourhead in 1768, where it still stands (the statues however in the Victoria & Albert museum).
In 1851 a replacement was made. It took some time before the statues were ready. The first statue, of Edward III, sculpted by John Thomas, was placed at the end of April 1855. in 1888 six statues by Harry Hems were added. This cross stood on College Green until replaced by the statue of Queen Victoria. The truncated cross came with four statues was placed at Berkeley Square in 1950.

Edward III
Windsor Castle 1312 - Sheen Palace 1377
Tenure 1327-1377
(Wikipedia).
by John Thomas

henry
Henry VI
Windsor Castle 1421 - Tower of London 1471
Tenure 1422-1461 and 1470-1471
(Wikipedia).
by Harry Hems

charles i
Charles I
Dunfermline Palace 1600 - Whitehall Palace 1649
Tenure 1625-1649
(Wikipedia).
by Harry Hems

elizabet
Elizabeth I
Greenwich Palace 1533 - Richmond Palace 1603
Tenure 1558-1603
(Wikipedia).
by Harry Hems

Sculptors

Harry Hems (London 1842 - Exeter 1916), English architectural and ecclesiastical sculptor (Wikipedia).
John Thomas (Chalford, Gloucestershire 1813 - 1862), British sculptor and architect, (Wikipedia).

Sources & Information

Historic England, Database.
Bob Speel, The Bristol High Cross, sculpture by John Thomas and Harry Hems.
Bristol Mercury, Saturday 10 August 1850 (British Newspaper Archive).
Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette Thursday 3 May 1855 (idem).
Western Daily Press, Thursday 3 January 1889 (idem).

Locatie (N 51°27'18" - W 2°36'18") (Satellite view: Google Maps)

Item Code: gbsw034; Photograph: 21 March 2019
Of each statue we made photos from various angles and also detail photos of the various texts.
If you want to use photos, please contact us via the contact form (in Dutch, English or German).
© Website and photos: René & Peter van der Krogt