The statues around Trafalgar Square honour some of Britain’s kings and several of her heroes. Although there is a strong naval theme, the Army holds its own with two major figures from the days of the British Empire – whose exploits are now forgotten.
Tube: Charing Cross
Trafalgar Square 1 2
King George IV
Look again at this flattering statue by Francis Chantrey of King George IV and you’ll notice he has no stirrups. The king was obese - he was called the Prince of Whales - and he started the fashion of wearing trousers, rather than tight breeches, to hide his weight. The statue was originally intended to sit on top of Marble Arch.
King James II
This sculpture of 1686 in front of the National Gallery, is attributed to Grinling Gibbons - England’s greatest woodcarver. James II of England (James VII of Scotland) was the last Roman Catholic monarch of England, Scotland and Ireland. Deposed in 1688, he died in France in 1701.
Sir Henry Havelock
By Behnes (1861), this is the first statue based on a photograph. Major-General Havelock fought in Burma and Afghanistan, and was a hero of the Indian Mutiny. Eight towns worldwide have taken his name and a ‘Havelock’ - the cloth that hangs from the back of a cap to protect from sunburn - is also named for him.
Sir Charles James Napier
By George Adams (1855). Napier was a veteran of the Peninsular War against Napoleon and the1812 war against the United States. In 1840, fighting in India, he captured Sind - against orders - supposedly sending the news with the pun: ‘Peccavi’ - Latin for ‘I have sinned’. Napier in New Zealand is named after him.
St Martin In The Fields
Literally standing in fields when built in 1726, this church’s design was revolutionary, with a steeple over the frontage of Greek-style pillars. Architect James Gibbs published the plans in a bestselling book in America, heavily influencing the now-iconic style of New England churches there.
www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org
Any comments - or a suggestion for a London secret? Please e-mail me.
Suggs Lamp Posts
William Sugg & Co was one of the first suppliers of the new-fangled gas lighting in the early 1800s, working with Frederick Winsor. Its originals here were refurbished by the company in the late 1900s and converted to electricity. Because of the Underground station below, some lamps are bolted to steel plates just under the paving.
