Equestrian statue of William the Conqueror
Statue de Guillaume le Conquérant | |
 Statue of William the Conqueror in Falaise | |
 | |
| 48°53′38″N 0°12′06″W / 48.8940°N 0.2018°W | |
| Location | Normandy |
|---|---|
| Designer | Louis Rochet |
| Type | Statue |
| Material | Bronze, granite |
| Beginning date | 1851 |
| Completion date | 1875 |
The statue of William the Conqueror is located in his birthplace, Falaise, Calvados, about 30 kilometres (19 miles) southeast of Caen, France.[1] It depicts William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy and King of England, on a horse, and is surrounded by statues of his six ducal predecessors. It is the work of the French sculptor Louis Rochet.[1]
Description
[edit]The monument is a bronze statue on a granite pedestal. Surrounding the pedestal are six other statues representing the first six dukes of Normandy: Rollo, William I, Richard I, Richard II, Richard III, and Robert I. There is also a commemorative plaque.
William carries a gonfalon (banner) donated by Pope Alexander II.[1] The sculptor, in order to make the work appear realistic, based his design on the Bayeux tapestry.[1]
Created with the help of a national subscription, it was unveiled on October 26, 1851. The six other statues are a later addition of September 19, 1875.[1]
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Plaque
[edit]
The French inscription on the plaque translates into English as follows:
This monument was erected by national subscription
The equestrian statue on October 26, 1851
The statues of six dukes of Normandy on September 19, 1875
Location
[edit]The statue is located on Place Guillaume-le-Conquérant in Falaise, near the town hall, the Trinity Church, and Château de Falaise.
Protection
[edit]The monument has been registered as a historic monument since 18 July 2006. The statue is owned by the municipality of Falaise.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f Base Mérimée: Statue de Guillaume le Conquérant, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French)