The Gower Monument

The Gower Monument

A monument erected between 1876 and 1888, designed by Lord Ronald Gower with collaborators L. Madrassi, Tassel, Raux & Marley, and the House of De Cauville & Perzinku. The work was executed in Paris over twelve years. Original installation was carried out by Frederick Taylor, contractor, under the supervision of architects Peignet and Marnez.

The monument is constructed of ashlar Bath and York stone with bronze fittings and figures. It comprises a round pedestal mounted on a square plinth, oriented approximately north to south. Four detached small plinths stand at the corners, each supporting a bronze figure of a Shakespearean character. Paved steps approach from the south, lined with low rubble stone walls. The paths between the plinths and main monument are laid in York stone slabs. The four plinth statues are illuminated by ground-set floodlights in concrete housing.

Each corner plinth bears a bronze figure representing a thematic concept and accompanied by a bronze Greek mask with pendant foliage and flowers. The south-east plinth shows Lady Macbeth representing Tragedy, with poppies and peonies. The south-west plinth displays Hamlet representing Philosophy, with ivy and cypress. The north-west plinth features Prince Hal representing History, with English Roses and French lilies. The north-east plinth bears Falstaff representing Comedy, with hops and roses.

At the apex sits a figure of Shakespeare in casual pose, deep in thought and holding a pen and scroll. The pedestal below contains panels with inscribed Shakespeare quotations between pilasters capped by bronze wreaths. The north face bears a quotation from Henry V, Act 1, scene i: "Consideration like an angel came, and whipt the offending Adam out of him." The east face carries a passage from Henry IV, Part 2, Act I, scene ii: "I am not only witty in myself, but the cause that wit is in other men." The south face displays lines from Macbeth, Act V, scene v: "Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more." The west face contains words from Hamlet, Act V, scene ii: "Good night sweet prince and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest."

The plinth faces are additionally inscribed with historical information. The south face records: "This monument was unveiled on 10th of October 1888 by Lady Hodgson wife of Sir Arthur Hodgson KCMG in the fifth year of his mayoralty." The west face notes: "This monument was removed from the Memorial Theatre Gardens to this site in the year 1933." The north face is inscribed: "Ronald Gower to Stratford-upon-Avon."

A bronze plaque affixed to the south face provides attribution details, stating that the figures were designed and modelled by Lord Ronald Gower, who presented the monument to the town in 1888. The plaque credits Gower's assistant Monsieur L. Madrassi, the firm of Tassel who executed all the figures except Hamlet, and Messieurs Raux and Marley who created the Hamlet figure. The House of De Cauville and Perzinku cast the wreaths, masks, fruit and flowers. The stone comprises partly Boxground Bath and partly York. The original site installation was completed by contractor Frederick Taylor under supervision of Paris-based architects Messieurs Peigniet and Marnay.