Obelisk commemorating Benjamin Disraeli

A commemorative obelisk, erected by Sir Philip Rose, Bart, in memory of his friend, the former Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli and the visit of Queen Victoria to Rayners following his death in 1881.

MATERIALS & PLAN: the obelisk is of polished maroon Peterhead granite with Portland stone dressings and inset lead lettering. The obelisk rises from a stepped plinth and is set on the northern side of the driveway leading east from the house.

The plinth has two steps with chamfered top edges. At the mid point it is interrupted by a projecting stone band which has miniature pediments to each side. An inscription to the upper body on the south side reads: ‘THE RT. HON. / BENJAMIN DISRAELI / K.G. / EVER TO BE REMEMBERED / AS AUTHOR, ORATOR / STATESMAN, PATRIOT / AND FRIEND / BORN DEC. 21. 1804 / DIED APRIL 15 1881’. Below the stone band is a further inscription: ‘ON APRIL 30. 1881. / H.M. QUEEN VICTORIA / PASSED THIS SPOT ON HER WAY FROM / WINDSOR TO HUGHENDEN CHURCH YARD / TO VISIT THE LAST RESTING-PLACE OF HER / FAITHFUL FRIEND AND FORMER MINISTER / WHOSE LOSS THE NATION MOURNS. / BY EXPRESS DESIRE, HER MAJESTY / FOLLOWED THE ROUTE TAKEN BY LORD / BEACONSFIELD ON RETURNING FROM HIS / LAST VISIT TO WINDSOR CASTLE / DEC: 8-10, 1880 WHEN HE ENTERED BY / THE LOWER LODGE AT LOUDWATER, / REMAINED TO LUNCH AT RAYNERS, AND / WENT HOME BY CRIERS HILL. / A GROOM OF SIR PHILIP ROSE’S / HAVING BEEN COMMANDED TO MEET THE ROYAL / CORTEGE AT TAPLOW TO SHOW THE WAY.’ A further inscription on the plinth identifies the coachman who helped to lead the royal coach through the estate. The other sides are without inscription.