Obelisk

This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 24 November 2023 to correct a typo in the description and to reformat the text to current standards

SE 3171 1/42 27.5.49

RIPON MARKET PLACE (centre) Obelisk

GV I

1. Architect: Nicholas Hawksmoor. Clerk of Works: Cornelius Varker. Masons: William Etty and William Cowling. Carver: Samuel Carpenter of York. Smith: John Hood. Ashlar, Plinth. Tall, simply moulded base, with a plaque misleadingly inscribed:

"MDCCLXXXI

ERECTED AT THE EXPENSE OF

WILLIAM AISLABIE ESQUIRE,

WHO REPRESENTED THIS BOROUGH

IN PARLIAMENT SIXTY YEARS.

THE MAYOR, ALDERMEN AND ASSISTANTS

OF RIPON ORDERED THIS INSCRIPTION,

MDCCLXXXV

THE HONOURABLE FREDERICK ROBINSON,

MAYOR."

Obelisk surmounted by tall wrought iron weather-vane incorporating a representation or the Wakeman's Horn. Eighty feet high. Built by John Aislabie of Studley Royal. William Aislabie's contribution in 1781 must have been to repair it. He may also have removed the wrought iron railings surrounding it, and replaced them with four smaller obelisks at the corners, which have also been removed since.

The earliest surviving free-standing monumental obelisk in Great Britain.

Listing NGR: SE3121671269