Oddball Royal Statues At The Guildhall

M@
By M@ Last edited 141 months ago
Oddball Royal Statues At The Guildhall
monarchtrio.jpg
Liz I. She had balls.
Liz I. She had balls.
Edward VI and his incredibly weighty hat.
Edward VI and his incredibly weighty hat.
Charles I...early contestant on Bullseye.
Charles I...early contestant on Bullseye.
Charles II, the Merry Monarch, camps things up.
Charles II, the Merry Monarch, camps things up.

Along with many other buildings in the Square Mile, the Guildhall is open to the public this weekend as part of the Celebrate the City festival. It's a good chance to gawp at one of London's most impressive spaces and its extensive crypt. We'd also recommend wandering a little deeper into the complex, where you'll find the Old Library (itself an impressive hall), and these somewhat peculiar statues.

A set of three stone monarchs, formerly from the Guildhall Chapel, stand in the stairwell to the library: a limp-wristed and ineffectual-looking Charles I; the boy-king Edward VI, whose neck would surely snap under the weight of that crown; and an atypical representation of Elizabeth I in classical garb. Round the corner, you'll find a representation of Charles II that must rank among London's Campest Statues. The set are attributed to Arnold Quellin and (probably) Nicholas Stone.

Visit the statues and the Guildhall's other wonders today, along with many City churches, up to 5pm.

Last Updated 23 June 2012