Equestrian statue of Viscount Combermere facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Equestrian statue of Viscount Combermere |
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Statue of Viscount Combermere
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| Artist | Carlo Marochetti |
| Year | 1865 |
| Medium | Bronze |
| Subject | Stapleton Cotton, 1st Viscount Combermere |
| Dimensions | 3.4 m (130 in) |
| Location | Chester, Cheshire, England |
| 53°11′11″N 2°53′37″W / 53.18640°N 2.89369°W | |
The Equestrian Statue of Viscount Combermere is a cool bronze statue in Chester, England. It shows a man on a horse. The statue is located on Grosvenor Road, right across from Chester Castle. It was made by an artist named Carlo Marochetti. This statue celebrates the amazing military career of Viscount Combermere. It's also a very important old building, officially called a Grade II* listed building.
History of the Combermere Statue
Stapleton Cotton, 1st Viscount Combermere (1773–1865) was a very important person. He was a cavalry officer, which means he led soldiers on horseback. He also worked as a diplomat and politician. He fought bravely alongside Wellington in the Peninsular War. This was a big war in Europe between 1807 and 1814.
In 1863, people thought it would be a good idea to build a monument for him. Many rich landowners in Cheshire and the Bishop of Chester, John Graham, supported the idea. They all gave money to the project. Everyone agreed that the monument should be a statue of him on a horse. This was because he was famous for his cavalry skills.
Carlo Marochetti was chosen to create the statue. He was well-known for making statues of people on horses. They also decided the statue should stand in a special spot. This spot was right opposite Chester Castle. Work on the statue started in 1864.
Sadly, Viscount Combermere passed away in February 1865, before the statue was finished. The statue was officially shown to the public on October 26, 1865. It cost about £5,000 to make. People had donated around £7,000 in total. The extra money was given to charities. This statue was the first big outdoor sculpture in Cheshire.
What the Statue Looks Like
The statue is made of bronze and shows Viscount Combermere sitting on a horse. The horse looks like it's resting, with one foot slightly lifted. The bronze figure is about 3.4 meters (11 feet) tall.
The statue stands on a base called a pedestal. This pedestal is made of Cornish granite. It is about 3.7 meters (12 feet) high. Viscount Combermere is dressed in the uniform of a field marshal. This is a very high rank in the army. The pedestal has his name and the years he lived carved into it. It also lists the names of the major battles he fought in.
Why the Statue is Important
The statue was officially recognized as a Grade II* listed building on January 10, 1972. In England, buildings and structures are given special grades to show how important they are. Grade II* is the middle level of these grades. It means the building or structure is "particularly important" and has "more than special interest." This shows how much the statue is valued today.
