Equestrian statue of William III, Bristol facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Equestrian statue of William III |
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The statue in 2011
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| Artist | John Michael Rysbrack |
| Year | 1733 |
| Type | Bronze |
| Location | Bristol |
The equestrian statue of William III is a famous old statue in the middle of Queen Square in Bristol, England. It's a very important historical building, known as a Grade I listed building. This means it's protected because of its special history and design.
Contents
What is This Statue?
This impressive statue shows King William III riding a horse. It was made by an artist named John Michael Rysbrack. The statue was cast, or shaped, in 1733 and then put up in 1736.
Why Was it Built?
The statue was built to show that the people of Bristol supported King William III. At that time, there was a political group called the Whigs. They believed that the King should share power with Parliament, which is like the country's main law-making group. The statue showed Bristol's support for the Crown and Parliament Recognition Act 1689. This was a law that made sure Parliament had a say in how the country was run. Fun fact: The original idea was to build a statue of King George II instead!
A Journey Through Time
This statue has quite a history! During World War II, many important things were moved to keep them safe from bombs. The statue of William III was moved to a place called Badminton. After the war ended, it was carefully fixed up and brought back to Queen Square in 1948.
What Does it Look Like?
The statue is made of bronze, which is a strong metal. It stands on a base made of special stone called Portland ashlar. This base has fancy carved edges. The statue shows King William III dressed in old Roman clothes, which was a popular style for statues of important leaders back then.
Images for kids
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An old picture of the statue from a book published in 1846.
